The Plunge N2 Middle School Ministry

Toby Mac CD To the Winner

2010-02-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

Decipher the 20 songs in this Toby Mac Mashup...be the first to email me with the correct 20 songs (hint: each song is 20 seconds long)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/dtdjgtwvljm/tobysmash.mp3

Download this Mp3 file and play it with Itunes, Windows Media Player or whatever program you use to play mp3s. Also, I will give you two tickets to his upcoming concert! LEBC Middle School students only!

Let's Get This Party Started!

Turkey Bowling coming to The Plunge N2 November 18th at 7pm!!

2009-11-13T10:38:00.002-05:00

Wednesday night November 18th @ 7 pm we will be engaging in Turkey Bowling. Don't know what that is...check out the video or better yet...join us!

Do you know what you are listening to?

2009-10-12T12:58:00.000-04:00

Music is a powerful medium to convey messages to people. Think of your favorite song...bet you can sing the lyrics to it. How is it you can remember that but not the Pythagorean theorem? Oh I am sure you will say you can remember what you want to remember and that is true but you also can remember lyrics without even consciously thinking about them. Why is that? The power that music has to impact you is very real.

When is the last time you actually listened to the music that comes on your radio or is on shuffle in your ipod? You just might be surprised what those songs are really saying. We compromise in a lot of ways and say its just one song what is that? Little by little we are desensitizing ourselves to sin. We can rationalize it away but ultimately our music can change the way we think if we continue to fill our heads with junk. GIGO I call it...garbage in, garbage out...

I am no prude. I listen to a variety of styles of music from trance to hardcore metal music to country but I believe it is very important for you to pay attention to what these songs are saying to you. Take some time to look up the lyrics of your favorite artist. Look into that artist's beliefs...what they are about and why they sing the songs they do...you just might be surprised by what you find out.

You have heard the noise over what you watch on TV, Youtube, etc and how that effects your attitude but music has that subtle effective power to stay with us in our memory banks for years. I still associate a very bad breakup I had with a song that had the lyrics "you dropped a bomb on me" and every time I hear that song played, I think about that breakup. That is powerful.

Couple music with power of video imagery and you get a double dose of dangerous. I watch MTV (of course they don't play videos on MTV anymore much) and other video channels and I see so much more about the song than I ever could have imagined by the words alone. You do too. Except you are still learning what is right and what is wrong and developing a filter for the things the world throws at you.

I pray you will take some time to listen to the songs you like...pay attention to what that artist is singing about in your fav videos...I hope and pray God opens your eyes...

What does it mean to live on purpose?

2009-09-18T23:31:00.000-04:00

So, what does it mean to live for a higher purpose?

God created you to please Him and live for Him. The purpose of the things we do should line up with this purpose for our lives. It is each person’s responsibility to do things that honor Jesus Christ, with motives that honor God, using methods that honor Him. God’s Word is given to us to help us learn how to do that.

Proverbs 19:21 says "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

Why you do something...your motive is as important as what you do. Colossians 3:17 makes that pretty plain to me: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So the questions to ask yourself are this: Is what you are doing...will it please God and bring glory and honor to Him? Your motive for doing it...will it please God?

We have a purpose in life...each of us...are you fulfilling yours by God's standards?

You have meaning...God cares about you,

Larry

What is your story?

2009-09-09T00:09:00.000-04:00

Everybody has a story...who are you? What has God done in you, with you and through you...what challenges have you encountered...what mistakes have you made? What are your successes? The more you think about it, the more of the story starts filling in like a jigsaw puzzle.

You might say well I am just 12! Yes that is true...now consider what Jesus did when he was 12...

It starts with your beginning. Most might label this a testimony but it is simply your story. A simple four step process should help. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you should be able to complete these in some form:

Write your personal story using the following guide:

1. Briefly describe your life before Christ.

2. Write what you felt and experienced before you came to know Christ. Be careful not to get too detailed at this point. Don’t glamorize your past.

3. Describe your conversion experience. Include events and circumstances that led to you discovering your need for Christ. Many times we make the mistake of describing our baptism, not our conversion. Focus on when Christ became your Savior and Lord.

4. Describe the differences that accepting Christ has made in your life. How He changed your life? What has God done - and what is He still doing - in your life that has strengthened and affirmed your relationship with Him?

What about you? What's your story?

Don't have a story but you want one? If you do...email me!

What Are Middle Schoolers Afraid Of?

2009-09-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

I admit it has been 30 years since I was in middle school so when this subject flashed through my head (and believe me, a lot of stuff flashes through my head) I tried to remember some things I was afraid of going into the middle school years.

I was afraid of getting physically beaten up. At least I had older brothers but they were not around in middle school and my mouth had a habit of writing checks my body could not cash. I remember being in several fights in middle school...some even with girls. I am not certain I "won" any of those. I think I had something written on my forehead that said bully me. I know some kids deal with bullies today. At least bullying has been brought out into the light and schools no longer tolerate that activity as much. In my day they said "if I didn't see him do it, it did not happen". I learned that on the occasion you cannot out-physical a bully, you can generally out-think them...strategy, logic, planning...all worked to my advantage. I am a better problem solver today for having to out-think those bullies.

I had a realistic fear that I would never have a girlfriend. I was not good with the ladies (thus the fights) and I felt kind of left out of the girlfriend/boyfriend mix. In fact most of the girlfriends I had were younger sisters of my brother's girlfriends. I know some kids today struggle with thoughts just like this. I want to tell you...don't worry about the bf/gf thing so much. I was a shy guy, I was a nerd and I believe I turned out ok. I have never been a ladies man but I watched how the "ladies man" type guys turned out and you are not missing much.

I had an all consuming fear of failure. I failed 6th grade math. I should have failed a couple of other subjects along the way. One year I did not make a baseball team. I did not make the cut on the junior high basketball team. I really thought of myself as an utter failure many times. People wonder where I get my competitive drive...it is literally because I so greatly feared failure that I try so hard to succeed. There were few things I could find that I do well. Strangely that has not changed in my life. What has changed is my focus. I spend more time and effort focused on those things I do well in and less on those that dub me a failure. Oh I occasionally dabble in those things I am not that good at hoping I might somehow have gotten better but no.

So I have listed three from my days as a junior high schooler/middle schooler (and if you have not heard, I went from junior high to high school to middle school and then back to high school and did not fail a grade...you figure that one out.) The fear of physical beat-downs, the fear of loneliness, and the fear of failure. What about you? What are you (or were you) afraid as as a middle schooler?

Middle School Trials and Tribulations

2009-05-12T09:12:00.000-04:00

It is troubling to me that I see a lot of kids struggling in middle school with the same issues my almost 19-year old daughter struggled with late in the high school years. There has been a fundamental shift to everything happening earlier in kids lives. Not just teenage pregnancies but drugs, sex, alcohol, and bullying. The full gambit of bad stuff now invades at the 6th grade level rather than waiting for that mythical high school experience.

That simply means we as parents have to educate ourselves even quicker to the culture and the issues at hand. We cannot leave those things to someone else. Even though I work with middle schoolers on a regular basis, I am not with them for the length of time to make the kind of impression on them they need. 4 hours a week just does not cut it. The world in which they live has changed. It is not the same as it was when we were in middle school, in fact, it is not the same as when my oldest daughter was in middle school 4 short years ago.

At times, I scratch my head and ask what happened. Then I remember, sin happens. No matter the age, it grabs a hold of our kids and will not let go. Parents, we must be on our knees in prayer for these kids. We must be prayer walking the schools. We must be praying with them at home and teaching them what is right from the Bible at home. It all starts at home. If our country is imploding, it is happening first in the home. No stable family, no consistent home life, a world full of busyness, and tweenage imagination are dangerous combinations. Do not abdicate your parental responsibilities to someone else. We make the time for soccer, baseball, golf, dancing lessons, school functions, and our own recreation...why not time to pray with our kids? Do you have time to teach them some Biblical principles? If you claim you do not have time, then do not be surprised by the problems you are dealing with years later.

I am no perfect role model myself. I have a long way to go but it is evident, as I have two more children creeping up on middle school age, that I have not done enough to prepare them for what is ahead. It is never too late to do what is right. Start afresh with your kids today.

Relationships: Parents

2009-03-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

The days in which parents are the most influential relationship in a child's life has almost passed us by. Not by accident but by abdication. Many parents have surrendered their parental authority to teachers, ministers, friends, or anyone else that has an interest in their child's life. The difficulty in maintaining a normal family structure of mom, dad, and kids has only muddied the water further.

Many kids are struggling with the relationship with their parents. This is not unusual. This has been happening for years. The difference now is that the conflict starts much earlier and goes much deeper than it ever used to.

Leaves us to ask why. The simple answers are communication, independence, time, and the obvious relationship factors. Look deeper. Parents are not passing on any morals to their children anymore. It may be because they don't have any... Parents have a lack of respect for authority figures so it is no surprise they raise children who also suffer from that. Parents did not grow up in church so they have lost the moral basis and center for their lives. Churches have also failed parents along the way too. There is enough responsibility to go around. Make no mistake, I am not innocent of what I see either.

I have to get the log out of my eye before I can see the speck in yours. But I believe we are all walking around with 2x4's in our eyes and we are afraid to point it out. There is an elephant in the room and we just don't see it..

Parenting has never been more of a challenge but you know what else...being a kid has never been more of challenge either. Yet we are running away from the very thing that can help us.

The bottom line is having a respect for authority and that authority starts at the very top. If you do not have a relationship with God...you have no respect for His authority, we certainly are not going to have any basis to respect any other authority. It just will not seem right or add up to us. We settle controversy and disputes by what seems fair and right in our own eyes. That will always change based on the situation (which is a subjective standard) or even what many call moral relativism. That line of thinking simply states that YOU define what is moral and right in each situation. As long as we do that and our kids do that, we will have what we see now. When we lived according to God's righteous standard, we were much better off across the board...not perfect, but better.

So parents, what am I saying? If you have a bad situation with your children...your know likely where it began? Not with them and their willfulness. But with you and your own unwillingness to do as Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Sadly it may be too late for some of our kids. A generation has passed and you have lost all authority over them. But its not too late for the rest of them. Its time to take up the mantle of Biblical Parenthood. Biblically, it should start with the men, the head of the family but it may not.

Young people....just because your parents are the way there are does not excuse you from personal responsibility. God holds each of us accountable for our own actions. If you have God honoring parents...thank God and honor your parents accordingly. If you do not, then set an example for them...challenge them with your honor and respect for them because God says you should and maybe you will see a change in your parents. Too many people are buying into the Dr. Phil excuses that your parents messed you up for life and that is why you are this way. God did not make you that way. Everything you do still boils down to your choice. God has a plan and a purpose for your life and even your experiences with your parents can be used to benefit others.

I pray God removes the 2x4's before it is too late for all of us.

In His Name,

Larry

Relationships: Friends

2009-01-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Friends (real ones, not the TV show ^^^^)

My first of the year post on the blog...wow has it been awhile.

My week long hiatus into Facebook has turned into more of a conversion of methodology for reaching folks...I connect with more people on Facebook than I did in a year's worth of blogging...now substance, that is another matter.

I am excited about delving into Relationships over the next three months in The Plunge N2 on Wednesday nights. We start tonight with Friends. What makes a good friend? What does the Bible say about friends? Over the next few weeks we will look at loneliness, peer pressure, comparisons, and identity...then in February we move on to girl/boy relationships...yep, it will be sex and dating stuff. Then in March we will conclude our series on Relationships with Teens vs. Parents in a knock down, drag-out battle royal (ok that was shameless hype) but we will look at teen/parent relationships and how to start them off right, improve them, or rebuild them if they seem hopeless.

We see friendships portrayed on TV and in the movies that seem larger than life like the Friends TV show. I think back to Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. They had their ups and downs. But they illustrated a lot of great qualities that friends should share.

When I was little, I lived in Illinois and had friends I had made since birth. When I moved away, my friendships stayed behind. Back then, there was no Facebook, only a telephone and that just did not do it so all of those friendships dropped by the wayside. I have reconnected with one friend I had back then...a good friend named Maria and despite all of those years, she is very much what she was like then and the reasons I valued her friendship are still true today.

When I think about all of the friendships that I have had throughout the years...some close, some acquaintance type, it is amazing how easily we seem to move on to new friends given our circumstances and when we get together with old friends, all we seem to have in common is the way things used be and the memories back then.

Middle schoolers are right in the middle of forging friendships that may last years or days depending upon the friends. Don't take your friendships lightly...value them and to get a friend, be a friend.

Today, think about your friends and how and why you become friends with them...it is an interesting exercise and it may just open your eyes to the nature of friendships.

God bless you today,

Larry

Facebook Month (and then some)

2008-11-25T11:10:00.002-05:00

I spent a week away from posting to spend time updating my Facebook page, inviting Friends, creating groups etc. I have come to realize there is only so much time for technology whether it be social networking, blogging, or just surfing the web.

I am always on the lookout for faster, more efficient ways of staying on top of things. I pride myself in being able to find information quickly and I feel frustrated when I cannot.

I am constantly upgrading my cell phone too and I am ashamed to say it but I have been texting a little bit lately. I swore I would never text...seems like a waste of time. Next thing you know, I will be hooked up with twitter.

We have come along way from when a business school teacher back in 1990 said this world wide web thing would never catch on in the states. I guess he was wrong about that. The best thing is, I don't need to text him to tell him he was wrong...I only need to look in the mirror and say that, for he is me.

I suppose I still have a lot to learn about technology. My computer science degree does not do a lot for me anymore...technology is light years ahead of when I went to college. My kids will know more about this stuff than I ever will. That does not mean I am not going to try and keep up...but I guess it is time to get rid of the 8 track player and my Coleco Pong game huh? Maybe I can sell them on Ebay?

God bless you today,

Larry

The difference between part-time and full-time youth ministry

2008-11-18T09:35:00.002-05:00

I have embarked on a challenge...maybe even a quest. Tim Schmoyer has a number of blog topics he hopes people will write...here

So I am going to write about all the ones I know something about so I can do my part to help others. I have been both a full time and a part-time, bivocational youth minister so maybe I can help with this question.

For me, there is very little difference between part-time and full-time youth ministry and I will tell you why...the goals and the expectations often end up being the same.

I always thought (before I became a full-time youth minister) what I would be able to do if I was in full time youth ministry work...all the things I could, retreats I could go to, time I could spend planning...however, it seemed none of that happened like I thought it would. Very few of those involved in full time youth ministry get to devote their full time to youth ministry. In fact, youth ministry is one of those positions that gets tacked on to a lot. Youth and Education, Youth and Music, Youth and Children, Associate Pastor for Youth...all with other responsibilities besides youth. I will also say that expectations of a youth worker changes when you are paid to work in it full time and I suppose rightfully so. I transitioned in one church from part-time to full-time but I really did not change anything I was already doing...I was devoting just as much time to it as I could but the expectations all of a sudden changed...watch out! Full time youth ministry did afford me the opportunity to visit the schools and spend quality time with my youth which I liked.

So full time ministry afforded me a little more time to build the relationships that are so necessary to do youth ministry...a definite plus.

I will also say this...full time youth ministry puts a lot of strain on you and your family. This is your primary source of income usually for the whole family. One big mistake or error in judgment and you are so unemployed and where does that leave your family? It is difficult to minister as God has called you to do with that thought hanging over your head. One stint I had as a full time youth minister came to an abrupt end because of the Senior pastor and I not seeing eye to eye on youth ministry.(see my last two posts) This left me and my family in a very bad position. I felt for the kids, what God was doing there, and the fact I would no longer be a part of it. However, in a practical sense, I was in a difficult spot. God provided but it had a real cost to it.

When I was involved in part-time youth ministry, the kids needed me just as much, they wanted to do the things other churches did, I tried to reach out as much as others did but I always ran up against a couple of big differences I do see in part-time youth ministry and full time. Time and money.

In part time work, you also have lots of other responsibilities eating at your time. I was part-time youth guy while I was in seminary but I also worked 2 other jobs and went to school. Now to the church's credit, they never placed unreal expectations on my time but I drove 50 miles just to get there.

Most churches that employ part-time youth ministers are taking all the money they have for youth ministry and paying you with it. I have been in churches that had money to do stuff and churches that did not and I will be honest and say it was easier to do ministry in churches that had money to support it. When you are in part time ministry, it seems its you against the world. You really have to develop a good source of volunteers. If you are bivocational, it does not hurt to have a good paying job that is light on the hours (hope you find that) As I said, with part-time or full-time youth ministry, I believe people's expectations are the same...they are paying someone to do youth ministry...payola changes everyone's perception of what you should be doing.

Some of my best experiences are when I am just Joe Volunteer working with the youth. No real job description, no expectations, after all, I am just a volunteer. It really helps prioritize some things. I also don't have the "someones paying me" thing hanging over my head. I feel like I got a lot more satisfaction out of being a part-time volunteer than anything else I have ever done.

Let me summarize some of these things:

1. Full-time and part-time youth ministry often leave people with the same expectations of you.
2. Full-time may afford you with what appears to be more time but it does not often pan out like that.
3. Full-time ministry puts a greater strain on the family unit (in other words, if God has not called you to do it...don't)
4. Full-time youth ministry is often judged (fairly or unfairly) by numbers and activities you do.
5. Full-time youth ministers need to be acquainted with the passage in Luke 12:48. You will hear that quoted your way often I am sure.
6. Part-time youth ministry may indeed leave you with less resources (money, time) to work with but you must find a way to keep those limitations from impacting your ministry (especially making excuses for not having time, money...) See John chapter 6.
7. Part-time ministry usually means you are full-time somewhere else...do not lose sight of your priorities in the midst of all that you do...keep God's perspective.
8. Part-time ministry is never, ever part-time. You are on call 24/7. Part-time refers to how you are compensated not your ministry.
9. Part-time ministry is just as personally rewarding as full-time ministry and to me, just as important and ever more needed in today's economy. Don't think of yourself as a second class minister regardless of your title or pay scale...some of the best ministers I know never held an "official" position.
10. To that end, take the opportunity to volunteer sometime. You may find that ultimately freeing (particularly if you have another job paying the bills)

Who would think I went to seminary and all that to end up as a volunteer minister?

Crazy huh?

I am sure there are more differences. You tell me your experience.

God bless you today,

Larry

What I Wish Every Youth Minister Knew About Being Senior Pastor

2008-11-17T09:33:00.000-05:00

A little different than my usual posts but this is a follow-up to Friday's What I Wish Every Senior Pastor Knew About Youth Ministry. In case you did not read Friday's post...I have been both a Senior Pastor and a Youth Minister and I am currently neither so I can speak what is on my heart about these topics.

I used the Top Ten format on Friday so I will follow the same convention today.

1. Most Senior Pastors love youth and know they need to be ministered to, therefore you have a job/ministry.

2. Senior pastors are responsible for so much and youth ministry is a small part of the whole...an important part but a small part.

3. Senior pastors do not like the extra attention (read criticism) that often comes as a result of the youth minister's mistakes/errors in judgment. Disgruntled parents are always a bad sign.

4. Senior pastors often feel youth ministry is fun and games but seldom have the time to spend to see what really is going on. Fill him in on the real ministry that is going on not just numbers.

5. Senior pastors often have an idea of how they want youth ministry done...if you two are not on the same page, you will likely not be there very long. (I learned a lesson about this one first hand, can we say fired?)

6. Between sermon prep, hospital visitation, counseling, funerals, weddings, preaching, teaching, and other general pastoral duties, it is no wonder many youth ministers feel out of the Senior pastor's loop. Your Senior pastor cannot do it alone...he needs your help.

7. Senior pastors do not have to demand your respect for his authority if you give it to him willingly. Respect the chain of command. Kids learn to respect (or disrespect) the position of Senior pastor from what you say and do.

8. Senior pastors are real guys with real problems and not a one of us is perfect. Its just everyone knows when we make mistakes. Life in a fishbowl is difficult. I need you to pray for me.

9. Many Senior pastors (not me, ever, lol) may be control freaks...ease their concerns by keeping them informed regularly. Talk, email, communicate. It is that important. Planning and organization go a long way toward easing the control freak's mind.

10. A church is one body...the whole body of Christ...many different parts but working together for one purpose...it should never end up in a us vs. them scenario. The youth minister's relationship with the senior pastor can and does affect the whole church. Make it a priority.

I am sure if you are reading this, you have other things I have not included. I have a personal bias in that as Senior pastor I was involved with the youth whenever I could be. I spent time with the children's ministry doing dramas, skits and puppets. That is where my heart is. I may have just been a Hybrid Senior Pastor but I believed it was important to relate to all segments of my church. Also, the churches where I pastored were small and I was bivocational on top of all of that. I am sure life is different in the large-sized to mega church models.

God bless you today,

Larry

What I Wish Every Senior Pastor Knew About Youth Ministry

2008-11-14T09:41:00.003-05:00

I wanted to contribute something today to help out my good friend Tim Schmoyer whom I have never met but I know a lot about because of his great blog here

The post to his blog specific to those topics is here:

Since I have been both a Senior Pastor and a Youth Minister in my ministry career, I feel I may have some insight on this subject. I know a lot of Senior Pastors and most of them know the things soon to be listed here but, unfortunately, I have served with some that do not. Here is my Top Ten in no particular order...

1. I love kids and feel God called me to youth ministry. Youth ministry is not necessarily a stepping stone to be the Senior Pastor.

2. Youth ministry is not all about fun otherwise it would be called Youth Fun Club or something similar. It is as much a ministry as any other ministry in the church. Kids need Jesus too.

3. As the youth ministry goes, so will the future of this church. The youth ministered to today will be the adults you pastor tomorrow.

4. Youth ministry today is so much more challenging than it has ever been and therefore it is that much more needed. Kids today are seeking...if they don't find what they need here, they will look elsewhere.

5. Youth ministry is not a drain on the church budget but an investment in the future of our church.

6. You are Senior Pastor and I respect your authority but I would like to see us work more as a team. From time to time, I need you to pastor me too.

7. I will make mistakes from time to time. I am human. Please forgive me, provide me direction and be involved with the youth ministry whenever possible.

8. I may have a family and kids and responsibilities that sometimes have to take precedence over church stuff. A youth retreat is not my idea of a family vacation.

9. Just because I am not in the office does not mean I am not involved in ministry.

10. Yes you can be in your 30s, (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) and still minister effectively to youth.

This is my top ten. Perhaps you have some others...we can make a running list and send them to Senior Pastors everywhere...we could even write a book but who has the time to read it?

When I was Senior Pastor I was never far from youth ministry and would reflect on these often. Check back on Monday...I will post my "What I Wish Every Youth Minister Knew About Being the Senior Pastor" post (Tim didn't ask for that one but I think it is needed too)

God bless you today,

Larry

Thank you

2008-11-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

We thank you Veterans and all those brave men and women who are serving in all branches of our military and reserve today. God bless you and God bless America!

Larry

Home

2008-11-07T12:29:00.001-05:00

My daughter Tiffany is finally home from the Marines. She is technically HOA (Home Awaiting Orders) but is biding her time before a medical discharge is final. Her shoulder is hurt pretty bad.

It is good to have a place to call home. Home - a place you can come to where you are loved and accepted. People may live in houses or in places they call "home" but they truly are not home.

I know a lot of kids are struggling through this same situation with divorces and breakups being what they are. My prayer today is for all those out there who do not have a place they can call home...may you find that peace and rest in the love of a savior, Jesus Christ, who is preparing your heavenly home.

This world certainly has its challenges and difficulties...but you can rest in the one who has overcome the World...Jesus Christ. Put your faith and trust in Him today and he can give you that home away from home you are longing for...a place where He will love and care for you as His own...

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I am glad to have Tiffany back home and hope and pray God will show her what she needs to do now to discover His will for her life.

God bless you today,

Larry

The Crowd

2008-11-06T09:21:00.000-05:00

We had an awesome crowd last night at The Plunge N2! We had 28 middle schoolers...you guys took me seriously about getting 25 middle schoolers there for a pizza party...well I guess its put up time for me...open the wallet and drop some cash (actually, Ryan said the church would cover it...whew...)

With such a large crowd, there maybe a few who are just along for the ride...tempted to go along with the crowd. Today's video demonstrates the danger of choosing the crowd over the cross.

Remember what Matthew 7:13-14 says:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

If you find yourself with a crowd of people, all cheering and happy about where you are headed...just make sure you going in the right direction at the time.

God bless you today,

Larry

Get Service?

2008-11-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

Maybe people have stuff going on we don't even see or are aware of...maybe because we don't want to know? The bottom line is whether we can get past our own selves and look at others' needs. Can we live Philippians 2:3?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

It takes a lot of humility to consider others better than ourselves....

God bless you today,

Larry

Road Rage

2008-11-03T09:43:00.000-05:00

Wow have I been there! I see too much of myself in this video. Driving always seemed like a very difficult task when I was a middle schooler. Now it seems like we try and do so much when we are driving...making phone calls, texting, playing video games, eating, checking email, looking for stuff around the car...

The temper displayed in this video is all too familiar though. I am not sure you ever get over those intense feelings when someone is going too slow, sitting at green lights, or just not driving up to your expectations.

For sure, a temper like this will lead to an early death...either your heart will go or someone will kill you because of it. How do you overcome such an angry disposition? The only way I have ever made progress is by giving it to God. Practically, I ask myself, is this really that important to be this upset over? If you can keep your emotions in check, you will be surprised how much stuff just doesn't matter anymore in the grand scheme of things. A video we will look at tomorrow will put more perspective on the issue for you.

God bless you today,

Larry

Fore!

2008-10-31T11:04:00.000-04:00

I am looking forward to playing some golf tomorrow with the men from church. I am not that good but I enjoy it. This video really speaks to us being considerate of our own actions.

Too many times we want to put the blame on someone else...its their fault we say. When clearly, we are the one at fault.

It has been said that if everyone was to be concerned with their own actions instead of pointing out the flaws of others, the world would be a much better place.

Luke 6:41-42 says "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

If we really cared about someone else, we would be interested in helping people, not just in judging them or blaming them. Each day we are looking around for that speck in someone else's eye...maybe we should focus on the plank in our own...Fore!

God bless you today,

Larry

Technical Assistance

2008-10-30T15:29:00.000-04:00

Have you ever encountered something that sounded easy until you heard or read the instructions and then all of a sudden you are confused? I am one of those who just likes to put stuff together or install it and see what happens...if I have trouble, then I consult the manual.

Too many times, that is exactly what we do with our lives. We try and make things work on our own and when they don't...then we look for the instructions...i.e. the Bible.

The Bible may even sound easy to do and follow until you give it a try...you can't do it alone...you need God's help to provide you with technical assistance in how to live out His Word or you may just end up like poor, old Grandma here...

God bless you today,

Larry

Evangelism Linebacker

2008-10-29T09:48:00.002-04:00

I used this video over two years ago...it is one of the funniest video series I had ever seen. Makes you think twice if you choose not to share your faith. Pay no attention to the words being in sync with their mouths...

Get off the floor and go door to door!

I will see you all at The Plunge N2 tonight and bring some friends with you!

God bless you today,

Larry

Godco: Evangelism

2008-10-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

It seems we will do lots of things but not share our faith. We think we can't find the right words...when our own words would do. We don't need a paid tv evangelist to do it for us.

Start by writing down your experience in your own words. Just focus on what God's done for you in simple, easy to remember sentences. Use personal examples. People cannot argue with what God has done for you. When you get done, you have what we call a "testimony"...its easy...try it!

God bless you today,

Larry

Godco: Prayer

2008-10-27T11:19:00.000-04:00

Since we are talking about prayer in The Plunge N2, I thought this funny video is all too timely concerning prayer.

Prayer is communication with God. The simpler the better to me. No need to break out with the big, theological words like "supplications". God just wants to hear from you...the real you, not the Godco you. God loves you and cares about you and is waiting for you to talk with him...are you there?

God bless you today,

Larry

Daylight is Coming

2008-10-24T09:45:00.000-04:00

Remedy Drive's song by that title was a very appropriate song for today. It is that time of the year when it so dark in the morning, you may forget its morning. I felt like I should still have been in bed it was so dark (it was also raining too).

Remedy Drive's song has more to do than my slumber time. Here are the lyrics to that song:

Has everything you've counted on
Left you right here with no warning
Have your dreams become invisible
Wait with me dear till the morning
Light will make the night burnout

Hold on
Daylight is coming
To break the dawn
Daylight is coming

The brightest stars are falling down
Is hope lost in the black skies
The darkness must precede the dawn
Wait with me here till the sunrise
Wait, your night will soon fade out

Hold on
Daylight is coming
To break the dawn
Daylight is coming
Daylight is coming

Hold on
Daylight is coming
To break the dawn
Daylight is coming

Quite the encouraging song for those who have seen their dreams surrounded by darkness. Those who have seen their bright light of hope snuffed out in pitch black loneliness.

The Daylight that the song mentions is our hope in Jesus Christ that our long, lonely, dark nights of depression, anxiety, and fear will be broken by the light of a new morning in Jesus.

The most pivotal line of this whole song is this one:

"The darkness must precede the dawn"

Does this make it easier to tolerate the dark times of life knowing that the light is coming? I believe so.

God bless you today,

Larry

Your Past Is Catching Up To You...

2008-10-23T10:09:00.001-04:00

Sometimes your past catches up with you. It may not be on a recorded video or an audio tape, but it does. Are you ashamed of your past? The best way to get cleansed of that guilt is to ask forgiveness. Something we talked about last night.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Remember that with confession should come a deep desire to REPENT which simply means you don't commit that sin anymore...you turn away from it. Ask for God to purify you so you can be free of that sin.

God bless you today,

Larry

Competitive Dodgeball

2008-10-22T10:04:00.002-04:00

I am one competitive guy. Too competitive sometimes. This video demonstrates a funny truth taken to the extreme. What will competition get you? What will winning mean to you? What about the losers?

Spiritual gifts are important. I see athletes every day who bring glory to God through their talents on the field, court, or track. God can use whatever is unique about you to bring glory unto Himself. Could God use dodgeball? Sure...if He wanted to and you were willing. There is the key piece of the puzzle...your willingness to be used by God.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Your question should not be what can God do for you or even what you can do for God but are you willing to let God use you?

Perhaps you have been dodging that question for too long?

God bless you today,

Larry

Mandles

2008-10-21T12:19:00.001-04:00

I realize I may be behind the times with this little ditty but I saw some references to it on a blog and I had to find it. Youtube strikes again!

I have to admit, I love me some funny and this is funny. Anything that includes a reference to Chuck Norris sweat is quality. These seem perfect for the middle school boy near you too. Now I am off to see if anyone actually makes them...

God bless you today,

Larry

MeChurch

2008-10-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

Is it all about you? What do you go to church for? What is its purpose in your life? You think back to the early church and I do not see a lot of similarities between the church of today and the church back then. In fact, you might just say the church of today is MeChurch.

If you can't have MeChurch then you just don't come to church. A lot of people have fallen into that trap in their life. Maybe you just need to sit back and ask yourself...if your parents did not bring you...would you still come to church and why? You will be faced with that question one day...might as well be today.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God bless you today,

Larry

Prayer

2008-10-19T13:38:00.002-04:00

This video is very funny and has some great truths to it. I hate all the IVR stuff these days. I am into technology but they can keep the interactive voice recordings to themselves. I want an IVR that can pick up extreme Yankee southabilly talk. You'se guys, y'all, you'uns get what I mean right?

I have had cell phone conversations very similar to this one before. Never said anything about shooting anyone but it is all too familiar. I especially hate when the cell service is spotty and you are left with pretty much yelling or continuously repeating the same stuff over and over again.

I am also amazed at just what some people will discuss on a cell phone in a public place like a Walmart. I did not know Uncle John was in jail and Granny had depression...private conversations should be kept just that...private. And who hasn't fallen for the bluetooth headset wearin person who is not talking to you? Happened to me when I was fishing around the freezer case for garlic toast...thought the lady was talking to me...then I see the silly bluetooh headset.

All the more reason I love prayer. God knows what you are saying when you say it and you don't even have to say it. Perfect if you ask me.

God bless you today,

Larry

YouTube Generation

2008-10-17T22:35:00.001-04:00

There is bound to be more on YouTube than these...tell me your favs...

God bless you today,

Larry

The Plunge N2 Bunch

2008-10-15T23:25:00.000-04:00

Jocktoberfest

2008-10-15T09:44:00.001-04:00

Now before you go ripping me about golf not being a sport...remember what Tiger Woods did while on one good knee. The dude is one of the fittest cats on the planet. He would certainly qualify for being a Jock. You know, back in the high school days, I played tennis...I was a hybrid Jock...not quite a full athlete. In part, because in South GA, its football, basketball, and baseball in that order...tennis was a sport for fun to most.

I remember growing up and idolizing some athletes. Because I played tennis, one of more favs was Bjorn Borg. He was Borg before Star Trek knew The Borg. And talk about resistance being futile...he just quietly spanked people. I loved when he played John McEnroe. Mac was loud, angry, and his temper fueled his game. Bjorn just quietly played. You seldom saw emotion from him. His long hair under a headband as he just pounded the competition. Unfortunately, in my temperament, I was more like Johnny Mac. I remember destroying a brand new racket on a net post. Nothing brings you back to reality quicker than blowing up $100 in a temper tantrum.

Anger would always get the best of me. I was not a volcano. Volcanos build slowly to eruption. I was more like a nuclear bomb. The devastation came quickly and had long lasting fallout. I was always very angry when I played. I had the physical ability but I never could get the mental side of it together. Who knows what I could have done if I could have been mentally tough. All a player had to do was wait me out...the explosion was coming.

I look back now and I am ashamed. I played all sorts of sports: tennis, baseball, football, and basketball but I was never great at any one sport. That is why I respect some of the big time athletes who don't crack under the pressure. Who are able to perform when everyone expects certain failure. History is littered with those athletes who succumbed to the pressure. The baseball player who could not perform in the playoffs. The star football kicker who choked when the game was on the line. The golfer who bombed out when she had the big lead. We all can remember the names (but I will spare them more embarrassment). What separates the great from the good or the average? The great never let anything hold them back. Not a knee injury. Not a failure. Not a mistake. Nothing.

Anger was clearly holding me back from being what I knew I could be and do. What is holding you back today? Even if you are not into sports, Jocktoberfest will apply to you. See you at The Plunge N2 tonight.

God bless you today,

Larry

Lockers

2008-10-14T11:48:00.001-04:00

One of my most vivid memories of middle school was being able to use a locker for the first time...that seems like an ultimate responsibility coming from elementary school...locker privileges. I also remember my locker being a horrible mess just shoving stuff in there to the point I was afraid to open it for fear of what (or who?) may fall out. Its funny...the type of locker-keeper we are tends to translate into our lives outside of school. I am a pack-rat even now. Never more emphasized than by my looking through 10 different USB cables trying to find the one I needed...six bags, two boxes and several cabinets later...I did not find the one I needed. I can harbor all this junk and yet not have what I really need.

Frustration sets in when you cannot find what you are looking for...I can remember several times in middle school having a wholesale clean-out of my locker in search of something. Perhaps we need that same wholesale clean-out in our lives too...

Psalm 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

In need of a fresh start today? Perhaps its time to clean out the sin locker of your life and start again anew. God's forgiveness awaits your simple confession and repentance.

God bless you today,

Larry

Survivor: Daddy

2008-10-13T11:14:00.000-04:00

Now there is a reality show...Dads trying to go it alone for weeks at a time without mom's help. The kids get to vote their parents off the island and get mom back. I guarantee you my kids missed mom and that was just two days/nights. So many things we take for granted in this life.

I got a chance to preach last night. I really enjoy the every now and again preaching opportunity...it is an exciting thing. When you do just that for year after year, Sunday after Sunday, it does have a tendency to get routine...but in a year since I gave up my 5 year pastorate, I have preached like 5 times. Quite a difference I'd say.

I especially like the Children's sermons I get to do...its 3 minutes and a cloud of dust...and anything goes with kids. Last week, we had a rambling boy who just wandered everywhere. Some weeks there are a lot of off the wall questions. I use a lot of object lessons so kids often remember it just for that.

Really what I do now combines my 20 years of ministry experience from Youth and Children's ministry to Education Minister to Associate Pastor to Pastoring...I get a little bit of it all. You never know what God is preparing you for when you are doing it...so you better be paying close attention.

God has a purpose for each of us...something to accomplish whether in life or in death, you better be ready. Fortunately, there is room for on-the-job training even on Survivor: Daddy.

God bless you today,

Larry

Going It Alone

2008-10-11T19:38:00.001-04:00

With my wife off to Starke, Florida for a Lay Renewal weekend, I realize just how difficult it is to do without her. Even though we have had plenty to keep us busy...with a 5th quarter last night and a work-related picnic for 4 hours today... I am tired physically. No matter how much there is to do...I miss her and the girls miss her too.

Since we went out to eat last night and had pizza delivered this evening, the girls are loving their daddy time. I also got to talk to my oldest daughter today...she is surviving in the Marines Physical Evaluation Battalion. I am glad she called. I had not heard from her in over a week by phone or in a letter.

I realize ever more and have a greater appreciation for single parents out there. My "single parent" stint will end tomorrow afternoon. It is hard to imagine having to parent alone. The questions from the kids alone are often enough to drive one crazy.

I did at least wash some dishes and clothes and took out some trash although it looks like a man lives here...stuff is all over the place. I also managed to wash my truck the hard way since the automatic wash was out-of-order. I have also put my daughters to work in and around the house.

If I could make a suggestion to you middle schoolers out there...take a few moments, stop what you are doing...get your parents attention and tell them Thank You! You never really think about all they do for you when you are around them all the time. If your mom or dad is a single parent, give them a big hug and tell them you love them even more...they no doubt need to hear it, we all do.

God bless you today,

Larry

I Love My Wife!

2008-10-09T12:02:00.000-04:00

That would be my wife Jennifer in the middle. I just wanted to let her know that I love her dearly. We are in the 2nd day of a book used in the movie Fireproof called the Love Dare. I am supposed to do some act of kindness that is out of the ordinary. This would be that act of kindness.

Jennifer and I have known each other for well over 13 years. We met where I work at Florida Dental Association. We had a really life changing experience on a Ryder truck ride back from Orlando in 1995. We drove through a tornado and considered ourselves very fortunate to be alive. That trip contributed to our relationship greatly. Nothing like spending 10 hours (on a 4 hour trip) bonding in the midst of crisis. I gather God knew what He was doing however.

Not to say we have not had our ups and downs through the years. Raising 3 children (including my 18 year old daughter Tiffany) has proved to be challenging at times. Jennifer has stuck by me through thick and thin. She was there when I was at my lowest in the midst of illness. She is the ideal wife and complements my skill set perfectly. I am no good with tools...she is. I am incapable of correctly folding clothes...she can. I am a horrible singer...she can sing majestically. I have no short term memory...she writes stuff down in her planner. I have some far-fetched ideas, she keeps me grounded in reality.

This weekend she is going to help with a Lay Renewal Ministry team in Starke Florida. What makes this of note is that she is going without me. We have been somewhat of a ministry team for a good 12 years. I believe she has ministered in my shadow for far too long. She is immensely talented in her own right. God has gifted her greatly. I am very proud of her. I believe in her. She has accomplished so much. I know God has great things in store for her. It is hard for me to step back though, but that is all part of a learning experience. I am so used to taking the lead on stuff that it is hard for me to relinquish control of things unless I just don't want to do something. She understands that about me (and probably a lot more).

God has blessed me so much by bringing Jennifer into my life. There are times I take her for granted and that is wrong. I love her smile. I love to make her smile. I really have no difficulty being kind to her. In fact, the difficulty may have been trying to make it out of the ordinary.

Jennifer, for the times I have let you down, that I have disappointed you, that I have come up short of your expectations, when I let my temper get the best of me, when I am short with you, when I have behaved badly (and yes that happens)...I am truly sorry and I want you to forgive me. My life is so much better with you in it. Thank you God for Jennifer. Watch over and protect her and keep her safe. Help her to be the woman, wife, and mother you want her to be.

God bless you today,

Larry

Octuberfest

2008-10-08T09:05:00.000-04:00

Oc TUBER Fest! That's right...potatoes! Tonight's theme at The Plunge N2 is built all-around potatoes. I used to bag potatoes when I worked for Piggly Wiggly back in the day. A potato is my most favorite vegetable....considering I don't like many.... Potatoes can come in many different shapes and sizes and even forms. It is most interesting to me that a Sweet Potato is from a completely different family than white, red, and russet...its like the Sweet Potato is the crazy Uncle no one wants to talk about. (I have often wondered if I am that Uncle)

Think of all of the different forms of potato dishes there are...hash browns, tater tots, French fries, potato chips, baked, sliced, diced, julienne, scalloped...you want potatoes? There are bound be some potatoes you like. My personal favorite is the spiral cut and deep-fried fair variety.

I think it is interesting that as potatoes are exposed to sunlight they turn green. The greener the potato, the more likely you will become sick from eating it. The green part indicates the development of a chemical, almost the same chemical as in anti-freeze. The potatoes must be kept in a dark hiding place. Those potatoes are a lot like our sins. We don't want anyone to see them for fear it will make someone sick. So we keep our sins hidden away in a deep, dark place away from public view.

Most people don't like to get potatoes with eyes on them either but those eyes are indicative of growth. A potato almost never stops growing unless it is diseased and decaying (and boy do they stink then). How much is that like us as well. Are you growing? Or are you diseased and decaying?

Yes I realize I know more about potatoes than I should...but I believe I have grown up a great deal since I was just a tater head (what they called us produce guys who bagged potatoes). I was so good back then, I could measure 5 and 10 lb bags of potatoes without a scale. I cannot do that anymore. I picked up a bag of potatoes at the store the other day that I thought was 5 lbs and it was only 3 lbs...why did this happen? I am out of practice at measuring up potatoes. I stopped doing it...got out of that habit and now, I am no good at it. The same can be said of Bible reading, quiet times and prayers. The same can even be said of church attendance. I see plenty of adults that just don't go to church anymore...they are out of the habit of doing it.

Heberews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I hope you come to The Plunge N2 for encouragement because that is what we are about. Encouraging, challenging, exhorting you on in your Christian walk. That is no small potatoes to me.

God bless you today,

Larry

Fireproof!

2008-10-06T09:23:00.000-04:00

My wife and I went to see Fireproof this weekend. We took our two younger daughters as well. I want to tell you this movie is the real deal. I greatly enjoyed the movies Flywheel and Facing the Giants and this is from the same church and production unit. It is also filmed on location in Albany Georgia where I grew up so I know the places when I see them.

Fireproof was so realistic in its dealing with real problems. Even though much of it focused on marriage, I believe it is a valuable movie for all to see. My girls asked questions that they never would have before concerning husband/wife relationships. It was a powerful experience. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried during a couple of emotional parts.

It also taught me that as good as a husband as I may think I am...I am not good enough. My wife deserves more of me. More of my time...more of my attention and to be honest, I don't give it to her all the time. Sometimes I space cadet it...I am out in la la land when she is talking to me, not giving her the respect and attention she deserves. To be very honest, I do the same thing to my kids sometimes too. In case you missed something...it was a convicting movie for me.

I love a quote from the movie that wrapped the title in a neat little package. Why is something made fireproof? Not so it can be free from the fire but that it will be protected when the fire is all around it. I believe there are a lot of relationships today that go up in smoke when the fire comes because they are not fireproof. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The time prevent a fire is before it starts (I believe that is a Smokey the Bear quote).

I love my wife and I love my kids...but what is that love motivating me to do? Am I so concerned about myself and my desires that I do not have time for them? I apparently have a long way to go as a husband and a father. It is good to be reminded of that.

As far as benefits to middle schoolers...you might just see your parents in the movie. You might learn how to deal with relationship difficulty early on. You might realize who you are at work or school may be different than who you are at home but what really matters who you are when you are around those you love. You might learn a valuable lesson about speeding and driving. There are a number of lessons in this movie to learn from. It was action packed and very dramatic and I believe very realistic. I recall saying some words they said to one another before. I remember at least thinking those things a time or two. It really hits home.

If you have the opportunity, I whole-heartedly recommend it.

God bless you today,

Larry

Somber Day

2008-10-03T11:58:00.000-04:00

Today would have been the day my daughter would have graduated from Marine boot camp if she had not been injured. She is in the Physical Eval battalion awaiting a medical discharge because of a severe shoulder injury.

She wrote me the other day and said lots of recruits were struggling in there and they have nightly watches for suicides. It is a tough situation she is in. Recovery will take some time and therapy and maybe even surgery. She may have to look at a different future than she first thought. It is funny how life does not always go according to our plan.

I was soon to be fresh out of high school and was enlisting in the army way back in 1983. I had it all planned out. Then life took a different turn. Because of my vision, I was booted before I even got to Boot Camp. That was my only plan. College was not in the cards at the time. I remember crying all the way back from Atlanta. It is one of only five days of my adult life that I can remember crying like a baby. I did not know what I would do next. That is a hard time of life. When you have reached what you believe to be a dead end.

I admit it is difficult when all we have planned is thrown down like a house of cards. Hopelessness has a tendency to set in. There is no worse place to be than in a city named Hopeless. I have visited there many times but I don't want to stay. We get so short-sighted that we seldom see anything ever getting better. I have been there a few times. You ask yourself, "What do I do now?"

When we want to put our head down and quit that is just the time to look up and see that God is still in control. Things may not be going the way you planned it but, you know, it did not catch God by surprise. He knows and He cares. I have had to scrape myself up off the pavement and let God put my life back together again. What I have come to find out is that He does a much better job than I ever could. Our lives are like a jigsaw puzzle but we do not know what the big picture is yet. God does...and He sees us trying to make it happen. Next thing you know a surprise piece of the puzzle comes your way. So many times we just want to know why. But the real question is not why but who. If you know who holds tomorrow, the why is easier to live without.

I really couldn't say these things unless I have lived through a variety of detours, roadblocks, head-on collisions, and obstacles in life. Fortunately, I have some experiences to share with my daughter about the difficulty that now faces her. When you look back, perhaps that is the very reason you have had to expereince trials and hardships...so that you could be a help and encouragement to someone else.

Perspective is a wonderful thing but difficult to achieve.

God bless you today,

Larry

Newness

2008-10-02T14:13:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you but I like new stuff. I have never been a big one on leftovers (my wife can tell you). I don't like buying too many things from the used sports store. I have bought a few used things from Ebay but very few. Shopping at Goodwill just doesn't thrill me. I might find something every now and then but then I think...somebody else wore these jeans...yikes!

The first word that comes to mind for me is...spoiled. That's right, I said it. Spoiled....rotten in fact. I would prefer a new car over an old one, a new computer to an old one, a new set of golf clubs to an old set. I have to wonder if I am alone in that. I don't believe so. The Goodwill store is never that crowded...there is always stuff left over at yard sales...so I must not be alone in this. I openly wonder what happened to bring me to this way of thinking. After all, I grew up with older brothers and did not see new clothes until I was like 13. Maybe its a reverse thing, doing now what I could not do when I was younger or perhaps I have bought into the American Capitalism dream...whatever it is, it skews the priorities at times.

It really makes you stop and value things. I am by nature a packrat. My wife is to which means we have waaaaay too much stuff. I have a lot of old technology I would never, ever use again but I cannot break from it. I am a slave to my stuff. That is completely opposite of what the Bible teaches and sadly, I know it.

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

It is sad to define my life based on my possessions. You know why? Because they will never, ever last. The moment I drove off the lot with that new truck...its used and its value plummets. That new computer is outdated the moment you bought it...something better is out. We cannot let ourselves be fooled into believing newer, bigger, shinier (<----is that a word?) is always better.

Can you imagine trying to explain to God what you have done with your life..."God, did you see my killer truck? That was awesome..." I don't think God is buying it. More than what I have and how new it is...it is what I do with it that matters. Am I using what God has blessed me with to, in turn, further His Kingdom?

New or not...I think God expects that much of us and more. Time to go eat some leftovers.

God bless you today,

Larry

Shocktober!

2008-10-01T12:32:00.002-04:00

It is scary that October is already here. I saw calendars for 2009 in the stores and Valentine's gifts for 2009 cannot be far behind. We live so much in tomorrow, we almost forget about the joy of today. I am trying to enjoy each day for what it is...it especially helps to keep that narrow focus when I see my 401K in the tank and losing more money than a 6 mpg Hummer. I used to worry alot about tomorrow, so much so it kept me for living in today.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I used to love Matthew 6:34 too...it sounds so promising...until I read the last part about each day having enough trouble of its own...you know I could have done without that little tidbit. Like many other things in the Bible...it has proven to be true time and again.

Its funny...most of my job revolves around people who are in some sort of trouble. As Director of Information Systems, I am a problem-solver. Its my job to make people's technology work for them and make their job's easier. Every day is filled with trouble alright. However, without that user-derived trouble, I would not have a job... I would be the Maytag repairman.

Lately, I have found there is no time to worry about tomorrow's troubles because today's troubles are taking up all of my time and energy. Tomorrow's troubles are often stuff I didn't fix yesterday. That would almost be a paradox of sorts. That looks and sounds like our financial crisis just mine is on a Main Street level instead of Wall Street level.

Bottom line, if you don't take care of today's problems today, they will be tomorrow's headache with an unhealthy dose of stress and anxiety added in. If you cannot take care of your problems, you better know someone who can...

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." --Jesus

Many people are feeling the burdens today: financial, career, school, parenting...how will you make it without Jesus in your life? That would be a Shocktober indeed!

God bless you today,

Larry

Memory

2008-09-29T09:02:00.000-04:00

Memory is a funny thing. I have a great long term memory. Horrible short term memory. I can't remember where I put my keys 5 minutes ago but I can remember my locker combination in middle school. I am not sure which type of memory I would rather have although, most times, where I put my keys is way more important than getting into a locker that no longer exists.

I also have a bad knack for misremembering. Now before you go "Roger Clemens" on me...my type of misremembering is where I have committed certain facts to memory that are just wrong. Like remembering somebody's name but it is wrong. That is (as Chicago once put it) a hard habit to break. We have a lot of Shelby's in our youth group. Too many in fact. I suggest they pick a unique name and go by it otherwise I am tempted to call every young girl Shelby (and maybe a few guys too)Nothing more embarrassing than calling somebody by the wrong name. Now I know why somebody just says "Hey buddy" or "What's up girl?"

Then we come to what should be easy for me. Scripture memory. By now I thought I should have been able to commit the entire Bible to memory and well I should have. It seems so easy to do but takes so much practice and recitation. I believe it was easier when I was in middle school. I am not sure I have enough uncommitted gray matter left for the task. It would be nice if I could bring up my memory as though it were files on a hard drive and selectively delete the things I do not need anymore...like my first phone number...the girl I had a crush on in 5th grade (Lucia Mares)...the McDonald's Big Mac song (two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun..see what I mean!) Then I would have room for stuff that really matters.

I guess my one saving grace is that my memory helps me be more observant. When I see someone who has their hair colored or it has been cut, I notice. Why? Because it does not match the image of them I have stored in my brain. Certain things like that stand out to me. Once again, it would be nice to remember the things that really mattered. Unfortunately with a memory like mine comes a heavy burden. I cannot truly say I forgot someone's birthday because once I know it, I know it for a lifetime.

This past Sunday we were supposed to bring breakfast for our Sunday School class...yep, you got it. Remembered it when I got to class. Too late! I felt like people were staring holes in me as their stomachs growled. I did it. I forgot...of course that was an impulsive thing I had done a week earlier and had neglected to get my wife to put it on her date book so I classified the error as a short time memory thing. It has dawned on me that we remember that which is very important to us. So perhaps I have never given Scripture Memory its due. Perhaps I have never made it that important to me. I must remember to do that.

God bless you today,

Larry

Church Sign Friday

2008-09-26T08:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a quality church sign. For a minute...I though it was MySpace.

Unfortunately, Satan will not send you a Friend Request that is so obviously bad for you. It will have a name like Melanie or Jezelle or Chad or Biff (apologies if that is your name). It will come as something that is a temptation for you. Since we are on the subject of MySpace and Facebook...look at these...

Is it me or is that church sign leaning? Looks like it was built that way. Must be the camera angle.

We spend a lot of time on the internet. How much time do you spend with God?

Prayer is always available. No texting required either. One last one to kickoff the weekend.

It does kinda look like our ch_rch sign but the message is tr_e.

The Pl_nge N2 isn't the same witho_t "u"

God bless yo_ today!

Larry

Good Morning Fall!

2008-09-25T08:27:00.000-04:00

It finally feels as though Fall has arrived. It was nice and cool this morning. After spending several days up in Tennessee where the weather was exactly like this, it is nice to come home to Florida and have the weather match up with that.

We had a great Plunge N2 last night. More games, food, and fun. More importantly though we had a good Bible lesson on salvation. I asked a couple of questions.

First, how do you know you are a Christian? How can you be for sure? Do you remember a time and a place where you recognized you were a sinner in need of a Savior and you are asked Jesus Christ to come into your life as Savior and Lord?

1. Recognize you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
2. Realize that sin has a price that must be paid (Romans 6:23)
3. Remember God loves you and gave His son Jesus Christ to pay your price (Romans 5:8)
4. Repent (turn from) of your sins, confess Jesus with your heart and life, and accept God's free gift (Romans 10:9)

Salvation is more than just saying words, joining a church, or being baptized. Salvation is indicated by a changed lifestyle. There is something different about you...your values change, you care about something more than yourself. Only Jesus can do that within your heart.

We also talked about how you can be free from doubts about your salvation and how you can follow through with baptism as an outward sign of an inward change.

Secondly, I asked you how you knew someone else was a Christian. You responded by saying a changed life, they acted differently, the talked differently. The Bible says we can know that we have come to know Jesus Christ if we obey His commands. We are becoming a follower of Christ if we consistently do and say Christ-like things. To be Christ-like, we must know what He was like and know what He commands. That is why we study the Bible...to know more about Him. I asked you to look at your life and tell me if you see the change. Do others see it?

Over the span of the next few months, we are going to give you some great tools to help you become more Christ-like. We cannot make you do this. You have to want to be more like Him. More than you ever wanted anything before because there are obstacles all over the place.

I am loving hanging with you middle schoolers and learning more about life as a youth these days. I don't have all the answers but I know Who does.

God bless you today,

Larry

Vacation

2008-09-23T16:03:00.000-04:00

I need a vacation after my vacation. I took a few days to go see my family in Tennessee and I came back and the world has exploded with work in my absence so I will be short. I really hated to miss our church service this past Sunday...it was homecoming and dinner on the grounds but I was a bad boy. I did not go to church at all this past Sunday. Our family reunion started early on Sunday and it did not leave much time for church attendance.

It is the first time in the last five years that I have missed a church service (where I was not deathly ill). It was weird. I have lost track of my week. I am not sure what day it is. Sunday usually defines my week. It was good to be with my brothers and my parents.

I did get to share a thought with my family (all 60 of them) at the reunion. I guess because I am the family minister, I get selected to say a few words and pray etc.

It was a great sports weekend. Saw lots of sports and played some golf too. Golf looks so easy but it is not. Reminds me of many things in life. They seem easy when you watch somebody do it and then you do it...not so.

How about you?

God bless you today,

Larry

Take the Plunge Thursday

2008-09-18T15:25:00.001-04:00

When is the last time you have done something you have never done before? You know the older I get, the fewer of those things there are out there that I have not done. Of course, I am old enough now to decide there are things that I really don't want to do anyway.

I remember the first time I dove into a pool head first. It was more of a belly flop. In fact, when I was in college, I took a swimming class...on the final exam (which was a swimming test) I clearly did a belly flop...knocked the wind out of me, I almost could not finish the test. I remember diving into a lake one time and going down into the dark water so far, I did not know which way was up.

Diving into water does not seem that hard. It is challenging because some have a healthy fear of water. Taking the plunge requires you to overcome your fear, exhibit some courage and step off the diving board.

Life is no different. It often requires courage and strength to overcome that fear and discouragement. Just like in 2 Chronicles 32:7 when King Hezekiah was encouraging those who lived in Jerusalem:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him."

I bet you have encountered many a King of Assyria in your life. But look at the words "there is a greater power with us than with him..." Now that is encouragement. Regardless of what you are facing...what you are about to take the plunge into...greater is He that is with us...sounds like:

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Keep that in mind today!

God bless you,

Larry

Wacky Wednesday

2008-09-17T12:24:00.000-04:00

I love church signs. One of the big things I miss about pastoring a church is having my own church sign to change every week. Love this one here.

It might be the only revival held in a van down by the river!

Or perhaps this one...

Or this one...

In a church sign world, you are hoping to communicate a lasting message that can be read in 2.3 seconds...not an easy venture.

We all wear the T-shirts with stuff on them. It is so funny when people say stuff about what's on your shirt and you have to look! Its happened to me...how embarrassing.

No more embarrassing than putting something on a sign for all to see and having a misspelling or a miscommunication. You can never take that faulty message back again. I remember putting this on a sign...

42 youths mauled by two bears

We got calls all week wondering when and where this happened and was there anything people could do. Too funny.

2 Kings 2:23-25 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.

I perhaps remember this best because I had joked to a youth evangelist named Michael Holt about his bald head at a Christmas Challenge years ago. He just said 2 Kings 2 and as I looked it up, I was shocked. Those things you say in 2.3 seconds are also important and can have an impact.

Something to think about on a Wacky Wednesday!

God bless you today,

Larry

Time-Out Tuesday

2008-09-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

Ever just wanted to call a time-out in life? We would like to think that is called a vacation but anyone who is ever been on a vacation can tell you, its not a time-out at all. Football teams use a time-out to strategize about upcoming plays or to freeze the field goal kicker at the last minute. Basketball teams try to use the time-out as a momentum changer like when a team is running away with the game. Baseball teams have a time-out of sorts...its when the manager comes to the pitcher's mound maybe to talk strategy or maybe to let the bullpen guy warm up. The only real time out in soccer is halftime...even when people get hurt they usually keep playing. People with stretchers come and take off the injured player...if its excessive time, that is called injury time added on to the end of the game.

I know as a parent I have put my children in "time-out" before. That is when you send them to their room when they have disobeyed you or done something else wrong. Nowadays, their rooms have all the cool stuff. Some kids enjoy being sent to their rooms, its where all the good stuff is. My kids do not enjoy time-outs. So maybe we grow up with this idea that time-outs are bad.

I believe a personal time-out can be good for you. It can help you sit back and think about things. So much stuff is happening so fast these days. So many things to think about. Thoughts flying around so quickly. What if we took 5 minutes to just be still? I know, most of us are falling asleep. In my case, my kids would never let me get 5 minutes of solitude. I know what I need...I need Superman's fortress of solitude. A man cave. A place where I can go and take a time-out from all the input.

For me, that time is usually driving to and from work, I am in my own little world. Its 30 minutes in the morning, maybe a little longer in the evenings, but it is as quiet a time as I can get some days. I look at the sunrise (or the sunset) and realize all God has made. I focus in on a passage of scripture. I listen to a Christian song and meditate on the words. Its a commuter's quiet time and one I rather enjoy. Some days I open all the windows and sunroof and let the wind blow through my hair (what little I have left and not often during lovebug season). It is a relaxing feeling. It is my daily time-out...a chance to be still and know He is God even if I am moving 55 miles per hour. I believe each one of us should look for those still, quiet moments for a time-out with God each day.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

God bless you today,

Larry

Manic Monday

2008-09-15T15:16:00.002-04:00

What a crazy day! You want to create havoc, try changing an email system for 60 people. That will create a lot of craziness. I never imagined every one would be so dependent on email. I remember as a teacher at a business college back in 1990, I said this World Wide Web thing was restricted to Europe (and it was) but that it would never catch on here in the USA. I am not a prophet obviously. If I could see the future back in 1990 I would have been a rich man because I would have bought all the domain names.

Times change so much from 1990 to now, a mere 18 years, I would have never imagined technology to have come so far. In fact, it is funny that I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1987. I would venture a guess that very little of what I learned, I still can use on a daily basis...very old stuff.

Makes me kinda wonder what 18 years from now will be like. Think about it...the middle school aged kids will be mostly be in their 30's. Many decisions of life will have been made. Spouses and kids, houses, job/career stuff...all in play. Of course, I will be 61 if I am still above ground and the Lord does not come back before then.

It is easy for me to think about 18 years down the road...a little bit harder to think of tomorrow or the next day or next week or next month, you get the idea.

All we really have is today. As manic as it has been, what about Monday for you? Is it a life-changer? What would you change if you knew today was it? I bet you wouldn't waste a lot of time on tomorrow!

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God bless you today (we may not have tomorrow)

Larry

Fantastically Free Friday

2008-09-12T09:05:00.002-04:00

What sport did I play in high school and college? It was only one sport that I played Varsity level in both high school and college. It was not competitive arm wrestling. Don't try and label me. The answer is before your eyes! Be the first to respond to theplungen2@gmail.com and win!

God bless you today!

Larry

Remember 9/11

2008-09-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

Today is certainly a somber day. I remember right where I was 7 years ago. I remember my wife being at home calling me crying as she relayed to me what was happening with the Towers in NY. Thoughts immediately went to my family. Many thoughts raced through my head. Is this the beginning of the end of the world as we know it? Is the rapture that close?

I just wanted to hold my daughters...all of them in that moment. I can only imagine that Pearl Harbor was a similar feeling for many. It is something you never want to see again. The events that are defined by just 9/11 are etched in our memories forever.

I remember the churches that Sunday following were packed. People turned and returned to God. People began to get their lives right. Now, 9/11 seems so far away. 7 years after the fact, the world goes on. Wars are still happening, people are still fighting.

It just does not seem like the world has changed that much after all. We have been lulled back to sleep. Nothing to see here...move along. I wish we could look back and declare 9/11/2001 as the start of a national revival. It is not so.

It reminds me so much of the great miracles God did for the Israelites to free them from slavery in Egypt. Not so long after crossing the Red Sea in miraculous fashion, many of the people are grumbling and wanting to return to Egypt. I would just have wanted to slap them upside the head and say..."Don't you remember what life was really like in Egypt? We were slaves!"

I suppose life has returned to "normal" for too many. I interpret normal as comfortable. There is no great need for God as long as we are comfortable. Can you remember the last time you felt uncomfortable? That uneasy feeling, unsure of what life will throw you next? Remember that today and who you need to depend on to see you through. Remember what He has done for you...

Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done.

God bless you today,

Larry

Different

2008-09-10T12:14:00.002-04:00

I looked yesterday at a picture of me and my teenage daughter when she was like 2. I realized how much she has changed now that she is 18. I also realized how much different I am 16 years later. I have lost 50% of my hair and the hair that is left is very gray. I am very different now than 16 years ago.

If you are a Christian your life should be different than your life was before. A different attitude, a different value system, a different way of looking at the world. When people look at you, do they see someone that is different?

When I was in middle school, I was a geek, a nerd...I still am. I looked different than lots of other people. And people made fun of me for it.But standing out as a Christian is not a popularity contest. Not many in this life are going to pat you on the back and say "Good job". But standing up for God has never been easy. Being different comes at a price.

In 1 Samuel 10:6 the Bible says "The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person."

The first King of Israel Saul is who this is talking about. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon him and change him into a different person. Every instance of Old Testament strongman Samson's great feats of strength was preceeded by the Spirit coming upon him in power. If you are a Christian, you have that same spirit, the Holy Spirit, living within you. You should be different and people should be able to see it.

Peer pressure would try and force you to conform yourself to the world's way of thinking and acting. The Bible addresses that pretty clearly:

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Dare to be different. Be the person God created you to be. Stand up for your beliefs.

God bless you today,

Larry

Think about your life

2008-09-09T11:31:00.001-04:00

Hindsight is 20/20 but sometimes I wish it was not. I can look back at certain situations and know what I should have done. I then ask myself, would I still have done it knowing what I know now? It is impossible to turn back the clock. I can only hope we learn from our shortcomings and failures otherwise we are destined to repeat them.

Suppose you chart out your spiritual life on a graph from cold to hot. It most likely looks like a roller coaster ride with peaks and valleys. The only thing we can do something about is where you are at today. Are you in a valley spiritually? Maybe you are on a plateau (straight line)? Perhaps you have extreme ups and downs (mountain tops followed by crash-outs) You could even be on a spiritual growth spurt... How do you get out of the valleys? How do you move off the plateau? How do you stay on the growth spurt? So much of it is realizing your present spiritual condition. I am not talking about comparing yourself to others either...compare yourself to Jesus Christ, the ultimate standard.

Realize where you are spiritually and ask God a question...God, is this where you want me to be? The first step is realizing the situation you are in. Nehemiah did just that when assessing Jerusalem and the need to rebuild that city.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me.

Perhaps your life is the ultimate rebuilding project. No better place than to start with a firm foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

As roller coasters go, sooner or later you have to get off the ride. Why not today?

God bless you today,

Larry

20 years ago

2008-09-07T22:11:00.002-04:00

I had the opportunity to preach tonight in Sunday evening service. I realized a few weeks ago that it was almost 20 years to the date of my ordination. 20 years ago on September 8, 1988 I was ordained to the Gospel ministry. I can promise you that I never would have dreamed my past 20 years of ministry would have gone the way it has...not even in my wildest dreams.

Not to say that I wish I was doing something else now than I am. I believe God has me right where He wants me for this time in my life. I am not sure I could say that a year ago. The past year and a half have been some of the most difficult and trying times for me personally. I have no one to blame but myself.

One thing is for sure, it has never been a boring experience. God has been good to me though and I want to praise Him.

One thing I have realized is that I am not capable of doing everything. I always thought I could do whatever was put on me. The hardest thing to come around to is that I am not indestructible. I can rundown, I can experience burnout. That is what happens when you try and rely on yourself and you no longer depend on God. This sounds like a lesson I should have known about but I suppose the old saying "it will never happen to me" prevails.

I preached about priorities tonight in part because I know what happens when your relationship with God is not first. I believe I exalted serving God above everything else much to the detriment of my health, my family, and my own personal relationship with God.

Matthew 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

I have learned a hard but I hope and pray a valuable lesson. One that I am thankful I had an opportunity to share about another time.

God bless you today,

Larry

Fabulously Free Friday

2008-09-05T08:30:00.001-04:00

Have you ever noticed that you take the word Fabulously and remove the last "l" and you get Fabu Lousy? Just a random thought...hopefully nothing deeper than that. I have been accused before of saying words backwards like Subaru (which is U R A Bus) Funny huh?

Today is FFF and I need to give you the question. In one of my past blogs (I am not telling you which one) I state the name of the middle school I went to in Romeoville Illinois...this is an easy one except I want the name it is now (not then, both of which I state in that daily blog) First one of my middle school students to email the answer to theplungen2@gmail.com is the winner. Please indicate your real name in the email as well so I can give you the ginormous prize on Sunday (or next Wednesday)

They say there is no such thing as free...today it is total eerf then...you can read back in my past blogs and find the answer.

As you look to get something free, let me remind you of another free thing...

Romans 6:23 (NLT) For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God bless you today,

Larry

Awesomely

2008-09-04T09:28:00.001-04:00

I picked up a new adjective last night. It is the word Awesomely. I use it to describe how The Plunge N2 went last night.

Last night was the kickoff of The Plunge N2 Middle School. We had lots of kids, pizza, cookie cake, prizes and I believe, a great time. We were missing a few kids I expect will be involved at some point but I am excited about the prospects. To God be the glory.

If you were there last night, you surely noticed yesterday's blog...it was like the Plunge N2 Da Bible segment. Talking about being a Christian from the inside out because God looks at the heart.

Everyone went home with a something free last night but the thing that made the biggest impression on me was everyone's willingness to share...especially during the prayer request time.

To me, it was like the first day of school back when I taught Middle School...I was a little nervous, you were a little nervous but once things got going...everybody had a great time. You are such a great group of young people and I am honored to be working with you.

You can help me along the way by providing me input and direction and telling me what you like and what you don't like. I will listen and try and do what you want. I am good at remembering names, birthdays etc. but I just turned 43 and last I checked I don't know everything so we all have a lot to learn.

Thanks for coming to The Plunge N2 last night and don't forget about tomorrow's Fabulously Free Friday (FFF) ...tune in to the blog then for sure.

God bless you awesomely today,

Larry

Outside Looking In

2008-09-03T08:39:00.000-04:00

Who are you on the inside? Does it match what is in on the outside? Ever feel like you have a split personality? You are one person around some people or in certain situations but you are somebody else entirely when no one else is around?

The Pharisees were great at having the "outside religious" thing going on. They lived a law-abiding, good deed doing, religiously flawless life...on the outside. Jesus sees to the heart. He let's them know He knows.

Matthew 23:27-28 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

We seem to be so consumed with the way the outside looks...botox treatments, hair styling and coloring, tanning booths...all to "improve" the outside look. What are we on the inside? Are we hypocrites? A hypocrite is simply someone who will say one thing and do another or look and act a certain way on the outside but your heart may be something different. Make no mistake God sees our hearts:

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

When the Lord looks at your heart today...what does He see? Does the outside match the inside? The only way that the outside can truly match the inside is if you have been changed from the inside out. Let God change your heart today and see how the outside will change too...

God bless you today,

Larry

Almost Here

2008-09-01T20:07:00.000-04:00

The first Plunge N2 is so close I can almost taste it. Our first meeting is Wednesday night September 3rd. I have been looking forward to this since July. I don't want to set the expectations too high but I know I am excited.

Starting this week, I will begin Free Fridays where I give away something free every Friday but you have to read my blog on Friday to find out how to win. The first one of my middle school students to respond correctly gets the freebie.

Plan to come each and every Wednesday at 7pm so we can have fun learning about how to Plunge N2 the Bible with you and your friends.

God bless you today,

Larry

Crazy Mary

2008-08-30T21:56:00.003-04:00

Today's song is by FM Static. If you look closely, I think you will see a little bit of yourself in these lyrics:

Crazy Mary is a slow girl who looks up to no one.
Would do anything for a cold one.
Wishes she could find her way home.
Got the look on her face and her stare's like ray gun.
As we walked by everyday
and I wish there was something I could do for her.

Maybe if I took a little time to talk then
she'd heal a little if she wants to.
She can run but let's teach her how to walk away now.
I'll shake a little if she wants to
she'll laugh a little if she needs to.
There's a key to the door that she's hiding behind.

She watches the world pass her by like a freight train.
They all call her the same name.
Laughin' as they point and stare at her.
So she crys out to God up in Heaven,
been prayin since she was 11.
For Him to send someone to meet her there.

Maybe if I took a little time to talk then
she'd heal a little if she wants to.
She can run but let's teach her how to walk away now.
I'll shake a little if she wants to
she'll laugh a little if she needs to.
There's a key to the door that she's hiding behind.

And no one knows all the thoughts, all the dreams,
and the ideas she's got and contains inside.
She's so broken apart
and her heart is still lookin for somewhere to feel alright.
And no one knows all the thoughts, and the dreams,
and ideas she's got and contains inside.
(so she can find her way home)
She's so broken apart
and her heart is still lookin for somewhere to feel alright.
(she needs somewhere to find)
alright, feel alright, alright.

Maybe if I took a little time to talk then
she'd heal a little if she wants to.
She can run but let's teach her how to walk away now.
I'll shake a little if she wants to
she'll laugh a little if she needs to.
There's a key to the door that she's hiding behind.

I think the most telling line of the whole song is "I wish there was something I could do for her." We have all seen kids and wished there was something we could do for them. It is hard when you want to do something but you don't know what to do...so what do you do?

Pray for them
Care about them
Spend time listening to them
Show them the love of Jesus

Will that be you?

God bless you today,

Larry

Hope

2008-08-29T08:48:00.001-04:00

Another girl's name. I once knew a girl named Hope. I used to answer her all the time by saying "I Hope so...", yeah, she hated it. Already had a song by Addison Road entitled Hope Now but this one is just called Hope from a newly signed Remedy Drive. They have been around for a while but I love their style. The song obviously speaks of hope...real hope, lasting hope, not the fake, imaginary hope the world can sell you.

What a beautiful sight for the worn and weary eye
The glimmering light in the corner of a broken sky
Hope sweet hope like a star burning bright
When the sun goes down and the fears begin to fly

Hope’s not giving up
Hope’s not giving up
In a cold dark night she’s not giving
Not giving up

Hold on tight this city’s about to break
In the middle of the night lying there wide awake
Hope sweet hope how much more can she take
Being our strength when our hearts are out of faith

Hope is with me in my time of trouble
When it all comes crashing down she will stay
By my side digging through the rubble
She’s not giving up - not giving up - not giving up

I have been awake at night many times. Go to sleep, wake up and cannot go back to sleep. It is amazing how you can hear every little noise in the house and you immediately think the worst. Fear is a very gripping thing. Fear will try and wipe out hope but hope triumphs when you latch onto it.

You may dealing with many a hopeless situation from your perspective. The night always seems darkest when you are in the middle of it. Hope in and of itself is not sufficient. You need to hope in something. What are you placing your hope in today?

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Endurance inspired by hope in Jesus. There you go. The hope to endure whatever comes your way because your hope is in Jesus Christ. I pray your hope is found in Jesus today. I hope so...

God bless you today,

Larry

Sarah

2008-08-28T08:52:00.000-04:00

This is not the familar tune that started playing in your head from Jefferson Starship/Airplane/BiPlane that maybe you have heard before. There is an "h" on Sara in this case. This song is from a favorite artist of mine, Paul Alan who is former lead singer of Nouveaux. Once again an interesting take and makes me wonder the story behind the song:

lost the number lost your mind
in the dark biding time
same old story
winter solstice once again
irony - familiar friend
same old story
Sarah don't be so sad
she wouldn't want it that way
she wouldn't want it that way
Sarah

desperate measures- for lonely times
turn your back on love's pure light
same old story

you're missing all the reasons
flying straight into the sun
so busy needing answers
not hearing anyone
same old story

she's gone too soon
and the blame's on you
is that what you're thinking?
so you crucify
it's your sacrifice
if you throw your heart away
it will make up for that night
is that what you're thinking? Sarah-
is that what you're thinking?
she's already got a Savior

Must be tough to be Sarah. Living with the thought that you are responsible for another person's death. The pain and the guilt driving Sarah to throw her life away. I would not want to be in Sarah's shoes but I am sure there are some who are feeling just like Sarah today, maybe you?.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Regardless of what happens in this life, it is tough to go on when someone you love has died. Even more so if you feel somehow (or maybe you really were responsible like a drunk driver) responsible for another's death.

In this situation, Sarah is living in the guilt that she does not need. Jesus has come to set us free. Don't you turn your back on Love's pure light. Sarah's loss of her mother is almost too much to bear. Maybe you see a lot of Sarah in your life. If so, this verse is for you...

Hebrews 10:21-23 Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

Draw near to God today for He can cleanse you of that guilty conscience. He who promised (meaning God) is faithful...always has been, always is, and always will be. God loves you and wants to forgive you today Sarah.

God bless you today,

Larry

Romeo Loves Jane

2008-08-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

Time for a little old school music (and another female name in a song!). Its from an artist named Tonio K. I used to listen to him when I was in my late teens. He was somewhat of a crossover artist. A lot of his songs talked about love. This one is no different. What an interesting song. It is right up there with Impressed from him.

I've heard of unfaithful lovers but this is outrageous
soon the national enquirer will run the front pages
I saw Shakespeare and cheetah
crying in their margaritas
bad news

romeo loves jane
the jungle will never be the same
and juliet's crying again
romeo loves jane

now in a world full of hurt how can anybody blame them
and in the heat of wild love how can anybody tame them
they have fallen east of eden now

good love gone bad
bad love gone wild
wild love gone mad
mad love out of control

It basically is talking about love out of control. It aptly describes today in many ways. One day you are in love, the next day, you hate them. I remember I went out with a girl "on the rebound" that I never would have considered previously but I was hurt and felt lonely so I "lowered" my standards.

Love is a dangerous thing particularly when you are young because there are so many other emotions crowding for attention. Some times the hormones kick in and try and override normal precautions.

Thus, Romeo could end up failing in love with Jane instead of Juliet. Love is not what it seems when you are a teenager. I look back on that time and think how much I cheapened "love" for what was really "like". If only I could know back then what I know now.

That is why your parents are often the voice of reason. I know that sounds crazy but when it comes to relationships, most parents have your best interests at heart. I say that as much as a parent as I can. In middle school, you will experience feelings and emotions you have never experienced before. I know I did. You are going to experience heartache. Don't let it crush you, God cares for you:

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God bless you today,

Larry

Britney

2008-08-26T09:21:00.000-04:00

I guess I am going with girl's names of songs as a theme this week. This is a brand new song from Bebo Norman entitled Britney. I can only infer from the song lyrics that it is referring to Britney Spears. It is an interesting take:

Britney I'm sorry for the lies we told
We took you into our arms and then left you cold
Britney I'm sorry for this cruel, cruel world
We sell the beauty but destroy the girl
Britney I'm sorry for your broken heart
We stood aside and watched you fall apart
I'm sorry we told you fame would fill you up
And money moves the man so drink the cup

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back for you
Yes coming back for you

Britney I'm sorry for the stones we throw
We tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney I'm sorry for the words we say
We point the finger as you fall from grace

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
and I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but I can see it coming back for you

yeah, its coming back for you, yeah, its coming back for you, yeah, its coming back for you, yeah

Britney I do believe that love has come
here for the broken
here for the ones like us

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
and I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but I can see it coming back

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
I can see it coming back for you

It obviously lays some responsibility for Britney Spears' issues squarely at our feet. You think about those who the media exalts and then only to tear them apart. It seems to happen time and time again. As fast as the rise is up, its twice as fast on the way down and the bottom is never quite as low as the high is high. That is the pursuit of fame, popularity, and money. It will leave you empty in the end...even when you achieve all of the above.

It also lays a responsibility on our shoulders to love people...all people, even celebrities. And those celebrities especially need to know the love of Jesus. Many times, we just laugh and say "there goes crazy Britney again..." without realizing Jesus died for Britney too. Regardless of what she has done, forgiveness can come to her. Sometimes it is in that humility and brokenness that Jesus is revealed to those who need Him.

Any of us can love our friends but can you love the unlovable? Can you love your enemies?

Matthew 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighborand hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemiesand pray for those who persecute you."

Jesus said it in His Sermon on the Mount. Can we live it?

I ask you to offer up a prayer today for Britney Spears, that God would speak into her heart and she would respond accordingly today.

God bless you today,

Larry

Caroline

2008-08-25T12:01:00.000-04:00

I have always been intrigued by Seventh Day Slumber's song by that title. It talks of a girl named Caroline who is obviously struggling. It would seem Jesus is sharing with Caroline on a personal level. My guess is that there is a lot of "Carolines" out there who need to know what this song is talking about.

Where do I begin?
There's so much I want to say to make it easier,
Tomorrow is on it's way,
Do you believe I wanna take your painful memories?

I know you wanna run away,
And I know that you can't see tomorrow.

Caroline,
Let me wipe away your tears, and give you life,
Make you feel beautiful again.
Caroline,
Don't throw it all away,
I'm here tonight to take away your pain.

Yesterday is gone,
and everything that made you cry is fallen to the ground.
I'm here to bring you home,
I will always take you back, you haven't let me down.

And when you're feeling all alone and you can't go on
Remember I am here
And when you think you've gone too far
I'll meet you where you are
My arms are open wide

I have noticed that there are a number of songs that speak to loneliness and forgiveness. This seems to strike a chord with the younger generation. Even in the midst of friends and acquaintances, loneliness abounds. Hopelessness is a constant companion for many young people. If you have never felt hopeless before, it is hard to describe to someone else. It is in some ways a state of mind. I am here to tell you that God wants to reach through that loneliness, hopelessness, and despair to tell you He loves you. He cares.

What a great reminder that Jesus is waiting for us to remember He is here in the midst of our struggle with us. Regardless of what you are going through, God is aware and is waiting to meet you where you are.

There is such hope in that. Even if your name is not Caroline, Jesus loves you and wants to show you the lengths He is willing to go to bring you back again.

Romans 12:12 is a hopeful reminder:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Be joyful, patient and faithful no matter what comes your way. God is with you in the midst of the struggle Caroline.

God bless you today,

Larry

Let It Rain

2008-08-22T21:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my birthday. Apparently I got Tropical Storm Fay for a present. So how appropriate the song for today is Let It Rain from Michael W. Smith.

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

Kind of feel like the floodgates have been opened up. It has not been that bad for us as of yet...just lots of rain. I cannot lose sight in the midst of the rain that God is creator and He is still in control. The storm is very real and a threat but God's glory will shine through.

That is something to remember when the "rains" come in your life. The glory of God will shine through if you let it.

God bless you today,

Larry

Healer

2008-08-20T21:50:00.001-04:00

I had heard a great song from Mike Gugliemucci formerly of Planetshakers and formerly with Hillsong (now) The song was very inspiring because it was thought to be borne out of Mike's real life struggle with terminal cancer. Today it was reported that he has apparently faked his cancer. This is shocking. Having struggled with my own health issues, the song Healer meant a great deal to me personally.

"Healer" -- Mike Guglielmucci

You're my Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

It certainly reminds us all to follow God foremost. Worship the Sender of the message not the messenger. As a leader, I don't want people to follow me, I want people to follow the One I am following. We have to realize, we are not perfect. Except for the grace of God, there go I. Its tough to listen to this song given the known context now. For those you old enough to remember, it like when you first learned of the fakery with Milli Vinilli (seriously dating myself there...)

I am just reminded the God can use us even in the midst of our brokenness.

Phillippians 1:15-18 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

So let's rejoice over what that song has to say and not necessarily what the one who wrote the song did.

God bless you today,

Larry

When God Ran

2008-08-19T08:20:00.007-04:00

I remember many years ago I heard a song that the title just seem to scream No! When God Ran is that song originally done by Benny Hester back in the day. I am thinking...God has never run from anything! He is afraid of nothing. And then I listened to the song.

Almighty God,
The Great I Am
Immoveable Rock,
Omnipotent powerful

Awesome Lord,
Victorious Warrior
Commanding King of Kings
Mighty Conqueror,

And the only time,
the only time I ever saw Him run
Was when

He ran to me,
Took me in His arms, held my head to His chest
And said "My son's come home again".
Looked in my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice
He said "Son, do you know I still love you?"

It caught me by surprise when God ran

It is a beautiful picture of Luke 15 and the story of the Prodigal Son (or Lost Son as some refer to it) The song was more recently done by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I even have the Shaded Red and Across the Sky versions of it. When listening to it I can see the picture described here:

Luke 15:20-21 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

It is the ultimate picture of forgiveness.

God wants us to return to Him no matter what we have done. He is willing to run to us the moment we turn around and come back to Him In verse 17 of that passage you will notice something very important. Its says the son "came to his senses" That was the key to him going back home. Realizing where he was was not where he needed to be.That no matter how good he thought he had it, it was so much better at home with his father. I pray today, you come to that realization. If you have wandered away...come back to Him today. Maybe you have willfully left...its not too late for you to come to your senses and come home.

God loves you and wants the best for you. God wants to run to you...
will you make the move toward Him today?

God bless you today,

Larry

Be Still

2008-08-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

Today's song of the day comes from Story Side B and is entitled "Be Still". Have you ever been somewhere where it was so loud you could not even hear yourself think? Or what about being with a crowd of people and feeling completely alone? Or perhaps struggling through something and you think you are the only one? Those thoughts and feelings come around a lot. Look at these lyrics:

I see a side of you my friend
The same struggles that I have
My heart goes out to you
I know it's hard to feel alone
And this world's so unforgiving
I've been feeling that way too
But I can tell you

When I feel like caving in
My heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
Nothing seems at all to add up
Can you hear me Lord?
My face is down upon the floor
It's then you whisper in my ear
Be still and know I'm here

Can you get the focus off of yourself and see others problems? Perhaps the struggles that you are experiencing could serve to encourage someone else. The peace that you found in the midst of your storm can help others. I honestly never think about that too much until I am talking to someone who is going through something just like I have. The commonality of it all is made apparent. It is then that I gain perspective on my struggles.

Those times that I feel lonely...like I am all by myself, it is important to remember those words "Be Still". Our Sunday School lesson was all about stilling our minds, emotions, actions, and spirit. It is very hard for me to still my mind. I am always thinking of something...what's next, what other way can this be done. I have adult attention deficit disorder it would seem. My stream of consciousness runs from one thought to another to another very quickly. It can be a very powerful trait if it is harnessed because I can do some mental juggling of things but it is very hard to focus on one thing some times. The solution? Be Still.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

I am thankful today that there are things I never have to think about. God has those under control. He is God and I can be still and then I see what He does.

God whispers to you...can you hear Him today?

God bless you today,

Larry

Contact

2008-08-16T21:40:00.002-04:00

Have you ever listened to a song and then listened to it again and again and you just are not sure what its saying? Such is the case today. Its Contact from Falling Up. I will include the entire lyric today.

Runaway, runaway
Breathe this in
The water's wait, water's wait
Wide awake, wide awake
Breathe this in
The water's wait, water's wait
Asking if you are

[2x] Erased, everything within you will feel
Erased now

Everyday, everyday
Houses full of no escape, no escape
Runaway, runaway
It starts to pull
He's in this place, in this place
To question who you are

[2x] Erased, everything within you will feel
Erased now

[2x] Who am I?
Now Who am I?
I will fade

[2x] Erased, everything within you will feel
Erased now

[2x] Who am I?
everything within you will feel
Now Who am I?
everything within you will feel

[4x] Erased now

I read this once, twice, three times and I even listened to it multiple times and I still can't tell you exactly what it means. I know a lot of people like the song. I did some googling to try and find out some take on it...no luck. The name Contact does not appear to match the song. I would have called it Erase Now.

For once, I will leave the interpretation up to you. What do you think it means? Falling Up...a Christian band writes a song that needs interpretation...they are expecting you to know what its saying...comments?

God bless you today,

Larry

Coming Back to Life

2008-08-15T09:12:00.003-04:00

I don't know if you have ever had that experience where you are just dead tired...worn out, feeling like you can't go on and then you get that energy boost, that much needed shot of life in your spirit. It is very much like coming back to life. The song of the day comes from Echoing Angels and it talks about experiencing the ultimate gift of eternal life. The beauty of that is that you do not have to wait until after this earthly life has passed away. You can have that life now.

Partial lyrics follow:

I take a breath and I’m alive
Feels like for the first time
I have seen You through these eyes.
Everything I used to be
That lived inside of me
Is gone, for the last time.
I remember everything I’ve done

But You’ve forgiven each and everyone
And I’m coming back to life
I’m living inside
All of my fears are far behind
I’m coming back to life
I found what I need
And it’s You Lord
I know that it’s You
That brings me back to life

That life is available to all. But many don't choose to live it or have it and don't live like it. That is exactly what the thief wants to do. Blind our eyes to what is right there. The Bible confirms that for us.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus said it. The abundant life in this life. He brings us back to life not so we can have everything we want. Notice the lines in the song that say, "I found what I need and it's You Lord". We hear plenty of times about the old life passing way and the new has come. How much of that old life is really gone? You must put off the things of the old life to put on the new, more abundant life He wants you to live. A choice you must make.

Ephesians 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Will you come back to life today?

God bless you today,

Larry

Stumbling Block to a Stepping Stone

2008-08-14T09:30:00.001-04:00

Going a little old school (which for some of you, may be before you were born...) with a David and the Giants song. I saw them in concert once and it blew me away. They did not sing this song, my favorite, in concert but in fairness, this song is a little slow for anything but an acoustic set. I still remember them singing a song entitled "Noah"...it about blew the windows out of the church it was so loud and rocking.

However, the song for today is talking about taking something that is a negative and God using it for a positive in your life. A stumbling block to a stepping stone.

Partial lyric follows:

Life is garden of trials and failures
Sometimes you slip up and fall
But in the midst of a storm
When you needed someone
That’s when my Jesus stands tall

I know that God won’t leave you
In a time of despair
Like a flower that’s broken
And you need special care

You turned my stumbling block to a stepping stone
You loved me even though you knew I was wrong
O Lord you never cease to amaze me
Your loving arms became a bridge of mercy
You turned my stumbling block into a stepping stone

Another line in the song says: I know that God uses circumstances to speak to us". The question is...do you really believe that? What we are going through could be God speaking to you today. He may want to use that struggle or that trial to benefit you later, bring himself glory, or help someone else who is struggling with the same stuff. Are you listening for God to speak to you in your struggle today?

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Notice the phrase "in all things God works" and ask yourself what that means for you today.

God bless you today,

Larry

Beautiful

2008-08-13T09:37:00.003-04:00

With three daughters, this issue is very close to my heart. There is such a push for beauty in this world. Girls and women judge themselves and others judge them solely based on their perceived beauty. The only problem is that beauty is often subjective. There are no hard and fast criteria for beauty. You look at some of the supermodels who weigh like 90 pounds and you think that is beauty? Then you look at famous people that are considered beautiful...seems like a world of difference. I look at those people who some think are beautiful and I just don't see it.

I remember even as a boy/young man, we used a criteria I call the "Swimming Pool Test". If after seeing a girl come out of a swimming pool sans makeup, if you still thought she was beautiful, then she passed the test. I realize the crudeness of this assessment. Girls struggle so much with their beauty that it affects their self-worth. Only if I knew then when I know now. There is so much more to beauty than "looks" alone. However, to be honest, most guys never get beyond the "looks". Its a man's nature to be very visually oriented...so we judge based on looks alone a lot of times...no one said that is right but that is what happens.

That is the downside of being a guy. I had two older brothers and no sisters so I missed out on the beauty thing growing up. I had difficulty seeing the other side of it until you have a wife and three daughters. I was never what I call handsome. In fact, I think I looked goofy. That never bothered me a great deal. In a lot of ways, my personality matches my looks...I am goofy. However, I can understand why girls struggle so much with this. That is why I like the song Beautiful from Bethany Dillion. A young woman sang the song at church this past Sunday and I was reminded of the feelings.

Partial lyrics follow:

I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me

Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life

[Chorus]
I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart,
and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful

If only those girls could see themselves as God sees them. They are worthy of God's love. They are beautiful because God created them. Who they are is quite enough. I really want my daughters to understand that. I also tell my girls how beautiful they are to me every day. I want them to know their daddy sees their beauty in spite of what the world might say.

I am reminded whenever anyone has a newborn baby...they come showing the picture around and every one is saying, "how cute", "beautiful", etc. Then we look at newborns and say they are a miracle. God's gift to us. Where and when did that all change?

Young ladies out there...don't ever let anyone tell you that you are not beautiful enough. That you don't measure up. If they do, tell them to keep walking, they are not worth your time. You look at those who were beauty queens 30 years ago and you will realize what is really important is conveyed in Proverbs 31:30:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

And to my girls...You can grow up to be that woman who fears the Lord. I see it in you.

God bless you today,

Larry

Mighty to Save

2008-08-12T09:19:00.001-04:00

I remember when I first heard this song live. It was at a DNOW youth conference. The Chuck Hooten Band was playing. I was there to videotape the event. I also discovered that when videotaping, it helps if you don't sing too close to the microphone you are using for recording. I was getting into the song alright but I don't have the best singing voice and it sounds even worse on a recording where it is not supposed to be.

This song is also performed by Hillsong and Laura Story. I happen to enjoy Laura's version a lot.

Partial lyrics follow:

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

My Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

This song echoes the words of Zephaniah 3:17:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

It is comforting to know that God is with us. Look at those words...delight, quiet, rejoice. Not just delight but GREAT delight in you. God loves us. I particularly like the part of the verse that states God will rejoice over us with singing. The image conjures up an awesome sight to behold. The God of the Universe rejoicing over us with singing.

God can move the mountains in your life or sometimes He gives us the strength to trek up and over them. He will do whatever brings Himself glory and ultimately will bring us closer to Him.

God moved the biggest mountain of all...that which stands between us and Himself. He authored salvation so we could have a relationship with Him again. It cost Him His son Jesus. God will go to great lengths to save us but we must choose Him.

Everyone needs forgiveness..how about you?

God bless you today,

Larry

Ruin Me

2008-08-11T10:23:00.001-04:00

What a strange title for a song. The first time I heard it, I was like, is it saying "ruin me?" Why do I want to be ruined? That is why you should listen closer and on some occasions print out the lyrics to really see what they are saying. Such is Jeff Johnson Band's song titled "Ruin Me".

Partial lyrics follow:

Woe to me, I am unclean
A sinner found in Your presence
I see you seated on Your throne
Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You

Pre-chorus
Now the plans that I have made
Fail to compare when I see your glory

Chorus
Ruin my life, the plans I have made
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain
Destroy the idols that have taken Your place
'Till its You alone I live for,
You alone I live for.

A year ago, I had plans. I had big plans and then it all came crashing down around me. I had given 5 years of my life to preaching and pastoring a church. For whatever reason, God pulled me out of that. I know I was called to preach His Word since I was 22. Twenty years later my dream is realized and I am doing it and then boom...health issues, stress, and anxiety, all got the best of me and I could not continue. It was devastating to me personally. I had never really quit anything in my life and this sure felt like I was quitting.

This song speaks to me on such a personal level. I am not sure if God chose to ruin me or I ruined myself by trying to do too much for too long. The big B word catches up with us sometimes too. That would be "burnout" and I never thought that was me but maybe it was. It is hard to come to the realization of your own humanness.

It is now something I live with every day. It just reminds me that life is not all about us and our plans. Just like Isaiah who had his life change, my life has changed. His life changed with an encounter with Holy God. My life changed by a Holy God. I want God to be the one I live for...the one who gets the glory. I want it to be His plan I am about working...not my own. My dreams need to be His dreams for me. It is hard to see it without the benefit of having lived it.

Isaiah 6:5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

Do you have enough faith in God to say "Ruin my life, God and the plans I have made?"

God bless you today,

Larry

Hope Now

2008-08-09T20:52:00.001-04:00

Love the group Addison Road. Funny how often I use that word love...My music stylings are quite varied. I really like female-lead rock groups. Addison Road has new song getting some airplay. Its called Hope Now.

Partial lyric follows:

Addison Road - Hope Now
From the album Addison Road
If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of?
When I call out your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by you
All my life

Chorus:
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I listen to that chorus over and over again. Reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The previous 12 verses describe love and its characteristics and talk about love being the main thing. You probably hear 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings a lot. But don't be confused. It is not an earthly, conditional love that will set you free. It is accepting the agape love of God by accepting His gift, Jesus Christ that will set you free.

If everything comes down to love as the song says, do you know that love? Have you experienced that love?
Its as easy as 3:16...John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

It is said everyone truly loves one thing...what is that one thing that you love?

God bless you today,

Larry

Don't Worry Now

2008-08-08T08:20:00.002-04:00

The first time I heard Britt Nicole's song, "Don't Worry Now", I thought it was describing a death in the family. After closer inspection, I realized it was describing what I believe is her parent's divorce. It describes a 7 year old's world being torn apart. I see a lot of that around these days. I know that feeling on a personal level. Divorce is one of the most tragic, life-changing, dream-ending things you can live through in this life. I wouldn't wish divorce on anyone. That is not part of God's plan for us. Malachi 2:16 makes God's position pretty clear.

"For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, 'for it covers one's garment with violence,' says the Lord of hosts. 'Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously'"

God does not hate divorced people. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. He hates divorce because it breaks His law (which would be sin) and especially because of the damage to human relationships it causes. Very few people I know of can ever go through a "perfect" divorce. There are hard feelings and pain enough to keep Dr. Phil busy for years (and I am not suggesting you go to Dr. Phil for answers...).

Partial lyrics follow:

Yeah
Seven years old, you heard me cry
I don't wanna say goodbye
To the only man that I love
My daddy and everything he was
I don't think I can live without you
Dad, I know your breaking in two
With tears running down his face, he says we're gonna make it
We're gonna make it
I've been trying to find a way to understand
When I can't see the picture of God's plan
Why would He let us hurt so bad?
Could anything good come of these feelings that I have?
He loved me more than the sand on beaches
He loved me more than the grass is green
And even though he had to go I always knew his love was part of me

When you feel like you are all alone
Just like your best friend up and gone
Don't worry now
Don't worry now
I've been there yeah, I know how it feels
To wonder if love is even real
Don't worry now
Don't worry now

I don't know about you but this breaks my heart as a dad. To see the profound sadness in her lyrics. You know exactly what she is feeling. At least she has gained some perspective on her circumstances and triumphantly states God loves us in spite of how we feel. It is important to note that it is not only children of divorce that God loves. He also loves those divorcing parents.

Worry is so counter-productive. It will produce no positive results. It calls for no proactive action. Regardless of your situation in life...if God is in your life, its going to be OK. No need to worry, He has you in the palm of His hand and nothing will snatch you out of it.

John 10:28 confirms this: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

God bless you today,

Larry

Hosanna

2008-08-07T08:25:00.005-04:00

Our youth pastor Ryan shared with the youth last night a song from Hillsong entitled Hosanna. Look at the powerful lyrics:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I look from nothing to Eternity

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Remembering that Hosanna means "Save Us" the words are very powerful.

Open up our eyes to things unseen...are we blind to the things we need to see?

The words that stuck out particularly "Everything I am for your kingdom's cause..." Who we are and what we are for His cause. God saved us for a purpose. What you are going through right now can be used for His cause. Are our hearts really broken for what breaks His? Look around...there is probably a lot to break your heart, maybe in your own life.

Call out to Jesus to "Save Us" but then do something with your salvation. We are not saved just so we can say we are and that's it.

Philippians 2:12 says Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

How are you working out your salvation today? What are you doing for the Kingdom's cause? Your life can make a difference...but will you?

God bless you today,

Larry

Hold On

2008-08-06T08:28:00.001-04:00

I have been listening to a new worship style band that reminds me of when I first heard Mercy Me. They are the Daniel Doss Band found here Every song on their CD spoke to me. None more than Hold On. The imagery is very strong. Sometimes I feel like I am at the end of my rope...that is the time to tie a knot and hold on...

Partial lyrics follow:

When you don't want to face another day
Seems like your life's one big mistake
Failures from your former self chase you
Listen close so you know what to do

You may not see it
You may not feel it
But I'm holding you tightly
Your spirit is near me
So hold on, hold on
It will not be long till its all over
Child hold on hold on
Lay your weary head upon my shoulder

Look at the first lines...seems like your life's one big mistake? Failures from your former self chase you? Ever been there? I can't tell you the number of times I felt my former self chasing me...those failures, those mistakes...reminders everywhere. It is important to know we cannot give up or give in to the past failures...that was who we were...not who we are today by God's grace.

I love the way the song refers to "child, hold on" I noticed how my children hold on to me when it matters. They grip my hand tight and don't want to let go. We need to lay hold of Jesus and his promises in the same way.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

You may not see it, you may not feel it but He is there.

God bless you today,

Larry

Believe

2008-08-05T08:14:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite groups is Mainstay. They don't get a lot of airplay but I first heard them on my XMRadio one day and had to find out about them. I googled their website and bought their CD. It is one of the best all-around CDs I own...I like almost every song on it. I especially like the song simply called "Believe".

Mainstay - Believe
From the album: Become Who You Are

I don't know if I still have the strength to get up again
I don't know if I can face my own reflection
Jesus, take this heart that feels so cold again and make it new
I hold this hope inside that you'll never leave me

When all around me starts to fall
And when my faith it seems so small
Even in my darkest hour, I will believe
Even if the sun begins to fall,
Even when I feel nothing at all
Even if I'm all alone, I will believe

I don't know who in their Christian experience has never felt like this. The strength to get up again after life knocks you down. Not being able to face my own reflection...been there. That feeling that your heart is so cold that God needs to make it new again...holding out the hope that God is always there.

What level will your belief go with you? When everything is starts tio fall, when your faith seems so small? Those are powerful lines to the song. How about when I feel nothing at all? You are so emotionally spent that feelings don't even come your way...even in the midst of loneliness...will you still believe?

Hopefully, that belief you possess is one thing no circumstance, situation, or trial can remove from you. It is all we have to hold on to some times.

Songs like these remind us that the Christian experience is sometimes a struggle. Not every thing comes to us naturally. Not many of us are Super Christians and I am certainly not a Super Christian. I see myself in this song. This is an epitome of my life at times.

I can take some solace in knowing it is ok to struggle, its ok to doubt but it is important we don't stay there in the darkness. Through trials our faith and belief are either strengthened or they are shown for what they may be...a shallow, ineffectual belief that cannot carry you through.

Its easy to believe in God when everything is going right but what about in the hard times? What about during tragedy? What about in the midst of the storm? Can you say with unquivering certainty that you WILL believe?

I encourage you to listen to the songs you hear...seek out the lyrics and see what they are telling you. They are very much the modern hymns of the day...teaching us to apply the Bible into our everyday lives in ways you never thought about before.

God bless you today,

Larry

Here I Am

2008-08-04T08:38:00.004-04:00

A brand new song from Downhere echoes an older song with the same title by MercyMe...its called "Here I Am". It speaks to our calling and what we are here for and what is an appropriate response to God.

A portion of the lyric follows:

Setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are you not the closest when it’s hardest to stand?
I know that you will finish what you began
These broken parts, you redeem
Become my song, that I can sing

Here I am! Lord send me
All my life, I make an offering
Here I am! Lord send me
Some how my story is a part of your plan
Here I am

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I’ll fail you in the end
In this mess, I am just one of the pieces
I can’t put this together, but you can

Its funny...with each song, a line or two always sticks out to me...this song the line is: "I know that you will finish what you began". Perhaps because that is almost an exact quote from the Bible is why it caught my attention...

Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Having confidence that God will finish what He began in you and me is an important step...particularly when setbacks and failures come our way...and they surely will.

The other line that I see in me...is "Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness"

In the last year and a half, this has very much been my case. I have been struggling physically and emotionally against an unknown weakness. I look in the mirror and I am humbled by my own weakness and my fear of failure. Then I am reminded that in my weakness, God comes through...

2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am simply waiting for God to make some sense out of what I have been going through and put the pieces back together again.

Until then, all I can say is "Here I Am, Lord Send Me."

God bless you today,

Larry

You're Not Alone

2008-08-02T18:54:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite songs that I have been listening to a lot lately is "You're Not Alone" from a relatively new artist, Meredith Andrews.

It speaks directly to the broken and lonely and regardless of how old you are, you will likey feel broken and alone at some point in your life.

Part of the song follows:

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home saying

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
oh,my love I've never
left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
And I'm the one
who's loved you all your life
All your life

I am not sure there is anything more difficult than feeling like you are facing the music on your own. The greatest tools of the enemy are fear and isolation. I think we have great difficulty overcoming profound brokenness, loneliness, and depression on our own.

A good reminder for us is that God never left us. He has been there all the time throughout our greatest struggle and that regardless of what we have done, God loves us.

I have felt the pain of loneliness. I am almost ashamed to admit that I have cried myself to sleep before...felt a situation was hopeless...did all I could do and still did not seem to be making a difference. It is important to know we feel that way and its ok.

Then we must look around and see God at work in our lives, realize he is always there and trust Him that what we are experiencing will work out for benefit.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

That means even the seemingly hopeless situations, the good, the bad, the ugly stuff...God can and does work to use them. It is a tough lesson to learn particularly when you have no experience with it.

It is a must to remember that you are not alone, God is with you, no matter the difficulty.

God bless you today,

Larry

Just the Way I Am

2008-08-01T08:32:00.002-04:00

For the month of August, I am going to be looking at some song lyrics from music I listen to...and I listen to a lot of music. Itunes and me are good friends. Back in the day, I belonged to the CD clubs and have a lot of CDs to show for it.

Today's lyric comes from Big Daddy Weave. I heard it on the way in to work this morning.

Big Daddy Weave - Just The Way I Am

From the album What I Was Made For

Unbelievable, I’m blown away it’s true
By the matchless love that I’ve found in You
Undeniable, the changes in me
I’ve never felt so free

It makes me want to dance
You make me want to dance
When I think about how

Chorus:
You love me, You love me
You love me just the way I am
You love me, You love me
You love me just the way,
Just the way I am (repeat)

I just rejoice that God loves us just the way we are. I spent a lot of my middle school days trying my best to get kids to like me by being something I was not. It is refreshing to know that God loves us no matter what. His love is always reaching, always caring. You can be a geek, a jock, a prep, a goth, a hick...you name it. God loves you just the way you are.

Today, try and be who God made you to be. He made you that way for a purpose.

God bless you today just the way you are,

Larry

A Different World

2008-07-31T12:11:00.001-04:00

I remember the transition from elementary school to middle school being very difficult. The thing that made it a little easier for me is that I had older brothers who had been there and done that. They knew teachers, places, and things I should try and avoid. I also had a pretty good size group of friends that had been in my class since kindergarten so we were all familar with one another.

One thing I should mention about my school system is that it was year round. I know, you are thinking that is horrible...school year round! No summer break for 3 months...no long vacations. We were on the track system. We went to school for 45 days and then had off for 15 days. That's 9 weeks of school with 3 weeks off with holidays pegged in around the year. You were placed in your track based on where you lived so all of track D (the one I was in) lived in one geographic area of town. You know, I did not know anything different until 9th grade and I moved to Georgia.

I remember in middle school I tried out for the West View Basketball team Junior Varsity. The most depressing thing of all was when I did not make the cut. I was not that good but had played basketball pretty much all of my life. It was frustrating not being good enough to make the team. Truth be known, I was just a mediocre athlete at a number of sports...baseball, football, basketball, but I was highly competitive.

Many things in middle school depended upon me being good enough and too many times, I just was not good enough. That is a harsh reality for a young guy to come to grips with...not being good enough, just being average.

I am thankful God did not say we had to be good enough before He would accept us because I don't think I would ever get there on my own.

Romans 5:6-8 says "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus died for the average, the poor, the weak, the ungodly, just as much as he did for the rich, powerful, and the gifted. He died for us while we were still sinners meaning we were not good enough to merit anything. Yet God still wants you to be on His team. He chose you first but you must choose to accept Him.

Middle school is a hard road to walk down. It is even harder when you try and go it alone. Invite Jesus into your heart and you will never walk alone again.

God bless you today,

Larry

I Didn't Do It

2008-07-30T14:17:00.002-04:00

I remember once in Middle School that I was accused of throwing snowballs at a school bus (and breaking out a window). Two girls were my accusers. They, I thought, were friends of mine. I go on record as saying I didn't do it. That is the truth, that time. Had I ever thrown snowballs at a school bus...sure. Did I this time? No.

There I am in the Assistant Principal's office (who as you might imagine, knew me pretty well) The girls stuck to their story. They even indicated where the supposed snowball incident took place. Their story came apart at this juncture. The supposed incident happened in a different location than I ever went home. My lone defense was that I never go home that way. Could I have went home that way? Sure...would have been longer but I never did. My blue parka was a dead give away they said. Too bad 90% of kids owned a blue parka like mine. So what I was left with was my word and reputation. For once, my word was enough.

So many times, people will judge your truthfulness by what you say and how you say it but it also has to be backed up by actions. Perhaps the only reason I got in trouble is that the Assistant Principal believed I was capable of such a thing. Even though I was innocent of this offense, I was not blameless. Psalm 15:1-3 says:

"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman"

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Except for a couple of circumstantial pieces of evidence, I would have been found guilty regardless because I was known by my reputation. Had I done any wrong to those girls? No. But I sure didn't like them much after that. Its not easy to forgive when you feel framed for a crime you didn't commit.

I never even thought about it at the time but have often wondered why they picked me to lay the blame on? Probably because they knew I had done it before. And here I always thought it was just a personal vendetta against me...

God bless you today,

Larry

ps...you can't throw many snowballs if you live in Florida!

Bring You Back

2008-07-29T14:05:00.001-04:00

I remember in middle school they had this big pile of stuff they called Lost and Found. I sometimes found my stuff there but a lot of times, there was cool stuff there that no one claimed....apparently no one missed their coat, notebook, folder, etc. Stuff just stayed "lost". You may feel like that today...a sense of being lost.

I remember I once was "lost" in Kmart...could not find my momma...walked all over the place. She was searching for me, I was searching for her but we were just at opposite ends of the store.

I was just listening to a cool new song by Paul Alan by the same title. It deals with Jesus' parables about finding the lost...sheep. coins, son in Luke 15. The lyrics say:

Are you tired of chasing the wind?
Under water, do you aspire to breathe again?
Are you dying?
Is that the best that you can do?
Cause you can't find your place in a world that wasn't meant for you.

There have been many times in my life that I have to admit that I have felt lost. I was not sure what to do next, what direction to go. There were even times I wandered off the path God set for me. I am thankful that each and every time, God has brought me back.

Luke 15:3-6 says Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

Sheep are fairly dumb animals and will just wander off on their own...kinda like my mind does when I am watching the TV. Jesus was clearly talking about salvation here but we might miss the bigger meaning. If we have lost our way, Jesus will leave the 99 to bring us home again. Perhaps that image is no better illustrated than in the parable of the Lost Son which we know better as the Prodigal Son story. There we see the lengths the Father is willing to go to restore a relationship with us.

If you are feeling lost today, Jesus is but an arm's length away ready to bring you back...why don't you come back home today?

God bless you today,

Larry

Middle School Circa 1978

2008-07-28T09:54:00.005-04:00

Here is the middle school I attended over 30 years ago in Romeoville, Illinois. The name has been changed from West View Middle School to "A Vito Martinez" Middle School but from the looks of things, it is still pretty much the same. I have two older brothers so I spent much of middle school being called by their names and paying for their "crimes".

I still remember a lot of stuff from middle school days even though it was 30 years ago. Like 6th grade math and my teacher Mrs. Forbes. She was hard of hearing and I almost failed math because I skipped out of math every day. I also learned valuable lessons of plumbing. Reports cards flushed down the toilet in Arkansas do not reappear in Illinois. And the best attempt at converting an F to a B still did not fool my mother.

I remember in 7th grade I almost got suspended from school for sneezing. Yes, you heard right...sneezing. The interior rooms were enclosed and echoed a great bit. One powerful sneeze later, my math teacher thought I was cutting up (do you get the idea, I was quite the class clown?) She made me write 200 times I will not make noise in class...8 sheets of paper later and I miscounted. I was 6 sentences short. She thought I was being rebellious. She sent me to the Asst. Principal's office and I was almost suspended. I had to write 206 more times that I will not make noise in class.

8th grade brought heartaches on various fronts. I won the 8th grade school-wide spelling bee only to blow the first round of the regionals on "banana" I was nervous and dropped an "n" in front of the whole school and hundreds of others. Yep, I was to be known as banana boy from then on. I also had a crush on a girl that year and wanted nothing more than to take her to the 8th grade dance. It came down to a choice between me and someone else...by now, you realize, it was not me.

It is startling to me to look back and you would think nothing positive came out of my experience in Middle School. I was an active member of First Baptist Church Hampton Park (later renamed aptly to First Baptist Church of Romeoville). Middle school provided me with so many memories yet it seems the ones that stand out the most 30 years later are negative situations. I remember every last one of my slips ups, my mistakes as though it were yesterday.

You know, I could let those ghosts of the past still haunt me today. I could still be the banana boy who couldn't cut the spelling bee. I could still be living in the crushing disappointment of failure or bear the emotional scars of losing out on love. Those things could define who I am today. Instead, I have used them to shape me, improve me, learn from them.

Your experiences of middle school will be challenging but despite your feelings at the time, they can be overcome and you can come out on the other side a better person. But don't try to do it alone. Middle school can be a fearful time but take this reminder from scripture to heart...

Psalms 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

God bless you today,

Larry

Daddy's First Little Girl

2008-07-26T20:58:00.004-04:00

Today is my daughter Tiffany's 18th birthday. We could not celebrate it with her because she is at Marine Boot camp. I am a little concerned for her because her last letter indicated she got hurt. She is a tough girl though. Very strong physically. I pray for her daily.

I have a verse that I consider my life's verse I am reminded of it often.

Proverbs 3:5-6 say "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight"

I have leaned on my own understanding too often. But we often miss the first part of that verse. Trust in the Lord with all our hearts. I have trust in God but does it rise to the level of ALL my heart. I wonder if ALL my ways acknowledge Him as I know that is not the case at ALL times.

I don't know about you but I would like straight paths. My paths are quite crooked on my own.

Today though, my prayer is for my oldest daughter. Tiffany, I love you. God loves you. I pray God looks after you while you are at bootcamp and I pray you look to God for the strength and help you need in the midst of your strongest trial to date.

God bless you today,

Larry

Daddy's Little Girl

2008-07-25T09:29:00.007-04:00

Today is my daughter Amanda's ninth birthday. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It was, in some ways, a frightful experience. My wife Jennifer had to be taken in for an emergency C-section so I did not get to witness her birth. There were some complications and they had to take Jennifer back in for emergency surgery afterwards.

Thank God Jennifer was Ok even if I had to do a little post-op nurse care for her. I have three girls and have taken three Lamaze classes and used it a total of zero times.

One of the things that has challenged me throughout my ministry is balancing family with church responsibilities. I promise you that is never easy. I believe there were times my priorities got out of order and my family took a backseat to "serving God". I have been convicted of that many times. I know it is not easy for my kids to be a PK (preacher's kid). The expectations and living life in a fishbowl coupled with their daddy always being on call so to speak.

As a dad, we wait for that Father's day message that will speak to our hearts and then I think our other responsibilities overcome us. Last Father's Day was the first one in 7 years that I did not preach the sermon...instead I am trying to live it more now than ever.

Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) says "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Its pretty easy to see when I have exasperated Amanda...she cries and that hurts daddy. Training and instruction of the Lord is the key phrase...and I have learned valuable lessons through the years of parenthood...I can't teach my kids something I don't know myself inside and out. Amanda has questions...lots of questions...too many questions and that means I need to know the answers and The Answer, Jesus.

If any of my middle school kids are reading this today, understand this...most of your parents are doing the best they can. You did not come with instruction manuals (and if you did, us men would not read them anyway) and so we tend to learn by trial and error. We may eventually realize that God gave us the training and instruction plan throughout His Word and that really works the best.

Parents are given the greatest responsibility of all and it is the closest way you can impact those who come after you. As parents, we need to be reminded of the things that really matter.

I want to end today by saying Happy Birthday to Amanda. I love you. God loves you. You are beautiful, funny, and are as competitive as daddy ever was. Daddy recommits to bring you up in training and instruction of the Lord and to remember the priorities in my own life. I pray God's best for you. You are one of Daddy's Little Girls.

God bless you today,

Larry

How Old Are You Dude?

2008-07-24T14:27:00.004-04:00

I have to laugh sometimes. Lately my wife and I have been getting that "old" feeling. It does not help that people come up to us when we are with our 9 and 7 year old girls and ask about our grandchildren. I admit I look older than 42. I feel older than that some days. My wife even had a lady at McDonalds offer her the senior coffee rate!

The other day I am playing ping pong and a youth is talking to his friend on his celly and says, " I am going to beat some old dude in ping pong..." Ouch! I am just some old dude now. Needless to say, its not easy to beat this old dude in ping pong and it wasn't happening that day!

I played tennis from the time I was 8 years old (almost every day) until I was 22...that's 14+ years. I was decent but of course I practiced all THE time. I took 8 PE classes in high school...all Tennis classes. They wanted me to be really good. I was the best at my high school for awhile but I was nowhere near the best anywhere it counted. All that practice!

I remember in college (I played for Albany State University) this guy beat me and he couldn't even speak English...all he could say was "I Win, I Win!" and he did. 14 years of practice and what do I have to show for it? A dozen or so trophies, many busted tennis rackets, tendinitis and bursitis, and a court full of the memories.

In Philippians, Paul was sharing with the church and he put everything he preached about into perspective with this verse:

Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

He had just told them to think on such things as: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" and then he calls us to put them into practice. Not just because he said it to them but because they learned, heard or had seen those things in Paul.

Question time...what do people learn, hear, or see in you? Would it be good for someone else to put that into practice? The other question is this...how much effort are you applying to putting the things of God into practice? I spent 14 years practicing a sport that, in hindsight, did not matter much for the Kingdom's sake.

Practice up...its game time...r u ready?

God bless,

Larry

Where Did Time Go?

2008-07-23T09:32:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I shipped my baby (actually my oldest daughter Tiffany) off to the Marines. She is in the midst of the hardest 13 weeks of her life. I write her and send her notes every couple of days. Her 18th birthday is this Saturday.

I have to admit, I miss her. She has been gone for as much as a month before but that was at my parents house...considerably different then Parris Island. I think about what she is going through...what she is feeling. Then I look back and wonder did I do everything right as a parent? The answer to that is clearly no. I know I did not do everything right as a parent. Did I do the best I could...sure tried with God's help.

It seemed just like yesterday she was born in Louisville, KY and I was embarking on my ministerial career while attending seminary. It is now 18 years later and I guarantee you that I would NEVER have predicted the way the last 18 years have gone...never in a million years. I look in the mirror and wonder just where did the time go? Or more importantly...where did my hair go?

Psalm 39:5-6 says You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

How true is that? It took almost 43 years for me to really realize that. Life is but a breath and then its gone. Not much time to do what you need to do and what God would want you to do. I even think about it sometimes that there have been plenty of people who did not have 43 years. Even Jesus lived a shorter time and yet in three short years, he changed the world. I am no Jesus but I am a follower of Jesus.

What do you do with your time? How much time do you have left? No one really knows how much time they have left. I know when I was young, I thought I would live forever. Now that I am older, I know that we will not live in this earthly body forever.

Answer one question. Is your life making a difference in this world?

You can...no matter your age. God has a purpose...He has a plan. Its time we do something about it.

God bless you today,

Larry

What I Do...

2008-07-21T11:47:00.003-04:00

It is funny...I go places where guys get together and the question comes up, "What do you do for a living?" Its like a standard guy question. Almost like talking about sports or the weather.

For the last 13 years I have worked at Florida Dental Association. My title now is Director of Information Systems. When I started there I was just Data Systems Manager and worked alone. I now have three people that work for me. It was a difficult transition from doing all the work myself to delegating the work. I have never been very effective at delegating. I like "doing" too much.I am not sure if that is a pride thing or just that I like seeing the fruits of my labor directly.

I think I have always worked my best when I do so behind the scenes. In ministry, I spent a lot of years working behind the scenes...hardly notice some of the things I did even though they were needed at the time. I have always worked as hard whether it has been for the "church" or my secular job.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" More than what I do, this answers the question of how I should do it. So regardless of what you do, whether it be a student, homemaker, blue-collar worker, white collar executive, or minister, we are working for the Lord and have a big reputation to uphold.

The next time someone asks you where you go to school or what you do, be prepared to tell them the how and why of what you do too.

God bless,

Larry

What Happened?

2008-07-18T12:09:00.001-04:00

I am sure you have had those situations in your life when everything is sailing along...no problems and then all of a sudden it is like a storm blew up out of nowhere. I have had many "surprise" storms like this in my life. They certainly feel dark and dangerous when going through them...yet not as much on the other side.

For instance, I was all set to go into the Army out of high school...didn't even plan on going to college. And then...boom, a storm. The Army discovered I had astigmatism (an eye condition I have had since birth) and just like that my plans were blown away. God had different plans for me but what a storm it brought in my life!

I am thankful the Bible has much to say on this issue. I am also reminded of a song by Ray Boltz which says My Anchor Holds. I am not the seafaring master so anchors don't mean an awful lot to me but I do know that they hold you in place particularly in the midst of a storm.

Who or what is your anchor today? You best find out before that surprise storm blows up in your life. You don't want to be asking What Happened? when its all said and done.

The Bible says in Matthew 8:26-27 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

Jesus can be more than your anchor...He wants to be your savior, captain, navigator, and even first mate but that is a choice you alone can make.

Another song from Casting Crowns puts the finishing touches on my blog for today...

I was sure by now,God,
that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I have been there and will be there again!

God bless you today,

Larry

Who Are We?

2008-07-16T10:46:00.001-04:00

I get that question a lot. I run into a lot of people who know me from somewhere...they are just not sure where. I was pastor of First Baptist Church of Wakulla Station for 5 years prior to our coming to Lake Ellen. Before that, we spent several years at various churches serving in a variety of positions from youth minister to interim pastor. Two positions were in different named churches but in the same building...try figuring that one out. I went from being interim pastor at Sabal Palm Baptist Church to Associate Pastor at Adventure Baptist Church and we never left the church building...our churches actually merged to form one congregation.

By last count, I have officially served in 6 churches in official capacities (ie paid staff) with the first being as youth and children's minister at Harrod's Creek Baptist Church (near Louisville, KY) in 1989 while I was attending seminary. I have also served at 4 other churches in volunteer positions. I have a lot of experience with different church ministries having served in every position but Music/Worship leader (and if you have ever heard me sing...you know why!)

For the most part, I have been bivocational (which means I work another job in addition to the church gig) except for 1 lone year of full time youth ministry in Leesburg Georgia (where Buster Posey is from).

For all the bouncing around in church ministries, my secular employment has been pretty steady. I have worked the last 13 years at Florida Dental Association and at FSU for 5 years before that.

I was born in Illinois and grew up in a little town named Romeoville. My family and I moved to Albany Georgia when I was 14. I went to high school and college right there in Albany. I graduated with a BS Degree in Computer Science in 1987 from Albany State University.

I have just listed a great deal of my past and yet you still may not know much about me. I am a father, husband, friend and generally fun-loving guy who loves God. I enjoy sports, video games, and computers.

Matthew 10 :30 says even the hairs of my head are numbered. I am thankful there is one who knows everything about me and yet still loves me. That is God and He cares for me in ways I cannot descibe. Regardless of where you have been or what you have done...you matter to God. That is why I do what I do...to tell you and others about what God has done for me. I wish my story was as straight-forward as I have made it seem but it is not...there is much more to my story as I will let you in on in future blogs...until then, Take the Plunge N2 ministry with us!

God bless,

Larry

Looking forward

2008-07-10T21:38:00.001-04:00

This fall is going to be great. Jennifer and I are going to spend the rest of the summer hanging out with the youth...getting to know kids, and spending time building relationships. In the next few posts, I will share some information about us and how we came to do what we do.

ps perhaps you were wondering what else the N2 could stand for in the name? Me too except I love Nehemiah Chapter 2...check it out...it talks about a man using what God gave him to do the impossible...sounds a lot like youth ministry to me.

God bless,

Larry