Go against the grain! Don't be a sheep, fight the power!  Be free, whatever...

We often hear that we should be our own person, and not do the "thing" that is popular.  I guess I fall into that category.  I have Rooted my Doid, using unofficial software, to escape official Android.  I don't have an Ipod, do everything i can to avoid Microsoft.  I use open source software almost exclusively.  Don't own Nikes, polo, shop at AE, or Ambercrombie. Prefer Independent films to mainstream...whatever.

Does it matter? not much i guess, other than i feel Liberated.  But what about how i live?

I serve a God that is amazing.  The more i fall into him, the deeper I want to be.  There is no limit to His love, and depth.  And yet i see a parallel to my consumer life and my spiritual Life

God's Word says And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

Don't be what the world says. Be different. Open your life to Him, and see how great is our God!  

I don't want to conform to this world, to look like everyone else.  To act like everyone else. My goal is God.  I don't just want to be a follower of Christ, I want to be TRANSFORMED.  And it is mental


Scripture says be transformed by the renewing of mind.  A conscious decision that manifests itself into a Supernatural outpouring.  I must decide in my mind, God then transforms our entire self into an example of God, proving first what is Good, then acceptable, then Perfect Will of God.


This doesn't mean you must live perfect or even that you will.  But a stumble doesn't start you from beginning, but is step up to wisdom.  


Don't live by the way the world says and lose heart, and simply be conformed to act in a socially acceptable way so as not to stand out, but blend in.  God calls us to be exceptional, and to be a light that shines.  We are called to be different, peculiar, Godly. We should look, act, be different.


Conviction, not guilt, leads to action. 

Isn't the picture bigger?

I don't write as often as I should, but the news of the past week or two has been dreary.  Over the last 7 days the south and east of USA has been battered with weather, and one of the largest terrorists has been killed. 

Rain hit hard, and tornadoes swept through some parts of the States.

A middle eastern man was found in a hideout, and the military shot and killed him.

And while I am thrilled that the threat is gone, isn't the picture bigger?

Lives lost, and homes gone.  Some survive, and some don't.  But isn't the picture bigger?

I see posts about not honoring God's providence during a catastrophe.  How can i be thankful if so many died or were hurt... I see so many posts about Bin Laden in Hell or getting what he deserved.  And yet... i wonder... isn't the picture bigger?

Pull back a couple miles, and the storm swept through a portion of our country.  A few miles farther away, and the storm didn't touch every continent.  Farther back still, and you can't see your house from here anymore...

While not to diminish the lives lost in the storms, AT ALL, the issue isn't whether God saved YOU.  YOU are not the Center of the Universe.  The stars and atoms do not revolve around you.  You are one of 6.5 Billion people who did not die that day...  If every good thing comes from God, then be thankful.  Be grateful, and give Him the honor of Life.  Death was brought in with the first sin, and all of us deserve to die, but for whatever reason, God saved you.  You did not save you.  We demanded control of this world when we partook of sin,  and God in His infinite love....Gave it to us.  But with that control comes responsibility, and consequence.  We die, and will die.  Some of us tragic, and some of use quietly. 

I don't know why you survived the day.  But instead of being troubled by why not you, focus on God, not you.  Give Him the Glory and Honor and know that he is the author of Life, not death... He does not take or streal or rob.  We do enough of that on our own...

The picture is bigger...

Bin Laden may or may not have died.  Does it matter?  The general thought is that people are glad he is gone, and now hell has one more soul.  But is this how we as christians should view it?  Isn't the picture bigger?

He was responsible for the loss of thousands of Americans on 9/11.  OK.  Again not to diminish that terrible day or the lives lost on it, hasn't the middle east had this for thousands of years?  USA, not being the center of the universe is no more important than anyone else.  And really should our souls mourn the loss of someone that is in Hell?

We all deserve Hell.  we all have sinned, and the punishment for that is Hell.  I belong there, so does he... the difference is I have attached my soul to Jesus, and have been forgiven for what i did, and My soul will be in reunited with Jesus forever.

I am saddened for the families who lost people during the storms.  I am saddened for those who die in war, innocents, and military. I am saddened that our hearts have been hardened to the point of hate toward a man who was so misguided.  The picture has to be bigger.

Bigger than you, than me, than USA or Bin Laden, or the sins that lead to death.  The picture has to be God!  He is the only thing to focus on.  Focus on Him, and cast your cares one Him.  If we are called to shine a light, to reflect Jesus, we CANNOT spew hatred and filth.  We cannot revel in the loss of one more soul.  Time is short, and we don't have forever.  The time is now.

Now is the time to reflect Love, and Show this world the picture is bigger!  The picture isn't hate and death, and it isn't diminishing God. 

HOW CAN YOU SHOW THE WORLD HOW GREAT GOD IS?

Ski Trip 2011 Final Thoughts

God is amazing, and continues to astound me.  My expectations for this trip was to go and have fun, spend some time together, have some devotions, and come home.  God had set the bar higher.

Planning for the trip began a year ago, the moment we got back from ski trip 10.  We knew we wanted to go back.  We made tentative reservations, and waited.  September started the real crunch for the trip.  A leaders' meeting about fundraising, a few phone calls to verify, and we were on our way.  Excitement grew, expectations grew...

Fast Forward to a week ago, after the itinerary was comleted, final documents signed and sent, and I sit alone with God... Preparing messages, quiet times, and direction.  I knew God wanted to meet with the students of LCY, and i know they are always ready to meet with Him.


He met us and showed out.  The beauty of hearing 37 LCY sing in the lobby of the hotel was beautiful.  A public display of our love for our God.  I wish you had been there, i wish you could have witnessed what i heard, felt, saw, experienced.  Such an honor to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of young people...  Marcus started devotions with heartfelt worship.  And the students immediately dove right in.  No hesitation, no worry of what people waking through will think... just pure.

The challenge God gave to the students was met head on.  Each student was on board.  And then we were ready for the evening, the stage was set.


Evening devotions blew me away.  After another great worship session, where we were able to hear an original tune from marcus, we broke out  into small groups and shared our vulnerabilities.  we shared why we felt ways, what bothered us, and we all pitched in to help each other, and share the burden.  The really neat thing was, these students ranging in age 12 - 19, all opened up and wanted to see God do something. 

The Skiing was great! Following a great meal at Cracker Barrel, we head up to Wolf Ridge and get geared up, pile 37 people in a bus that holds 24, and hit the slopes.  10 Snowboarders, 20 skiers take off up a mountain, fall a bunch, and try to learn to stay up.  A brief break to grade the slopes, eat dinner then back out for night ski.  Four hours of snow, another cramped bus ride, and then off to the hotel.

Day 2 started with breakfast and devotions.  After that, Fun Depot met us with lunch and 3 hours of lasertag, go-karts, bumpercars, arcade, minigolf, and more.  Terry and Rita had to leave a little early just before we left for Asheville Mall. 

Asheville mall closed in about an hour, so we rushed there, and shopped as hard as we could.  J&S then fed us way too much food.

Dinner preceded a swim then devotions before bed.  And today was traveling home with a brief stop at the Mall of Georgia.


Ask a student who was there. Ask them how amazing God is, and what he did at Ski trip 11.  Ask Brooke B., Peyton, Brooke V, Rita, Kerin, Tori, Emily, Steph, Miranda, Brook N., Dwayne, Jordan Mc., Corey, Sean, Kyle C., Kyle B., TJ, Jason, Blake, JoQuan, Jordan D., Greg, Terry, Marcus, Seth, Dena, Jessica C., Rosie, Carley, Jessica S.,Tiffany, Jenny, Sara, Rachel, Jamye and Shea how Ski Trip 2011 was for them.

Ski trip!!!

God morning, good morning. Ski trip 2011, one hour away. We just got to the church. Brook, emily, studdard, jmac, corey, tiffany are all ready to go. Here we go

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