CCM Thursday: Moshing Machine

Sometime around April of 2003 I received a call from one of the talent agencies I had used over the years asking me if I would be interested in having a new Christian band come to our church as part of their summer tour.  The band was called The Swift, and I had never heard of them.  I was not alone.  They had a new album and were touring in support of it, but they were not well known.  The agent told me that they had a piano-driven pop sound and were receiving excellent reviews for their live performances.  And they would come cheap.  Cheap was good.  The students of Graceland at Wesley Memorial UMC  loved concerts, so I booked them for an August date.  

By the time they arrived at WMUMC that August, The Swift had a hit single called Under the Sun.  Their album had received great reviews, and their star was climbing.  We had booked them at exactly the right time, because by the time they did the show for us we could have no longer afforded them!  They turned out to be great guys with hearts for ministry, and they did a tremendous show for us with an awesome message of God's unfailing love.  It was a pleasure to hang out with them, help them set up and tear down, and them take them and some of my youth out to dinner afterwards.  It turned out that the band shared my addiction to the restaurant Chilli's, and we had a blast eating and listening to them tell stories of life on the road.  It was one of those nights that made me LOVE my calling to serve Jesus through youth ministry.

One particular song stands out from that great night of music.  It's a song called Moshing Machine, and it speaks to the often odd experience of seeing an unruly crowd at a Christian concert.  They also had a killer t-shirt based on the song that was a big seller that night.  One line from the song always makes me laugh out loud: "Love your shoes but when they're breaking pews can't you see, it's irreverency!  OWWWW!"  Having once seen that happen at an Audio Adrenaline/Supertones concert in the late 90s, the song really resonated with me.   The band is no longer together, but their music is still all over my I-pod.  So to cap off a great memory shared with some incredible people on one awesome night, here's the official video for Moshing Machine.  Enjoy, and have a blessed day!

Abide In Jesus (John 15:5)

Sometimes those of us who profess to be Christians need to be reminded that we are human beings, not human doings.  The Christian life is not about what we can do on our own, but allowing Jesus Christ to bear his fruit through us.  In John 15:5, Jesus tells us that if we will abide in him then he will abide in us.  We must nurture the Holy Spirit within us through love, worship and obedience.  This is what it means to abide.


Unfortunately, taking the time to abide in Jesus is somewhat of a lost spiritual discipline.  Much like silence, it is so intimate and so foreign to us that we do not pursue these amazing moments with our Savior.  To help us along that path, today I'd like to suggest 10 ideas to help us focus on knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, experiencing Jesus and being linked to Jesus.  Remember, John 10:10 teaches that Jesus came to bring us not just life, but abundant life.  Let's seek it together.  Try one of these each day for a while and see if you feel a stronger connection with the Christ.

1. Listen to 3 of your favorite worship songs (consecutively) with your eyes closed, picturing Jesus in the room with you.  Sing to him.  Worship him.
2. Fast for a meal or a full day and focus the time you gain on love, obedience and worship.
3. Apply John 15:12 to your life by asking Jesus to show you who needs your unconditional love today.
4. Make a list of the Top 10 Reasons You Love God.
5. Do an Alphabet Worship Time.  Write down a prayer of praise, thanks or intercession for each letter of the alphabet.
6. Read the 5th chapter of the Gospel of John, highlighting any verses that speak to you about love, worship and obedience.
7. Set aside time for a silent prayer vigil- at least 30 minutes. Be still.  Know God.
8. At 10:27 (AM or PM) prayerfully read aloud Luke 10:27 to be reminded of the love of God.
9. Memorize The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-11.  They are the condensed version of everything Jesus taught.
10. Take time to focus on the love of God by writing a letter or e-mail to someone who needs to know that you love them unconditionally because Jesus loves you that way.

Fall into the arms of a Savior who loves you more than you can imagine.  Spend time with him.  Abide in him.


Because of Jesus,

It's Time To Get Childish

When I was in the 8-10 year old age range my best friends were some guys in my neighborhood who loved playing superheroes.  We would get together after school or during the summer and play for hours. We would fashion makeshift costumes and we would BECOME the superhero we were pretending to be!  Did you ever do this? Who were your favorite heroes?   (As a side note, I just hope your favorite was not Aquaman. What a waste of a hero...) In my neighborhood, everyone wanted to be Superman.  With a towel fastened around my neck by a safety pin, I was "the Man of Steel."  When I ran with my cape billowing behind me I believed I was flying.  When I lifted a huge rock over my head, I believed it weighed 500 pounds. It was such a thrill to become lost in those moments.  But there came a time when I began to feel silly playing make believe.  I began to understand that "real" games like baseball and basketball were more acceptable for someone my age, and I hung up my cape.  I had come to a great awakening, a time of growing up and moving on with my life.


In retrospect, that "day of enlightenment" was a very sad day for me because it caused me to push part of my self into a corner where it could be hidden away.  Whatever that part was, I know it was the stuff of dreams and imagination- things that are seldom valued in the world we live in.  It was the place where "playing" lived.  And more and more as I grow older still, I have come to realize that it is the same place that God occupies in me.  This childlike place, this place of whimsy, imagination and boundless hope, is my soul.  We are told by Jesus in Matthew 18:2-4 that we should have faith like a child.  And what is it children have that we don't?  They have the ability to play.  They are still in awe and wonder of the things around them.  They have the naivete (also known as faith) to believe that God speaks to them.  They believe in miracles. They believe that Jesus meant what he said and that loving God and loving people is not all that complicated.  And they still believe that Superman can fly!


But we who are older and wiser, we who have careers and families and important things to do- we often feel our souls melting away.  We become cynical.  The things of God no longer astonish and amaze us. In fact, we become bored with our faith.  Episcopal priest Robert Capon once wrote that dullness is the most critical issue facing the church today.  He finished his statement by saying, "Jesus doesn't change people into wild-eyed radicals anymore, because the church is satisfied with nice people."  If we are to continue to promote the Jesus Revolution, then we must rediscover what it means to have faith like a child.  The late Mike Yaconelli wrote that "dullness is the absence of light in our souls."  That light is Jesus.  And Jesus is NEVER dull!  If you find your faith to be dull or lifeless, then you need to connect with the Jesus of the New Testament- the one who turned the world upside down, who inspired people to do remarkable things and who led his disciples on one adventure after another.  Encounters with Jesus are not like warming your hands by a campfire.  Encounters with Jesus are like the burning bush; they consume you without burning you up.  If your problem is dullness, then you may not have met the real Jesus...


So today I encourage each of us to put on our capes and our masks and remember what it is like to truly believe.  Because through Jesus, we all have the power to love.  We all have the power to change the world.  The miraculous becomes possible.  Mountains can be moved.  And maybe, just maybe, Superman will fly again...


Because of Jesus,

A July 4th Disney Dash!

I don't have a lot of memorable 4th of July stories.  Growing up, the 4th meant spending a week camping with my parents at Myrtle Beach.  Later on, when I worked at Quaker Lake Camp, the 4th was just another day of camp.  But there is one Independence Day that really stands out, and today I'd like to share that story.


In July of 1993 my parents were spending the week of the 4th at Walt Disney World.  Marilyn and I drove down from North Carolina to spend a few days with them at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.  On the day of the 4th we made our way over to the Disney/MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) to spend the day.  This being in the days before the Tower of Terror or the Rock'N'Rollercoaster the Studios were easily the least crowded of the three existing parks (Animal Kingdom was still several years from opening) and we often went there on the most crowded days.  My parents had headed over to their favorite place, EPCOT, and so we were on our own as evening approached.  Before I continue, there are a few things you need to know about my wife and I in 1993.  We were much younger.  We were childless.  We spent most of our time hanging out with teenagers in my role as a youth pastor- so we were more than a little nuts.  All of these things came into play as we hatched a plan for seeing fireworks at Walt Disney World that night.  But in the end, the entire operation was contingent on our knowledge and use of the WDW transportation system...


We decided that we wanted to see fireworks at all 3 parks.  On the surface, this seemed impossible.  Seeing Sorcery in the Sky (still my favorite Disney fireworks show) at the Studios at 9 PM was no problem.  Next would be Illuminations at EPCOT at 10 PM.  We positioned ourselves to make a quick getaway from the Studios, then caught one of the shuttle boats from there to Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort.  We ran to the "back door" (International Gateway) of EPCOT and secured a place on the bridge between the United Kingdom pavilion and France.  We even had a few minutes to spare.  As we waited for the next show, we could look back towards the Studios and see their "extra" 4th of July fireworks.  A few moments later, Illuminations began.  As always it was spectacular.


That's when our quest to see fireworks at all 3 parks got interesting, and our knowledge of Disney transportation became a valuable asset.  We bolted out the "back door" of EPCOT and walked briskly over the the Beach Club, where we caught a bus to the Magic Kingdom, hoping to see the midnight fireworks extravaganza there.  It looked like we were going to make it with time to spare....until.  The MK night parade (I believe it was SpectroMagic at the time) had just completed its 11 PM run, and thousands of people were leaving the park just as we were trying to get in.  If you've ever tried to go against the flow through the MK entrance tunnels at a major departure time, then you feel my pain.  If not, it is like trying to drive the wrong way on an interstate during rush hour.  We feared for our lives.  Between the crush of people and the crazed, exhausted moms driving strollers right over us, it's a miracle we survived.  But we did.  And we got out onto Main Street just in time to watch one more glorious fireworks show.  Three parks.  Three fireworks shows. One night.  We were pretty proud of ourselves!


So that's my story.  I'm glad we did it- mostly so we don't ever have to do it again!  But it did make for one amazing night.  Happy Independence Day to all.  Tonight I will be dashing out my front door to see the neighbors shoot off Roman Candles.  Yeah...getting old...

Proud To Be a Christian

Before you start sending me nasty comments and tweets, please read this entire post.  I pray that all USAmericans will celebrate July 4th with passion and love for our nation.  But today is set aside to celebrate and worship Jesus.  That's all I'm saying.  And as always, it is entirely possible that I might be wrong...


Today is the Sunday closest to the 4th of July, and I have already started preparing myself.  It's one of the days- Veteran's Day and Memorial Day are the others- when I know our church service will have at least some focus on patriotism.  I'm just going to admit right up front that this aggravates the crud out of me.  It's not that I don't love my country or support those who serve- I do.  I am a serious student of our history (for instance, I can tell you about Paul Revere's ride!) and the amazing things we have accomplished in our 235 years of existence.  I appreciate our freedoms and those who, from the earliest days of our nation, have fought for those freedoms- and not just on the battlefields.  But...as a follower of Jesus Christ I believe my primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God.  It frustrates me to see our churches continually wrapping the Cross in the flag.  It's a matter of principle:  Who is it I really pledge allegiance to- first?


The reason this bothers me so much is because here in USAmerica, patriotism often becomes a litmus test for Christianity.  People assume they know my politics because I am an outspoken follower of Christ.  We have somehow tied the two together in a sort of bizarre tango in which love of country has become more important than the love of God.  I recently read a quote from Shane Claiborne which describes my fear: "It is a dangerous day when we can take the cross out of the church more easily than the flag.  No wonder it is hard for seekers to find God nowadays."  If you look at the way the church is booming around the rest of the world, you will see that we may have the steps all wrong.  Christianity is blossoming in nations where the government refuses to recognize the faith.  It is growing by leaps and bounds in countries where it has been outlawed.  Jesus himself told us that the persecuted would be blessed; he did not mention the patriotic.  When we begin to believe that true freedom comes from our form of government rather than from our relationship with Jesus, we have jumped the shark.  It is a wonderful thing to love our country.  It is absolutely imperative that we love Jesus and love others as he taught us to love.


As long as I'm making people mad, let me take this one step further. Somewhere today, in some church (I just pray not mine) someone is going to sing the great Lee Greenwood song, Proud To Be An American.  It is a magnificent song that expresses our gratitude for our nation in a beautiful way.  But I'm sorry- it has no place in a worship service. We gather to glorify God, not country.  I love my UNC Tar Heels, but the Carolina fight song doesn't belong in worship either.  So to wrap this up, I have re-written Mr. Greenwood's chorus to make it appropriate to use in the worship of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Feel free to sing along...and have a wonderful Independence Day tomorrow.  USAmerica- bless God!

And I'm proud to be a Christian 'cause I know I'm truly free

and I won't forget that I have life because Jesus died for me

And so I'll shout to the LORD, and praise His name 

and share His love today

I'll leave no doubt of whose I am...

LORD take my heart, I pray!

Because of Jesus,

Saturday Shout Outs!

Happy July!  Greetings friends and neighbors and welcome to anther edition of Saturday Shout Outs!  Today we have a mix of old friends, new friends and even a couple of Random Ramblings, so just jump in and hang on!

• My Twitter friend Christie Weatherby had a BRILLIANT post yesterday about how we can all participate in changing the world $5 at a time.  Here was her tweet: I am VERY excited to get to give you the opportunity to do something HUGE today!!! Please check it out: http://t.co/oRK5V8M   I hope all of my readers will check it out as well.  Awesome idea, Christie!
• Sometime back around June 14th 9th (corrected in comments!), our dear friend Colleen Martin (FUMC-K) became our dear friend Colleen Hooks!  Yes,that's right- Colleen got married!  :)
• I realized today that I owe return e-mails to both Todd Willis & Lauren Carr Cacciatore (FUMC-Kissimmee).  I am a slacker.  I will do better...
• Ashley Goad Broadhurst (Springfield Friends Meeting) is in the midst of yet another mission trip to Haiti.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers, and for updates be sure and visit her blog at http://thanksgivingprojectagb.blogspot.com/.
• Had lunch at the Wing House last week with Lisa Kraus Spires (FUMC-Kissimmee).  She and unborn baby Abbie/Abby/Abi/Abbe are doing well, but that doesn't mean that they don't need our prayers!  It was awesome to have a couple of hours to shoot the breeze. Wish I could have that with all of you...
• Brook Teoli Phelps (FUMC-K) is currently tweeting through the Bible in one year.  It's so cool to follow along as she commits to her goal.  Awesome.
• So far the Jones family has been pretty impressed with the summer movies- and between the 3 of us we have seen a lot of them.  I think our favorite so far has been Super 8.  Most confusing to us has been the reception received by The Green Lantern.  We all loved it, but we don't seem to have much company.  Not sure what people were expecting.  It's a comic book movie, you know?  We're seeing Transformers 3 this morning, based on a review by Nina Mock (Wesley Memorial UMC) that she posted on Facebook.  No pressure, Nina!
• I LOVE my ever-growing (1475 followers) Twitter family. I'm just saying...
• FUMC-K's Amber Herrick (who had a birthday on 6/23 27; corrected in comments!) tried to stir the pot last week by wondering aloud why Teresa Reep Tysinger is in my Hall of Fame and her twin sister Cyndi is not.  The obvious answer is because that would mean there are "too many Reeps"- but still, it's a good question.  So I ask all of you- who is missing from my HOF?
• Attention TV executives: I would like for there to be reunion movies for Saved By the Bell and That 70's Show, featuring the original casts of both.  That is all.
• I'm about to reach 700 consecutive days of blogging.  In addition, we have passed 80,000 visits to this site. I'm starting to plan the 2nd anniversary celebration coming up August 26th.  Any suggestions?
• Ben Thompson is home from Afghanistan &  Catie Cook (both FUMC-K) is headed for Germany.  Let's continue to pray for them and all of those who serve.
• Four days after that celebration, Marilyn and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Any suggestions?  :)
• Ran into Lisa Jewett (Wesley Memorial) at Tijuana Flats for Taco Tuesday this week,  and she came over and sat with the Jones family.  We talked forever (just ask Will).  I LOVE catching up with old friends, especially ones as special as Lisa!
• Jerry Hanbery was with us for a night and most of a day earlier this week.  There is very little I enjoy more than sitting around talking politics, music, old friends and religion with Jerry.  HOWEVER- his assertion that Talladega Nights is funnier than Anchorman almost got him tossed from our home.  Will & I take our Anchorman very seriously...
• Rev. Cathy Thacker (better known to youth from the FUMC-K days as Mrs. T) is now serving a new church.  She is the pastor at FUMC-Lake Alfred.  Be praying for Cathy as she begins this grand adventure!
• And finally, last night at FUMC-K the youth ministry held another Rec Around the Clock.  Dwight Oakes & company (youth pastor there since I left in 2000) have now been using my title for that all-night event for 11 years, and I have not seen one penny in copyright royalties.  Dwight, consider yourself warned.  :)  My attorney, Jerry Hanbery, will be contacting you soon....

As always, it would be more than awesome if all of you would come to Tampa- because that's where I am!  LOL  Have a happy, safe and blessed 4th of July weekend, everyone!

Because of Jesus,

One Shining Moment

On Monday night, April 4, 1983, I went to the Greensboro (NC) home of my friends Bob & Beth (Vestal) McGalliard to watch the NCAA basketball championship game with a group of my friends.  The game would feature North Carolina State University and the University of Houston.  Houston was a huge favorite, but our little group gathered to pull for the Wolfpack of NCSU.  Having grown up in NC, college basketball was almost a religion to us.  I was a UNC Tar Heel fan myself, but when it came to national events I always pulled for the ACC.  Pulling for State was not easy; in 1983 Duke was still pretty much irrelevant, so the Wolfpack were our arch rivals.  There was even a little cheer- "Duke is puke, Wake (Forest) is fake but the team I hate is NC State!"  But they had been amazing in the tournament and had reached the final game against all expectations.  The McGalliard family were huge State fans; in fact, Bob and his father had gone to Albuquerque for the game.  We went to support Beth and to cheer them on.


The game was amazing.  Somehow the Wolfpack hung tough with Phi Slamma Jamma, and the game came down to one final possession.  Here's how it ended...





Everyone watching was stunned.  Lorenzo Charles jamming home the missed shot.  Coach Jimmy Valvano running around The Pit looking for someone to hug.  The vaunted Houston team in total disbelief.  It was one of those moments I will never forget.  And the fact that the hero was Lorenzo Charles made it all the more miraculous.  He was, at best, the 6th best scoring threat on that NCSU team.  He was there to rebound and play defense.  If Vegas had odds on which player would make a game winning shot,the odds on Lo had to be 500,000 to 1.  And yet... as one of the greatest big men in NCAA history (Hakeem Olajuwon) stood and watched, #43 grabbed a small slice of sports immortality.  He would go on to become a star player over the following 2 years and a high NBA draft pick as well.  In all the many years that CBS has used One Shining Moment as their end of tournament "magic memories" song, it has never been more appropriate than that night.


Lorenzo Charles was killed in a bus wreck this week, and everyone who remembers that night the way I do felt his loss.  I had no idea what had happened to Lo since his NBA career failed.  But his example has always had an influence on me.  Work hard, put yourself in the right position surrounded by the right people, never give up- and magical, miraculous things can happen.  When Jimmy V died of cancer a number of years later he gave a famous speech in which he encouraged each of us to "never give up."  Now that Lo has gone on to join Coach V, teammate Thurl Bailey has been quoted as saying this- "Looks like Coach V finally found somebody to hug."  Rest in peace, Lo.  Thanks for giving sports fans everywhere a moment in time that we will never forget- and for raising this important question in our own lives. If I were to die tomorrow, what would be seen as my One Shining Moment?  It is something to ponder...


Because of Jesus,