Side Table’s Got A Silly Hat
Dana and I had the chance to go to Arkansas this weekend and visit family and just relax a little. On the way Brandon had the DVD going and Blue’s Clues played at least 17 times. NOW I can’t get the stupid song, “Side Table’s Got A Silly Hat” out of my head. As I am writing this I am whisteling the tune. Maybe on the way back we will listen (Brandon will watch) to the Wiggle’s “Great Safari”, 20 times.
We will miss everyone at the UC this weekend and we look forward to what God is going to do on the 8th!
Be Happy!
Bryan
Thursday Morning Recycle Bin
Thursdays stink. It is far enough from Sunday that you really miss the fellowship and message of the previous Sunday. It’s NOT Friday, so no TGIF, but it’s almost Friday so you really don’t want to do anything. And it’s too far from the next Sunday to really get excited about anything. On Thursdays I am tired and looking for a pick-me-up, some friendship, just something to say, “Man! I’m glad it’s Thurday”.
I just read a blog from a good friend of mine, Jason Shefstall, and I like how he did, Unloading The Pending File.
So, Here’s mine…I will call it the Thursday Morning Recycle Bin.
1. I get frustrated trying to understand God’s will.
2. I struggle with my daily Bible Reading.
3. I pray daily but I don’t find time everyday to pray earnestly.
4. I love my wife more today than ever before.
5. My wife is my number one hero. I cherish and respect her.
6. I love my kids. My heart is broken because divorce hurt their lives.
7. It took me 4 years to forgive myself for divorce.
8. I have never gotten over the heartache divorce causes, it still hides deep within my soul.
9. It took six months into my marriage to thank God for my wife and to accept His forgiveness for my first broken marriage.
10. Today I know what a covenant marriage is.
11. Sometimes I don’t want to do church work.
12. I love to make other people laugh.
13. I think many pastors have lost touch with the real world.
14. I love my pastor and our church staff.
15. I love to meet new friends.
16. I have a passion to be a conference speaker and an agent for revival.
17. I have always wanted to be a motivational speaker.
18. I have a secret…but I forgot what it was.
19. I often forget things…car keys, wallet, phone, stuff I need when I leave the house.
20. God developed the gifts of mercy, compassion, and helper within me. I didn’t always have them.
21. I started a ministry called Imforgiven.
22. I miss the full-time ministry.
23. I am thankful God is giving it back to me.
24. I made a commitment to tell my wife everyday that I love her and if I am thinking she is pretty, attractive or looks exceptionally well that day…I will say it, not just think it. If the opposite of those things ever comes to mind…to think it, but DON’T say it. (So far…I have kept my commitment.)
Our Healing Was His Hurt
Isaiah 53:2-6 (The Message)
“The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.”
As Easter approaches I am reminded of the suffering Jesus endured for us and why He endured it. We have many things that happen in our lives that cause hurt, depression, discord, brokeness and unhappiness. Some of these things are legitimate burdens and concerns, some are very superfiscial. However, the prophecy of Isaiah 53 clearly shows us how much pain Jesus endured so we could be healed. How much suffering He willing took on Himself so He could carry our burden. He is our Saviour! And all the pain He felt, all the pain He received…was our pain.
Give Jesus your hurts and pain today. If your life seems empty, frustrating or hopeless, see what God can do. It’s worth investigating. Our healing was His hurt and His hurt was offered so we can be healed.
Be Happy!
Bryan
25 Years!!! Happy Anniversary!
UpRising’s Pastoral Care and Counseling Pastor, Tim Sullivan and his wife Vicki, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary today! Congratulations guys! I know you have seen the ups and downs over the past quarter century (wow that sounded long), but your love for each other and your family is obviously as strong as ever. You are an example to all.
Bryan
God Heals Hurts…But What About Right Now?
As I was talking with someone the other day, I realized that each person’s hurt is unique. Because of that, there is not one blanket statement that can help someone get past their hurts. You can’t just tell someone who’s wife just left them, that “God will get them through it”. Someone who just got fired or lost their job doesn’t want to just hear “God has a better plan for your life”.
I have found that when someone is hurting it’s hard to think anything, let alone have to hear such a blanket statement that helps about as much as throwing salt in their wound. Most of us just want to talk about it (when the shock wears off), let it out, talk through the experience. We want someone to listen, not necessarily offer up gems of wisdom. Those who are children of the King knows that God will get them through it, they know He has a plan of redemption, that knowledge is there but right now it hurts.
Once a little time has past, then they may be ready to heal. Then advice that is both spiritual and practical can help get them through it. God will help. He will carry the burden. But sometimes we just need to provide a strong shoulder and a box of tissues.
God loves you and so do I!
Bryan
myspace makes me sick
Since the myspace craze hit the web, it has continually gained popularity. It seems that many (teens top the list), have decided to use myspace as a garbage dump for their vilest thoughts and a verbal dumping ground for their deepest fears, anger and sexual frustrations.
Myspace is the epitomy of the “all about me” society we live in and we are all guilty of it, those of us who have myspace, those who read it and those who wish they did both. I believe it is so popular because many have a facination with “me”. We want people to see our inner thoughts…to a degree. We want to brag, talk like we wouldn’t normally talk in front of others, and show our wildside. I know there are some who just use it as a portal to let others know who they are, kind of like blogspot or somethng and there are those who use it to satisfy their need to be internet connected. But overall, myspace makes me sick…that is…heart sick.
Why does myspace make me heart sick? Sadly, because I see what a better part of what we are really like. I see the lanquage, the sex, the godlessness and the utter degree of ignorance toward life. The saddest part…I often see the worst of what I was or am! Let me be clear, I have a myspace account and I know many people who do. There are a lot of good myspace accounts out there. But my heart sickness of myspace is a different kind. It is a sickness of regret and sorrow for the multitude who are missing out on the awesome life God has to offer. I have always known about it, but I guess myspace has just made me accutely aware of the plight.
I see many profiles that say someone is a Christian and then see some of the worst language I have ever seen on their sight. I realize if I am slack about sharing Christ, with even my own kids, their lives may be illuminated on myspace or their souls captured by satan. I realize that those who appear to be normal or good around me, may have a hidden myspace life that is in jeopardy of missing out on God’s love. I don’t believe I or anyone else should run from or cancel their myspace accounts. I DO believe we should always remember who we are representing and I believe we might even impress some to see what we are so excited about, God’s love. So, mostly myspace makes me heart sick, because it reminds me how many times I have sat idly by, watching, observing shaking my head and clicking my tongue at how vile and filthy we can be…and then…just continue to read…
Be Happy! Share Jesus!
Bryan
People Are Searching
Since the internet first became popular in the early 1990’s with AOL for DOS and then windows, we (people) have shown our internal need for knowledge. I started with a Radio Shack Tandy 1000 PC. I couldn’t afford a hard drive, so I had two 5 1/4″ floppy drives. When the internet came out, I had to ditch the Tandy for something that could connect with the world.
I had to find as much as I could. As the web grew so did our need to search for information. In 1993 some undergrads invented a search engine called Excite. Since then we have had many different programs fom Jumpstation to Yahoo Search, to Technorati, to the giant of them all, Google. The inventers and developers of these programs have become multi-millionaires, all because we want…NO! WE NEED MORE INFORMATION.
It lies within every person to want more information. Someone once said, “Ignorance is bliss”. Obviously, most don’t believe this. God knew this as well. People want to know the meaning of life. They want to know where they will go or what will happen when they die. They want to know how the universe began, where did God come from, is there really a heaven or a hell? The cool thing is the Bible is the ultimate resource for all this information. It is the spiritual world wide web and the Holy Spirit is the greatest seach engine of them all. OK, OK…I know this is a stretch for a creative blog, but the fact is this. If people are longing for more information, why don’t we step-up and give it. If we have the knowledge of Jesus Christ, heaven and hell, eternal life and death, why don’t we take more oppoertunities and more chances and share that Knowledge?
Telling people about Jesus isn’t an option with God…it is a command. It has to happen wherever we have the chance. When the next person you know hits search…what results will you give them?
Be Happy! Share Jesus!
Bryan
Free Hugs are the Best Kind
Free Hugs Campaign. Inspiring Story! (music by sick puppies)
Sometimes you just need a hug. Hugs just makes you smile. It lets people know you care. It can comfort. It can heal. It can sooth. It can feel good. It can make you feel better. It can give security. It can let someone know you really care. Have you hugged someone today? GO! right now! Hug your wife, your husband, hug your children or a friend! Get a hug and give a hug.
Do you feel better?
Be happy!
Bryan
UNLEASH… THE NEW SPRING GREETERS
I had an awesome and ministry-changing time at The UNLEASH Church Leadership Conference in Anderson, SC. Perry Noble was, well…Perry Noble! He was bold, authentic, truthful and real. His messages were refreshing and thought provoking. They are doing it right and they are reaching thousands with the love of Jesus.
One of the highlights and soul stirring encounters for me was New Spring’s Greeter Ministry. THEY WERE SPECTACULAR! They had around 350 volunteers, on a Thursday, who caught the vision for this conference and gave their time to make us feel welcome. These people were remarkable in their attention to conference guests; offering their services; asking if they could assist in anyway; being mindful where you were; and always having authentic and genuine smiles and welcoming you with every word. It was a first and fantastic experience for me. This was the most hospitable church and welcoming people I have ever met.
As we were leaving the conference we even met Leslie White, one of the Greeters of the Greeter Ministry, who immediately embraced us, engaged us and wanted to enlarge our vision for us. She didn’t just say, “have a safe trip, see ya”, she invited us to join her and her family for dinner in Greenville, walked around the city with us (Downtown Greenville is a gorgeous and enchanting place) and then got our business cards so she could stay in touch. NOW THAT IS GOING THE EXTRA MILE!
What a great team. It is my prayer and vision that we will develop this type of greeter team at the UC. Since God continues to send us the best people ever, I know it won’t take long! JESUS ROCKS!!!!!!!!
Be Happy!
Bryan
UNLEASH…Church Leadership Conference
We’re here! Pastor Joe, Matthew, Chelsea and I are in Anderson, South Carolina attending the UNLEASH Conference with Perry Noble and New Spring Church. We are pump about learning from these guys, meeting new friends and coming back to the UC with a new energy and new ideas about reaching west Nashville. It’s always good to hone your skills and stay fresh. To say the least, this church is fresh. See you guys Sunday and don’t forget about the Connect Groups Meeting next week.
