What's wrong with people?

There are many things that I do not understand in life. One of them is the way that the college football schedule maker people decided to schedule games this year. Two weeks ago there were literally 5-6 great games. For the past two weeks their have been zero. The closest thing to a game this week is GT vs. VT in Blacksburg. I know all the Memphis people will scream about this week being huge - but give me a break. Memphis isn't ranked and UT got all they could handle from Air Force (don't worry - I have not forgotten that Miami is terrible this year). All that being said - before someone comes and puts a musket in my face - Go Tigers! Hopefully next weekend the games will begin.

Unbelievable!

God continues to blow my mind! He continues to allow us to see hundreds of teenagers every week at H2O and to do incredible things in their lives while they are there. Last week we had a couple more students accept Christ which means that in the past 3 years we have seen over 450 teenagers receive Christ. It has been incredible. Right now we have several students who are having a blast brainstorming and preparing the next couple of weeks of H2O. They give up their time every week to learn ministry and to implement almost every aspect of what happens each Wednesday. They are amazing!

I am also ecstatic that God is working all over the place and not just here in Millington. Yesterday this church saw God work in ways that many churches have never seen! I celebrate with Perry and Newspring Church and I am pumped about what God has in store for Anderson, SC. I am going to be bringing a group of our interns to Newspring for a Sunday service in the next couple of weeks. I can't wait for them to see what God is doing.

Television...

I know that as a Christian - people would probably prefer me to say that I hate television and that it is the "devil's playground", but I just can't bring myself to do it. I believe TIVO was one of the greatest inventions of all time right behind electricity, telephones, and pizza. I can now watch TV again because of this incredible recording device. Last night we watched House and Criminal Minds. House was a little down after last week's great show. Criminal Minds was pretty intense - any time one of the main characters gets shot in the face - it is pretty crazy. Anyway, Thursday nights bring the joys of Survivor and I am pretty sure the season premiere of CSI. Gotta love it!

Why?

How is it that one little word (Why?) can generate so many emotions. It can cause people to become angry, question your motives, question your heart, and in Christian circles - even cause people to question your love for God. Let me assure you that God is not afraid of your "Why" questions and He is big enough to provide answers for them. Don't listen to the people who tell you that you shouldn't question God. Sometimes - that is the most important part of the learning process.

The team formerly known as the Hurricanes...

What a disgrace! I don't care how "good" Louisville is - The University of Miami should NEVER lose a team like that - and to think that Louisville was missing their star running back and their quarterback for the majority of the game. This loss is inexcusable. Tie that together with the fact that we also lost to a VERY mediocre Florida State team who in all reality got blown out last night (minus the worst special teams play I have ever seen) by Clemson (a team that got beat by Boston College).

Changes must be made. We are playing "not to lose" rather than playing to win. If a head coaching change is not made soon the University of Miami will come rolling into town as the Tropical Depressions rather than the Hurricanes.

Yes - I am very bitter. Very, very, very bitter.

Cool Stuff

Several people have been asking some questions about what I read, listen to, etc. Here are a few things that I think you will really enjoy.

Books:
Confessions of a Reformission Rev. - This book is incredible, hilarious, challenging, and just plain wierd. I loved it. So will you. (I read this book on my way to and from the Miami game and Devin read it in a few days when I got back)

True Faced - Challenging book that will make you re-think some of your thoughts on God and His view of you. (read this one several months ago and just saw it on my bookshelf when I was typing this thing)

The Dirty Little Secret - Not exactly the book I thought it was; however, it was an interesting perspective from a guy who believes he is called to reach those in the porn industry. (read it this weekend - very easy read)

The Emerging Church - Just started reading yesterday morning. Only a few chapters in - so far so good. I have some disagreements with McLaren that I know will surface; however, I haven't gotten that far into the book. I will let you know more later.

Podcasts:

Perry Noble - He is the pastor of Newspring church in Anderson, SC. He started that church around 6 years ago and they are already reaching over 5000 people per week. He is a cool guy - full of insight and very willing to help in any way that he can. I am bitter (not really) about the fact that he cancelled a meeting with me the other day for a few unknown guys named Bill Hybels, John Maxwell, and Joel Osteen.

Erwin McManus - He is the pastor of Mosaic in Southern California. This is an incredibly creative church with an incredibly creative pastor.

Check some of these things out. They will stretch you and keep you thinking.

Sporadic posting

Sorry to everyone for the sporadic posting as of late. Seems that life has been pretty full of surprises lately.

With that being said...The most anti-climactic finale of Big Brother will occur tomorrow night. I can't believe that one of the members of "Chill Town" will walk away with however many dollars you get for winning that game. Boogie will win because Will is a mastermind. He should give half his winnings to Will because without him - he is literally nothing. If you ever want to see the definition of riding someones coat tails - then rent this season of Big Brother All Stars.

Today I set Jeff Bumgardner on fire - literally. Who ever thought that a porncopper could do such damage... Long story - just ask him about it.

On a different note - tomorrow I will post a ton of resources that you can take advantage of. Different podcasts to which you can subscribe, books to read, etc. Just read a great one last weekend and another this week that was pretty interesting.

Lessons Learned in the Orange Bowl

Yes I know - my beloved Miami Hurricanes have taken an early hit from a very decent group of Seminoles. They will be back! It better be this year if Coker is going to remain at the reigns of this team. We will find out what the season holds in 2 weeks against Louisville...

In between screaming at the players, talking with Justin and my dad, and talking to the strange individual who came to sit next to me I had a few thoughts while I was there...

1. The Greatest Mission field in the world would have to be the United States
If you want to put your finger on the pulse of America - go to a stadium filled with 75,000+ people and just watch and listen. It is unbelievable! I love the atmosphere of college sports but it is a little bit different than what our "head in the sand" churches like to envision.

2. People Matter to God
I don't have time to write a lot about this; however, I sat next to a pretty interesting 19 year old college student at the game. She was very nice, very vocal, and very eager to talk about ANY and EVERY subject. The conversation took an interesting turn when I told her that I wan't 21 (I am 27), that I am not single, that I have two daughters, and that of all things I work on staff at a church. At first she didn't know what to say - but then our very vocal friend started at it again...
She asked why I wasn't carrying a Bible, why I wasn't wearing a button down shirt, why my hat was on backwards, and why I didn't "look" like a minister. She asked me if I ever sinned, ever had crazy thoughts, and if Christians had "fun" sex or if we just had to have "boring" sex whenever we wanted to make another baby. (By the way - before I get an email from someone telling me not to talk to a girl like this - my dad and brother in law were right beside me). Throughout the conversation my heart just went out to her and the thousands of other people just like her standing in that stadium. It is for people like her that Jesus came to this earth. It is for people like her that the church should exist. Our churches are so consumed trying to keep the pathetic, whining, church member happy that we don't give a donkey's tail for the person like her who is crying out for something real. I could go on - but I think I better not.

3. When excellence is expected - Anything less will not satisfy.
Miami has won 5 National Championships in the past 23 years. We are accustomed to winning (not just games, not just conference titles 'like everyone in the SEC', but the National Championship). The past two years we have lost 6 games. For all you Conference USA fans that is 3 per year. Most schools (Memphis) would celebrate this accomplishment; however, at Miami it will cost you your job. I love Miami Football. Excellence is expected - and 2nd best (in the nation, in the conference, or in the State of Florida) will not be tolerated. With that in mind - let's not settle for anything less than the best in our personal lives or in our churches. Get out of this middle of the road junk and move on for the Glory of God.

Labor Day Weekend!

Gotta love labor day weekend. We ended an extremely stressful week very well with over 325 students on Wednesday night and now I am gearing up for the Miami/fsu game.

Tomorrow morning is London's first birthday party. She is awesome because she let's me throw her in the air, wrestle with her, chase her all over the house and she thinks it is all hilarious. I think I am going to train her to be a ninja. Where that came from - I have no idea.