BabuLife

2 Timothy 1:7 - One of my Favorite Passages of Scripture

I was tagged by my fellow worship leading/Star Wars loving friend Rich Kirkpatrick to share one of my favorite passages of scripture.  While this isn't a whole "passage" per say, it is a verse that I've found comfort in many times over in my life.  Here 'tis:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Through the stress of not knowing whether I'd have a job the next day back in 2001 to actually losing that job in 2003, this verse brought a lot of comfort to me.  After a good friend encouraged me during that time with this verse, I posted it in my cubicle and looked at it frequently throughout my days.  Knowing that God does not want His children living in a state of fear but has given us power, love and a sound mind helped provide a lot of clarity through that period in my life.

And now, four years later, this verse is frequently shared with my 7 and 4 year old daughters when they're scared at night. 

So here are my tags: Jim, Tim, Tom, David and Pete.

Dirty Secret of Campus Credit Cards

Recently our summer Financial Peace University class came to a close.  Each week towards the end folks were bringing their credit cards and cutting them up in front of the class so we could all celebrate together that we were letting go of the credit card bondage.  The folks in this class had some incredible stories and it was awesome to see the freedom achieved for so many.  Check out Tom's post on our final class here.

I ran across an article online about the dirty secret of credit cards on college campuses that Tom shared on his blog.  They have a target and know exactly who to go for.  This story blew me away. Here's an excerpt...

It was three years ago and Irene Leech still remembers the shock clearly. An associate professor at Virginia Tech who specializes in consumer affairs, she read the terms of the credit card that her school, together with JPMorgan Chase (JPM), was marketing to students, alumni, and staff. Behind the card's shiny surface, featuring the football stadium at sunset, the so-called "affinity" card offered some of the most unfavorable terms around for card users. Among other things, the card had what's known as "double-cycle" billing, where interest is calculated over two months instead of the typical one, resulting in higher finance charges. "I was shocked," she says.

The experience convinced Leech that it was time for her to take a stand. First in a limited way and now more broadly, she has been speaking out against the conflicts of interest that universities face when they strike business agreements with credit card companies. Chase ultimately dropped double-cycle billing on the Virginia Tech card, as it did for all cards earlier this year. But Leech warns that schools that get money from credit card companies through affinity contracts or other marketing agreements face intractable problems, in which the school's financial interests are in direct conflict with those of students and alumni.  Read the full article.

HT: Tom

Worship Confessional: 9/16/07

Man what a day. We had approximately 9 folks raise their hands at the close of service indicating that they had trusted in Jesus Christ as their savior.  AWESOME!  As a matter of fact, it was so awesome we closed out the service singing a new tune "Awesome is the Lord Most High".

Second service we had five baptisms during worship.  Jim the Baptist as we call him in the office, indicated that we have baptized more people at this point in 2007 than we had in all of 2006.  Today we had Heather who came to Grace Church through her sister and brother in law earlier this year.  She received Christ and today she took her first step in following Christ through baptism.  We also had four youth girls get baptized as well.  Hearing how these girls came to Christ through one of our teens was great.  Such an inspirational story...I wonder how many of us adults had our rears kicked this morning hearing how teens are stepping outside their comfort zones to share Christ with others.

Here's the worship setlist:

• Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicki Beeching
• Praise Awaits You by Matt Redman
• Shine by Matt Redman
• Mighty to Save by Hillsong
• Awesome is the Lord Most High by Chris Tomlin

The ladies did awesome on the Beeching song.  Gina and Mindy sounded great.  I love to mix it up with the ladies singing. Praise Awaits...I love this song...not sure if the congregation clicks well with it.  Shine is definitely a keeper.  I think I heard this one on the radio the other day which is a good thing, that means people know it out there.  Mighty to Save...same as always...incredible.  The church just responds to this one.  Awesome is the Lord Most High...this was a first one for us.  Went well and will definitely be making a comeback.

Next week we have Lynnora on Violin.  Should be fun!

You're Worth a Song

I ran across a passage of scripture that was in one of those "obscure" prophetic books that you don't typically hear about much.

16  In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:    “ Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.  17  The LORD your God in your midst,    The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:16 - 17 (NKJV)

Without going into the historical and doctrinal applications of this scripture, I was struck by this promise.  "He will rejoice over you with singing." Wow.  To think that the God we rejoice to in singing has a desire to rejoice and sing over his children.  Think on that for a minute...

Listen to Matt Redman's song on iTunes called "The Father's Song".

 

LIFE is Coming: An Attempt at Innovation

In 2004 our church did a drama during our weekend services in an attempt to inspire our people to look beyond themselves and make an impact on the lives of the people in their world.  On October 14, this 45 minute presentation will happen again at Grace during both services.

In 2004 we had several folks say "If I'd have only known it was going to be like this...I would have invited someone." This time around, I got to thinking about how we could generate some possible buzz around "LIFE".  Here's what we're doing:

• Facebook - A Facebook account for the lead character was created.  She joined the Grace Church Facebook group and invited as many Gracers to be her friend.  The Facebook account for Emily links folks to her blog.  It was fun to see the reaction of some of the people who were hesitant in accepting a friend request from someone they don't know.  It was also fun to see how some folks are so desperate for a friend that they'll accept anyone. :)  If you need a friend you can join Facebook and request her friendship here.
• www.LifeOfEmilyBlog.com - I love how the TV show Heroes had a blog from the lead character.  It was sort of a storytelling beyond the weekly television show.  I saw in 2002 how the Star Wars people did this leading into the Episode 2 movie.  Creating a website telling the story of the events leading up to what would happen in the movie.  So we're doing it with Emily.  It's interactive and if you read it weekly, you'll see what transpires before the drama on October 14.  You won't want to miss the week of October 8 - 12.  No...I'm not going to spoil it here.
• Invite card - These will begin appearing on September 23.  That's three weeks before the presentation.  We're pointing folks to www.LifeOfEmilyBlog.com on the card.
• Prayer card - These will appear along with the invite card on September 23.  We're asking folks to think of five people that they could invite to the drama.  These are five people who need the scales peeled back from their eyes to see the eternal impact our current life has on eternity.  On the card, people will write the names and pray for them daily.

I'm looking forward to this opportunity and am so excited to see how Gracers will respond to it.  I truly believe their socks will be knocked off with this presentation and if they don't invite someone...they will once again regret not prayerfully considering who to bring.  So go do it!!!

Weigh In Week 4

Thursday I started going back to the gym.   I went a mile on the elliptical machine Thursday and 2 miles today.  I thought I'd see if I could increase a little every day or so.  I can totally tell a difference when I work out before I start my day...there really is something to it. 

Lost a pound this week!  Woohoo!  Here's the damage:

221

Here's a little email encouragement from Brad S. who is also weighing in on Fridays with me:

"Keep working on that weight or I’ll let the air out of your tires and make you walk home!"

That's the kind of accountability I'm talkin' 'bout!

Clone Wars Series

Too bad I have to wait until 2008 for this show.  My name is Ben...I'm addicted to Star Wars...now enjoy the video.

Worship Confessional: 9/9/07

A few days late but here goes...

Kicked off the new series coinciding with our Wednesday classes called "Perspectives Exposure". Getting God's perspective on the world and history.  Great discipleship course on Wednesdays and Tim is connecting the learned material to the heart on Sundays.  You can check out his notes here.

Band did a great job.  Attendance was once again up there hovering around 900.  Pretty cool to see so many folks engaging in worship.  Five baptisms this week during services as well.  Every week we see people taking their next step after trusting in Christ.  I LOVE IT!!!

Here's the worship set list:

• Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
• Made to Worship by Chris Tomlin
• Blessed be Your Name by Matt Redman
• With Every Breath from City on a Hill album
• Word of God Speak by MercyMe

Don't forget to check the WorshipCommunity.com site for more worship leader confessionals.

Have You Forgotten?

Six years ago today life changed for the world.  America woke up to learn a war was declared on us and we had no choice but to fight.  We could no longer deny the fact after 10 years of various terrorist attacks throughout the 1990's, we were at war, our leaders refused to accept it.  It was time to engage.

I'm watching this morning on MSNBC the actual footage of their coverage that day and even now find myself amazed at what transpired before our eyes.  After hearing one moment how many Americans are war-weary and don't want to fight in places like Iraq any longer, I then see the footage from 9-11 and am quickly reminded of the necessity to engage in the battle. 

Thank you all who serve to protect my family and the freedoms we have to worship the living God.   To the families who have to relive the nightmare every year...many hurt for you and many are lifting your hearts in prayer today.

Enjoy your 9-11.  Don't forget why the war is being waged.

Retreating with the Team

I've always thought of the word "retreat" in the negative light.  As if you're running away from the battle.  Tonight as our pastoral team began our 36 hour "retreat"...I've discovered it's nothing close to running from the battle.  It's reinvigorating the team in order to charge the front line with my brothers in arms.

It's so refreshing to be with my fellow Grace pastors without the noise of the office.  No duties calling me or being pulled in 4 different directions at one time.  It's a much needed time of relationship building and planning.

So for the next 36 hours I will be on retreat with the pastoral team at a hotel in an undisclosed location talking about all things Grace.