The (Almost) Comeback

January 10, 2011 in Just for Fun, Sports with 0 Comments

So close yet so far away.  Definitely a hard loss to swallow as there were so many missed opportunities, so many plays that could have given us the win – none more dramatic than the interception in the end zone at the end of the game.  But during those final 4 minutes of the game I saw passion, determination and heart from a team that wanted to win.  They may not come out on the winning end every game but they do play with heart and for that this fan is thankful.

Thanks Birds for a season full of fun and surprises.  Can’t wait for next year!

Ever Doubted God’s Fairness?

January 9, 2011 in Church Life with 1 Comment

Thought I would share my notes from today’s message at Fellowship.

If You Ever Felt God Isn’t Fair, There’s an App For That!

- If God was fair, I wouldn’t have this much pain. God is big & powerful. Why doesn’t he just take all of that pain in the world away?
- Even Mother Teresa questioned the fairness of God at times.
- The poorest of the poor are in Nicaragua and they live in desperate conditions. Is that fair?

Faith Journey: there are highs and valleys in our walk. Those valleys can even be a real crisis of faith.
- The Bible tells us to count it all joy and to keep moving. You can’t have the highs without the lows.
- the lows are not about God’s faithfulness but more about our obedience.

Thoughts:
1 There are things in scripture that don’t portray God as being fair.
- The flood (Noah)
- Joesph
- The Israelite slaves in Egypt

2 God isn’t fair, he is loving (and we benefit from that)- Psalm 103:10-12

3 Who defines fairness anyway? – John 9:1-3
- Sometimes we experience valleys and bad things so that God’s greatness & power can be seen. Sin is not always the issue.

Take Aways:
1 Keep moving – we don’t know what God is up to or what the big picture is. Having faith doesn’t mean we won’t have doubts.

2 Be a tool in God’s hands – allow yourself to be used by him in both the highs and lows of life.

3 Our current happiness is not a standard by which we can judge God’s fairness.

4 Stand with the people who hurt.

Final Point

2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

A Matter of HEART

January 9, 2011 in Just for Fun with 0 Comments

Can’t wait for this game!  Let’s go E-A-G-L-E-S!

Even if you are not from the Philly area, you gotta love the passion and HEART of the fans!

[email & RSS readers click here to see video clip]

Reading Plans

January 9, 2011 in Church Life with 0 Comments

The start of a new year is a great time to start making the Bible a part of your daily life, if it’s not already. Thanks to the YouVersion.com Team at LifeChurch.tv who have made an extensive list (50+) of reading plans available.  With both web-based and mobile apps available you can also do your reading wherever and whenever it is most convenient for you. You will also stay synchronized with your progress across each device.

God’s Word brings power, healing, direction, and freedom.

Most people who have a great relationship with God read the Bible consistently. Spending time in Scripture each day gives you the opportunity to hear from Him in a unique way.

Following a reading plan helps you stay on track with your Bible reading goals. Pick one (or several) and then fine tune it to match your schedule.

Last year I read through Chronological Bible using the Message version. It was my second time through the entire Bible and I did it all online, either on the computer or on my phone. It is actually very doable, just 15-20 minutes a day is all it takes!

If you’d like to try a different Bible reading app besides the one YouVersion offers, they have a great list of those too!  Which app you use isn’t the point. Finding one you like and getting engaged with God’s message is!

If you’d like a good overview plan without committing to the entire Bible, try The Essential 100 Challenge.  I’d love to hear in the comments which plan you try!

Feeling Unmotivated?

January 8, 2011 in Leadership with 2 Comments

Have a case of winter depression?  Need some motivation?  Watch this!

Winter Beauty

January 7, 2011 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

There is something very beautiful & calming about a fresh snow.

There’s an App for That

January 7, 2011 in Church Life with 0 Comments

At Fellowship Church, we are in the middle of a 3-part series called “There’s An App For That“.   Naturally, that theme appeals to me.   Whether you are an Apple fan, or more recently Android and Blackberry, the face of technology has been forever changed by the clever concept of mini-apps (applications) for your your smart phone or other mobile devices.   The marketing is brilliant, whatever your need, there’s an app for that.  It appeals to us, it’s easy to get and it’s at a very low cost or even free.

In this series we are looking at how there is also an app (solution) for many of life’s tougher problems.  Everyone has trails, struggles, and pain at times in there life. Have you ever been ashamed of past mistakes?   Have you ever doubted God’s fairness?  Do you ever wonder how you are going to make it financially? How do you deal with it?  Where do you go?  Ignoring them or pretending they don’t exist is not a good solution.  During this series we will be discovering the different apps that God has given to us to deal with life’s dilemmas.

I’m also excited about a new app that we are rolling out in church during this series – the Bible app by YouVersion.com.  Using the Live Events feature, attendees can follow along with the message outline, take part in survey polls, take notes, and submit prayer requests.  I’m excited to see how we can continue to make the experience interactive and engaging as we continue to redefine church.

New Year’s Resolution – Post a Day

January 6, 2011 in In The News with 0 Comments

I recently heard about a challenge from WordPress to get bloggers writing and posting more in 2011.  Mashable & CNN even did write-ups about the challenge.

Over the New Year holiday, WordPress issued a challenge to its blogger-users: Write and publish one post a day (or a week) throughout 2011.

For non-professional and personal bloggers, writing and posting every day can be a tall order, so the good folks at WordPress have launched The Daily Post, a guide with daily tidbits of “inspiration, encouragement and advice about blogging.”

I have decided to take on that challenge and so this is the first post in what hopefully will be a string of daily posts for 2011.  It won’t be easy, but I know it is something I want to more.  You can expect shorter posts and a larger variety but most will still center around the themes of technology, leadership and my life.

If you read this blog I hope you’ll engage, connect and encourage me along the way! Just look for the “Comments” link under each post title.

The Most Special Gift

December 19, 2010 in Leadership with 0 Comments

As exciting as he has been to watch and as great has his performance on the field has been this season, the most impressive performance about Michael Vick has been the turn around of his personal life.  No one is perfect, but EVERYONE deserves a second chance.  At this time of year where we stop to share the love that God gave us in the gift of his son we should not forget that the sometimes the best gift we can often give is simply forgiveness and another chance.


If you can’t see the embedded video above [click here].  Wait for the interview after the commercial.

You Are More

December 17, 2010 in Music with 0 Comments

At this time of year it is easy to be caught up in all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.  While it is a great time for celebration and joy it can also be a time where many are lonely, depressed and afraid.  I fear that we may often not notice those that are hurting or in pain as we are distracted by our busyness and cheer.

I recently discovered a new music group called Tenth Avenue North on the Relevant.tv site.  They featured the video for the song “You Are More” from the album “The Light Meets the Dark“.   It is a very powerful song of encouragement and a great reminder that:

“You are more than the choices that you’ve made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You’ve been remade”

If you are one that is hurting or having trouble forgiving yourself, I hope you can be encouraged by the message that is in this song.   Maybe you know others who need to be encouraged by the message of hope that comes through Christ Jesus during this season?  Share this video with them.  During the month of December, the CD is only $5 on AmazonMP3.  I highly recommend it!

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