Sweater Vest Wednesday

Engage

2012-04-14T19:34:00.002-07:00

I'm not going to lie...I'm tired most days. This is a great feeling to be tired from hard work and I think it's good. However, I have been finding out that mentally I have been checking out a little early during the day. And I don't think I am alone in this. Here's what my day had been looking like:
6:30 am - Wake up and read in my Bible and the Denver Post
7:15 am - Get ready for work
7:45 am - Leave
8-5:30 - Work...sometimes earlier, sometimes later
6 pm - I'm ready to check out, get in bed, and "zone out"

Here's the problem with this...I am neglecting my most important jobs. Chief Executive Husband and Father. My time in the evening during the week HAS to be spent loving my wife and kids well. If not, I will miss it. A few days ago, I decided I was going to man up and take this job even more serious than I had been.

The problem becomes that men often think that their only roll in the family is financial provider. This is no secret and many books have been written about it by authors much better than I. When my son was born, I thought, "I am better than that. I will be more than just that. I will be emotionally, spiritually, and financially providing." I still desire this, but I see where it can be very difficult to do day in day out. I see why many men slip into this thinking. Because it's easy and we are prone to follow the path of least resistance.

So, for the final 3 minutes of my drive home, I have been praying for God to give me strength where I am weak. Specifically that I can burst through the door, grab my kids, and become part of their world. I have been a prisoner, super hero, giant, basketball player, and prince in the past few days. I pray that God will give me the mental fortitude to be there for them. Right when I pull into my driveway, I say the world, "Engage." This is a trigger for me. It's time to engage and be the man God created me to be.

But it doesn't stop there. After the kids get to bed, I need to be a passionate and encouraging lover for my bride. This is the hardest time of the night for me and for us actually. She has been with the kids all day. I have been working and then with the kids for the past few hours. We are BOTH ready to check out to Words with Friends, Hulu, and such. How am I going to be a leader and lover to her while only watching TV and staying on my phone?

Men, it's time to engage in the home. Join with me in saying this word right when you pull in to the house. When you are feeling tired and ready to "zone out," engage your family. Listen actively, talk about your day, play with your kids, love your wife well. Pray for me, pray for each other, pray with your family. Engage them.

The Saints and saints

2012-04-05T20:14:00.001-07:00

Man, all day in my car driving around to meetings and cold calling and all I heard about was the Saints deal with Gregg Williams. This was a tremendous news break by my sister's coworker Mike Silver, by the way. Kudos to him for reporting the news!

Rather than calling into one of the talk radio shows as I normally do, I decided to take to my blog...as I haven't done very often these days due to time.

If you haven't read the story, check it out here. It's very interesting to say the least. All day there was actually mixed reaction to this story. Former players saying that they heard this same speech 1,000 times in their days all the back into High School. The words, "it's part of football" "everyone is doing it anyways" "if you've never played, you won't get it" were uttered an abundance of times. Honestly, I completely understand what they are saying as it was probably is and was true. Most agreed that he took it too far in calling out the ACL and concussed player, along with the money sign being made were the main culprits. However, most former players turned analysts thought the penalty didn't really fit the crime.

Here's where I completely disagree...

I'm sure, as I said, that this happens in almost every locker room and team meeting at all levels of football. Sure, it is a violent game and that's what the fans gravitate towards. However, Gregg was WARNED about not doing this stuff prior to this speech. Yet, he ignored the warnings of the league and the consequences are following. It would be like being pulled over by a cop, given a warning, and him telling you there was a speed trap 2 miles up so watch your speed and you ignorantly racing through at 90 MPH. Stupid and idiotic. It's not just the content of the speech, it is the TIMING and CONTENT of the speech that make this such an idiotic thing for this team.

And on another point, this whole "it's always been this way" and "everyone else does it" excuse for the purposeful and intentional harming of human beings is a completely sophomoric response to a serious topic. I hear this excuse all the time in churches and with young kids, it simply drives me nuts. To all the former players, I don't CARE if it has always gone on! I don't CARE if it is still going on! It's not right! Period. Exclamation mark.

At one point, people in the church thought it was OK to have slaves and be racists. True story. The reasoning went, "It's always been this way" and "everyone else is doing it." Luckily, the radical grace of Jesus made it's way into our church and those idiots were shown their ignorance. Sadly, this is reasoning that still exists in our church and our culture today. If my kids are breaking rules that I have set for them with clearly defined consequences, these excuses will not fly. This is true with me, God, and Roger Goddell (I just had to work us into a sentence). Seriously though, there is an unfortunate correlation. In principle only, not in social impact (racism and slavery are FAR worse than bounties in the NFL and my kids sneaking Oreos).

My point is this, stop with the excuses. The ugliness of the NFL is being unveiled. People are going to get injured in this game already, why make it intentional to ruin a person's livelihood? I hope Gregg Williams is banned from football for life. I hope any coach from here on out at any level of any sport faces the same consequences for their outlandish and reckless talk and behavior. I have played sports my whole life. They reflect real life, but aren't real life. In my world, I respect my competition. I don't seek to hurt them or demean them. I want to win, but I want to win fairly with good SPORTSmanship. Let's just hope common sense prevails and these jokers can get other jobs...like reformed preachers (I kid, I kid...Jesus loves everyone)

This is dedicated to the one I love

2012-03-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

My wife my bride
the absolute love of my life
Were it not for you I would be lost
in and endless world of Halo, Nuggets
and Pop Tarts
You are the one I sacrifice for
You are the one I would fight for
Like Christ loved the Church
You are the one I would die for
Sacrificially you always give to me
and Scientifically our chemistry is perfectly
Mathematical yet nonsensical because
1 + 1 = 1

That day we joined I think the heavens rejoiced
I think every single angel lifted their voice
because one of their own was getting married.
And even though my chest is a little harry
I love that you love me regardless, my angel, my partner, my soul

There is no love song that could do justice
Not a poet ever who could touch this
incredible love that comes out of my heart each and every day
When I see her face and my heart starts to race
and her smile will quickly replace any fears
Anxieties, worries, and stuff

This is dedicated to the one I love

Coexist

2012-03-05T14:04:00.002-08:00

This dang bumper stickers keep popping up all over the place. You want to know what I think? You really want to know?

I think they are, at the core, the most nonsensical, judgmental, prideful, ridiculous, bumper stickers I have ever seen. Here's why.

Non sense
Pretty self explanatory. They make no sense because they are unrealistic and rooted in 0 reality. Can you really see a Muslim and Jew, here in the US, see a freaking bumper sticker and go, "You know what, that's Volvo driver is spot on. Hugs?"

Judgmental
Here's the thing, I honestly get fired up when I see these because, as a Christian pastor who claims that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, I think that person is saying I'm stupid. Really. This idea comes from having conversations with people with these bumper stickers. They are the typical all-religions-point-to-the-same-God people. Which, from my side of the table means, I know things about your religion that you don't. Also, it's very narrow minded. Making an absolute claim to know who God is without leaving any room for other beliefs. At least I know I'm narrow-minded. Christians are often referred to by people in this group (see Boulder, City of) as naive, homeschooling, simpletons who aren't elevated in their thinking. Which means...you think we are stupid. I'm tired of the hypocrisy, narrow-mindedness, and judging coming from this camp.

Prideful
To claim that you know more about God than EVERY other religious scholar who has every studied any of those faiths is just prideful. Think about it. You are saying that I'm wrong and you're right. You are saying Islamic and Jewish scholars are wrong, and you're right. I hope Coexist person is prepared to offer vast amounts of proof (historical, empirical, scientific proof) as to why myself and billions of others are wrong. You see, the moment I or any other religious leader claims that there's one way to God, the gauntlet has been laid. If you disagree with me, then you are making an absolute stance. The issue with the bumper sticker crowd is that they disagree with EVERYONE!
Furthermore, they are claiming to actually be God by determining their own ideas of what's right and wrong based on a feeling (which could be a correct feeling...or just indigestion...or just the weed).

All of these leads to the ridiculous nature of these things. At the end of the day, I don't think the Coexist crowd actually thinks that's going to happen. I don't think they really believe all religions lead to one God. I think they are saying, "Hey Christians, leave me alone." I have engaged a few Coexist people in conversations and their argument basically goes to, "Look, I'm an agnostic. I'm confused and wish they were all right so I didn't have to pick one and make enemies. I'm a people pleaser and want everyone to be happy with me."

At least that's honest. But it would make for a long and terrible bumper sticker.

Pray for me.

For all the non believers

2012-01-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

Dear entire world,

Recently on www.denverstiffs.com (the GREATEST fan blog), someone posted that:

And God's Gift is English for

Imaginary Invisible Friend in the Sky who tortures peoples Gift.

It seems quite popular to make statements such as this that are completely devoid of any kind of factual evidence in order to spur on hateful responses. I responded that I thought the post was entirely insensitive and insulting. Quite frankly, I gave in to his desire. I felt I needed to defend God, which is completely crazy, right? His response was:

Truth is offensive?

If you find the tenets of your religion offensive, your problem is with your religion, not with me.

I didn't reengage after that because it's a sports blog. About the Denver Nuggets. I let him have the first and last punch. You know, turn the other cheek and all. It did get me thinking though, which is a good thing. I broke down his statement mentally and begun thinking about not only how outrageously ridiculous it was, but completely rooted in fallacy. The implication is that the tenets of my faith are correctly identified that God is imaginary, invisible, my friend, who tortures people from the sky and that the reason I am offended is because those are correct and I'm embarrassed that he discovered the truth. Incorrect. I am offended and saddened because the statement and the person making the statement are incorrect. I believe God is REAL, visible, much more than my friend (my Savior), and His entire being can be summed with the Biblical truth that "God is love." Therefore, I was offended by the person making the offensive, inaccurate statement. However, that's the not the point of this post.

A common statement is that I can't see God, therefore, he can't exist. This principle is better put like this:

Can't experience something with the 5 senses = nonexistent

God is in this. So is love, wind, friendship, anger, emotions in general, being tired. So, people who only believe in what they can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste have to disregard a lot of realities in the world. The follow up argument to this ridiculous notion is that we can see and feel the effects of wind and love and such. This is totally true. So how is a belief in God different than a belief in love? Can someone scientifically prove love?

Like love, we see the fingerprints and effects of a loving God everywhere. The fact that we CAN love is evidence of someone creating it, right? Could love evolve from nothing? Also, scientifically, there has to be a creator or eternal energy based upon The Law of Conservation of Mass. Something can't come from nothing. Where did time come from? Did it ever begin? Either way, there has to be faith. Everyone is living a life of faith in an absolute truth based upon their worldview. Everyone. Someone may say that they don't, which is an absolute truth. They are merely defining what they believe by what they are not. They don't believe in God, which implies they believe in something else...but typically cannot formulate a positive identity of what they believe. Some can, and I'd love to have a discussion with them starting there.

Furthermore, I believe that if every person lived the proper Christian life since the history of man began, we would be in a far better place. AND, if everyone alive today converted to REAL Christianity, we would be rid of the following:

Racism

Hatred

Murder

Theft

Abortion

Divorce

Rape

Gossip

Laziness

Debt

STD's eventually

War

Drug and Alcohol abuse

The list could go on

Isn't the real problem that Christians don't really live this way? In fact, we have initiated some of these things in the name of Jesus. Surely it starts with the Church being true representatives of Jesus. I mean, following the 10 commandments and the Greatest Commandment (Love the Lord with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself) alone should cause everyone of these things to go away.

However, most people would agree that most everything on that list is bad (including abortion, I don't know anyone who makes the argument for more abortions, only the freedom of choice). So, if this is what it means to be a follower of Jesus is to oppose these things and seek that change the world to do the same, why is there so much opposition to the movement from Americans and individuals alike? Because, secretly, they don't want to give up sex, hatred of people, racism, drug and alcohol abuse, money/debt, etc. They want to be their own god. The message of Jesus says that we are to turn from the things that bring us pleasure and turn to His way. The way of love, peace, truth, justice, compassion, and REAL joy. To recognize that He came and died and rose again is to also orient yourself to this Way. This takes humility. The toughest thing for someone to say is, I'm not good enough. I suck at being god.

So, you see, it isn't about believing in a God who seeks to punish and hold people back. It isn't about having an imaginary friend in the sky. It isn't about being more right than someone else. It's about the prayer that Jesus said, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." It's about right now, the whole world saying that they choose to stop bringing Hell to earth and they choose to bring Heaven. It's about eternity and right now.

Finally, consider this question, what if all the Christians are right about heaven and hell? To the non-believer, the consequences eternally are dire indeed. IF there is a Heaven and IF the only way to get there is through an honest relationship with Jesus, then those who don't do so have to receive their due consequences. But, what if there isn't a God and heaven and hell? What if I spent my entire life trying to rid the world of terrible things, raising my kids to be respectful and hard working, traveling to Africa to counsel Genocide orphans, building homes for those who can't, working and living with honesty and integrity, and changing the world through love in the name of a God who doesn't exist? The believer and non-believer end up in the same place, only I think I lived an impactful life because of my belief in my imaginary Friend. Others who don't believe in God do these things also, don't get me wrong. But, our eternity is the same if there is no God regardless of how we chose to live or in whom we believed.

All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God

The payment for these sins is eternal death

But, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus

God demonstrates his love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us

If anyone confesses with his mouth, "Jesus Christ is Lord!" and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead, they will be saved (from the eternal consequences of imperfection).

My prayer is that anyone reading this post will have their eyes opened to the reality of who Jesus is and was and will reorient their life to His way. This can begin with a simple, heart felt prayer:

Jesus, I'm not good enough. You were. You took my imperfections upon you and made me perfect in God's sight. I choose to live with you and for you beginning now. It's no longer about me and my desires, it's all about you. Amen.

Till the whole world hears,

Adam

Trust

2012-01-26T14:15:00.001-08:00

Been meaning to write this one for awhile now...

My son and I were in a pool in Texas a few weeks ago and I was trying to get him to come swim with me. He's almost 5 and has swum before.

For some reason, he was scared. I'm not sure what spooked him, but he didn't want to come out even with floaties on! I thought this was going to be a cool lesson of overcoming adversity and seeing that we can do anything. I was wrong

He kept freaking out.

And freaking out.

He was screaming at me to not let him go. I knew he'd be fine, I knew the floaties would work. I knew I would rescue him at the first sign of danger.

I started whispering in his ear, "Why don't you trust me?" "You'll be fine" "I'll won't let you drown"

Truth was, in that moment, he only saw the unknown waters and didn't hear my voice. He didn't trust me. He was acting like he would die if I let him go.

You may already be able to see the spiritual implications forming her. How often is this our mentality towards God. We see our own inadequacies. We see the deep waters. We don't hear His voice. We don't feel the floaties. We don't trust. We fear. Perfect love has driven out fear yet we don't believe that either. We do when we are in the kids pool with control and we can feel the ground.

What my son didn't realize is that there was so much more fun to be had! Diving, swimming, splashing, we could have had a ton of joy out there.

Instead fear won, trust lost.

What are you fearing now? Do you realize that God desires pure joy for you. Trust Him.

iPhone 4 vs Mytouch 4G

2012-01-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Crazy life at the end of the year...sorry to the few people who may read this.

Anyways, I have saved the best for first this year. Topic - iPhone vs Android.

Story goes, I started a new job on December 12th and my company generously gave me an iPhone 4 as my work phone. Having had a 2g, 3g, and 3gs, I was excited for the new phone! I was rolling with a Mytouch 4g for awhile and thought I would thoroughly love me new venture back to Apple products. Sadly, I have been very disappointed in it. Here's the comparison:

Functionality:
This has long been the arguement for the iPhone. It just works. What I have found though, is that the iPhone basically gives you the middle finger and says, "I'm an Apple product and you do as I say!" Sure it works well, but it has next to 0 versatility. It's Google integration is sub par, the apps are so-so, and the keyboard...well, we'll get to that. The thing I'm finding I loved about my Android phone was that if something didn't work quite the way I wanted it to, I could change it. A tweak here, widget there and my problem was solved. If I want to change the iPhone, tough luck. You have to adjust to it.

Keyboard:
Until Apple can integrate the Swype technology into their phone, they will be LIGHT YEARS behind Android. I can type almost 50 words a minute on my laptop and can almost type that fast on my swype keyboard. And...I know you're not supposed to text and drive, but when you inevitably do, the Swype keyboard lets you keep your eyes on the road when you do it.

Battery Life:
Neither one is all that great, but I kept hearing how much better the iPhone was. Then I get one, and it's the exact same or worse! Somebody told me I had to close all of my open applications and that would help. Surely there was an app to do this...! Nope, you have to do in manually. Again, on my Android, just put the Juice Defender app and power control widget and you could extend your battery life to 10-12 hours with heavy usage. My iPhone just yesterday lasted me 5 hours with heavy usage from 6-11 am.

Network:
My android was on TMobile and iPhone on AT&T. I'll just say this 4G > 3G. It's not even close. Sure I dropped calls on TMobile, but it's the same thing on AT&T.

Speed:
Once I rooted my Mytouch 4G and removed all the crap that comes preloaded on their, my phone was lightning quick. The iPhone 4 is quick, but the Mytouch had it beat. Mostly because I could put things/widgets where I wanted them.

Screen size:
Again, the Mytouch's size and resolution beat out the iPhone 4 in my opinion. Plus adjusting the screen brightness was a simple widget on my home screen, not 3 steps into the settings.

Camera:
Probably a wash here.

Computer connectivity:
The fact that you can mount the Android phones as disk drives and use them to transport data and drag and drop media files is very nice. I know that there's drop box and air sync and all that, but when you want something from a coworker/friends computer, then those become a bit of a hassle. With my Android, just plug it in, drag, and drop. Simple.

Overall, if you can't tell, I can't really find a single thing that is better on the iPhone than on the Mytouch 4G. My personal opinion is that because of all the flexibility of the Android phones, people get scared. The iPhone is like In and Out (which I do love, btw), you know what you are getting. As much as I love In and Out though, I don't want to eat fast food everyday. The Android phones are like cooking your own food to meet your diet at your house. Is it a bit more work? Absolutely! But is it a better way of life? You bet.

So do yourself a favor, next time you are thinking about getting a new phone, don't be an Apple robot. Expand your horizons a bit and engage in the better technology (unless your company gives you an iPhone, then just grin and bear it and relish the times when your wife asks you to send a text on her Mytouch 4g)

Alethia Church and Timothy Richard Tebow

2011-12-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

I'm a pastor. at a church. called Alethia
Timothy is a qb. on a team. called the Broncos

I have finally found where our worlds collide. That is neat.

Our church (www.alethiachurch.org) has taken a unique approach to our leadership since day 1. Shared pastoral leadership with men who have full time jobs. 6 of our 7 pastors all work full time outside of the church. Most of us also have a wife and children. Our 7th pastor receives a full time paycheck, but also has responsibilities at home as his wife teaches, making him bivocational as well. Guess what? It's working. Well. I would dare say, it's a Biblical approach to elder led churches. The principles are this:
1) Shared leadership provides accountability
2) Shared leadership guards against ministerial burn out
3) Shared leadership provides a community of teachers
4) Shared leadership can lead to greater financial stewardship

This matter of leadership means that when I get up to preach, there's a sense of acceptance from men in the congregation. They know that I have been not only working my job, raising my kids, and loving my wife, but I have also spent time serving and studying. I believe this is one of the reasons why we have so many strong men in our church. Jesus is a savior that we can relate to. Our pastors are men that other men can relate to in this season of their life.

I believe this model is scary to vocational pastors.

It says that we can accomplish great things as a church without having to pay staff. If you have oriented your entire professional career around being a paid pastor and then a successful model comes along that renders most of those jobs in an unpaid capacity, that could be devastating. What happens if Alethia becomes a church of 1,000+ with one full time paid pastor? Churches that size typically have 5-8 full time paid pastors. What if this whole thing works?

Tim Tebow and the Broncos are winning football games using basic football principles.
1) Running the ball shortens the length of the game
2) Running the ball means less turnovers
3) Running the ball provides rest for your defense
4) Running the ball wins games

Brian Xanders, the Broncos GM, said that the team that wins the turnover differential and sack differential will win almost 90% of their games. It has been no secret that running the ball, stopping the run, and not turning the ball over will win football games. So why is everyone so shocked that they are winning?

Here's why.

The "NFL prototype" qb's are afraid that there's another way. The pundits think that they have it figured out. You need Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees to win super bowls. You have to be able to throw the ball with speed and accuracy. Nobody likes to be wrong, and Timmy Touchdown and the Broncos are proving them wrong.

What's going to happen if this works? Fullbacks will become Qb's. Coaches who have trained to have complex passing attacks will no longer be needed at the level they are. 16 year old kids who dream of playing QB in the league will have to start learning how to run and read LB's rather than coverages. The established elite in the football world are scared that the Broncos may actually win. Suddenly Tim Jefferson at AFA becomes just as coveted as Andrew Luck.

If Alethia and the Broncos are successful in winning souls and football games respectively using non traditional methods, the traditional methodists (pun intended) will have their cores shaken.

The days of the superstar pastor and superstar QB may be on their way out...or at least becoming less necessary.

Let us pray

#OccupytheBCS

2011-12-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

WARNING: THE CONTENT ON THIS POST HAS PROBABLY ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN. THERE ARE LIKELY NO NEW THOUGHTS HERE. JUST THE RAMBLINGS OF AN IDIOT WHO THINKS IT'S FUN TO WEAR A SWEATER VEST EVERY WEDNESDAY

Since I have no dog in the fight nor will I for awhile (CSU just fired Fairchild and I don't know if we will ever be in the mix for a national championship), I think I'm a fairly impartial and fair observer to the BCS. Plain and simple, it's horrible. As an athlete, I couldn't imagine playing in a sport where at the beginning of the year I knew I didn't have the chance to win the final prize. Yet, for the mid major and small conferences, that's exactly what we have. 70% of the teams know that they cannot win the National Championship no matter how well they play. There will be no Butler Bulldog stories in college football. Ever. Under this current system.

Here's the other thing that really bugs me. Every pundit I listen to who says that the whole season is a playoff is full of it. There's only one scenario where that is true and that's if there are only 2 unbeaten teams from BCS conferences. Forget the non-BCS teams, they don't really count. They're like the AAA to the Majors. How often do we have 2 clear cut, unbeaten, BCS teams play one another? This year is no exception. LSU played Alabama. LSU won. If the whole season is a playoff, why does Alabama get another shot? Is it a double elimination whole season playoff? What if Bama beats LSU in the bowl game? Is there a rematch? Nope, Bama is the Major BCS school football as determined by votes and computers Champion (I refuse to say National Champion because it's a lie and Revelations 21:8 says Liars go to hell...I have a T Shirt to prove it). How is it that every single sport has a champion that is determined on the field of play except college football?

You may have read all the reports about money and prestige. You may have seen that most BCS bowl CEO's make over $500k to plan one football game. That's probably all the reason why, but how can we end it.

Occupy the BCS.

Like the current movement, I have no idea where it would go or how it would start. However, a few hashtags on twitter and some signs at the BCS games could get us started. Maybe it will take down the BCS empire and crown an actual champion or maybe it will end in some drunk nincompoop (that's right, I said nincompoop, deal with it) streaking at the Fiesta Bowl, either way, I think we are on to something here.

#OccupytheBCS phase one - find out who runs to bowl games

#OccupytheBCS phase two - camp outside their ridiculously nice home(s)

#OccupytheBCS phase three - order Godfather Pizza in memory of Herman Cain

#OccupytheBCS phase four - eat pizza and wait for the media coverage

#OccupytheBCS phase five - topple the BCS and live in glory

#OccupytheBCS phase six - #Tebowing at the end of the victory

We can't go wrong here people. End the BCS, give sanity to college football, never buy a drink in Boise again.

Hooray!

2011-11-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

What a crazy month...

If you have noticed, my last two posts have been about how down and out it is to be an NBA fan and Denver fan. Maybe I haven't gotten around to writing anything because I am so intoxicated with happiness that things have turned a corner.

So the NBA has kick started again starting December 9th and the Nuggets are...well...1 player is going to sign elsewhere, 3 players are stuck in China, and we need to spend money to get back to the salary cap floor. How that's going to happen I have no idea, but I am so glad that basketball is back and I have no idea what the Nuggets are going to look like.

The fighting Tebows. I love them. I think they are going to lose every time, but I love them. I can't wait to continue being surprised.

That's all. Carry on.

An open letter to the NBA

2011-11-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Dearest NBA,
First and foremost, I have been a fan of your product since about 1986 when I fell in love with the Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets. In 1988 I was a ball boy for a game and couldn't wait to meet Michael Adams and Fat Lever. I was caught up. I fell in love. The past few years, I haven't missed a Nuggets game on TV. Even when I lived in Cali, I would log in to my dad's sling box and watch them. Needless to say, I'm the fan you can't lose. I'm the customer to whom your advertisers cater. I'm the person who buys the jerseys.

Also, I'm in the business of customer addition and retention (outside sales). I know how difficult it is to get a loyal customer like myself. You will do anything to keep them. When college basketball is on, I watched the NBA. When the Thursday night NFL game was on, I'd watch the NBA. I cared about the Broncos, but the Nuggets and NBA basketball were my top sports priority. If I could choose between going to the Super Bowl or a home game against the Bucks in Denver, I'd have chosen to stay here. Seriously.

What you have decided to do (the players and owners combined) is open up your competition. You are in the sports and entertainment business. You have no longer captured my attention. I should be hanging out on denverstiffs.com today talking about the return of Carmelo to Denver. Instead, I'll be turning my attention to college basketball, Arsenal football (thanks to the Kroenke's), and college/professional football (we all know college is professional these days). Guess what, I like what I'm seeing.

Now, if you can find a way to resuscitate this season, I will probably be back...unlike KMart, Chandler, and JR. If you give me a whole year to get emotionally invested in other sports, you run the danger of losing the fan like me. A die hard who has serious opinions about why Priest Lauderdale failed in the NBA. And it will be a hard death.

To the owners, I get it. I'm not happy about it, but I get it. You are in business to make money and you aren't (supposedly). You have a product that the better it does, the more money some teams lose because popularity is in the Miami Heat's of the world and not the Bucks. If the NFL had the same thing going, the Dolphins and Packers would have changed position. However, you knew what you were buying into. Your fellow owners are the one's who gave Brian Cardinal a crazy amount of money and paid Darko (KAHNNNNN!!!). You are asking the players to give up money because you overpaid them. The answer. Sign a 50/50 split and keep the soft cap and player transitions they way they are and STOP OVERSPENDING!

To the players, I get it. I'm not happy about it, but I get it. You, unlike the owners, have a very short period of time to maximize your product. You need to sign the best deal possible. However, you have severely overvalued the product you put out there. Most people aren't like me. You are opening up the door for the purity of college basketball to overtake the physicality of the NBA. Maybe that's OK. But realize this, a lot of fans may not come back. A lot already think it's a game of tatted up thugs. I dispute that claim all the time, but that's the perception and this lockout/strike ain't helping. I say slash strike because the moment you refused to sign the owner's proposal, you decided to strike and refuse to play under those parameters. Also, you have to realize that you are negotiating against billionaires. They signed a bad deal and want a new one. Bad news, you're not going to win. It's America and those with more money tend to come out victorious.

While I'm sad the season might be cancelled, I'm not as sad as I thought. Premier league footy is gripping and intense and Van Persie is killing it this year after a rough start by the Gunners. College basketball just had a tremendous day. The Fighting Tebows are making things interesting in Denver. I have realized I can live without the NBA.

And you can't live without fans like me.

Church - Jesus = Country Club

2011-11-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

As I was reading through Acts 5 this morning, I was struck with this thought that isn't new to anyone...however, I think it should never be forgotten. A church with all the great human bells and whistles, organizational structure, great food, good community without Jesus at it's center is no more than a social club. You know, like a country club where all the blue hairs sit around talk about how terrible the world is but never actually do anything to change it? A women's book club where the book is briefly discussed, then the wine breaks out along with the latest community gossip so that they don't have to engage in their own hurts. "Guy's night" which is really just an excuse to let our tongue's loosen up and be one of the guy's and not really a time for Biblically defined, Jesus centered community.

I could go on and on...but I'll let God have a word here (Acts 5:35-39):
³⁵ He said, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you intend to do to these people. ³⁶ Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and some four hundred men joined him. After he was killed, all of his followers scattered, and nothing came of that. ³⁷ Afterward, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got some people to follow him in a revolt. He was killed too, and all his followers scattered far and wide. ³⁸ Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin. ³⁹ If it originates with God, you won’t be able to stop them. Instead, you would actually find yourselves fighting God!” The council was convinced by his reasoning.

What is your church about? Are we becoming a church more like Theudas's or Judas the Galilean's? Are you more about social justice than the Gospel of Jesus? Are you more about proper theology than the Resurrection? Does human judgment reign more than the Grace of God? You see, my fear is that we can figure out ways to get people into our churches without actually bringing them into an encounter with the living Christ. Don't get me wrong, community groups, social justice, sound doctrine, good singing, solid teaching, etc are all great things. But they are not God things. If they are from human origin, they will fail.

Community that arises out of a desire to live Biblically as God intended will not be stopped
Justice that is done in the name of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit will not be stopped
Sound doctrine that is rooted and established in the love of Jesus will not be stopped
Singing that is done in churches as unto the Lord will not be stopped
Solid teaching from the pulpit down under the authority of God for the glory of God because of the sacrifice of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit will not be stopped

We could go on and on and on about good things that we make God things and not the Godly good things that they are. So what is your church about? What are you about?

My prayer for my church, family, and self is that I will one day be stripped down to where Paul came to and say, "I consider my life (my church, my family) worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." My church, my family, my life are all apart of this process to be sure. But I pray that they are a means to the end goal of seeing as many lives changed through the grace of Jesus on account of whatever faithfulness God grants to me.

Will you join me in praying for your church, pastors, leaders, and fellow members? Pray that will all be gripped by the love of Jesus. That His love will compel us. Pray that we will not be churches that are built by human traditions and origins. Pray that the movement of Jesus will never be stopped on account of our flesh getting in the way.

No more country clubs.

Denver sports - the worst ever?

2011-10-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Has there ever been a worse time to be a fan of Denver sports teams? Let's examine starting with the worst:

CU Buffs - How's that Pac 12 move working out this year? All the Buffs have shown this year is that the Pac 12 is a stronger conference than the Big 12. The only reason they are having a worse year than the Rams (whom they beat head to head), is because of the complete lack of competitiveness they have shown in conference play. They are terrible and should have lost to Oregon by 60.

CSU Rams - Steve Fairchild, enjoy your next job. The Rams are getting destroyed on D and a home loss to the "power house" San Jose St. University Spartans (their first road win in their last 16 tries) coupled with that disgusting display against Boise State at home, means that Fairchild ought to be gone next year. On the sort of bright side, in the crazy world of college athletics, the Rams can still play in a meaningless bowl.

Denver Broncos - /sigh. I really want Timmy Touchdown to succeed. I really want to see the fans give him more time. I really want the Broncos to rally. But, this isn't saying much, I think I would perform better in a throwing accuracy drill than TRT15. He looks like, save 5 mins against the Fins, the puppy who lost his way from Billy Madison. I know 2 games isn't much, but this team is in disarray. Our D is somewhat average and our punter is above average. Other than that, what is their to like about this team? Actually, I don't even like our punter or D. So what's the answer? Nothing!

Denver Nuggets - half the team is playing in China, the other half in Europe. None of those games are televised here. The players and owners are squabbling over money and such. No NBA basketball and, surprise!, nobody really cares.

Colorado Rockies - Typically, the Rox where known for their slow starts and fast finishes of late. This year was awful. They started 11-2 in April and proceeded to "it's a long season, we'll be fine" themselves out of contention by July. They then traded away their ace for a drunken school boy and the second coming of Danny Neagle...if Alex White is lucky. They retained Jim Tracy because...I don't know. At least Tulo started mashing more and he and CarGo are locked up for awhile. I have a glimmer of hope IF we solve 2nd and 3rd base and De La Rosa comes back healthy.

Air Force Falcons - It's not saying a whole lot about the state of your State's athletics when the most exciting thing going is a 4-4 team with a blowout loss to Notre Dame. They have beat who they are supposed to and lost to who they are supposed to, this team has 7-5 or 8-4 and a trip to the Armed Forces Bowl written all over it. Hooray football in Colorado!!

I guess I'm going to have start watching hockey or something...and don't tell me about the Rapids in the playoffs! I just got into watching Aresenal and some EPL games and...that's like saying our JV high school team is good when your varsity is terrible. The MLS is getting better, but it's not there yet.

Here's to Denver sports! The worst time in recent memory!

Glucklich Geburtstag

2011-10-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Say what?!?

I was wishing myself a happy birthday in German of course. Calm down. Yes, I'm on my way to 40

Numbers. They mean so many different things!

We have been talking amongst our staff about if a church should be about numbers. This all stemmed from a Steven Furtick article and I think it has applications to all parts of life.

Example, am I all about numbers in my family? Well, not all about them, but there a few I need to meet. Money is a big one. I'm not all about money, but I need to make it. To quote the BREAX, we either use people and love money or use money to love people. I try to be the latter. I'm about principally taking care of my family and caring for them. A big part of that entails a careful look at numbers. I don't just want to make money if it means I have to forsake my family time. The end goal is never numbers, it's using numbers to do things God has called me to do. Love my wife, raise my kids, provide and protect.

In contrast to that, I am paid to sell products for my employer. I only make money based upon how much I sell. My whole is job is about numbers! I have one job, produce short term profits to generate long term stability. The end game is about numbers. I utilize authenticity, integrity, genuine care for my customers because a) it's the way to treat people and b) treating people right leads to production in my job.

Friendships used to not be about numbers...until Facebook. I've had too many rants lately so I'll deal with that later.

So what about church? Church is this beautiful thing somewhere between family, friendships, and business. Ultimately, we are about seeing disciples of Jesus reproduced. But, how do you measure that? Numeric growth? Baptisms? "conversions"? You see, we want to be excellent in what we do, so if somethings not achieving the results that we feel God has called us to, then we are becoming a hindrance to the Spirit. Likewise, there's a necessary business component to the church which we throw the spiritual label on of "Stewardship of God's Resources." This means that there are certain numbers that we have to be about, right? Rent, insurance, bills, savings, giving. We are not about this income, but we need it to accomplish the things God has asked us to do.

Are we as a church about numbers? I don't think so, but we should always be striving to find ways to measure what we are doing and change when necessary. I don't think it's all that bad of an idea.

Oh yeah, my life number did get higher yesterday. I'm getting older...and, by God's grace, wiser :)

Religion

2011-10-19T08:38:00.001-07:00

I'm getting ready to preach on Sunday at Alethia and I'm very excited about having the privilege of sharing God's Word with all of those lovely faces! I'm preaching through James 1:26,27 and James 3

It got me thinking about religion.

Religion says we are going to take 10% out of your paycheck for a tithe
Relationship says give joyfully as unto the Lord

Religion says wear sacred underwear
Relationship says enjoy the wife of your youth

Religion say pray 3 times a day facing a human made "holy place"
Relationship says pray without ceasing

Religion says only 144,000 will enter into heaven
Relationship says all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved

Religion says confess all your sins to a man wearing a silly hat
Relationship says confess your sins to the Lord

Religion says eat only Kosher meat
Relationship says all things are permissible, but not all beneficial

Religion says you have problems and they will fix them
Relationship says you are a fearfully and wonderfully made son or daughter of the King. You are flawed, but your King will help you

Religions are clean
Relationships are messy

Religion says do
Relationship says done

A relationship with Jesus is so much more than a silly man made religion. Religion is set up to manipulate and control. A relationship with the Prince of Peace, God in the flesh is set up for freedom! It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! Free from the bondage that religion will hold you in. There is no condemnation if you are in Christ. The yoke of slavery to man made rules has been lifted. We are free to love radically, give radically, serve radically.

The things listed above about religion aren't necessarily bad (giving, prayer, confession, stewarding your body, redemption of sins), but they become bad when they become a list of rules to follow to gain access to the King of Kings. The vale has been torn! We no longer need intercessors between us and God, it is Jesus who is our advocate. Your relationship with Him is more important than anything, than any religion, any possession, any person.

To quote the "theologians" Dead Prez:
Would you rather have a Lexus, or justice
A dream, or some substance
A beamer, a neckless, or FREEDOM

Christ has set you free from the rules and regulations of religion. Christ has set you free from the need to go after the things of this world. Christ has set you free from sin.

Are you living as a free man in a relationship with your savior or as an enslaved man in a religion made by man?

What is happening to the USA?

2011-10-17T08:25:00.001-07:00

We are the 99%?

http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

What would my grandfather, who worked in a coal mine in PA and then busted his butt to provide for 6 kids say?

For that matter, what would ANYONE who is a part of the greatest generation say?

This site (99percent) is full of people with real life problems, we all have them. EVERY human being has issues. That's the reason that we know something is wrong and needs fixed. These people on this site think that by the government forgiving all of their student loans and raising the minimum wage to $20/hour will fix their issues?!? MONEY WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING! It is a temporary fix to eternal problem.

"I have learned to be content in whatever situation"
"Give us today our daily bread"
"For the love of money is the root of all evil"

While in Rwanda, I realized that their problems are things like clean water, commerce, infrastructure. You want to complain about student loans?? Try having to walk 5 miles one way carrying a freaking basket on your head because the only clean water well is 5 miles away! Do you realize that you ought to get a global perspective and see how lucky you are? If you own a car (any car) you are amongst the 3% richest people in the world! The people on this site and the occupy Wall Street people aren't the 99%, they are the 4%. The 4-5% of the wealthiest people in the world. Elitist. Thinking that they are owed more...really? How many of them are using their iPads and iPhones to bring down corporate greed? Hypocrisy?

"Work at everything as if working for the Lord"

Realize that being born in the US has set you up for greater success than most anywhere in the world. DO SOMETHING WITH IT! Man, I'm getting sick of people complaining about their lot in life who desire to take to the web and blame the government and corporations. They aren't responsible for you! Money won't change your lot. Hard work, no excuses, and a spirit of contentment (not complacency) will do wonders.

Communism has only killed millions of people, let's give it another try in the US, shall we? You want to stop corporate greed, stop your own first. These "greedy" corporations will receive their judgement. Ponzi schemes, Enron, WorldCom, they all fall down. However, these same "greedy" corporations, if they are in fact just "profitable" and not sleazy, are the one's providing jobs. Think about this, if Paris Hilton goes and drops $30k at a clothing store, do you know how many people are employed because of that? The freight company, the manufacturers, the packaging people, the retail workers, the marketing people, the janitors who clean the store, the fashion writer, Paris' personal designer, the landlord, so on. They, they go out and spend money on the money that Paris gave them...basic capitalism.

Get a clue.

I ought to follow my own advice here. Get off the internet and get to work people :)

What's my deal, too many rants lately...

The image of the American teenage Christian

2011-10-14T13:58:00.001-07:00

So I just sat down to read a bit of "Calvin and Augustine" by BB Warfield (you know, a little light 400 page read), and I see what is the image of the American Christian Teenage male.

This kid is sitting on a couch, with his latte, Bible opened to Hosea, ear phones in. The Bible is on the table in front of him and he's slipping in and out of sleep while watching reruns of The Office from last year...yep.

Call me a pessimist, but is this where we are going in the church? Have we been relegated to coffee shop theology (everyone retreats to a coffee shop to be around other people but not really interact)? Is The Office more exciting to our minds than The Word?

I have been guilty of this far too often, and probably am even as I type this blog. I drift from Twitter to Craigslist to ESPN on my iPad without giving time to the Word that brings life. Why? God's word is exciting and able to penetrate to my very soul!! Is it a focus problem? Discipleship? What's happening?!?

No joke, here has been the run down of his last 30 minutes:
Finish the Office
Pick up the Bible for approximately 45 seconds.
Read
Put the Bible down
Almost fall asleep
Wake back up
Look at the Bible on the table
Pick up laptop
Set laptop on top of Bible
Do something there for a bit
Pick Bible back up
Fall back asleep
Close Bible
Put in backpack
Laptop open

Am I crazy or this all too normal in our society, particularly amongst Christians? Are we excited about God's Word or is it too boring and outdated to us? Are we too inundated with distractions that we can't focus for an extended period of time on one thing?

Are those of you spend time with American Teenage Boys seeing this same problem? What can be done? Prayer, patience, diligence, discipline, etc.? I think so.

Rant. Over.

A letter to Mr. Orton

2011-10-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mr. Orton,

I tried. I really did. Since the moment you got here, I have defended you. Been the voice of reason amongst my Broncos crazy friends and family. Talked about your numbers at Purdue, your home record before coming here. Played the "I told you so" card after the 6-0 start. I defended you and McD and asked for fans to give you both time. That you were building something here.

Times up.

I can no longer deny the inevitable. I want to see what the kid has. I know what you are and that is not good enough for this Bronco team. If you were on the Vikings this year, I think you'd be hit there. Rams, Jets, Dolphins even, they might love what you are doing. Problem is, this team just isn't talented enough to win with you at QB. You need a solid running game and dynamic defense (most QB's not named Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Brees do). You won't be in that group any time soon if ever, and that's ok. You could win with a team where you are the 3rd best asset behind the run and D. Here in Denver, we need you to be the best, and that's not you. If you had found a way to pull out wins against the Titans and Raiders and we are 3-2, different story. But you were 3-10 last year and 1-4 this year.

We don't know what TRT15 can do...and that's the point. He could be a revolutionary QB whom other defenses have to game plan around ala Vick or Steve Young. He's not right now, but we think he could be. He could also be the second coming of Scott Mitchell or Cade McNown. We don't know and that's the fun part. The season's shot anyways, so let's find out. Worst case is this is a loaded QB draft and we could have our shot at one of the top prospects. We keep TRT15 under contract and use him as a Kordell Stewart, Randel-El type with the threat to run, throw, or run a route.

What I do know is that Tebow is, arguably, the greatest collegiate football player ever. I want to see if that will translate into success in Denver. After all, the goal of a football game isn't to complete the most 15-20 yard outs on on time, it's to score TD's and win games. Something TRT15 did at Florida and something you aren't doing in Denver.

So, Mr. Orton, as a Broncos fan, I respect you for the QB that you are. Above average and capable of leading an offense where you don't have to be the team leader (see Dilfer, Trent). I don't hate you. I think it was wrong place wrong time. You were the only decent thing on our team last year. But, as I told my non paying renters once, "please clean up the house and don't take anything. You clearly can't stay and I need someone else." I hope you can be the man I think you are and graciously accept your new place as teacher for 8 games and then find a situation where you can succeed.

Thanks, Neck Beard. You deserve better, but it ain't happenin' here.

Sincerely,

EA Peek, it's in the game.

NBA lockout

2011-10-05T11:38:00.001-07:00

Man, I love the Denver Nuggets. I really do. Not like I love my kids and my family. But I love them as a huge part of my upbringing and adulthood.

I enjoy the NBA more than most any other person I know. I wore my Nuggets jersey at the birth of three kids. I am a man in my early 30's and still love to rock my Nuggs jerseys. My son knew who Chauncey Billups was before he knew who Spongebob was. I was a ball boy for the team in 1988. I know who Priest Lauderdale is and have serious opinions about him as a basketball player. I founded the Joe Wolf fan club. Point being...I'm a hard core NBA fan.

But...

Right now, I don't really miss it. The sad reality is for the players and owners, nobody else really does either. I want to say that I'm a good fan and that everyday goes by I want to hear that the season is starting...but...I'm not. Other things have filled the gap. And they will. NBA, you're not that big of a deal right now.

The NBA has a tough task. They are competing with the NFL, College Football, NCAA basketball, and baseball. They are roughly the 3rd or 4th best sport in America at any given time, save the playoffs. Think about it, the NFL and College football rule September-early Feb. The NBA plays their worst basketball in February because everyone is grinding. March, college basketball and then the start of baseball in April. the NBA has about 1.5 months that America really cares about it. You have a problem with the game! It's not the money, it's the game and the timing of the game! Americans just don't care much anymore.

Here's my solution that will NEVER happen:

Start the NBA preseason in Feb., regular season goes from March-August and playoffs in September. Admit it, that would be awesome. March becomes the greatest month for a basketball fan with the start of the NBA season (see when the players really have the energy to bring it) and march madness. The NBA would easily become at least 1a to baseball through the summer and be relevant for 4-5 months of regular season play. Then the playoffs in Sep. and wrap it up in Oct. In Denver, who wouldn't love a day of Rockies game in the afternoon, dinner in downtown, Nuggets game at night? Olympics? Let the amateurs have it back. Same with the FIBA stuff. And how great would October be? World Series, NBA Finals, College Football and NFL starting! I wish I had a direct line to Mr. Stern right now. This has to happen.

This rant reminds me of one of my favorite Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey:
You know what a great idea would be: carpet bowling. It would be like regular bowling except with carpet as the lanes...alright, it's a stupid idea! But, my god, WE HAVE TO TRY SOMETHING!

Monday morning QB

2011-10-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Dearest friends of SVW and Alethia,
This post on Monday is not coming from any specific situation, conversation, or revelation. As my dad once told me, "it's better to be proactive than reactive." Or something like that. Please, don't read into this anymore than what is on this page.

As I have been preparing for my sermon on Oct. 23rd, I have been listening to a lot of online sermons, hearing ours on Sundays, the occasional guest preacher at Alethia (see Williams, Kelly), and in lots of prayer about it. In so doing I have realized something, not every week is that preacher up to the task. Not every week will that pastor or speaker knock that sermon out of the park. Sam might have a bad hair day and be self conscious, Michael might be thinking about his uncanny resemblance to a young Russell Crowe, I don't know what it is. I do know this, preachers and pastors have off weeks. Guess what...that's OK. They may even have off series. Guess what...that's OK.

CH Spurgeon once wrote, "Judge the preacher if you like, but do remember that there is something better to be done than that, namely, to get all the good you can out of him, and pray his Master to put more good into him." Maybe this is because I think I might be a failure when I preach, I don't know. I do know this...how often do you pray for your pastor(s)? Do you spend more time praying for them than you do gossiping about them? When you leave a church to go to another church, does the pastor know why? How is that church going to grow if you don't say why you are leaving? How will the elders make decisions if you can't communicate with them what's wrong?

Here's a good rule of thumb to be applied to all of life, not just to your pastor. Praise publicly, criticize privately. If you have a problem with something that the pastor said, pray first. See if you are in the wrong. If the problem has a Biblical backing, then prepare. Then, graciously and privately ask to speak with the pastor about his error. I guarantee you, God will be honored. Any church, Alethia included, will be ripped at the seems by church attenders who gossip and slander a pastor behind his back, and then smile and give him a hug when they see him. Just like a relationship with a spouse or a friend will.

Is this easy? No way. It's far easier to play arm chair QB from the stands than it is to get down and play. Is it intimidating to approach the pastor of your church because you think they are in error Biblically? Probably, but know that if you have Biblical backing, it is God who is behind you. He has all the authority on heaven and earth! If you don't have a solid Biblical reason to be upset, then that's on you. Work it out. Don't let petty opinions get in the way of what the church needs more than anything...unity.

Be a blessing to your pastors. Pray for them daily. The one's you just don't like, pray for them more. Don't leave a church without telling someone in leadership why and certainly not before spending time praying about it.

Again, this is merely an observation from afar and NOT a veiled attack on anybody in particular. I have had NO conversations with people recently about theological fallacies from the pulpit nor have I heard any directly. Merely a call/reminder for all of us. Pray for our leadership and move forward in love.

What makes a man?

2011-09-29T08:25:00.001-07:00

I can't help but thinking about what it means to be a man these days. As a husband, father, employee, pastor, son, and friend, I am confronted with this question often. I'm not sure that ANY society has a proper definition culturally of what it means to be a man. We are all flawed and in need of a savior, including our idea of what a man is.

I'll start with what I think are American definitions of masculinity and ask for you to find where they are Biblically:

1) Gun tottin' - I own guns, I shoot guns. These are both fun activities. But if a man doesn't enjoy this or own any, I will not discredit his masculinity. Owning and loving guns does not a man make.

2) Sports lovin' - I play sports, I watch sports. These are both incredibly fun things for me. But if a man doesn't have a love affair with the NFL and fantasy football, I will not discredit his masculinity. Playing and loving sports does not a man make.

3) Meat eatin' - Currently...I eat meat, I enjoy it's taste. Meat is a very tasty product from animals that makes my taste buds delight. But if a man is a vegan and desires to live his life this way, I will not discredit his masculinity. Loving animal fat and heart disease does not a man make.

4) Truck drivin' - I own a big Nissan Titan, I love my big Nissan Titan. My truck is a very functional vehicle for me and my family. But if a man chooses to exercise his desire for fiscal responsibility and drive a Prius or Corolla, I will not discredit his masculinity. Driving big trucks does not a man make.

5) Beer drinkin' - I drink beer, I like beer. I think beer is a great reason for men to get together and chat about life. But if a man thinks that fruit based alcoholic drinks taste better, I will not discredit his masculinity. Drinking beer does not a man make.

I'm sure there are other things that you can think of (styles of music, coarse joke telling, tobacco consumption, etc), my point is that, Biblically, a man could be a pacifist, love American Idol more than Football, be a member of PETA, drive a Prius, and STILL love Jesus and live like a Biblical man. Here is a small list with new definitions.

1) Jesus lovin' - I love Jesus, Jesus loves me. I consider my life worth nothing compared to the surpassing joy of loving Christ more. If a man does not love Jesus, I will discredit his masculinity. Loving Jesus does a man make.

2) Wife servin' - I love my wife, I love serving my wife. I believe that the Bible has asked me to love my wife like Christ loved the church. If a man does not love and serve his wife, I will discredit his masculinity. Serving your wife does a man make.

3) Hard workin' - I have a couple of jobs, I try to work hard at both of them. God, through the Holy Spirit, has asked me to work at everything as if working for Him and not for man. The Bible also says if I don't provide for my family, I'm a terrible father/husband. If a man does not work hard at his job and act as provider, I will discredit his masculinity. Consistently hard working does a man make.

4) Prayer liftin' - I try to pray as much as possible, I enjoy that I can talk with God directly. God has asked men everywhere to lift up holy hands as well as to pray without ceasing. If a man does not pray, I will discredit his masculinity. Being on your knees in prayer daily does a man make.

5) Word readin' - I try to read God's word everyday, I always learn an incredible amount from it. God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. If a man does not spend regular time reading and meditating on God's word, I will discredit his masculinity. Passion for fervent study of God's Word does a man make.

There are probably so many more proper definitions of what a man is. The Bible says that man judges by mere appearances, but God judges the heart. Let's be transformed by the renewing of our minds and fix our eyes on Jesus. He was a REAL man. He was a MAN'S man. He ought to be our example. He showed compassion at times and brought the whip at others. He came first as a baby and will come with fire in His eyes and tats on his legs next. Being like Jesus doesn't mean you ought to be soft. Being a man like Jesus means we don't conform to the patterns of this world. Let us all spur each other on to be REAL men of Christ...not men of John Wayne, John Elway, or Lil' John. Flush those definitions of what it means to be a man down the John.

This here's a post for all the fellas

2011-09-21T08:13:00.001-07:00

Men,

What brings you delight? What do you look forward during the day? What do you pleasure in? Where do you spend your money? What occupies your thoughts?

The answers to the questions, the honest answers, will show you a lot about yourself. The answers will point out where your treasure is and that will also be where your heart is?

Is the answer money and making money? Money is your idol and your functional savior and, you and I know, money is a terrible god. Money has no heart, shows no sympathy, and can provide you with no long term satisfaction. You ought to repent of this idol. Money is a great gift from God that ought to be stewarded and not revered. The Wu Tang Clan said that Cash Rules Everything Around Me and they were probably being honest. Replace Cash with Christ and allow his resurrection to impact your money in amazing ways.

Is the answer your job? Work at everything as if working for...the joy of work? Money? Your family? no, work for Jesus! If all you are concerned with is that next promotion, that next big pay day, that next project, the bigger office, etc, this will consume you in an unhealthy manner that God doesn't desire. Does He want to you to work hard? Absolutely! But don't make this good thing a God thing. Your job makes a terrible god.

Is the answer your family? For most men, honestly, this isn't a problem. As a matter of fact, they don't think about their family enough. But, for some, their family and providing for them is their idol. How many times do you hear (probably from me!), "I just want to work hard and provide for my family." This is a noble task, but if that's your only focus, it isn't Godly. Rather we ought phrase this as "I just want to work to please God and steward the gifts he gave me. I believe He asks me to provide for my family, so I work to the end because Jesus through the Holy Spirit has asked me to do this." Your wife and kids make a terrible god.

What is your answer? Sports? Music? Church? Friends? If it is anything other than Jesus, then He is not your functional savior. Men, there are too many of us running around making good things God things. Money, work, family, sports, music, church, friendship are all awesome gifts from God. But what happens when they go away? When the economy collapses, when you lose your job, when tragedy strikes your family, when your knees and back go out, when musical abilities deteriorate, when your church closes it's doors, when your friends move away or abandon you? If you can't stomach any of these happening, then where does your faith lie? God is unchanging, always faithful, and ought to be object of our faith. Pursue good things because God made them and asks us to. But keep him the center of all your pursuits. Not sure how? Asks this question from Galatians 1:10, "Am I trying to please God or please man?" If your trying to please man, then you are NOT a servant of Christ. Here are some more practical applications:

struggle with the money idol - this a suggestion from Mark Driscoll. Write in large letters on your debit or credit card, JESUS. It's awkward, but a healthy reminder that you every good and perfect gift comes from above. You are a steward of God's money, not a spender of YOUR money. God is the focus

Struggle with the job idol - offer this prayer every morning on your way to work. "Father, you are the giver of this job and have placed me here for your purposes not my own. Give me today my daily bread and show me what you are doing so that I may join your work. My plans and desires are many, but help me to desire your plans and your desires. Thank you for son, Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen"

Struggle with the family idol - God has called to lead your family through serving them. Instead of working for your family, work with your family through family devotions, dinners together, scripture memory, etc.. Involve your kids in your job if you can. Before you turn on the TV at night (if you have one), set a rule that you have to read the Word with your family.

This is my prayer, that your love (directed towards Jesus and nowhere else) will abound more and more through knowledge and depth of insight

Knowledge poem from James and 1 Cor. 8:1

2011-09-14T18:22:00.001-07:00

I wrote while reading through James. Our church, Alethia, in Colorado Springs is preaching through this book starting Sunday. So...that's fun.

Here we are with all this knowledge

Yet we all fell the need to go to college

The eyes of our perceptions tells us indeed

That a little more sweets are all we need

So here we are bloated, but we gather up more

Sugars and candies we need more to store

We roar and we eat and we're all gettin' bigger

Flabby and fat are the shapes of our figures

Knowledge is puffy and God NEEDS defending

So buy another book, the market needs your spending

Forget about DOING that takes some action

Keep your faith in the seats, enjoy the satisfaction

Knowing that you know so much more than they do

They'll never know what is said in James Chapter 2

Thank God for that, cause if they did they'd see

The lethargy inside of you and of me

There's pain in this world and souls are missin'

But how can we find them if we stay in the kitchen

It's so easy in here and hard out there

So dust off your shoes because it's time to care

The youth are dying from all our inaction

Let's dig in our heels and take back some traction

Our bodies are dead without breathe from above

So get off the coach and move forward with love

Have you stopped reading?

I really don't care...

There's a point to this poem,

I hope you don't miss it

This isn't another fundamentalist

Guilt trip

It's that in a world that so full of

me, me, me

I have citizenship in

e ter nit y

But the concerns around me are

the GDP,

a Nintendo Wii,

new Flat TV

8 seater SUV

Now I hope we can see

That Christ came down

and he gave us the key

to show all how to be

set free

and finally

see

Every single prisoner freed from

Captivity!

10 Things all dads should do when their baby is born

2011-09-08T11:31:00.001-07:00

We just had a baby a few days ago. If you want to see pics and what nots check out peekfamilyblog.blogspot.com
You need to have permission to view, so shoot me an email at adamandtara@gmail.com

1) Keep a log of the birth - your wife will really appreciate it since the birth is quite a blur for everyone. Add little notes about how amazing she is...because she is doing something you never could, admit it.

2) Cut the umbilical cord - there's something very symbolic about this act. Your baby has been attached to your wife for 9 months and he/she is now their own. Yes, it's gross. I can't even watch ER and I did it. So can you.

3) Take lots of pictures - with digital cameras now a days, you can never take too many.

4) Don't find out the sex of the baby before hand - guys, you have nothing awesome to do on that day other than burst into the waiting room and loudly proclaim "It's a BOY or GIRL!" Your wife will say things about planning and stuff, but you are the leader. Fight for this moment. We didn't find out with our first two, it was awesome.

5) Pray over your wife and child - Pick out a long piece of scripture to pray over your wife and child after the baby is born. I chose Philippians 4. You will be setting up your child well and also, your wife will love your spiritual leadership. The prayers of a righteous man avails much.

6) Go home the first or second night - this will be very tough, trust me. However, if you can have your Mother in Law or a close friend sleep at the hospital, then you can go home and get some good rest. It's very important for one of you to be well rested that first day home. She is in good hands at the hospital.

7) Do all the laundry and dishes that night - When you come home and are there by yourself, don't just celebrate or relax. Make the house as maintenance free as possible for your wife and baby's arrival. She should not have to do anything or stress when she comes home.

8) Do whatever she asks - she has just passed a 5-9 lb human through her body and is very sore and tired. This is not the time to relax or feel self entitled. Clean, massage, change diapers, sweep, whatever. Remember, your wife is amazing!

9) Make sure someone has lined up meals for a few weeks - The women's ministry at our church does this and they are incredible at it. If nobody has approached you about it, make sure you find someone to own this task. You do NOT want to be responsible for all the meals at the end of the day. Even if you are a great cook and have time off from work, do this. It's a great way for people to serve and you get to experience all sorts of delicious food

10) Celebrate!! - After the first few days, have some buddies over and celebrate this incredible experience. You are a father! This experience is one that should not be taken lightly, but should be celebrated.

As a papa now of 3 kids, I don't have this whole thing figured out, but I know a little bit. We need more men to be men. Step up, serve your wife, raise your kids, provide. Own the responsibilities God has given to you. He created the world and He believes that you can do it! Learn to dance and play with your kids as they get older. Pray with them, talk about Jesus to them, tell them how cherished they are by you everyday.

Jesus and forks over knives

2011-09-03T09:47:00.001-07:00

Alright, so I watched forks over knives last night. Not sure what to do about it, but I feel like I have to do something.

Here's the basic premise. By making a simple change in our diets to eating only plant based whole foods, we can drastically reduce and almost eliminate diabetes and heart disease. The documentary does a compelling job of making the case for a vegan diet and the medical effects it could have on our Western society. Through clinical studies, historical data, modern stories, they build this case that the way to stop the number one killer of Americans is through a change in diet.

Many people would probably watch this and be very skeptical. Rightly so. It seems as though every new/old diet plan comes today and leaves this afternoon. To me though, this one has the historical data, scientific study, and real life tests to stick and we would be very prudent to take what they are saying and consider it's application to our lives. Tara and I are very seriously considering this, though we are going to seek additional medical advice prior to implementing.

Here's where I thought about Jesus. The documentary is posing a very simple solution to cure what ails us physically the most. We spend so much time, energy, money, and effort to come up with a cure for cancer (pharmaceutically) when the answer could truly just lie in how we eat. A simple solution for a very complex issue. They (the Forks over Knives (FOK) people) are like vegan evangelists trying to proclaim the good news of plant based diets to a society that doesn't want to hear it because they desire to keep living their lives in a self indulgent manner that will, if the Vegan folk are correct, lead to their destruction. The most selfish thing that the FOK (stop giggling 7th graders) people could do, if they are correct, is to not tell people the good news. Repent! The Kingdom of Good Health is at hand! Turn from your cancer causing ways and embrace the new way!

They will assuredly be met with all sorts of resistance. From the nutritional elite who swear that their way is the right way. From the skeptical and doubters who swear it can't be that simple. Finally, the people who acknowledge that it's correct, but refuse to act and turn because they enjoy indulging their selfishness too much. This new conversion is a simple act that will require all sorts of life changes and discipline.

The message of the cross carries so many similarities, it's crazy. Though, I think that the implications for being wrong are higher. Premature death in your 40's from heart disease cannot hold a candle to eternity in hell. However, the principles are there. A simple reorienting of your life and confession that you are going down the wrong path can lead to a life of pure joy. Problems will arise for sure, but Christians are to even find joy in the midst of pain. How many of our societies ills can be attributed not only to sin, but also to a civilization more focused on self than on Christ? I contend every one of them. Most of them can be traced back to the disobedience of the 10 commandments, honestly.

Forks over Knives.
Christ over self.
Perhaps the world can change with two simple yet ground breaking realities. I know for sure that the latter will do it.