Throw Away The Throwback

I can’t stand when the Bucs wear these old school uniforms. Not only are they ugly as sin, they remind me of how terrible my favorite team was when I was growing up. I have a hard time separating those uniforms from losing. In fact, when the Glazer’s bought the team back in the 90s, one of the first things they did was change the uniforms (they made the playoffs their first year in the new uniforms). Yesterday the horrible Carolina Panthers handed the Bucs their 6th straight loss. Guess which uniform they were wearing?

Some folks like to wear their past like a throwback jersey. They know that Christ has made them new. They know that their past only brings back memories of “losing”. Yet every now and then, they put on a “jersey” that represents where they were and not where they are going. This breaks my heart. The good news is this: their past might have made them but it does not define them.

If this is you, do us all a favor and throw away the throwback. We are invested in and rooting for your future, not your past.

Sunday Thoughts

1. Wow. What an amazing day!

2. About 15 minutes into worship our leadership team surprised me with a pair of tickets to the Bucs/Titans game.

3. They literally told me to hit the road and enjoy the game. Ted and I had a great (also cold and wet) time!

4. Thanks to my friend Jonnie W. for preaching this morning for us.It seems like everyone was in on the surprise.

5. The good news is that the Titans won. The bad news is that their win came at the expense of my Bucs.

6. I am truly humbled that I get to serve such great folks! I love our church!

7. Next week we kick off Christmas at the Movies! We’ll have the place decorated like a theatre with movie posters, there will be free popcorn for everyone, and we will have a blast. Don’t miss December at Xtreme!

Sunday Thoughts

1. Powerful worship today at Xtreme. Something special is happening.

2. I hate rainy Sundays because I know at least one person/family will use the rain as an excuse to keep them away.

3. I also hate rainy Sundays because I ‘m nervous that our roof will leak ; ) Back in January our church looked like a hot mess thanks to leaks.

4. I am so thankful that I get to pastor Xtreme. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else with anyone else!

5. My Bucs are killing me. I wasn’t expecting them to beat the Cheesy Breads anyway. I guess I got what I expected.

6. My wife will be working like a machine this week with all of the holiday shopping (she works in retail). I’m not a fan of Crack Friday.

7. I pray you have a great week enjoying the blessings of God with a spirit of thanksgiving!

Sunday Thoughts

1. Packed house today at Xtreme! Keep inviting!

2. I’m so pumped about where God is taking us! So glad to see all of the new folks who are connecting with Christ via Xtreme!

3. My Jaemi had to work today. I hate when she can’t be at church with me.

4. This time last year we were just starting to work on our new worship space. I am SO glad I don’t have to spend this holiday season sanding drywall ; )

5. Thomas gave me sour worms today. I am a happy man.

6. My Bucs are playing horrible football right now. What’s worse is they are playing bad against the Ain’ts!

7. I am so fired up after vision casting today that I am about to explode! Time for me to unwind.

Sunday Thoughts

1. Thank God for another GREAT Sunday at Xtreme!

2. I love that we are seeing new faces every week! Keep inviting and keep bringing.

3. My fantasy football team is stinking it up this year. Now I know how Cowboys and Eagles fans must feel.

4. Woke up this morning to a wonderful 42 degrees…outside. Fall is by far my favorite time of the year.

5. We are 4 weeks out from Xtreme Halloween. Last year we had over 750 people show up. Can’t wait to bless our neighborhood with a big party!

6. My Bucs will be playing on MNF. Can’t wait to see them whip up on the Colts. They better whip up on the Colts!

7. Have a great week! I pray October will be your best month yet this year!

Sunday Thoughts

1. Big thanks to Brandon Dean and his team from Clarksville Vineyard Fellowship for leading us in worship (song) today at Xtreme.

2. I’m thankful that my voice did not give out on me. On Thursday I could barely talk at all. Thank God for healing!

3. We got real about some serious issues today. I believe some folks were set free this morning.I am so glad that Jesus is in the “issue” business.

4. I got very little rest yesterday (coughing all night). I passed out as soon as I got home from Xtreme.Thankfully, I woke up to a BUCS and a TITANS win! That’s what’s up!!

5. Happy Birthday to Awaken Church in Clarksville. My friend Kevin Miller and his team are making Jesus famous in Clarksville. Great church!

6. We had our monthly leadership team meeting after service today. It’s an honor to work with such a great team. I couldn’t imagine having staff/leaders that I didn’t like. Our team rocks!

7. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

 

What’s the Deal?

Our nation is at a crossroads. I don’t know what will happen if these 2 sides don’t stop all of the politics and flip flopping. Now, more than ever we need these leaders to step up and do what’s right for the good of our nation. I for one am tired of all of the meetings and talks that seem to go nowhere. I’m tired of the name calling and blame-shifting. Bottom line:

I hope the NFL lockout ends this week so we can have pro football this fall!

Go Bucs!

Sunday Thoughts

1. It was a day of victory at Xtreme today!

2. I say that because I know the enemy tried to use drama, stress, and sleep deprivation as a distraction. He lost because he sucks!

3. Once again I found myself lost in worship. I could do an entire post just on how tangible the presence of God was today.

Kevin and the team do a great job leading us.

4. After 3 days out of town it is great to be with my family. It feels like my boys have aged 2 years!

5. I think VY is made of glass. Homeboy is having trouble staying healthy. The Titans are in trouble…

6. Hoever, I’ll live out the message from this morning and be thankful that my Bucs are kicking much tail!

7. “ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thes 5:16-18

Football Fever!

My friend Kevin wrote a great spiritual post about balancing Sunday worship and football. Read it here.

My post will be VERY unspiritual : )

I can’t believe I haven’t had a football post yet! I’m so glad life is back to normal. My Bucs and Titans are unbeaten! My fantasy football team is unbeaten! I love this time of year! What’s that you say? It’s only week 2? Shut it! I’ll take my victories where I can.

Why the Saints Should Go Marching In

I am not a New Orleans Saints fan. They are a rival NFC south team to my Bucs. However, I’ve decided to post some random reasons why the Saints should/deserve/neeed to win the Superbowl this year.

1. Black and Gold uniforms are awesome.

2. A Saint is a person of exceptional holiness. A Viking is a pirate with a Norwegian accent.

3. Great PR for Jesus, Catholics, and all the dear old ladies at our church.

4. It’s a season of giving and sharing. Come on Colts and Jets. You’ve already won at least 1 Superbowl and the Vikes have had 4 chances to get it done.

5. “Who Dat?” will be uttered by the President of the United States, thus reconciling all of the “articulate young man” issues he’s been having.

6. No NFC South team has repeated as division champs (I think). The 1st and last place teams usually flip -flop. That would mean my Bucs take 1st place next year!

7. We need a good parade right about now.