Just a thought........

Life Lived Backwards

2010-11-16T18:55:00.003-06:00

So, i set here tonight after one of the hardest afternoons i can ever remember. Today I had to take the keys away from my dad. he is only 76, yet he has short term memory loss. So, it got me to thinking. It would seem more fair to live life backwards......

Born with a pension and a social security check for life

Meeting your wife and growing young together

Watching your grand kids and kids get young

Very wise by the time you are in high School

Going to elementary with your young wife

Playing with a restless youth with plenty of money, wisdom and wit.

Till we are just a gleam in our parents eye! lol !

Just a Thought.....

Branded

2010-09-28T10:37:00.003-05:00

It was 1998.. I was the new kid in a very, very small town. The culture was a shock to me and my family. I knew i needed to learn to adjust, so I did. Not long after we settled in i met a man that would make a major impression in my life. His name, Elmer Nugent.

He was a fun, yet no non sense kind of guy. He became my mentor, father figure and a true Godly figure in the life of me and my family. There is a word that is used from the King James, its called.. "ensamples". It means indention.. or branded.

Elmer branded me. he challenged me not to "adjust" to culture, but rather lead it. I learned to be me and not a fake.

I just found out a couple of days ago that Elmer has cancer. He lost his son in a car accident three years ago. He has been through a lot. Yet, because he is not just a talker, but a doer, he continues to brand my life and others with straight forward encouraging talk.

Man, i hope I am just a quarter of the man he is some day.

He never branded me or others with stink'n religion. He always branded us with unveiled truth.

They have not given him much longer to live, but he will live for ever. He has branded my life.

I'm going to return to that small town to see him in a few days... what will i see? The brand that he is leaving. And if God does not wipe the cancer away and lets Elmer come home.. The Angels in heaven bess get ready to get branded by the new angel in town.

New Chapter

2010-08-22T16:20:00.002-05:00

As many of you may know Tami and I were """""""""""""this close""""""""""""""""""" to a divorce. Short story.... She called me, we reconciled... we are still together.

I have screwed up a bunch.... yet she and I have chosen to turn to another chapter of our lives.

More communication

Texting

Dates

Friends

Family

Spontaneity

Life!

A new chapter..... fresh start

Thank God!!!!!

Listen

2010-07-16T22:27:00.003-05:00

Listen

People are hurting in the shadows of your church.

Listen

People really don't care how cool your church is

Listen

Do you hear them.... Crying?

No? Turn down your Church programs...... Now do you hear them?

Listen

There are people in your Church who feel beat up because they don't feel like they can measure up to what you are beating them down with.

A whisper.... vaguely asking questions

Questioning God

Questioning life

Can you hear them?

Maybe you cant because they don't ask you... they are afraid to question you. So they ask God.

They might be mad at God... but even He knows that is taboo in a building with his name on it.

People need God

Did you know that?

Not YOU

God

Not your doctrine

God

Listen............. Shut the door of your church, just for a while and see what God is doing in other places that you would not be caught in.

He is under the bridge with a homeless person

He is at a bar watching them have fun, while you judge them for going.

He is holding the hand of a Muslim, Christian and a Buddhist because he loves them all.

He is at the football game... yep on a Sunday!

He is in Arkansas

New York City

Africa

Small towns

Churches

Temples

Honky Tonks

At a rich person's house

A Poor persons house

A card board box

He is at Wal - Mart

He is with you

Listen.. Shhhh...

Do you hear Him?

END OF TIME?

2010-07-07T21:13:00.003-05:00

Two facts of this Universe is.....

1. There is a God

2. We are not Him

It seems like every few years or so when a catastrophe happens all of the dooms day people start preaching about the end of time. The last days. The second coming of Jesus Christ.

Yes... I believe that He is coming again (for you that are already ticked at me for challenging "doomsday")

But end of time? Really?

Think about that.... Time never started.... and time (as we do not know it) will never end.

There are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many other things that we need to do before we worry about eschatology of the theological premise in which we spend our time debating how it is all gonna happen.

here are some ideas of how to quit wasting your time talking about "End Times"

1. Pray for yourself

2. Pray for others

3. Don't be a "Christian snob"

4. Stop freaking people out with freaklogy

5. Make someone laugh

6. Tell God He is awesome

7. Love

8. Live

9. Laugh

and last but not least.....

10. Make the best of time (as you DO know it)

Till he comes again.....

Just a Thought.....

Embrace Now...

2010-06-26T22:02:00.002-05:00

When I was a pastor I was always teaching on "Vision". The future... we were gonna do this or that or this or that.... That was great. Dreaming is great.. Vision is great and a must. However, just as many of us can get stuck in the past, we can get stuck in the future as well.

Right now we have life

Right now we have today

now we have these 24 hours

now we have time to throw the ball in the front yard with our kids

now we can enjoy good friends

now we can take a walk

now we can cry, laugh, morn or whatever needs to come out of our emotional system

Remember yesterday... it was great... but its a mere memory.

Tomorrow? Who knows??

Right now? Its here... now.

Take a breath and enjoy now........... Right now.

Just a Thought.....

My biggest complaint

2010-06-20T09:42:00.003-05:00

Complain....

It is something I do everyday.

I complain about.........

1. Gas prices

2. Dirty Laundry

3. The BP oil spill

4. My bills

5. My job(s)

6. The heat

7. The rain

8. The lack of rain

9. Traffic

10. Poor service at a restaurant

11. And ton's of other things

However, yesterday, I found out what my biggest complaint is.... Randy G. Wood

I get on my nerves more than anything listed above.

When it comes down to the core of me... when you strip away everything... I am selfish, sarcastic, hypocritical, greedy, mean, wrong, a religious bigot, sneaky, a gossiper and a ton of other things.....

No, I don't do all of that in one day... Yes, i am working on them and letting God do his thing.

So.. while I am complaining about everything and everyone and all of the "worlds" problems... I need to shut the hell up and work on one person.. Randy G. Wood.

How bout you?

Roots

2010-06-15T07:17:00.002-05:00

Victory, shame, continuous winner, bad health, good health. What do these words have in common? The answer is.. the root. The root is "the point at which something comes into existence or from which it derives or is derived".
Yesterday I was taking down an old fence which was used to be a grid or lattes for blackberries to grow.

As I began to take the fence down I was pulling off the dead vines. As I began to pull the vines I discovered that they were very deep rooted with several strong root systems. It took a LOT of digging and pulling and sweat to get the roots out of the ground. If i would have allowed the roots to remain then the vines would have continued to grow and take over that area of ground.

If we are to succeed in life the fruit of it is only from a strong root.

If we are dealing with bitterness, shame, etc. the same principle applies.

The root system of anything must be tended to in order for it to flourish or for it to die.

What do you need we need to strengthen?

What do we need to dig up?

What is our root system supplying?

Just a thought.....

Happiness

2010-05-30T19:21:00.000-05:00

What is happiness? Is or does it truly exist? If so, where does it come from?
If your a Christian, you might say, "it comes from Jesus"
If your a Hindu, you might say, " it comes from within"
Maybe both principles are true.
One thing is for sure. Happiness does not come from a single event. It does not come from instant riches. It can never come from ritual or rite.

Happiness is very illusive. Its not tangible.

Happiness is a bunch of great moments celebrated every time they happen.....

Happiness must NEVER be taken for granted.

Happiness must be celebrated very slow.

Happiness is not a toy.

Its not just an emotion.

Happiness is not a product for sale.

Its not just landing the dream job.

Happiness is not joy.

Joy is joy... a state of being.

Happiness is happenstance...... curcumstance.

But..... Its OK to be happy.

We should never feel guilty for being or wanting to be happy.

Then again, I did say Joy is a state of being, not happiness.

Hmmmmm, maybe it all begins with then hugh?

Just a thought.....
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Makeing a difference

2010-04-25T19:41:00.004-05:00

After Tami and I resigned as lead pastors of CrossPoint Church in Little Rock we started attending New Life Church at their Greater Little Rock Campus.

I admit, at first i was overwhelmed by the size at first (10,00 and growing between there campuses) But there is something else that overwhelms me, the way that they are making a difference.

One word, Wow!

NLC is not a Church that is about a "star" pastor, or any other big personalities. NLC is NOT about fads, competing with other churches, filling buildings, good music, good programs... NLC IS about Making a difference.

Go over to their website and see for your self. http://www.newlifechurch.tv

If you are looking for a place to worship, or just start a journey looking for God, try it out. If you don't want to come to the actual campus, watch them on line. If you want to be a part of something that is making a difference... come on!

Point A to point B

2010-04-23T06:08:00.003-05:00

There are things in life that we have to deal with on a daily basis. The main one is what I like to call, changing variables.

For example, we will always have four seasons in a year.... but the weather (at least in Arkansas) can change in one hour. Another example is, you have to get from "point a to point b" to get to where you need to go. However, certain variables can change that. Such as detours, a new road was built for easier access, or you just go a different way. The point is, "Points a and b" have not changed, just the things in between.

Get ready, because your life could change in a second! Just hold on tight to you core values and enjoy the ride!

Just a thought!

Right Now

2010-04-14T17:44:00.002-05:00

I am ALMOST 40.

As I begin this course of my new decade, I realize something. Right NOW is more important than anything in the world.

If you need to diet... Do it right now.

If you want to dance... Do it right now.

If you need to pray... Do it right now.

If you need to tell your spouce you love them... Do it right now.

Make the call... Now.

Make a difference... Now.

Hug your kids... Now.

Have a party...

Travel overseas...

Give something away...

Laugh...

Cry...

Forgive...

Walk in the woods...

Right Now

Fill in the blank, "Right NOW I need to____________________.

Now go do it.... Right Now

Just be yourself

2010-03-26T00:50:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had people try to dictate your who, what, where and why? Maybe you were born with a gene to be a comedian... BE IT!!, a serious person... BE IT!, shy... BE IT!, goofy... BE IT!, etc...
What ever God designed you to be.... BE IT!
Some are leaders and some are followers. Leaders need to lead, with grace and love. Followers need to follow, without compromising their own values.
It take a lot of different moving, and for that matter, still parts to make things work. In a business, school, church, office, etc.
But for goodness sake be JUST BE YOURSELF and allow YOURSELF to shine and be a part of the bigger picture!
You are who you are, if you don't like who you are then find your true self and be them.... It's OK.. JUST BE YOURSELF..
Just A Thought.....

It's all good

2010-03-19T22:46:00.003-05:00

Life has been a trip lately. Ton's of challenges for my family. But, it's all good.

Yes, i have been theologically challenged, spiritually challenged, physically challenged, emotionally challenged, beat up, knocked down, pushed down, walked on, laughed at, ticked off, sad, fearful, cowardly, fake, stupid, but its all good.

I haven't really been "following God" like i should, but, it's all good.

I have seen of my friends become silent to me, but its all good.

One thing i know is this. God loves me and his grace has NO opposite.. so, it's all good.

So in the words of Bob Dylan, "It's All good"

More than being.........

2010-03-15T20:41:00.004-05:00

In all of us is a survival instinct. Sometimes its all we have. Sometimes its what causes us to just.... well.... be.

Have you ever been there? Just being...............

There is an ancient yet relevant and still living quote "For we live, move, and exist because of him" That was a statement from Paul the Apostle. He was actually quoting a poet from his day and time. He was basically stating.. "Live'.

A good friend of ours that lives in Colorado has taught me so much about the subject of LIVING. Not just being, but living.

Dream? - yes

Walking toward the dream? - Yes

Live... don't just be.

How?

Good question....

Start.....

Go.....

Do......

Just be? - No

Live life

Did You Get It?

2010-03-03T09:04:00.004-06:00

Kock, Knock! Who's there? Didya. Didya who.................?
The moment was odd for the lil guy. As I overheard his conversation with his friends. When he got to the punch line, no one laughed. I looked at his expression and could tell that "he" was going to be the punch line if no one laughs. So, I giggled and said, "I get it!" And then I started laughing really hard. Then another kid said, that is so funny! Then another one said, that would make an awesome "redneck joke" for Jeff Foxworthy! I looked back at the eyes of the lil guy and could tell that he felt acomplished.
Why?
Because laughter is more contagious than any other thing in the world. Yet, most of the time we just dont "get it".
I am gonna challange myself to laugh more!
I am gonna try to find comedy, not just on the tv, but in life!
Who knows, maybe we could start a movement called.... well, "Laugh even if it aint funny!"
Oh.... the punch line was "Didya get it?"
Now thats funny right there, I dont care who ya are! :)

Bitter to Better

2010-02-25T11:10:00.001-06:00

So, I sometimes what its all about. I was a pastor (of a great Church) for 10 years. Me along with, my family, staff and many great volunteers gave our hearts to it, and now I realize i sacrificed my family for it. Wow! Did I really do that? I treated it like a business. i got "locked in" to the stupid politics of the "denomination" I was trying to be their golden boy!

Now that I am not pastoring, I am on the "outside of their camp". I'm not the "Golden boy".

Basically I am let down. I have let my wife down. I owe a ton of money to an the Bible College I went to. I only hope that some of my credits from the college transfer so that I can continue my education at another institution.

Bitter?

yep!

Whose "fault" is it?

Mine.

Will I be OK?

Sure!

Church is NOT a business!! It is a place where both parishioner and pastor should have a safe place to go without all of the politics to interfere.

So, here I am. "pastorless", and working against being bitter. And I will.

I have a ton of life to live (not necessarily time), but life.

Do I still desire to make a difference in this world? Yes. And I will.

I am going back to school, getting my licences to teach and desire to teach High School in the public sector. It will be tough... but its my passion. i will also be doing some motivational speaking when given the chance.

To anyone that reads this that i used to pastor, I love you. You were awesome. But, I wish the context of it were under a different set of eyes other that of the denomination I was a part of.

Bitter? a lil bit.... But I am gonna get better!

Kicking Cats

2010-02-22T05:52:00.003-06:00

Sometimes the way we frame a problem contains an assumption that prevents us from solving it.

Gotcha!... based on the title you probably got ready to cal P.E.T.A. and turn me in for animal abuse.

I heard it said that if you assume it makes an a** out of you and me.

I am at a time in my life where a lot of people have assumed that I am "not in the ministry" any longer, based on the fact that I am not a pastor.

Someone may be assuming that you are who you are because you failed, messed up, changed jobs, got a divorce, got married, changed your clothing style, etc...

Eg; Many people that did not no I was a pastor, find it strange that I was one. Why? Well, I shave my head, have a couple of tatts, can't stand to wear a tie, and love to kick cats.. (Kidding about the kicking cats ;) I have a cat, and love her! LOL! Anyway, I think you get the point. Kind of like those that are "in the church" assume that I am someone different now. Nope, I am the same.

How about you? Are you assuming something about someone? Or, are you allowing someone to assume something about you? Its OK, like my Father - in - Law used to say all the time.. "It is what it is". I agree. Just be who you are... Quit assuming, don't allow people to assume about you based on ANYTHING and please... quit kicking the cat!! :)

One grip at a time

2010-02-18T20:24:00.002-06:00

I'm not a mountain climber, but I respect the sport. Mountain climbing takes several discipline. It takes guts, strength, heart, vision, faith, knowledge and a whole lotta risk.

Life.... That's what I am climbing. It takes guts, strength, heart, vision, faith, knowledge, and a whole lotta risk.

To get to the peak is one thing.... getting there is another.

the first grip a smile

the second grip a giggle

the third.... a point of no return

the forth... wondering, "what in the heck am i doing" while smiling

a slip

grip again

faith

heart

guts

the top? sure... but the journey is what its all about.

Whats next?

Another mountain.... one grip at a time.

CAN DESTINY HAPPEN IN A VACUUM?

2010-02-14T19:23:00.002-06:00

This is a repost, what do ya think?

Remember the story of Macbeth? He tried to change his own destiny only to see the "prophesies" about him come true. To make a long story short he tried to avoid his foretold death only to be beheaded as his "fate".

Question: Can destiny happen in a vacuum?

I was talking to a coupe of co-workers on my break today and asked them this question. I posed the question in the form of what I call, "Plinko in a sealed room' Go with me on this.......

Remember the game 'Plinko" on the game show "The Price Is Right"? The game was all about the luck of the way a large poker looking chip would be dropped along the top of strategically placed pegs. When a person would drop the chip down the plinko board it would bounce along the pegs, and if "luck" was on their side it could land in the 10,000 money slot.

When the chip would land in a large money slot, the contestant would try from the very same spot with different results only to befrustrated.

Why?

I have been told that if you try the same thing you will get the same results. tell the contestant that. Maybe it is the atmosphere of the room. Maybe its the air coming from the vents blowing it. Maybe it is the rumble of the audience cheering vibrating it in a different direction. Maybe.

So, lets change the atmosphere.

A vacuumed room - sealed tight - plinko - a machine that is programed to drop the chip at the same place with the pegs, board, and all aspects with NO variables to change it.

Can destiny be changed in a vacuum? A sealed off room?

My co-workers said No. I asked, why? they said because its impossible to create that atmosphere.

Hmmmm.

As is life. THERE IS NOT A "ONE FORMULA" that can work EVERY TIME... Enter, the Cross. Jesus. The Messiah. YHWH. GOD. (Some "American Christian's" have their view of a long blond hair and bright blue eyes - I am not talking about him, I am referring to the one from historical scripture with out an American interpretation.

He (Jesus) said, "I am the (Only) way, the (only) truth the (Only) Life"

That, is destiny.

That IS a cure all.

So, from the moment we accept Christ, does our destiny begin? Free will VS. Unconditional Election.

Macbeth. Was that "supposed" to happened? Could it have changed?

Judas (who betrayed Jesus), was that "Supposed" to happened? Could it have been changed?

The plinko chip. In a sealed environment - could it fall in the same place every time?

Me and You, In a sealed environment - does that effect us?

Or, does God drop us on earth like plinko chips (with a Bible) and say "I'll see you on the other side."

What do you think?

Elephants, Gorilla's and other Animal's that poop

2010-01-29T16:32:00.003-06:00

Taking a Team within a company that has plateaued or is in decline to a level of healthy growth will be painful.

Some people don't like change or different.

Some people like it the "old way" because it's their style.

So transitioning the team into a healthy oiled machine will require sacrifice, a season of pain, and focusing on what really matters: people NOT product.

The first and most important detail that must take place for a dysfunctional team to become functional, is to expose what everyone already knows or think they know.

In other word's if there is an Elephant, Gorilla or any other kind of animal that is leaving a mess in the room; someone needs to talk about it.

There are different things that we do within a group of people that we work with that we would not do with our own family. For the most part we do not like to talk about or discuss openly any issues that the team is facing.

I call it, "Natural Tension"

Tension is needed within a group.

If we can get past our Ego, then the tension of the problem can be discussed in a healthy way.

The tension factor is usually handled by that one person in the group who is "the one person in the group" who speaks up all of the time. That, is unhealthy. There should be a way created within each cell or team for the tensions to be brought to the table.

Without tension, we will just white wash the issue only for it to resurface later.

In the next several posts I will talk about tension vs. conflict and how they are both recipes for success or failure.

My question for you is at this time would be this.....

Are there ant "tension's" on your team at work, school, church, etc... that need to be brought to the table. How do you deal or process through them?

How have you gone from unhealthy to healthy, or the reverse?

I would love to read your story.

Mud Pies and Relationships

2010-01-19T05:37:00.004-06:00

Mud Pies!

Remember them? Ha! Ha! I remember setting and making them with Keith, my child hood friend. We sat there and made those things, talked, laughed, dreamed and got very dirty in the process!

When I was a pastor I learned a lot about growth. Growth didn't come form technology. It didn't come from fresh methods and against religious popular belief, it didn't come from just prayer.

Growth came from "true relationships". Organic (authentic networking).

Before you read the rest of this post, ask yourself three questions:

1.) Can I name 3 people I work with by their first and last name?

2.) Do I know what their spouces names are (if single, why?)

3.) Do I know what their passion is?

Yes, technology was a great tool. Fresh methods were a must, but they were just that, methods. Prayer, yes it was/is a prerequisite, but it changed me not God.

If your brand, Church, Business, classroom, office, etc... is going to have that "stickability" actor. The relationships must start with you knowing who you are working with and for.

Know their families, there favorite foods, their passion, etc...

The more you get to know the true thing that makes your product stable (people) the more stable it becomes.

Want to rise to the top?

Plant from underground, with seed and cultivation of the seed. Yep, you will get dirty. But that is the fun of it all!

Have you and your team made any mud pies lately?

The Right People

2010-01-18T09:36:00.004-06:00

Who do you allow to talk to you?

Better yet, who are you listening to?

When you approach am issue, a problem, etc., what advice is in your arsenal?

Here are three types of people we MUST have in our life.

1. Connectors

They know everyone, and cab connect you to the group you need to target

2. Mavens

They know a lot of information about your target group

3. Sales people

They can take your product to your target group and sale it.

You nay know someone who holds all of these attributes or one. You may hold a couple of them yourself. The point is have them in your life. They need you, you need them and together you can cause what author, Malcolm Gladwell calls, "The Tipping Point. Its when your product or vision grows rapidly.

Who do you have in your life?

Why do "Christian's" say stupid things?

2010-01-14T10:55:00.004-06:00

So, yea... its been a crazy couple of days. Our friends in Haiti have met with some unreal disaster. Now we have the "Pat Robertson's" of the world saying it was "God's judgement because of a pact with the devil". Well, the "pact" may be true, but the rest is a lie.

Why do "Christian's say stupid things?!"

If I am correct, the life of Jesus was about him loving people who hated God. He had a passion for people. Period. Its called "Grace". That word CANNOT be defined in theological terms.

The next time you or i come across someone that is different than us..... guess what, you are different than them.

We should never, NEVER, allow STUPID, American Christian talk of judgement come out of our mouth.

God IS Love and there is nothing that will change His mind about that.

Sorting it Out

2010-01-10T21:12:00.004-06:00

Tami (my wife) went through all of our pictures and separated them into own categories. i took one of the boxes and and began to look at Jacob (our youngest son). The moments that were captured were awesome. He has the best laugh, smile and since of humor! I was able to trek through a ton of memories as I looked at them.

That has me thinking. There are some things in our life that we need to "sort out". Get them in order. Browse through our thoughts and our though process.

3 simple ways to do that.....

1. Get some boxes

2. Label the boxes

3. Sort them out

Sounds easy?? NOPE , its not.

Sorting out life is a whole other process.

Hurts, mistakes, old friends, sickness, bad economy, failures, success, tears, laughter, life, death, work, etc.....

Its all a mixed up mess sometimes.

But, the process starts with getting out the boxes and sorting away.

Go ahead, start the process.

It may take a while - but it will help you see how blessed you really are.

Can I question what YOU believe????

2010-01-07T21:37:00.003-06:00

Do you allow people to question you? Even if what you are stating is the correct answer?

E.g. 2 x2 = 4 Disagree? Of course not, however is it wrong to question the fact? Is it wrong to have dialog about the fact?

There is an ancient Scripture that states "Come, let us reason together."

Enter - questions on faith or brand

Do you allow people to question your belief system?

From a marketing stand point, do you allow people to question your brand?

Most of us are self proclaimed apologists. We will defend what we believe with a closed mind.

If our belief system can be stretched or our brand made more "stickable", then we must allow everyone from teacher, peer and student to have dialog with us. Allow them to ask "Why?"

Life is not monologue.... its Dialog.

Cmon, lets reason this out........ Lets let them ask ANYTHING THEY WANT.

Agree? Disagree?.............

The Now to the Wow

2010-01-03T14:09:00.003-06:00

Do you remember the commercial from "Duncan Donuts" where the baker said," it's time to make the doughnuts". It was a "mechanical" job.

You know what I mean? Doing the same thing day in and day out.

Don't misread me I like stability I like to know that I always have a place to run back into that is familiar. however i do not want that familiarity to become my enemy. i do not want to live a mechanical life.

Enter - adventure. Trying new things. tasting new foods, new culture, new areas along with my family. Taking the familiar and introducing it to adventure. Taking the now and introducing it to the wow.

Taking the donuts and adding some sprinkles.

How bout you?

wHO iS tIPPING yOUR pOINT??

2010-01-02T13:32:00.005-06:00

Malcolm Gladwell wrote "The Tipping Point" its a book about the little things that make a big difference.

The difference for me? People.

There are a few, a very few people that have made a "tipping point" in my life. The ones that are not afraid to challenge me - the non-wimps the ones who can see through my tented glass wall.

Here are those people:

My brother Rod - He is still my hero, and still calls me out on stupidity.

My wife Tami - She is something. She has put up with more s**t from me than one should ever put up with. She is the most authentic person i know.

My Father-n-Law Tom - Outside of Christ, he was the closest thing to perfect

My Son Luke - He teaches ME to be a better dad

My Son Jacob - He has taught me to dance with life.... again.

My friend (and former co-pastor) Brady ward - He pulls the creative out of me. He is a man of his word and is a great listener

My new friend - Tonya Montgomery (Friend of Tami's since 2nd grade) Her and her husband Jim and their kids live in Denver - She is teaching me how to network again and how to live again.

These are my people that cause and continue to cause tipping points in my life.

Who is tipping your point?

looking Back

2010-01-01T06:55:00.002-06:00

looking back over 2009 i can honestly say... hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. what a heck of a year. It was very, tough. A man who God let in my life nearly 24 years earlier went home to heaven. It has been a very hard and challenging blow to my wife and the family. It feels as if though there is a gap in our lives. i find myself having a question and wanting to call him. It hurts, and it sucks. He is my hero and i pray that i can become half the man he was. I learned how to be a REAL christian not a church christian. I learned how to accept people and how to strive to be a man of my word.

Another change was after 10 great years me and my family resigned from CrossPoint Church. Wow what a ride.

My son Luke became a senior in High School.

This is Jacobs last year in Elementary.

We moved our dad in with us.

I started working at Kroger.

Tami and i joined Facebook and have reconnected with some great friends.

And now.... Tami and I are getting ready to go back to school.

So whats 2010 hold - I resolve for it to be a year of "Adventurous Simplicity" Irony? yep but lets do this thang!!!!

Hello, my Name Is Randy Wood and I am a........

2009-12-27T14:13:00.003-06:00

Do you ever struggle?

I have been a "Christian" for over 22 years now. I have been in "ministry" for about 20 years now.

There are certain things in the "Christian Community" that are Taboo. Just don't talk about it. or use little things like, "I'll be praying for you" to walk around the subject at hand only to never give it another thought.

Hello, my name is Randy Wood and i am a.......

Person who struggles with belief in God

Ouch! For all of you preachers that have say or have said the ole, "I know, that I know that I know that I know......" Well, guess what I struggle with KNOWING.

Hello my name is Randy wood and I am a.....

person who struggles with being a good husband

Yep, I am a dude.. and most dudes struggle with it. I asked a fellow bus driver a few weeks ago how he stayed happily married for 67 years!! he said, "well, happy is not a good word..... I have learned to listen to her and shut up" yep... i struggle with the "shut up" part!

Hello, my name is randy Wood and i am a.....

person who struggles with a bad temper

person who struggles with my emotions

person who struggles with intolerant "christians"

person who struggles with addiction..... of a lot of stuff!

I struggle with the idea of 350 lbs preachers preaching about "gett'n free" when they are bound up in their fat gut!

I struggle with so, so much more.... but I guess I better not elaborate more or I might ruin my "christian profile" LOL!

Hello, my name is Randy Wood and i am a person who dares to laugh at himself.

How bout you?

We are Who we hang with

2009-12-23T19:30:00.002-06:00

Have you ever heard the saying, "You are who you hang with" ?

There is so much truth to that.

I love people. All kinds of people.

When i was in college, I hung with my peers Etc....

It's true, we are the company we keep.

It can be a double edged sword though.

Once again, I love people. But not all of them are close. As a matter of fact, most people I know i am not close to.

I only have a small group of people that I am close to. Even a smaller group that I "hang" with.

When i am at work, church, etc. it is easy to take on the attitude of the energy of those groups.

So, with that daily challenge, I hope to take on my own God given daily developed attitude. I would in short, like to be the best me I can be and be the example not the follower.

Dancing with Chaos

2009-12-18T19:52:00.003-06:00

There is a theory called "Social Entropy". Its basically another phrase for Dancing with Chaos. Another key phrase is "being fluid"

There is nothing "wrong" with having principals to stand on, but being "non-fluid" is.

With ANY social gathering and or event there MUST be a leader that is willing to dance with Chaos. Why? Because anywhere there are more than one person gathered THERE WILL BE CHAOS. There must be a person, leader that is willing to ALLOW the tension in the room create a rhythm to dance too.

No, i do not like chaos. However, I do like to try and be fluid enough to hear ALL sides of the story to try and come to a resolve.

Its tough, very tough. But someone has to dance. Someone has to "hear the song" and dance. Its the only way to be the agent of change.

At the office, factory, school, or where ever there are people.

CAN DESTINY HAPPEN IN A VACUUM?

2009-12-15T20:20:00.001-06:00

Remember the story of Macbeth? He tried to change his own destiny only to see the "prophesies" about him come true. To make a long story short he tried to avoid his foretold death only to be beheaded as his "fate".

Question: Can destiny happen in a vacuum?

I was talking to a coupe of co-workers on my break today and asked them this question. I posed the question in the form of what I call, "Plinko in a sealed room' Go with me on this.......

Remember the game 'Plinko" on the game show "The Price Is Right"? The game was all about the luck of the way a large poker looking chip would be dropped along the top of strategically placed pegs. When a person would drop the chip down the plinko board it would bounce along the pegs, and if "luck" was on their side it could land in the 10,000 money slot.

When the chip would land in a large money slot, the contestant would try from the very same spot with different results only to be frustrated.

Why?

I have been told that if you try the same thing you will get the same results. tell the contestant that. Maybe it is the atmosphere of the room. Maybe its the air coming from the vents blowing it. Maybe it is the rumble of the audience cheering vibrating it in a different direction. Maybe.

So, lets change the atmosphere.

A vacuumed room - sealed tight - plinko - a machine that is programed to drop the chip at the same place with the pegs, board, and all aspects with NO variables to change it.

Can destiny be changed in a vacuum? A sealed off room?

My co-workers said No. I asked, why? they said because its impossible to create that atmosphere.

Hmmmm.

As is life. THERE IS NOT A "ONE FORMULA" that can work EVERY TIME... Enter, the Cross. Jesus. The Messiah. YHWH. GOD.

He (Jesus) said, "I am the (Only) way, the (only) truth the (Only) Life"

That, is destiny.

That IS a cure all.

So, from the moment we accept Christ, does our destiny begin? Free will VS. Unconditional Election.

Macbeth. Was that "supposed" to happened? Could it have changed?

Judas (who betrayed Jesus), was that "Supposed" to happened? Could it have been changed?

The plinko chip. In a sealed environment - could it fall in the same place every time?

Me and You, In a sealed environment - does that effect us?

Or, does God drop us on earth like plinko chips (with a Bible) and say "I'll see you on the other side."

What do you think?

Intollerance of modern christianity

2009-12-11T20:19:00.004-06:00

The Christmas season is upon us, which means the Christians are gettin' mad.

Oh, yeah, I'm a Christian. Should I be mad right now?

Evidently I should. I should be very angry about these Atheists Holiday adds, which promote a secular approach to ~~Christmas~~ the holidays.

Silly, hugh?

Why are some Christians so intolerant?

Who is right?

We study God (Theology) really?? God? we study Him? We have Him figured out?

Is he a "Southern God"?

Is He a "Yankee" God?

No, No I Got it He is an American God.... Wrong!

What denomination is He?

Cmon, admit it. We all think we are "right" and they (they being other religions) are wrong.

Growing up i spent most of the weekends at my Grandma's house. I would sleep on a pallet on the floor and she would talk to me about God with a since of colorful love. She was so real, so authentic. She was a "Jehovah's Witness".

Later when I became a "christian" I was told they (my Grandma and her "cult") were wrong and going to hell.

I even remember saying that behind a pulpit while preaching one time.

I was... Intollerant.

I was a bigot.

Do I agree with their belief system? Nope.

Do I think they are wrong? Nope.

Think about it. When you worship God on the day that you set aside to worship Him, what does He see?

Once again. I believe in God. I believe that he knows me inside and out. he loves me a whole lot more than I love Him. The rest.... its up to Him.

My Grandma? Yep, He loved her too. :)

I was a narrow minded bigot!

2009-12-10T16:44:00.005-06:00

Before I write this I want to establish a couple of facts

First, I used to be a bigot! A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.

Secondly it is my own personal opinion that I believe there is a God and that He loves me. I know that Jesus Christ is His Son and that He died for me. I know that there is NOTHING that will stop God from loving me, nothing.

Now that I said that I want to rant just a little.

I am a guy who has been graced with a gift to love people NO MATTER WHAT or WHO they are.

For the last 20 years i tried to keep my self "separated from the world". Because that is what narrow minded "christians" do.

I was taught and taught others that basically God was ticked. I was taught and taught others that there is a standard to live by.

I was told and told others that gay people were going to hell.

I was told that if a person does not go to church they are not really "saved"

I was told and I preached that "our way was it".

Sad hugh? Sad that I was such a judge. Such an arrogant jerk.

Sad that I was all about trying to be cool.

Sad that i looked down on "smokers, drinkers, non believers, other religions, etc.

No I am not some ticked of preacher ticked off at other preachers. I am a Man who Knows there is a God that loves us a whole lot more than we love Him.

He does not care how many were at your church last Sunday. he does not care how small your church is.

From my own perspective, I believe that "christians" need to stop being bigots and stop asking for so much when many give out so little.

If you call yourself a "christian" then please, for the love of God, smile!! (pun intended)

Just get out of your little shell and laugh!!!!!

Check your narrow mind at the door and look at mankind and say to yourself, "I am just as screwed up as everyone else"

No creed can "save" you.

No church can "save" you.

No man can "save" you.

God chose, ALL BY HIMSELF, to love us.

If you disagree, please let me know. If you agree, let me know.

Big Picture Thinking Part 1

2009-12-05T19:16:00.003-06:00

.....IT IS A MESS.....

Now, when you read that you probebly see a negitive statement.

Its not fair though. Its like walking in on the middle of a conversation and walking away before its over and all you heard was "it is a mess".

Big picture thinking is more that that.

If you are dealing with a product or a person, then 'big picture thinking" is the biggest ingredient.

Here are three things to consider when being a "Big Picture Thinker".

1. What happened before you got there.

2. What is happening now.

3. What do those facts predict about the possible future results.

Here is another look at .....IT WAS A MESS.....

When we came home, our dog had drug a trash bag out to the yard. It was a mess! So we walked outside and cleaned it up and secured the trash in its proper place.

If you are dealing with people, this theory is a must! You MUST be a big picture thinker!

8 sure fire ways to stay positive

2009-11-27T07:30:00.001-06:00

1. Look in your bedroom closet, I bet you have clothes.

2. Look at your checkbook. The balance is low, but you bought food for your home.

3. Look at your past, all of your failures are forgiven.

4. Look at your present, you have NOW.

5. Look at your future, because if you failed in your past and its effecting your present, you can change your future.

6. Look behind you..... see I told you your failures are gone!

7. Look at your NOW, don't you feel better?

8. Look at your future, ahhh! You can't see it?? Neither can I. Its called an empty canvas that God wants to paint in partnership with you.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

10 things that I love to laugh at!

2009-11-25T20:54:00.004-06:00

OK, So you may know, I work at Kroger and Drive a bus. Here are some of the things I really enjoy about my job(s)

One of my all time favorite things to do is watch people. Why? Cause people (including me) are a trip!

Here are 10 things that make me belly laugh!

10. The lady who comes in every other day to get fresh rye bread, if we are out she proceeds to throw a fit because the bread is for "communion". Ummm OKKKK!!

9. The guy who comes in every Tuesday with his sweet, yet strong willed wife of 61 years and just paiently waits. I ask him the same question every Tuesday. "Whats your secret" he always just smiles and say's "I just say ""yes dear"".

8. The Young lady that "begs" her child to be a good boy. Really?????

7. The construction workers who come in to eat, wearing suspenders, butt crack still showing!! LOL!!!

6. The little old lady on Tuesday that comes in like clock work to tell me a story about the hat she is wearing that day. One week it was about her trip to Tunica, the next was about eating with those damn Church people.. Love her!!

5. The young boy on my bus who always tells his sister, "I am gonna tell MaMa on you!!" (you have to have siblings to appreciate the humor in that!)

4. The little boy on my bus who picks his nose and "secretly" rubs it on another little girls backpack! (Nope, i have not called him out on it yet... she has it coming) :)

3. The 8th grader, who is an "honor" student but could not tell me his adress!!

2. The 4th greader who sounds like Larry the Cable guy when he talks.

and 1?

1. The kid who has gas EVERY Friday morning. Why, well I asked him the other day why he has to fart every Friday on the bus at least 238 times!!! (ok maybe 3 or 4) His answer? "Because Thursday night is Taco Night"

Things that matter

2009-11-24T17:08:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving...........

Its about the the things that matter.

A couple of years ago I lost my brother.... The time we had as kids, mattered.

A few months ago I resigned from a Church as a pastor of some wonderful people.... The people that I pastored, mattered.

Almost 21 years ago I married Tami. The whole marriage matters.

17 years ago luke was born, he matters

11 years ago Jacob was born, he matters

All of the junk, all of the things that are tangible, really dont matter. They have there place, but they dont matter.

Friends that we make and learn from, matter

Even some of the enemies that we learn from, matter

People matter.

You matter.

Be thankful.

Smile

Laugh

Enjoy your life, because NOW matters.

Happy Thanksgiving

Then I Blinked

2009-11-23T19:57:00.002-06:00

Then I blinked
The earliest memory that I have as a child is waking up and thinking no onw was in the house and i freaked out! I think I was about 4. Then I blinked.....

I was entering kindergarten and ready to takel the play-doe project. Then I blinked.....

I was entering the 6th grade and my body was changing and girls no longer had "kooties". Then I blinked.....

Jr. High School. Lol. I wont even go there at the moment. Then I blinked.....

High School. Scarey. Then I blinked.....

Met Tami (My wife). Then I blinked.....

Our first child. then I blinked.....

Then college and then another child then another blink.....

Now a 17 year old and a 11 year old. Blink.....

Opps... just a second.....

Had to fix my contact lens, I blinked again and it almost fell out....

Just a Thought.....

People "A" and People "B"

2009-11-22T15:35:00.004-06:00

Meyer Friedman, an American cardiologist, noticed in the 1940's that the chairs in his waiting room got worn out from the edges. They hypothesized that his patients were driven, impatient people, who sat on the edge of their seats when waiting. They labelled these people "Type A" personalities. Type A personalities are work-aholics, always busy, driven, somewhat impatient, and so on. Type B personalities, on the other hand are laid back and easy going.

One is not better than the other. Each compliment the other.

Enter... Team Leader Training.

If a person is in leadership or Management, (which by the way, are not necessarily the same), do not know their leaders then the lid of effectiveness is lower than it should be.

Leadership Expert John Maxwell said, “Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them."

If a leader or a manager wants to be effective, then the daily practice of knowing people A and People B must be in place.

People are people. They have feelings, family, friends and foes. With that comes all kinds of emotions. When those emotions manifest (and they always do) it is very important to know and understand the person.

Yes, it does take a lot of work... however, the long term of it produces people who produce.

As for person A and Person B. They will reward you with less worn out seats. ;)

TO ALL OF MY FULL TIME "PASTOR FRIENDS"

2009-11-10T20:52:00.004-06:00

So, i always said that life is a roller coaster. I have used all kind of metaphors in trying to describe it when i was a pastor. Now that i am not one, I am defining it from a different view. I really.... I MEAN REALLY, was out of tune with the average worker. Now that i am working a couple of jobs I understand this side I'm on a little better. So, to all of my full time "pastor friends", please know that you may have a stressful job, but you also need to get out and join the sweating workforce from time to time and see what they are going through on a daily basis. Find out (lest you forgot) what its like to have to use a sick day to stay home with your kids When they are sick. Find out whats its like NOT to be able to go to "meetings" several times a week and brainstorm with your team at your Church. Find out what its like to be in the middle of the work force and see what they deal with 50 - 60 hours a week. Leave your office, leave your favorite coffee shop, leave your pulpit just long enough to smell, touch, taste, see and feel what your hard working "tithe paying" members are doing. Being a pastor is a calling... yes. But its also a privilege.

Halloween Memories

2009-10-29T18:30:00.002-05:00

This Saturday is Halloween! Man, we had a good time growing up getting all of that free candy (those tiny snickers and reese's cups) I grew up in a family of 7 so we didnt get to buy our costumes. We would make ours. Wow, that brought out our creativity!
What is your greatest memory of Halloween?

DENOMINATIONAL NON-SENSE

2009-10-17T21:37:00.006-05:00

- God calls a pastor to a city, not a denomination.

- If a Church wants a particular Man/Woman to be there pastor and he/She feels the same you'd think that would be the will of God.

- When a man/woman does not fit the "mold" of that denomination, they are rejected.

- God says yes, while man (denomination) is saying no.

- So, because God WILL NOT go against the will (free choice) of man, then the Church that is controlled by the denomination will suffer and loose its identity and be forced to shape up to a different image or ship out.

- Church planting??????? yea, i know its the thing to do right now. Yes, it works and it is awesome. however, what about Church "re-planting" ?

- Shouldn't existing churches (That are willing) be allowed to be transformed through leadership (pastor) that is not "like" the denomination?

- We are called to people, towns, cities, over seas, inner city, rural, etc....

- i guess the denomination might say (or probably think, because saying it would take to much guts) "Don't bite the hand that feeds ya"

- Sad

_ heartbreaking

- Dont ya think?

Rust

2009-10-13T21:46:00.003-05:00

RUST

I have heard it said that there are three stages to relationship
1. Lust
2. Rust
3. Dust

Our relationship with anything requires attention – If not we get, awkwardness, lack of faith, lack of movement, which ends up being…..RUST

There are three key and vital relationships

1. God
2. Family
3. Strangers

Within these three it requires some type of communication – some type of involvement, some type of ongoing movement.

What happens to cause us to Rust Up? What is it that would cause us to come to a place of worthlessness, uselessness and depressed.

"Fe2o3"

That is the chemical formula for rust

What happens in this process?

At what point do we feel useless, broken, worthless and or depressed?

TEXT

Song of Solomon 2:15 (New International Version)

15 Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom

It’s the little things that cause us to rust. It’s the little things that we think , “no big deal”

There are several actions that take place when our vine is spoiled, or our relationships become rusty –

It’s a process , not an event

The first Action that causes Rust is – Oxidation
Oxidation is………

AN UNNEEDED CHANGE

The second action that causes Rust – Corrosion

Corrosion is……….

AN UNWEEDED CHANGE

The Final action that cause Rust is – Rot

Rot is…….

AN UNHEEDED CHANGE

Are you feeling a little Rusty?

Is Hope a Dangerous Thing?

2009-10-09T20:22:00.004-05:00

I was watching one of the greatest movies of all times, "The Shawshank Redemption". Morgan freeman was responding to what Tim Robbins had said about hope. He said, "hope is something they could cannot take away."

"Oh, that I might have my request,
that God would grant what I hope for

That is what Job prayed in the 6Th chapter.

Hope is something that has to be dug up from deep rooted hurt sometimes.

There are three things that I am currently hoping for.

1. That i no more regrets. (the opposite of regret is joy)

2. That I can have enough finical peace to sustain my family more than ever.

3. The return of Christ.

Hope - Its a dangerous thing -

Its something that cannot be taken away.

What are you hoping for? What are you digging for?

I CAN'T COMPARE!

2009-09-30T16:14:00.001-05:00

Have you ever sat and listened to someone tell their story of success? I sat and listened to a friend tell of all of their escapades and things they have done. I smiled and listened as they sipped on their starbucks and talked about money, travel and what not.
A part of me was jealous, while another part of me was sick.
Why was I wanting what they had? All of a sudden I felt like they were better than me! I mean look at me, I am just a school bus driver and I work in a grocery store.
I can't compare to them or their other friends. I don't make that kind of money and don't know if I ever will.
I guess its just something I need to get over. I guess its just me being stupid.
I did it when I pastored too. I would compare myself with other pastors. My Church with other churches, etc.
I guess I'm the proverbial kid with the "prowing" shoes wanting to ware the brand name "Nike's".
I CANNOT compare!
This is just me being real here.
Do you ever get that way? Come on be real with me!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Between Two Worlds

2009-09-25T22:49:00.002-05:00

As Jesus hung on the cross it is said in the Scripture that He was suspended between heaven and earth.
It was at that point that He was caught between two worlds.
In the world below He was leaving 33 and 1/2 years of family, ministry and friends.
In the world above it was heaven the place of beginnings (for the lack of a better term).
Have you ever been there? Stuck between there, here and there?
Wanting "this cup to pass from you"?
Feeling rejected after dieing for your cause?
Thats what it means to be caught in between two worlds.

What jesus wanted to do is to tell the world that God loves them... they did not like Him or recieve Him. Heaven was waiting.... The angels were watching and God was weeping.

Today.... we are there... stuck between the there, here and the there. The world rejects us, the angels are watching and God is weeping.

One day it will all make since... Until then, be you. be yourself be creative and keep listening to God.

We are suspended between earth and heaven... they are watching. They are wondering why you are unique. Why you just wont be like them (the unchurched, the churched, the christian, the non believer, etc....).

What do we do. We remain open to His uniqueness to be manafest in us. His creativity to be used through us.

Be different

Be you

go for it

yea, they might kill you, but you will end up there. :)

TRAPPED

2009-09-20T20:27:00.001-05:00

1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
  4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"
  6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
  9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
  11 "No, Lord," she said.
  And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
—————

People are trapped

Religion is trapped

We can be seduced by systems that will trap everything about us.

Our creativity

Our expression

Our opinions

Our interpretations

Only when we are caught in the act of sin does the church at large come on the scene…. To stone us.

I am not speaking on tolerance this morning, I am speaking on grace

Trapped, confused, dirty, matted hair, naked before her accusers (while the dude got away!!!!)

Sin? Yep

Wrong? Sure

Guilty? As charged

Do you remember what it was like to be trapped?

Can you relate to people who are?

Are you trapped on this side or that side?

This side –

The woman that was caught……..

Jesus was teaching, they brought this women and threw her on the ground in her shame at the feet of Jesus

She was snatched out of the bed

Most likely not enough time to put her clothes on

She lays there trembling and shaking
Dazed, confused and condemned

Trapped by her sin

Oh what a terrible thing to be trapped on this side. What a terrible thing to know that you are living in a way that does not please God.

To know that at anytime your sin could be called out on you.

Trapped

To know that you want to stop, but can’t

She probably said to herself as she lay in the bed after the act, “why do I keep doing this?”

Why can’t I stop?

Why can’t I get out of this depression?

Why do I gossip so much?

Why do I always spend more than I make/

Why do I do what I do?

Trapped

The evidence was in their hands and all she could do is sob on the ground as they asked Jesus,

“What are you going to do with this women???!!!!!!”

Trapped

THAT SIDE

Religion, the Church, the ones who have it all right??”

The Pharisees knew the word; they just did not know the author!

They came to challenge the author about his own word!

It’s always stupid to challenge an author about a book he wrote.

They attacked that women’s sin in the name of the “word”

They attacked her with words, they abused her with words

Calling her a whore, no good person

Trapped!!

(Story of a lady at Ferndale Assembly of God that was told to wear a dress if she came)

Trapped!!

On this side it’s hard to see grace

On that side it’s harder

She has shame

They have venom and judgment

They threw her down and said

What are you gonna do now?

She lay whimpering

Trapped

But before he spoke……………….

The bible states that He stooped down

On that ground is where divinity touched humanity

The statements were not in what he word or words or whatever He wrote

The statement was that he turned his back and did not say anything

She was trapped – Jesus was stooping

When the law caught us in the lowness of our sin, God stooped

They watched him

She peaked out of the corner of her eye

Maybe in his silence they remembered some of the words that the author of the book said
Like…….
“He humbled himself even a little lower than the angels

“He came in flesh”

As a baby in a horse troth

He became poor so we could be rich

Isn’t it funny, that when the religious men stood up, Jesus stooped down?

Do you remember what it was like to need Jesus to stoop down and save you?

Jesus stooped down, because she could not get up

Trapped

I don’t wanna thank him for my job this morning, or my clothes or my house or my family

I wanna thank Him because when I was caught in the act on THIS SIDE – THAT SIDE had to throw down there rocks!!!!!

I was in trouble

Trapped

No where to look – so low I couldn’t look up

But Jesus stooped!!!!!

Jesus reached waaaaayyyyy down

I should have been stoned –

They had the evidence to destroy me

My sin mocked me

I was trapped!

This side – that side

To get out of the trap of this side we have to allow Jesus to stoop down

To get out of the trap of that side, stoop down yourself!

What Context of "Religion" did you grow up in?

2009-09-17T18:38:00.002-05:00

1. Denomination?

2. What part of the country?

3. How many times a week?

4. Traditional or Contempory?

5. Which version of the Bible did you read (KJV, NIV, Etc.....)?

6. Small Church or large Church?

7. Anything else?

Context, Concept and perception

2009-09-15T20:34:00.003-05:00

Where were you born?

What is your sex?

What foods do you like?

What denomination are you?

What race are you?

Were you raised in the suberbs?

Where you raised in the country?

CONTEXT.............

Although Jews of whatever persuasion shared a common loyalty to the Mosaic Law (in Hebrew, Torah), first century Judaism was marked by considerable diversity. The principal groups were the Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots and Essenes.

Who was right?

The Calvinists believe in the T.U.L.I.P (google it if you have not seen it)

The Arminisist believe in choice

Etc.....

Who is right?

We have to filter the facts first.

1. There is a God

2. We are not Him

3. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary

4. He lived for 33 years and 6 months

5. He was killed

6. He rose again three days later

7. he told us He is coming back (HE HAS NEVER LIED BEFORE)

How do you read this? How do you know you are right?

Is God really Jesus?

Does God come in other forms?

Now remember - strip away your context, grab your Bible and read it for yourself.

Enter it with an open mind and bring its culture into your culture, then what do you have?

Part 3 coming soon

Context, Concept and Precept

2009-09-14T19:51:00.003-05:00

Context is everything.....

The airline announced a 45 minute delay and everybody on board was getting ticked. By the time they got to Sacramento, the flight attendant explained that there would be another 45 minute delay. People could get off and walk around and reboard in 30 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except for one man who was blind. He regularly traveled on this airline and the pilot knew him. The pilot called him by name and said, “Keith, we’re in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs for awhile?”

Keith replied, “No thanks, but maybe my dog, Roy, would like to stretch his legs.”

Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a completely quiet standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the Seeing Eye dog. The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.

People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, they also were trying to change airlines!!

Context is everything... Including what we percieve and believe about GOD..... Part 2 coming soon

Me, Angry?

2009-09-13T16:42:00.003-05:00

So, i posted on my facebook this quote,

Randy G. Wood Is it really a big deal to say "we had a huge crowd at Church today"? Just curious, because the USC - Ohio State game had over 100,000 people last night.

A friend of mine responded by saying "You seem angry".

I don't think I am. Or, maybe i am.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am a husband. I am a dad. Anything other than that is just extra.

For the last nearly 20 years of being a preacher/pastor, I got so caught up in all of the extra stuff that goes on in Church. When I pastored at CrossPoint, I could not wait to tell someone that we had 180 on a Sunday Morning.

It was an ego stroke to me.

Am I angry?

Well, if being disgusted by all of the egotistic pastors, leaders, and so forth keep using their status to say "Hey, I am the man", in so many words, then yes I am angry. That breaks the heart of God.

Do we really think He is impressed with how many we have at a Church service?

No, I do not think small rinky dink stalled out churches impress God either.

Its awesome to walk in ANY atmosphere that has a lot of people you like and see, who are there for the reason you are. (Church, a football game, a bar, a school event, etc...) but,

My whole point is... Who cares?????

I am a follower of Jesus Christ (who, by the way loves me more than I love Him) a husband and a dad.

Those are the things that He is impressed with. That I take the daily challenge of a smile and share it with people.

Am I angry. Well, maybe.... naaaa, just glad I'm not the insecure pastor I used to be.

By the way, I don't like Ohio State either :)

Carry on my wayward son

2009-09-09T21:32:00.001-05:00

Carry on my wayward sonThere'll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon't you cry no moreOnce I rose above the noise and confusionJust to get a glimpse beyond this illusionI was soaring ever higherBut I flew too highThough my eyes could see I still was a blind manThough my mind could think I still was a mad manI can hear the voices when I'm dreamingI can hear them sayCarry on my wayward sonThere'll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon't you cry no moreMasquerading as a man with a reasonMy charade is the event of the seasonAnd if I claim to be a wise manIt surely means that I don't knowOn a stormy sea of moving emotionTossed about I'm like a ship on the oceanI set a course for winds of fortuneBut I hear the voices sayCarry on my wayward sonThere'll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon't you cry no moreNo(Carry on)You will always remember(Carry on)Nothing equals the splendorNow your life's no longer emptySurely heaven waits for youCarry on my wayward sonThere'll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon't you cry no more - Kansas 1977
Yep!!! That was me, nuff said!

I StRuGgLe With Envy Part 2

2009-09-05T22:51:00.002-05:00

Its not just other people that I envy........

I envy my self. Yes myself.

Who I used to be - Young, skinny, hair, and my 1971 Ford truck

Who I want to be.

I envy my own goals! Yea, that is silly, but I do.

I paint for myself the "perfect picture" and seemingly fall short of it.

So I am in a slowwwww process of learning how to just enjoy who I am, while thanking God for my past and reaching toward the future.

Envy.... Its a tricky thing.

Even if the person you envy is you.

I STrUgGLE WiTh EnVy.....

2009-09-03T17:26:00.001-05:00

I know what the Scripture says about it.. But I still struggle with it.

I envy pastors who have seemingly "made it"

I envy people with huge homes and nice cars

I envy married couples who "seem" like they never fight

I envy people that are smarter than me

I envy people who have no job, yet "seem" to make it just fine

I battle these and a bunch more.

God, forgive me.

Anyone else?
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

I used the wrong side

2009-09-01T20:04:00.003-05:00

Have you thought about the grace of God lately? I mean really thought about it.

The Bible states that we gained access to grace. An unlimited source, right?

Well I have an analogy. It comes from me being a dork.

This afternoon I was trying to use our "swiffer". I sprayed the stuff with the trigger and began scrubbing. All that was happening was a smudge. It was not getting clean.

Aggravated, i sprayed more and scrubbed harder. Once again nothing but a smudge. the harder I worked the worse it got. No matter what I did it just got worse! Then, i looked at the bottom of it and realized, yep you guessed it, that I had the pad on upside down.

So I simply turned the pad around and it worked just like I was supposed to.

Sometimes we work so stinking hard at gaining access to grace. We scrub harder only to have a big smudge.

We are judged by all kinds of people and think we need their validation. People like; preachers, pastors, TV Evangelists, a Sunday School teacher, etc....

If you are reading this and have screwed up in anyway, form or fashion and cannot feel the forgiving grace of God then quit using the wrong side.

Simply turn over away from man and allow Him to do what He does best..... give you access to Him and apply His grace to your life.

Passing the Baton

2009-08-30T17:19:00.003-05:00

I am awe struck by the science of a relay race. The complexity, speed, and unity are the three key ingredients to a win.

After pastoring CrossPoint Church for the last 10 years, I truly feel God is setting them up for the next level. I look back and see what God has done, but I am more excited of what He is going to do there through the leadership that He will be putting into place.

I feel so blessed to have been part of the History of it all.

In the past few weeks I have searched my heart about our tenure as pastors at CPC. Well, I now feel the baton is being passed. The race is still on! Wow, what an awesome thing!

If you read this please pass it on to anyone who has ever attended CrossPoint Church (formally Ferndale Assembly of God). Pray for CPC. Share a memory or two here. Let the leadership know that you stand with them for the future that God has for them.

To the future leadership, I pass the baton. To the board and core leaders, I pass the baton. Keep running in unity as God does amazing things through each of you!

Feel free to post your memories here and ask anyone you know who ever attended to do the same.

Life is fast!!

2009-08-16T21:35:00.003-05:00

Wow, the speed of life is freaking me out!

Luke will be a senior at Joe T. Robinson High School.

Jacob will be in the 5Th grade at Chenal Elementary.

Heck, my dogs are even getting older way to fast.

I have been married for 20 years (yep, Tami has put up with me for a long time, LOL)

When I listen to music from my day, its considered "The Oldies"

But, I am at a new adventure.

That adventure? Well, its an adventure that is slower than what I am used to. Our lives have changed so much in the last few weeks.

As a pastor I thought about it 24 hours a day.

As an employee of Kroger I do my job and go home.

As a bus driver, I do my job and go home.

Wow, Its different.

My goal for the next year is for Tami and I to reconnect with old friends, and make some new ones.

Cookouts, Take Tami Dancing, Worship at a Church, Be immersed in the daily lives of Luke and Jacob, take walks, blog, invest in my marriage, pet my dogs, laugh more, make a difference - not as a pastor - as a follower of Christ and human being.

So, what about you? Please don't wait. Enjoy your life. Move forward. Don't get stuck.

Like an old quote i heard, "Those who were dancing were thought to be crazy by others, because the others could not hear the music"

WOW MOMENTS!

2009-08-12T06:56:00.002-05:00

I love this!! My passion is thinking OUTSIDE of the box! This nails it! I saw this over at http://www.stephenBrewster.me Click there and read his post on it!

CAN DESTINY HAPPEN IN A VACUUM?

2009-08-10T19:20:00.006-05:00

Remember the story of Macbeth? He tried to change his own destiny only to see the "prophesies" about him come true. To make a long story short he tried to avoid his foretold death only to be beheaded as his "fate".

Question: Can destiny happen in a vacuum?

I was talking to a coupe of co-workers on my break today and asked them this question. I posed the question in the form of what I call, "Plinko in a sealed room' Go with me on this.......

Remember the game 'Plinko" on the game show "The Price Is Right"? The game was all about the luck of the way a large poker looking chip would be dropped along the top of strategically placed pegs. When a person would drop the chip down the plinko board it would bounce along the pegs, and if "luck" was on their side it could land in the 10,000 money slot.

When the chip would land in a large money slot, the contestant would try from the very same spot with different results only to be frustrated.

Why?

I have been told that if you try the same thing you will get the same results. tell the contestant that. Maybe it is the atmosphere of the room. Maybe its the air coming from the vents blowing it. Maybe it is the rumble of the audience cheering vibrating it in a different direction. Maybe.

So, lets change the atmosphere.

A vacuumed room - sealed tight - plinko - a machine that is programed to drop the chip at the same place with the pegs, board, and all aspects with NO variables to change it.

Can destiny be changed in a vacuum? A sealed off room?

My co-workers said No. I asked, why? they said because its impossible to create that atmosphere.

Hmmmm.

As is life. THERE IS NOT A "ONE FORMULA" that can work EVERY TIME... Enter, the Cross. Jesus. The Messiah. YHWH. GOD.

He (Jesus) said, "I am the (Only) way, the (only) truth the (Only) Life"

That, is destiny.

That IS a cure all.

So, from the moment we accept Christ, does our destiny begin? Free will VS. Unconditional Election.

Macbeth. Was that "supposed" to happened? Could it have changed?

Judas (who betrayed Jesus), was that "Supposed" to happened? Could it have been changed?

The plinko chip. In a sealed environment - could it fall in the same place every time?

Me and You, In a sealed environment - does that effect us?

Or, does God drop us on earth like plinko chips (with a Bible) and say "I'll see you on the other side."

What do you think?

Just listen!

2009-08-07T22:20:00.003-05:00

Conversation. Its a lost art. Especially with a lot of "Christians". Have you ever noticed in the Gospels that Jesus listened to people , (NOT THE PHARISEE'S), but to the ones that would reach His heart?

I get really tired of egotistic Christians, preachers, pastors that don't hear the cry of people who are so quick to judge people who have questions. they don't listen, they just talk (or in their words, "preach") about how lost they are.

Can i say something? Why cant we just listen? Why cant we just allow people who are trying to find truth (which is Jesus) find Him? EVERYONE OF US ARE ON A JOURNEY, EVERYONE.

Just listen, its that simple. They don't want our quick cliche' christian words that we are so quick to regurgitate out of our narrow minds. they just want someone to listen, really listen.

Jesus is in the people business. He is in the listening business. He is the only one who is perfect. He is the only one who really, truly understands sin and the final cure for it. He is the only one who truly understands grace.

So, to anyone who may read this blog, I have a challenge for us. let's Just listen. Lets listen to the hurting people, the mean people, the weird people, the gay people, the wild people, the hurting people, etc.....

Just listen, we will be amazed what we will hear. Then, Jesus will listen to us as we pray for them and ourselves.

The peoples Church @herbertcooper and his team

2009-08-07T12:04:00.001-05:00

Wow, this is awesome!

What if Church were like an NBA game?

2009-08-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

This is funny stuff!!

The Opposite of time?

2009-08-05T22:05:00.003-05:00

Einstein showed that time is not a natural feature of our universe. Time is merely a human concept invented to separate events. There is no such THING as time, therefore no opposite either.

Think about that statement. God, is timeless. There is NO opposite of "time". Just as there is NO opposite of God. That's right God has NO opposite and NO equal. HE IS GOD.

GOD simply....... IS - Always has been, always will be......... God.

That makes me feel safe, how bout you?

Speed Trap

2009-08-02T21:25:00.003-05:00

We are all in a hurry aren't we ? We rush the kids to school. We rush to work. We rush our "slow" microwave to eat a quick meal. We rush back home. Rush, rush< rush, hurry!!!!!

I call it "The speed trap".

This afternoon is when that thought came to me. Jacob and I were taking a walk. I was just taking it slow. I noticed the leaves, the grass shavings on the road from a near by neighbor. I noticed the beautiful flowerbeds and the tall Oak Trees. As I kept walking I noticed a couple of driveways that led back to some beautiful homes that I have not seen in the six years since we had bought our house. But the most interesting thing happened next.

There is a man that lives about a mile from us. Over the last six years I have passed by him as he would be walking down the road. Well, as stated earlier, we are always in a hurry. I have passed by him hundreds of times and never got a wave back from him. I just thought he was a weird dude. When he walks he carries a tennis racket. Kinda strange, but oh well.

Today, I was caught in a speed trap. I was walking, not driving. Then, as we got down by his house, there he was! Tennis racket in hand. I thought.... uh oh! he is gonna attack me with that racket and ill have to commence a beat down :) . Instead, He smiled. He stopped and spoke. He was a very nice guy. We said a few words to each other and Jacob and i continued our walk.

Lesson? Slow down. LOOK at life while living it!. Take a walk. You might be surprised at what or who you see.

Positive Thinking?

2009-08-01T21:36:00.003-05:00

When God thought of you, it was positive. NOT negative.

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Ironically, this verse--on so many hearts, posters and mirrors--is smack dab in the middle of God's pronounced judgment of 70 years captivity

WOW?!!!!

Yes, there is a consequence of sin. Yes there is a cure for it as well!

The awesome thing about God is His view of our lives

Before we were born

When we were born

When we committed our first sin

Second sin

Third sin................ Well you get the picture.

Have you "fallen" lately? Yea? Ha, I have to.

Notice God said I HAVE PLANS FOR YOU. Now, if GOD - the creator of the cosmos had/has a plan, ain't no one gonna screw with HIS plan.

So, relax, get back up, and try again. Yea, that's right... try again and again and again and.... well you get the picture.

His plan for you WILL happen.

When God thinks about you, He thinks positive stuff.... And He wants you to think the same way. Cool, hugh?

What matters the most

2009-07-31T08:54:00.003-05:00

So, Jesus saved me 2000 years ago. I came to Him about 22 years ago.

Here I am thinking this morning about what matters the most in my life.

My House...... Nope, its just a place to sleep

My Truck...... Nope, It just gets me to and from to work to pay for the house.

My John Deere..... Nope, its just a means to cut the grass at the house

My Cell Phone..... Nope, its just a means of communication that I use instead of a stamp and letter.

Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all of these things. But they do not matter in the big picture. If I loose them, they are replaceable.

What matters the most is.....

God - He loves me Know matter what. He will NEVER stop loving me - know matter what

My wife - 20 years of marriage, hard work, ups, downs, and love. She has stuck with me through a lot of thick and a lot of thin (on my part)

Luke - my 17 year old son... He is one of the biggest influences in my life (@earlcreps calls it reverse mentoring)

Jacob - my 11 year old son... he is the most creative kid i have EVER known. God is so gonna use him!!

My brother Rod - He is my hero

My brother Charles (who is in heaven) - He was gay, I judged him, I was wrong. I love that guy!! I know he knows that. YES HE WAS GAY, YES HE IS IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS.

My sister Kathy - She finally had the guts to do what she had to do, and she is becoming stronger for it!

My sister Karen - I am proud of her. Her and i battle some of the same issues, she is fighting back!!!!!

My Mom - The docs said she would not recover well from her massive stroke she had a few months ago. Yep she is a fighter. Yep she is recovering strong! (THEY WERE WRONG)

My Dad - He lives with us now. He was diagnosed with dementia - He is the NON LAZIEST person on earth and taught me my work ethic.

My wife's dad and step mom - They are awesome!!!!

My dogs, because they are.... well they are stupid, but I love em :)

My cat.... She is... haha... a stuck up, emotional, spoiled rotten lil girl - but I love her!

These are the things that matter to me the most

These are the things that I will invest the rest of my life in!

These are the things.... That matter the most.

What about you? Tell me what matters the most to you.

In Reguards too... (repost)

2009-07-30T14:19:00.003-05:00

In regards to grace,
its amazingIn regards to love,
its a giftIn regards to patience, its earned
In regards to energy drinks,don't
In regards to my wife, Proverbs 31:10-31
In regards to my 11 year old, i want to be like him
In regards to my almost 17 year old, he is the picture of calm
In regards to Church, be it
In regards to Jesus, imitate Him
In regards to books, read the thick ones too
In regards to the heart, don't let the mind tell it what to do
In regards to Monday, well its Monday
In regards to Rocky, was that really the last one made?
In regards to doors, do not walk through all of them
In regards to rest, do it or die
In regards to jello, what happened to the Bill Cosby jello commercials?
In regards to random, lol... thanks for reading
Just A Thought...........

Jesus Loves Me More Than I Love Him!

2009-07-25T00:11:00.004-05:00

I set here at midnight (have to be up at 5am) and cant sleep. Jacob and I just got back a while ago from The movies. He is laying here beside me. Tami and Luke are over at her cousins house. So, here I am setting up in bed, watching my stuck up cat stare at me! LOL
On the way home from the movies tonight I was listening to some classic Hillsong worship. The song that spoke to me was "unfailing Love"
The truth is , jesus loves me more than I love Him!
Think about that - NO MATTER WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN, WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, WHAT YOU WILL EVER DO, Jesus loves you with a perfect love!
If you are alive, love Him back
If you are dead, and in Him, you will love Him back
If you have a car, love him
Legs, love Him
Shoes, Love Him
Food, Love Him
So I guess I have a two folded prayer for tonight. 1. PLEASE LET ME GET A VERY GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP 2. HELP ME TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF YOUR LOVE AND REACT TO IT LIKE YOU HAVE SNATCHED ME FROM THE FIRE.

Remember, He loves you unconditionally, without one single blemish. He is proud of you and wants to shine through you. Smile, laugh, cry...... Love Him. Just a Thought.....

New Journey

2009-07-21T16:13:00.003-05:00

So, I set, in obedience to God. Listening. Waiting. Wondering. I know where I am on the map. I just don't know exactly what direction I am taking, yet. For the first time in almost 12 years of being a pastor that "chunk" of thinking is at a pause.
So, for the several months I am just going to listen for the voice of God. I will take time with my family like I haven't in a long time.
This is going to be strange, yet fun! I am going to just breathe and look at the map and move when God says move and stand still when he says so. In other words I just might be predictability unpredictable. I will speak at different Churches in the future. Help younger ministers in the future and continue my education in the future to be a certified teacher in the public schools. Unless, of course God says something else. All I know is the adventure has began, and I am going to do my best to remain obedient in it!

TWITTER KILLS!!!!

2009-07-15T18:51:00.001-05:00

This is so funny!!!!!

memories in a box

2009-07-14T21:08:00.004-05:00

Well, for the last few days I have been packing up my office. Wow, ten years worth of stuff. A bunch of memories that i will never let go of, well the good ones anyway :)

This weekend will be the end of the season as pastors of CPC. However, the seed, memories and lives that God touched. The memories that are in the box are...... books, pictures, plaque's, notes, meeting notes, seminar and conference notes, gifts that people gave me, etc...

Wow, I looked at that tangible stuff and began to think of the intangibles. Like the time the man walked up to me and said on my first Sunday as pastor, "Son, you have got your work cut out for ya here!" or the time that we did not have anyone to lead the "song service" so me Jimbo (on guitar), Lance (on the piano) and me (lead Singer) learned a new song or two and sang them to Jesus as he came into the place!

I remember the time a lady stood up put her fingers in her ears and said that she will NOT sing that new music!! LOL

Or the the time that Sister Helen lost her son to suicide. out of that tragedy came an amazing move of God as her whole family came to Christ.

I remember a bunch of ups and a few downs.

I remember when Jody Merrit (Evans) at the time, came into the Church with their whole family. Jody had lost her son in a tragic death. I witnessed her and her family come to Christ in a very powerful way!

I remember when I was running late for a funeral so pastor Brady and Pastor Jeff stalled until I got there in the nick of time!

Wow, I could go On and on.

How about you? Do you keep your memories in a box? I know, i know :if your memories are bigger than your vision" then you are in trouble.

I like to call the memories, "faith files".

How about you?

Do you have any faith files?

Dont keep them in a box.

A chapter Closes and begins

2009-07-12T14:18:00.003-05:00

I have had the privlage of serving as pastor of CrossPoint in West Little Rock for ten years. Today, that chapter of our life closes. Below is the letter i read to them this morning. A day of laughter, crying, water baptism and celebration of a current deacon who has been sober for 6 years today! Needless to say, we leave with a sad heart yet fulfilled mission. It was a joy, and now CrossPoint Church will go to another more glorious level! I will still blog here, and preach where we are invited. I am also going to get my teachers certification to teach in our public schools. I am scared, nervous, excited and in wonder all at the same time! Please pray for CPC during this leadership transisition.

This is the Letter I read this morning.....

Change, youth and willing people.
That has been the journey for the past ten years at CrossPoint Church.
I stole a quote from former Arkansas District A/G Council Superintendent, Alton Garrison, several years ago, who said “Change is a process, NOT an event”. I have used that in messages, counseling, self reminder and just everyday conversation.

Ten years ago, When Tami (32) me (29) Luke (7) and Jacob (4) began our journey here at CPC (Ferndale A/G at the time) we were nervous, excited and passionate about winning the lost along side of a little Church in Ferndale. Wow! We saw it. Hundreds and hundreds of people have come through the doors of this Church to see their lives changed by the power of the Cross! Hundreds baptized in water, in the Holy Spirit and set free in various ways!
The people that have came and gone and you that are still here through the years have been the ones to do the ministry and my family has been blessed to be a part of that.
Wow, the memories would take for ever to tell. Revival services, Alter times, counseling times, weddings, funerals, missions trips, building, staff hired, Church growth, Church pruning, awesome times, hard times and each of you have your own memories as well…. And they are all so great!
The process of change has begun again. Me, Tami and the boys are entering another season (chapter) of our lives. Our time here at CPC has been invaluable yet tangible. Crosspoint Church is one of the most unique Assemblies of God Churches in the state of Arkansas, and will continue to be. However, at this season or chapter it is time for us to say goodbye. Effective next Sunday July 19th the season for us as pastors of CrossPoint Church comes to an end.
We are leaving on a VERY high note. You are the greatest people in the world that a pastor could ask to lead. The future for CPC is bigger and brighter than ever. The next person who comes here to pastor will take you with them to the next level. Who ever that person may be, please be as committed to CPC then as you are now. You are the Church, not just a pastor.
Our next steps? We will be involved in a Church somewhere but NOT as pastors. I will get to set with my family, ride in the same car (while Tami drives, Ha!) to Church. I will continue to work at Kroger this summer and I will continue to drive a school bus this fall. Beyond that we simply do not know. I will preach from time to time as Churches invite me, and I will help younger pastors/leaders as much as I can. My family is what will get me though. I am going to be spending a lot of time with them and walking through this change with them.
In the next few weeks you will have an interim pastor here (someone to fill in). Jimmy Lunsford will continue to lead the services as he has for the past several weeks. A pastoral search committee is being put together by the deacon board and they will be advised during the process by current superintendant, Larry Moore, of the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God.
Tami, I and the boys will take with us some life long memories and friendships with us as we come to a close on this season. We will no longer be pastors of CrossPoint Church as of next Sunday, but we will always be your friends.
We love you, please know that.
On that note, I want to invite everyone back next Sunday as we say our final goodbye as pastors. Let’s have a service of celebration as we cry and laugh together!
After that, once again change will begin for CrossPoint Church. And the process of it will be exciting for you to be a part of.
We Love You,

Randy, Tami, Luke and Jacob

Random Funny Stuff to do!

2009-07-06T16:17:00.001-05:00

I shared this at CPC yesterday

Look on a soda bottle or cereal box and call the consumer information line and ask them some questions.

Write letters to random people claiming you are their lost cousin, ask for money

Write glow in the dark messages on people’s ceilings (“I'm watching you!

Walk extra fast all day

Walk around as a body guard for a day for one of your friends

Walk around a public park, every so often pretend to trip on a 'invisible' wire.

Turn on the T.V., put it on mute and make up dialogue

Try to make reservations at McDonalds

Try to Outmaneuver your shadow

Start laughing really hard and say, "Oh, now I get it."

Respond to everything with “well that’s what you think

Repeatedly call someone Al and get mad when they say that’s not their name

Bark at your dog

Basiclly learn how to laugh at yourself!!

Cooter puts a pool together!

2009-07-05T09:05:00.001-05:00

FUNNY STUFF! (WELL, IT IS TO ME AND JACOB :)

Cooter part 1

2009-07-01T09:10:00.000-05:00

Jacob and i being goofy!

LOOK OUT FOR COOTER!!!!!

2009-06-30T08:54:00.002-05:00

So, I have found out a major gift that Jacob (My 11 year old) has. He is a comedian! I am not kidding, he is really funny! he and i have an act that we do that he, Luke (my 17 year old) and myself made up a couple of years ago. Well, through time Jacob and i have perfected it. The "show" is called "Hey Cooter!!" Basically, its about a backwoods countery boy named cooter who has a "cousin" that he is alwways talking to. The cousin? Well, he doesent have a name, but her sure does get on Cooters nerves! Cooter also talks about other memories of his family.
So, jacob and i will be posting videos from time to time here from my phone. The videos are simply called... "Hey Cooter!!"
I love having fun and being goofy with my kids! Look for the first video coming soon!

An Icon Dies

2009-06-25T18:16:00.003-05:00

I remember when I was a kid I was watching "batman" and the news broke in an reported that Elvis Presley had died. The king of Rock n Roll, died.

This afternoon I was coming home listening to our local sports radio talk show. The news flash broke in that Michael Jackson died. The King of Pop, died.

I know that there was a ton of controversey that surrounded his life, but we agree that he was the first singer to break out of the box since the Beatles.

I know most of his songs. I have a ton of great memories with most of them. I will miss him and how he contributed to our culture.

Im curious, what is your favorite Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song?

TIRED

2009-06-23T00:05:00.001-05:00

A decade. Ten years. Blood, sweat, tears.
In case you haven't guessed it several of my previous posts I indicate that I battle a bunch. No, I'm not feeling sorry or self pity. I am THE most blessed man on earth. I have a loving strong willed wife. And we have two awesome boys.
However, I'm in a major crossroads and almost a catch 22.
I have some very important decisions to make, and to be honest I am terrified.
For those that love me and read this blog, thanks for your prayers. For those who read this blog and grin inside about the struggle in life that I'm facing, well.... I'm praying for you.
I know of some pastors that read these posts. I have a question for you. Why is it that I am staring at some of the biggest debt ever in my life (home and church) and read all the books on finance, listen to the podcasts, follow the advice of Dave Ramsey, read the Bible, Tithe, give, work two jobs, cut down on spending, wife is an RN, my oldest son works, I pastor (and have given back 95% of my salary, still paying on Bible college loans, getting ready to send my oldest son to college in a year, I give, love, invest in people, try to be a learner and leader, cry, weep, pray, fast, ..... and still feel like I'm spinning my wheels?

Why?

Ten years, I'm tired.

Tired of hurting people (even though I don't mean to)

Tired of giving it all to "the ministry" and my left overs to my family.

Tired. Ha! I was told to take a sabbatical. "Sabbath" means rest. Well, when you can't really retreat because you have to continue to work a secular job, that is not a sabbaticle. What's up with that?

I don't know. I know I used to say "to get to it, you gotta get through it". Well, this last three years of my life has been a LONG "through".

Yes, I have learned a lot. But I'm ready for this class to be over. I'm ready to use some of these lessons that God has taught me.

Its been a decade to earn this degree :)

Know what I mean?

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

UNPLUG

2009-06-15T12:50:00.004-05:00

So, here I set in my office. (Kinda weird, because I am usually never here). I am getting ready to leave for a while. I am getting ready to unplug.

For the last 10 years I have been trying to build a Church, when Jesus said get out of the way, and let ME build it! I have helped others while neglecting what is MOST important, my wife of 20 years, my two 17 and 11.

Don't get me wrong, I love people. Heck, i make it a daily challenge to get to know at least 5 things about a person I don't know in less than 2 minutes.

I was told by an electrician that when the power is off of something, its still using power to run it. So I am not turning off, I am unplugging. I am going to allow HIM to speak to me and my family.

Therefore, its time to unplug from a few things. The Church, the people, my two jobs (with out pay - ugh) and head to a place up North where i believe that God is going to help me (and my family) turn over a new leaf.

Nope, we ARE NOT LEAVING CROSSPOINT CHURCH. What we are doing, especially me, is unplugging from a few outlets. We, especially me, are going to plug into God and allow Him to break, mold, heal, pour and restore His power back into us.

If you happen to read this, please pray for my Wife and I as we get ready to leave Tuesday. With the help of the Holy Spirit we will get what we need. Pray for my boys that they wont kill each other while we are gone ;). for my Dad (who lives with us) that he will have peace. Pray for CrossPoint Church in Little Rock as I unplug from them for a couple of weeks. Pray for the leaders and special speakers that for the next couple of weeks that they will not even know that I am gone.

Most of all, pray that Jesus will be lifted up and that HE is the one who receives all of the glory.

Have a great day and please learn to unplug.

Thankful For Seed

2009-06-09T20:57:00.003-05:00

This evening I came across some old filed reports from days gone by at CrossPoint Church (formally Ferndale Assembly of God). I looked more at the names than I did at the numbers, all though the numbers were always on an increase because of the favor of God and seed.....
There are several people who read this blog that used to attend and several that still do. To all of you, thanks. The seed that you sowed in the past is still and will always grow.
I wish I could name every person that has sown seed into my families life and the life of God's Church. You know who you are. To you, thank you. Im grateful for your mercy, friendship, patience and love.
Im thankful for ALL of the people that have helped me grow.
Im thankful for Jesus.
Im thankful for..... seed

HONEST

2009-06-06T21:25:00.002-05:00

This was a comment that I made to a blog I read this evening and wanted to share it here.

After pastoring at CrossPoint in Little Rock though many, many growth and decreasing processes, i have found out 3 simple things.
1. That law of the lid thing by Maxwell is TRUTH
2. I did not keep it simple, clear and real (even though “real” was a key word we used.
3. Debt, I allowed my Church to get into stupid debt.

We are in a very slow process of regrowth.
I am no longer a full time pastor (I gave 95% of my salary back and work two jobs
And Prayer is Central to our Church Community

Video response to Ed Young Jr's "Cussing Pastors

2009-06-05T20:31:00.001-05:00

In Responce to a blog

2009-06-04T08:52:00.003-05:00

A great blogger, Todd Rhodes, wrote an article about one of the greatest preachers of our day, Ed Young Jr. here was my response. (you an read his blog at mondaymorninginsight.com

First of all i am a nerd smile Actually i am who I am. Yes, I cuss. Behind the pulpit? Not anymore. At home right after my son almost tore the door off my Tundra by backing into a tree with the door open? Yep!Does that make me two-faced? Yep. I pastor and work two other jobs. As i am “in” culture i guess my ears are more accustomed to hearing all kids of “salior language”. However, i dont cuss with them, why? because for the same reason i don’t gossip with them, over eat with them, smoke weed with them… but i am still with them. They do see a difference in me, not “cool” just relational (a good ole new church word)
I love trends, twitter, facebook, text, rock music, rap music, country music, jazz, blues… but I am not trying to be cool. I love culture and embrace it. I try my best to look at it through the eyes of the Holy Spirit… But i can not stand “churchy words” tHAT, IS PASTORS TRYING TO BE “RELEVANT” TO OTHER PASTORS.
I agree with Ed. We need to chill on the cussing thing. But NEVER EVER judge the one that is in process of change.

I am curious, what do you think?

Living Beyond Ourselves

2009-05-26T10:08:00.003-05:00

In my mind are about a thousand and one thoughts that are all trying to flow at the same time! Maybe its add, ocd, adhd... or maybe its just me trapped in my own mind.

The most dangerous thing in the world is to do life alone. No, I am not talking about being single (if you are thats great). I am not talking about getting alone by your self for times of prayer, reflection or just watching a good movie.

What I am talking about is doing life outside of ourselves.

Its a very easy thing to do, and the result is being self - centered and closed minded. I know, it has happened to me.

Life is not meant, nor has it EVER been meant to be spent alone. We MUST DO LIFE OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES. We can share it with family, co-workers, church family, even strangers.

What is your passion? Find someone who has the same interest in that passion and share your goals and work with them in doing it.

Raise money for missions
feed the homeless
Build a deck for an elderly person
Create a blog and share your calling with the world
Coach a little league team
Find out how to change the world and "get to chang'n"

Do it together, NOT ALONE!!!!!

What is your calling, itching or burden in life? Share that with someone.

Pray with someone, cry, laugh, be still, serve, worship, eat, run, walk, crawl with someone.

Live life outside of your self. Find your passion and share those thousand and one thoughts with someone. Besides, you need another opinion other than the one you keep giving to yourself.

How about you? Are you living life outside of yourself? How? I would love to know.

Randy.....

"Rain"

2009-05-15T14:47:00.000-05:00

CPC worship team tore it up!!!!!

CrossPoint Church Worship

2009-04-24T18:50:00.000-05:00

Another sample of CPC worship

Outside of Jesus, I stink

2009-04-01T12:05:00.003-05:00

The old addage, "God is good" is true. HE IS.

As for me, I stink. I am the following outside of Jesus......

An emotional wreck

Broke

Sin sick

Mean

Selfish

Haughty

Pridful

Full of Crap

Unbalanced

Controlled by circumstances

Hopeless

Fearing

The list goes on and on.

The Goodness of God is the real deal. He gave everything for me.

In ALL CIRCUMSTANCES He is the one in control.

When I am mad, he understands me.

When I am broke, He provides

When I am sick, He heals me

When I dont undestand life..... He does.

HE FEELS ALL OF MY JOY, PAIN AND EVERTHING IN BETWEEN.

Outside of Jesus, I stink.

How bout you?

Heaven

2009-03-29T22:29:00.002-05:00

I dont preach a lot about heaven. I really havnt thought a whole lot about it.

But today I had the opportunity to preach at CrossPoint Church - Little Rock about Heaven. I kinda rabbit trailed and began talking about the kind of reunion that we will have there.

Il get to see my Grandpa, Grandma, Paul, Samuel, David, Job.... The list goes on and on. I get excited thinking about it. It could be today!!!!!

What about you? When is the lst time you thought about it?

What do you think it will be like?

still trying

2009-03-28T23:08:00.003-05:00

I wonder how many failures it took before Michael Jorden to perfect his untouchable famous fade-away shot? I wonder how many times it took Tiger to perfect his shot before he could make "the shot"?

From what I read, it took znd takes thousands of hours of practice and failure.

How many wild anamils did the sheppard David miss as his flock was devoured?

How many Christians where killed befor Paul encountered Jesus?

How may times did beter eat foot fungus befor he could prech with oldness on the day of Pentecost?

How many times has it, or is still taking you, to be where you know God wants you?

For me? after 29 years of marriage, 19 yeaers of speaking, yeaching and communicating the Gospel and nearly a life time of stupid failures I have learned this..........I am still trying.

Even if I limp, crawl, roll and cry I am still trying!

What about you, what about you, are you still trying?

Earlier Video editing

2009-03-18T17:35:00.001-05:00

Here is a video that we did a couple of months ago at CPC. The editing is NOT good, but I just wanted to get it up. More to come (that has much better editing!)

Perception

2009-03-13T21:22:00.003-05:00

We are all guilty of judging, right? We see someone in a big house and think, man they MUST be loaded. We see someone driving a new Lexis and think, " must be nice". Or maybe we think, "I bet those people are in to major debt.

Perception. It is a dangerous thing. It is what we perceive, believe and then count as fact about an issue or issues. I have done it many times.

My perception of the Cross.....

My perception of "religion".....

My perception of "the good ole days".....

My perception of the future Church.....

Basically what I am trying to say is, I might just be wrong. The cross was probably a lot more brutal than I could ever perceive.

Other religions, (not cults) but ones that do not practice the same methods that I do as a pentecostal (Assemblies of God), are probably doing great things for Jesus way beyond what I perceive.

The good ole days are probably not just old fashioned ways of older people, they are probably a very strong and vibrant Church that wants to join hands with the Church of today.

The future Church? They are probably not some whacked out unprincipled, new age movement. They are probably a new up and coming generation that wants to join hands with us and the Church of the past.

Perception......

What is yours? Are you sure that is the right one?

Just a Thought.....

Blogs

2009-03-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

In case you don't read the blog of Pete Wilson from Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tn. THIS is a must read!

http://withoutwax.tv "A walk in the dark"

That's too many numbers!!!!!

2009-02-26T17:56:00.004-06:00

I love Kids! They say exactly what they are thinking. Today while driving the bus I was listing to a 1st grader debate with a pre-Ker.
They where talking about what size of a Kawola bear they would have as a pet.

The pre-Ker said billions, and billions, and billions, and billions, and billions, and billions.......etc... for about 30 seconds. Then the 1st grader interrupted and said, "that's too many numbers... they go past the line!" I am assuming he meant the margin line on notebook paper.

Silence.....

Then the 1st grader used his higher education to trumped his lil sister. He said, "Infinity!"

Debate over.

Satan hates your guts and my guts billions, and billions, and billions, and billions.....etc...

But God Loves you......

Infinity!!

Debate over!

Just a Thought.....

I asked Jesus

2009-02-17T17:46:00.002-06:00

Well, my negitive attitude has redndered me some what i call "begging a prayer".

The other morning i was leaving work and I asked Jesus this question,

"Lord please show me waht you are doing at this point in life through me!!"

Well, He did. I am working at a large grocery store chain, at night, in the bakery. I took the job because we need the money.

God gave me this job for other additional reasons..... Devine appointments.

I walked into the bakery and met a nice kid about the age of my oldest son. It ends up, that I have known him for several years. he is a kid (young man) that has had what i would consider, a tough life. I asked Jesus to help me connect with Him. QWe did. Then last night, he was telling me how close he was to his Grandma.

I asked him a few questions about her, and it turns out that I had the opportunity of preaching at her funeral.

I remember proclaiming the Gospel, and his Grandma's sister came to Christ. He thought about it and we were both amazed at this "small world".

So, I asked Jesus another question. "jesus, please dont let me screw this up!"

God is good and faithfull even when we are bad and faithless.

Just a Thought.....

WOW

2009-02-12T18:52:00.001-06:00

tHIS RIPPED MY FACE OFF!

wE HAVE WORK TO DO

Can you see?

2009-02-09T18:50:00.001-06:00

This is a view of the road from a school bus I was driving. Yea, you are right, its blurry. That's because the windshield wiper is broken.
That's been the problem with me as of late as well my "spiritual wipers". Sometimes life gets blurry. If I don't read Gods Word, life gets blurry. If I don't pray, blur. If I don't worship, blur.
If I don't listen, obey, fast, get still..... blur. That goes for anything. Family, spiritual disciplines, personal goals. I won't drive that bus in that condition again. I hope I can learn to do that with life
Just a Thought.....

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

When it rains it pours?

2009-02-04T22:32:00.003-06:00

Well, what a day. I am setting at the hospital. Its 10:30 pm. been a long and testing day.

My mom had a stroke this morning.

Yesterday morning she was fine. Today, well..... she is in ICU.

So, in the last year and a half has been wild! My next to the oldest brother dies. My dad had a stroke, and recently was diagnosed with demensia. My wife's dad was diagnosed with cancer. This morning, my mom had a stroke. Through it all when it rains it pours.

The grace of God rains. the grace of God pours. Yea, I admit its been very tough. I have cried, cussed, wept deeply, fought depression and even laughed for no reason. Through it all God still has been so good.

I have seen a Church go from 180 to 50, yet God is still good. He still sends His rain. He still pours His grace. He still smiles and even cries with me.

There has been a lot of "bad" happen. But, that has not changed our "Good" God.

No matter what, he is God. No matter what He knoes all, feels all, see's all, touches all, loves all, feels all, and wants to save..... all.

Yep, when it rains, it pours. And for that, I am thankful

Canvas

2009-02-03T12:27:00.002-06:00

I spoke to a young man over the weekend who is full of it!!!! Potential.... he is full of a LOT of potential.
I told him that he was an empty canvas. Then God spoke to me.
I went on to tell him that God wants to create a master piece on him. He wants to work through him in a unique way.
God is not a "factory owner" He is a "creator". he does not create duplicates, He creates original artwork. He wants to flow through us with unique breaths of fresh air. He wants to create in us a pure heart that makes people feel His love, His joy, His expression, His touch.
Canvas.
Lots of color and even black and whites at times.
The wise king David prayed in psalm 51 Create in me a clean heart....." this was just after his "fall". God has always wanted to take fallen people (which happens to be the whole world) and Crete new and loving hearts.
Canvas.
That young man is going to be Gods "Magnum Opus" (God's Masterpiece)
Canvas
Are you ready to be still long enough for God to do His artwork on and through you?
Just a Thought.....