The Simple Truth

More Random Friday Thoughts

Here are some more of my not so insightful random Friday afternoon thoughts. Read at your own risk...

• The weather in NJ has been beautiful the last few days. The key - low humidity.
• Went to the eye doctor yesterday. Time for progressive lenses in my glasses. I'm officially old - I wear bi-focals, drive a mini-van, make noises when I get up and sit down. What's next? Wearing white socks with dress shoes and dark socks with running shoes, and eating dinner at 4pm.
• I don't drink enough water. (I told you these were random)
• I'm excited to watch the first preseason game for the Chiefs tonight.
• Busy weekend ahead filled with birthday parties, baby showers, church, Plainsboro bulk waste day, and much more.
• Saw pictures from my 25th High School class reunion. How come everyone else looks so much older but I still look the same? :)
• What a week for the Dow! I'm sure glad I don't have any money.
• Played hackey sack with Abby yesterday - really sore today. More proof I'm old.
• Finding more and more that naps don't help. I'm still tired when I awake and really grouchy. Answer - more coffee!
• Still really fired up about what God is doing in people's hearts to help raise funds for Snehashrya Woman's Shelter in India.  
• Working on some ideas for a new writing project - excited! Lord give me the discipline to do this.
• Saw Soul Surfer this week - really liked this flick!

I Want it NOW!

My favorite character in the classic movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is not Charlie, or Willy Wonka; it's Veruca Salt.  Remember her? She was the spoiled little brat who wanted everything the world had to offer and she wanted it NOW!  My love for her character stems from the truth she demonstrates about the human condition.  We want what we want and we want it NOW!

As Christians we know this world is not our home and yet we consistently fall prey to Veruca Salt syndrome.  Our inheritance is not in the terrestrial realm but in the celestial.  We think what the world has to offer looks grand, but it cannot compare to what awaits. Sadly, we often exchange an inheritance in the here and now for one in the hereafter.

I was reminded of this fact this morning while reading in the book of Numbers 32:1-5.  The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh asked for an inheritance just outside the promised land because the land was good for cattle.  They looked around and determined that what the promised land offered couldn't be any better than what was before them. They were sadly mistaken!  God accommodated their request and they got their inheritance outside of the promised land (Numbers 34:14-15).  I reminded of the passage in Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus tells his follows to lay up treasure in heaven where no one can take it, and it cannot be corrupted.  Right before that passage he talks about a group of people who are overly concerned about earthly rewards and notoriety - he says they have their reward.  Meaning, they wanted the things of this world and they received what they sought. However, they will miss out on what the Father truly wanted to give them - an eternal inheritance.

The two and half tribes of Israel missed out on what God had for them because they made a decision based upon what they saw instead of what God asked of them.  Their hearts where on the treasures of this world rather than on God. I'm sure they had very nice cattle ranches in Gilead but they couldn't compare for what awaited them in Canaan.  The materials of the world are attractive, but don't be fooled, they cannot compare to the inheritance that awaits those who faithfully follow Jesus. 

Charlie Sheen's Doing It Right

I'm sure you are all aware of the actor Charlie Sheen's recent struggles - they've been tabloid fodder for the past few months.  We stand back and shake our heads in disapproval, but I would submit to you that Charlie Sheen is doing life right.  Of course that statement is made with a HUGE presumption - a big fat "IF".

Charlie Sheen is doing life right IF this life is all you've got and there is no accountability for actions beyond the natural realm.  His actions make perfect, logical sense if there is no God, this life ends with the grave, and there are no eternal consequences for our earthly actions.  Here is a link to a recent interview with Sheen which shows he is taking this approach to life.  If this life is all there is it is perfectly understandable how a person could become incredibly self-indulgent, narcissistic, hedonistic, and materialistic, to the point of being destructive.

Of course, I don't really believe Charlie Sheen is doing life right. I believe there is a God in heaven to whom we are accountable.  I believe this life is only the beginning to an eternal existence. I believe there are eternal ramifications for our earthly actions. We live within certain moral parameters because there is more at stake than possible civil punishment.

I don't agree with the lifestyle Mr. Sheen has chosen to live, but I certainly understand the mindset and where it comes from. 

Two Weeks Worth of Thoughts

Hey everyone!  I'm baaaaaack!  I was away for about 12 days speaking at a high school camp in MO and visiting with family but now I'm back and better than ever. I thought I'd take a few moments and share some of my thoughts from the past couple of weeks...

• My dad is recovering from his heart surgery. Each day you could see him getting a little better.  He's been cleared to drive and is now starting physical therapy. 
• It was awesome to see my mom and dad's church (Grace Baptist Church) truly minister to them while we were in town. They brought food every day we were there.
• It's impossible to eat right when you are on vacation.
• Always love seeing old friends again.
• Title of a sermon I heard while in MO - "When Lefty Stuck it to Fatty!" (Judges 3).  Sermon was so-so, but the title made me laugh out loud.
• Saw the movie, "Inception" while on vaca.  Very good! I recommend it. Has a real Matrix vibe to it.
• I always thought MO and NJ had about the same amount of humidity.  Not so!  MO is way more humid than NJ.  Even Kerrie thought it was hot and humid (those of you who know her, know that's says a lot). Every time I walked outside from A/C with my glasses on I got instant fogging of the spectacles.
• This was my twelfth year of doing this particular high school camp - man, time flies.
• We had an awesome high school camp this year.  God really blessed the entire week.  So cool to see so many young adults fired up about their relationship with God. It was so cool to see them unashamedly stand up in front of the entire group and talk about their walk with God.
• Spent the entire week of camp reading and rereading Revelation 3:14-21.  I'm sure you'll hear more about this in the weeks/months to come.  Two huge thoughts that emerged: two big battles faced by the church today - Apathy and Materialism.
• Got sick at camp (something was going around).  Still struggling to get over a head/chest cold. I hate summer time colds.
• Went to a St. Louis Cardinals game in the new stadium.  Even though we had Bob Uecker seats, it was a very cool experience. Stadium is awesome.  Abby is now a huge Pujols fan! 
• Bottom line - it was a great time, but it's good to be home.

Monday Morning Reflections

What a weekend!  I'm sitting here are Monday morning reflecting over the events of the past few days.  Here are a few of the highlights...

• Made two down and back trips to Baltimore in the space of 48 hours - it's actually not a bad drive and traffic was minimal.  
• Got to see my niece, Nichole, and her volleyball team compete in a National volleyball tournament (in Baltimore).  I was so impressed - I thought they did a great job.  I've never seen so many 6 foot plus girls in my life.
• Our Good Friday service blew me away.  I really loved the uniqueness of this experience.  A special thanks to Lara who worked so hard organizing and decorating each of the stations.
• The most haunting aspect of our Good Friday service had to be the sound of nails being hammered in to a cross while the rest of the chapel was totally silent.
• Can't believe Butler is in the national championship game - I like they're team but I have to cheer for Duke (they're my team).
• The weather over the past several days has been incredible! I can't believe I'm going to have to mow my grass today - it seems too early.
• What an incredible spirit we had at the Easter service yesterday.  To hear all those voices lifting up praises to our risen Savior was amazing.  It was so awesome to see so many new faces at PBC yesterday.
• I never grow tired of telling the story of my risen Savior.  
• Enjoyed a lovely dinner with the family and a few friends. Thanks Kerrie for a lovely meal.
• Capped off the day by watching "Blindside" with the family (we'll three of us watched - Kerrie slept on the couch) - what a great movie. 

Busy Weekend Ahead

This holiday weekend stands to be a busy one.  Here are a few of the things going on...

• Men's Breakfast, Saturday at 8:30a.  Always enjoy the time with the fellas.  Lookin' forward to Stan's famous waffles. 
• Ladies Tea, Saturday at 2p.  No, I'm not going but Kerrie is hosting the event at our house and so that means I need to make myself scarce - along with the kiddos.  We'll probably kill the time with some lunch and last minute V-day shopping.  Hopefully there will be some food leftover (not likely).
• Sunday service at PBC, Sunday at 10a.  Hope you'll join us this weekend. I'm doing a special Valentine's Day message.  I've got a special game planned which you don't want to miss.
• Valentine's Day - can't wait to see what Kerrie has planned for me!
• President's Day - no school on Monday.  Not as special since they just had the last three days off because of snow.  We may celebrate Kerrie's b-day on Monday (actual day - Tuesday).  Can't wait to give her the present we got her.  We may also, take the kids to see "Percy Jackson & the Olympians".  May also have to squeeze in a drama shoot for Drew on Monday.
• Almost forgot, I have to try and save some time to watch the Winter Olympics.  Nothing I enjoy more than watching me some "Curling".  Who needs the NFL?!

What are you doing this weekend?

As You Wish

My small group is going through a John Ortberg study called, "God is Closer Than You Think".  In last night's session John Ortberg mentioned the movie "The Princess Bride" and the famous line which is always uttered by Westley to Buttercup.  At her every command he would respond, "As you wish."  It becomes apparent in the movie that when Westley says, "as you wish" what he is really saying is "I love you!".  He is placing his will beneath the will of Buttercup because of his great love for her - as you wish.

My desire is to live every day of my life saying, "as you wish" to God.  I want my love for Him to be so strong that I place my will beneath His will.  Like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, I want my response to God's every request to be "as you wish!"

Movie in the Park

I want to encourage you to join us tomorrow night for the 1st annual PBC Movie in the Park event.  It's going to be a cool event and all are invited.  We're going to have an outside viewing of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D on the campus of the Westminster Choir College.  But that's not it - we'll also have balloons, face-painting, popcorn, popcicles, and drinks.  It's going to be a blast!

Grab a chair or blanket, some bug spray, and join us tomorrow night.  The festivities start around 7:30p and the movie around 8:30p.

PBC on YouTube

We've set up a YouTube account for Princeton Bible Church where we plan to post many of our original service videos. Some of these videos are so funny they are worthy of more than one watch.  I hope you'll check out our channel from time to time and enjoy some of these hilarious clips.

As a sample here's a video called "Ooops!" that was shown with our "Mugged by the Mirror" message.

A Huge Success

I've never been more proud of our PBC family than I was on Saturday evening.  The fireman's BBQ was a huge success and it's all because of you and your faithful service to our Lord and Savior.  I had several of the firefighters and their family members come up to me and thank me saying that no one had ever done anything like that for them before.  They were so touched and appreciative.  Here are a few highlight thoughts...

• Steve Masticola did a masterful job of planning and preparing everything.  I've never seen someone more organized, right down to the nitty gritty details.


• The food was fabulous - thanks to all who donated, cooked, and served.


• Nice job on all the games (adult and kids) everyone who participated had a great time.  How about Shane with a ringer in horseshoes with his last throw to win the big prize!


• A very special thanks to Leah for sending all the kids after me with water balloons and water guns - what goes around comes around.  I'm still wet.


• A photographer from the South Brunswick Post showed up and hung for a long time taking pictures.  Let me know if anyone sees the pics in the paper.  Save me a copy.


• The outdoor showing of "Emergency" was a nice way to cap off the event.  Maybe we'll do a theater in the park event for the community sometime in the future - we could have pop corn, soda, etc.!!!

Once again, thank you to all the PBCers who made this event happen.  You guys are the best.  Yesterday we truly showed what it means to love people and serve others - The Simple Truth in action.  I love it.