SNL

If you didn't see SNL this past week, here is one of the skits from it. It is one of the best I have ever seen. Truly a laugh out loud moment.

brad

A Felony Ring of 10 Year Olds....

Did you see THIS ? I didn't even have a computer in 4th grade. How do kids do this. I still haven't found out all the functions on my ipod and these guys are making money...literally.

brad

Turning Into A Liberal.....

No, I'm not turning into an American Political Liberal. Let me see if I can explain. A few days ago, I was reading in Hosea (an Old Testament Prophet) and I came across on of those places where God is talking about how His people are always turning from Him and prostituting themselves with other things that His love. As it goes on, I see that there is a place where God is making things right and turning the hearts of the people back. What gets me it that I saw a description of what is happening in the person whom God changes...

"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD." (Hosea 2:19-20)

What I keep seeing is righteousness, love and compassion (evangelical conservative values) and then, once more, I see the value that is so common in Christian liberal circles and a value of scripture...JUSTICE.

Then I wake this morning and read this article about what TIME magazine said about Bono and Bill and Melinda Gates.
"For being shrewd about doing good, for rewiring politics and re-engineering justice, for making mercy smarter and hope strategic and then daring the rest of us to follow, Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono are Time's Persons of the Year...."

I am not on a talking point about how an "evangelical" should have been on the cover of TIME, but I observe...what if some follower of Jesus "let their light shine before men so that they could see the good works and glorify God in heaven?"

Again, I am reminded about how I have dropped the ball and seem to care about things that are oppossed to the things that Jesus loved. If being honest about social justice means that I am an evangelical liberal...ok.

brad

Has to be a white kid...

THIS STORY has to be about a white kid in the suburbs. My mom and dad didn't want me to fail but I don't remember ever being this scared to bring a report card home.

I don't know what is better birth control...working with teenagers personally, or reading stories like this.

brad

Remembering Mike

Today I was re-reading parts of Mike Yaconelli's book "Dangerous Wonder." Every time I read anything by that man, I am challenged.

In the introduction, he talked about meeting the guy who started Compassion International. He described the guy as a long haired, quiet, seemingly gentle guy who at some point had his life ruined by Jesus and he has never gotten over it.

You see, that seems to be my story and that word (ruined) always gets my attention. Central to my faith is this idea that somewhere along the way, my life intersected with this Jesus and he completely ruined everything so that I could not survive without Him and I have spent several years now trying to shake him.

I mean really, if you have experienced this too....you actually spend a lot of time trying other things. If it were a marriage, it would be something like adultry. And yet, even after turning to lovers less wild, we are welcomed back by a Jesus who loves, forgives and even calls us pure and spotless.

And so it goes...day after day...a prostitute...loved...accepted....declared beautiful.

So the way to describe this life intersection with Jesus is wild, dangerous, fearful, compelling, doubtful, crazy, and extremely messy.


brad

Me and Jeb

This is a picture taken after Hurricane Wilma. Governor Jeb and President Bush came and made an appearance. I didn't get a chance to have a close up with the president, but president elect 2012 is pretty great.

brad

My Wish Came True

I think that Fulmer really did get fat.

Although it was one of the most boring games of the century (just under the FAU/ARK State game) it was a great W for the home team. The TIDE didn't roll (it was more like a limp) over the Tennessee Volunteers, but they stayed undefeated and killed a huge winning streak.

This showed me that Fulmer and the Vols cannot beat Alabama on pure football alone as much as they have over the past 10 years. This was the first season that Alabama hasn't still been hurting from the NCAA probation and lack of recruiting opportunities in 5 or 6 years. I just feel like this is the beginning of some great things. If you don't know what I am talking about HERE is something you should read.

Enough to say, many fans feel like this is the beginning of justice (I am still out on this one considering Darfur is still a bit weak in the justice area).

As for the DREAMLAND sauce...it was good....just not great....and certainly not DREAMLAND. But it was good. I think that there are a few things I can do to tweak it.
brad

I'M GIDDY

Only a few hours until the Alabama vs Tennessee kickoff. Tennessee is the college football equivelant to the Yankees. I hope Coach Fulmer gets fat.

I got a recipe for "Dreamland Barbecue Sauce" off the internet. I hope that it tastes something like it.

I will let you know.

brad

You Must Be Kidding

That seems to be the statement made by everyone in South Florida when we get word of another hurricane heading our way.

The fact is, I'm from Alabama. So, like everyone else in the country (besides the good people on the coast) I heard of hurricanes every once in a while. For instance, I remember Hugo, Andrew and maybe a couple of others if I hear their names mentioned.

But even living in South Florida, I hear locals all the time say things like..."I've never seen anything like this." Which for me is a little odd because since I got here in 2003, it has seemed to be a nonstop hurricane season. I think that we had 4 or 5 that we were dodging in 04 and now have had 4 or 5 in 05. This is nuts.

So for those of you wondering what it is like to be in a place that has hurricanes all the time...it is strange. However, people here know what is going on and they prepare as they need to. OUR governor is not an idiot, like some others, and state and local authorities are prepared so thousands of people are not stuck in the AA Arena. Although some things are scary at times (such as water, ice and gas not being available readily to all of us who are weak and dependent on such things) for the most part I never see re-enactments of the movie "ALIVE". The guys from Florida Power get shot at sometimes, but nothing major (shout out to JC).

And one more thing. People here actually laugh at National Cable News outlets. Most of the time, national news, comes with a presence of superiority to local affiliates. However, in times of hurricanes, national news is sooooooo much more dramatic that things actually happen. I know that this has to do with reporting things in a manner to which people will watch, but crap, they overdo it a bit. I think the worst is FOX NEWS. That Shepard Smith is one dramatic guy. Our local 7 news reports a thunderstorm accurately and while sitting during that same storm watching Smith, you would think that all the "Left Behind" books are true (implying I have my doubts).

And what this all means is that I can actually write a blog about weather. Which makes me a retard.

brad

10-13-05

Actually, it is just a few minutes past my 28th birthday, making me officially in my late 20s. It has been a good one, and I just wanted to post about a few things that have been on my mind this week.

• I friend of mine led me to THIS SITE a few nights ago and I thought it was a must for all of you that, like me, hate to get painted with the same broad brush as someone like this. Who would have thought it was as easy as $48.

• Tomorrow we are starting our small groups again. This is going to be great because I am getting a chance to meet with a lot of guys who are just asking questions about faith. I love talking with people who have never been exposed to anything. I actually get a kick out of hearing responses to my faith based on what people see on the "Simpsons" or as I heard recently "The Office." It is just fun to see their faces when they see that being in a Jesus community is really nothing like that at all. Which brings me back to the idea that when a group of people really just cares about the things that Jesus cares about, we really do bring heaven to earth (and isn't that what Jesus prayed for us to do?)

• One final thought...I have been hit pretty hard from Yankee fans about the Red Sox getting swept by Chicago. And I have to say, they got me there. It was ugly and it was short. By the way, who are the Yankees playing tonight..........?

• By the way...I love being a pastor to students. Tonight reaffirmed that. Even with all the crap, it still is the best job ever. I love it.

brad