INSIGHTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Blutterfly Circus

2011-03-23T15:21:00.001-06:00

Outstanding. Moving. Inspiring. Encouraging.

If you haven't seen this, get ready for one of the best 20 minute viewings you have ever had!

The Butterfly Circus 2009 by xavi10m

enjoy!

TULSA TIME

2011-03-21T19:41:00.003-06:00

It is that time of year again - the Tulsa Workshop (http://tulsaworkshop.org) and I am heading there Tuesday. God has been good to allow me to go Tuesday to Tuesday this year. Even better is to have two of my kids there - and one of them gracious enough to put me up for my time there. Not that Jess isn't gracious to do that; she would if it were possible --- but with a house full of female housemates, it just isn't practical.
This year I have been asked to lead two classes - both concerning evangelism. One on anchor points of evangelism and the other on how to stay on fire for sharing the good news! I am pretty stoked about this opportunity because of the 35 years of the workshop's existence, I have attended 33 of them. This one event has been one of the greatest things God has used to shape, motivate, and grow me into the man I am today. It is at the workshop I fully committed myself to do whatever it takes to help others come to Jesus, grow in Jesus, and send them out for/with Jesus to reach others. It is at this workshop that God healed a lot of my brokenness and broke some of my arrogance. It is at this workshop God trained and focused a lot of my kids' desire and abilities to share Jesus with others. It is at this workshop that 1,000s and 1,000s have been challenged and changed. It is at this workshop relationships have formed and reunions with friends have occurred. I thank God for the Tulsa Workshop.

Organizational Communication

2011-01-07T22:15:00.002-07:00

This year I have undertaken a new endeavor. I am teaching an intersession class, Organizational Communication, at BSU. We meet every day (Monday - Thursday before Christmas, Monday - Friday for two weeks after New Year - 9:30 - 12:15). I only have 8 students - 4 men, 4 women. It is a great opportunity for me to explore and develop new understandings and insights about how communication works within and without organizations.
Of all the theoretical perspectives describing organizational communication, I believe that Systems Theory makes the most sense. Systems considers organizations as organisms interacting with its environment. The basic concepts involve input-throughput-output, boundaries, entropy, feedback, adaptability, goals, homeostasis, equifinality, and equilibrium. Equifinality probably fascinates me the most. It is the concept that there are a number of ways to reach the same goal.

Too often in families, groups, churches, organizations, etc. the members become myopic seeing only one method of accomplishing a particular goal. This precludes the ongoing direction of God and excludes those who have chosen another means of accomplishing the exact same goal.

TULSA WORKSHOP - 2010

2010-03-28T15:27:00.002-06:00

I am sitting in a coffee shop in Tulsa, OK Sunday afternoon after a good time at the Tulsa Workshop. I appreciate the tremendous work Jason Thornton and Shane Coffman did to put it together and make sure it all ran smoothly. Very encouraging sessions especially from Patrick Mead. And a great worship session led by Kyler Erwin.

Though the workshop classes and keynotes were good, what made this one great for me was staying with my son in his new house with Jessica and Tricia coming up from Louisiana and Texas together with my nephew and niece (Matt and Brittany) coming up from Norman. What a great blessing and experience with a full heart that nearly burst with love and thanksgiving.

The personal challenge to me from this year's workshop is to trust God; I mean really trust Him to work through me and beyond me! I have for way to long depended on flesh-based strategies and resources to accomplish God-sized tasks. I believe that the Spirit is leading me to trust Him far more than in the past -- I can't wait to see how He will be working this next year as I learn to "depend more on Him than myself." (2 Cor 1:8-11) I truly believe that one man on fire for Jesus can reach an entire valley of around 1/2 million people. How much more with an entire church of over 100!

HELP! I HAVE TO GIVE A PRESENTATION

2010-02-12T20:58:00.004-07:00

I received the following email and thought it would be good to post it with my reply here so more could benefit. The question is an important since it deals with communication anxiety, specifically fear of public speaking. I have been teaching public speaking for the past 30 years and have made a great many presentations during this time. I am not an expert or a scholar by any stretch; however, I think I have learned a few things along the way. Numbers 4 and 5 were originally offered to me over 36 years ago by my good friend and mentor, Paul Eckstein. I have found these to be invaluable.

Special note: Even if you don't think you will ever give a public presentation, you probably will one day. These principles should help. Even if you don't ever give a speech EVER, I think you can glean from these ideas some help for handling anxieties of all kinds.

Hi Kevin!

It is Jennifer from Bible Study. I am seeking your advice. I have 3 upcoming trainings that I am conducting. Historically, I could give presentations and be semi-nervous, but do fine. People would always tell me that they could not tell that I was nervous at all.

However, recently, I have been getting anxiety prior to training. I get to the point that I feel like I am grasping for air (almost like I just ran a marathon), and have to pause for a period of time (for me it seems like forever) to catch my breath. My heart is racing, etc. It is not until I start to calm down (maybe when there is a question posed by the audience), that I can feel comfortable and actually talk normal. So, I have these upcoming trainings and when I even think about the trainings, I start to get anxiety. I am not sure what has changed.

Any suggestions on how I can combat this?

Thanks.

Jennifer

Hey Jennifer

Good to hear from you. I am excited about your opportunities - fantastic. I do have a few ideas that might help.

All fear is the result of what is going on between your ears. This is especially true of public speaking. So consider the following:

1. Everyone present really wants to see you succeed. They are on your side and believe in you.

2. You know what you're going to say, they don't. At least not yet. What you have to say is important, valuable and potentially life changing. At the very least you have information, insights, and pragmatics that can help people live better and succeed more in the area about which you are presenting.

3. Even if you are a bit nervous, this is normal. Everyone is - especially at the beginning of a presentation. Thinking about the fear way before you are actually there is rather unrealistic. The fear is based on feelings of either not being as prepared as you would like, making an embarrassing statement (or two), or completely falling apart. None of these are going to happen - you are prepared, if you do get embarrassed you will live and recover (and your audience will relate to you more), and you are not very likely to fall apart to such a degree that you cannot recover.

NOW HERE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES:

4. You are really good one-on-one. However many people are present, you are only having a one on one conversation with each of them. Why? How? Because you can only make eye contact with one person at a time. However, many people are there 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 ---- it is a one on one conversation with however many are there - the more there are, the more exaggerated your gestures and expressions will be. Other than that it is pretty much the same.

5. So, imagine you are sitting across the table from a close friend over a cup of coffee. You are discussing your topic (about which you are extremely familiar and excited) and you want your friend to understand the information, apply the information, and be as excited about the information as you are. Get that comfortable picture in your mind and work through it several times and make your complete presentation. Gradually move the setting from the table with your friend to the place you will give the presentation.

6. Realize that your biggest audience is Jesus. Do your best to please HIM! Also, realize He is there with you and you can do anything while relying on HIM. Work through the fears with HIM in prayer and visualizing the presentation in your imagination where you present flawlessly!

I hope this helps you some. Ultimately, communication anxiety can only be overcome by thinking in positives not negatives. You won't stop thinking and feeling something by trying to stop. The more you tell yourself not to think or feel something, the more you will think it and feel it. Why? Because it is impossible to think in nots. (Example: Try right now NOT to think about a purple pig! See, the more you try not to think it you think it twice. First you must see what it is you are not to be thinking about; then, you tell yourself not to think about that! Your thoughts just had twins!)

One last consideration tied to the last observation: Be sure to pray positively as well as think, envision, and imagine positively. Otherwise you will defeat yourself in your own prayers when you ask God to help you "not be afraid or nervous." In order to request that once you actually have to think it at least twice - What you don't want to be and that you don't want to be that way. Instead, focus on the victory, the positive, the success in your prayers. Jesus teaches us to do this when HE says, "And lead us not into temptation, BUT DELIVER us from evil!" The last thought is on the victory. Otherwise, we are sunk!

Let me know if this helps
kev
208-283-9599

JAN REACHES HER GOAL

2010-02-12T20:14:00.002-07:00

December 19, 2009 marked an important even in the Skidmore family's life and Jan's life in particular. She was granted her MA in Reading. Though the program did not mention it, she graduated with honors because of her grade point. Needless to say, I, Jessica, Tricia, David along with all the rest of family are extremely proud of her.
One of the things that stands out to me during these past couple years of study is how Jan would never settle for second rate or mediocre work. She pressed for excellence in every aspect of her study. Because of this attitude I am confident that she rose well above the expectations of her professors. Why push so hard when mediocre would get the job done? From the depths of her heart she wants to please Jesus in all she does. This shows in the quality of work, the degree of preparedness, and the depth of participation she put forth in all her classes. Another impressive aspect of her journey has been her willingness to stand up in class and disagree with her professors on a number of philosophical, theoretical, and practical issues. They may not have appreciated it at the time, but I know she caused them to rethink and consider different ideas.
What's next? Who knows? Only the Lord who has directed her steps to this point has a clear vision of her future. Fortunately (for her and for me) she continues walking with HIM hand in hand trusting HIM and HIS word to guide her steps and her path!

EVERYDAY IS A NEW BEGINNING

2010-02-11T22:52:00.002-07:00

"THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING . . ."

"As long as it called "today" encourage one another."

"NOW is the time of salvation!"

These scriptures communicate a great principle. The past is gone. Tomorrow is not here. But now is always with us and it is new, never been seen, never been used. Now can't even be contemplated completely ahead of time. We may have a glimpse of what it would be like but no one knows for certain until it has come. Even then, we don't totally comprehend all that is going on in the present. All we know for certain is that it is brand new and will soon be gone as we enter into a new now.

God has made us to be present individuals. While some live in the past reminiscing, others live in the future always planning and dreaming. But God gives us insight into how to fully enjoy life -- live in the present. He made us in His own image after His own likeness. He is "THE GREAT I AM!" God is the only one who can say that with no qualifiers. We can say it, but always in the sense that we are incomplete and always progressing. God on the other hand is totally complete in every aspect of HIS being. We are a work in progress; HE is the finished product. HE is the I AM.

And God made us to be like that -- always in the present. He has fully forgiven our past; He has secured our future and will take care of all of our needs. Guilt-free living from past and worry-free living for the future. We can now be completely free to experience and enjoy the here and now! Really, all we truly have is now. And now is always new!

HOW PROUD CAN ONE DAD BE?

2010-01-13T22:50:00.002-07:00

Every once and awhile I get a glimpse of what God is doing with my kids, and it literally takes my breath away. Let me say up front, I realize that none of my kids are perfect, and they certainly don't have perfect parents.
All three love the Lord Jesus and serve Him from their heart. They intensely love Him and have a keen sense of His presence and purpose for their lives. All three have graduated with a Bachelor's degree and two of the three are working on a Master's while the third is exploring schools to obtain her Doctorate. Jessica is in Monroe, LA working on an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Tricia is teaching Math in an inner-city Dallas middle school. She also coaches 7th grade girls' basketball. David is working with the Park Plaza church in college ministry. He speaks this weekend in Arlington, TX at WinterFest.
On top of all these things, they love to tell others the good news of Jesus and try to help others grow spiritually. They are active with church families and love the kingdom of God.
My heart sometimes feels like it will explode with pride and excitement for all I see that God has been doing in their lives.
3 John ⁴Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are following the way of truth.

The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (3 Jn 4). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

A GOD WHO LOVES TO SAY “YES!”

2009-07-18T18:32:00.002-06:00

Occasionally I read things in the Bible that make me scratch my head and ask, “Is this for me? Is this promise really mine?” You see, sometimes I feel like I have lost God’s favor, that I am no longer really part of the family, that perhaps I have sinned too much to be able to claim God’s promises.
Can you relate?
This dilemma kills my assurance. I know that the “prayers of a righteous man has much power in its working.” (James 5:17) I also know that I am not a righteous man all the time. Does this mean that the promise of God hearing and answering my prayers is dependent upon my obedience? And I know “if we walk in the light the way HE HIMSELF IS IN THE LIGHT, we continue to have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, HIS Son keeps cleansing us from all sin.” But how does this work in life? HE HIMSELF IS 100% light, there is no darkness in HIM, NONE AT ALL! So, if I am 100% perfectly obediently, then I continue to enjoy Christian fellowship and forgiveness of sins? Again, God’s fulfillment is dependent on my perfect obedience?
While it is true, God’s perfect, holy nature demands of HIS creation perfection and holiness, God also provides! What we could never accomplish on our own, weak as we are in the flesh, GOD DID. Jesus Himself lived absolutely, completely obedient to God in every way. He shared our EVERY WEAKNESS yet was without ANY sin. Having the value of every human being who has ever lived or who would ever live (or even every person who could live) – HE HIMSELF being CREATOR GOD, HE took our place, legally and legitimately, and totally, absolutely dealt with our sin while hanging on HIS cross. HIS death is our victory. HIS resurrection is our LIFE!
JESUS stands completely, 100% in perfect relationship with God. There is not even a hint of a
twinge of possible shadow of doubt in that reality. JESUS AND GOD ARE ONE! You and I,
having surrendered ourselves to HIM totally and continuing to trust HIM now, LIVE IN CHRIST.
God placed us solidly in Jesus and HIS SPIRIT lives in us. That is what happened in your immersion into Christ --- you surrendered to Jesus as your MASTER, you were buried into CHRIST, into HIS death, and you were raised to walk in HIM, in new LIFE! (Romans 6:1-4) Your obedience and your righteousness have been accomplished as a finished, perfected act of Christ. It is HIS gift to you.
You are now in Christ, and so, you now possess all that is HIS! Unless you deliberately, flagrantly
turn your back on HIM and walk away back into a life of sin (Galatians 5:19-21) or attempt to
establish your rightness with God based on any legalistic set of rules and rituals (Galatians 1-5), you will always remain in HIS grace. Otherwise, you have “fallen from grace, severed yourselves from Christ” (Galatians 5:1-5)
Bottom line is this: as you continue to live your life trusting in Jesus and learning to live from Him (grow as HIS disciple), you remain in Him and He is remaining in you. AND 2 Corinthians 1:20 is still true for you – “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” Are you in CHRIST? THEN EVERY PROMISE OF GOD TO THE CHRISTIAN IS “YES” TO YOU TOO!

WHAT A GREAT SCREENING!

2009-07-18T18:27:00.002-06:00

It's been a week now since the screening of the television show but I am as excited today as I was when we watched it. Around 150 showed up for the screening at the theater (nearly 30 of them from our church family). Everyone who commented on the show thought it was a winner.
My prayer is simple --- Lord, whatever you want to happen with that will give YOU the greatest glory and open the door for me to reach and teach the greatest number of people is what I want to happen!

A STAR IS BORN??????

2009-07-09T17:12:00.004-06:00

This past January I had to go to Boise State campus to pick up a text book which the publisher had promised five times on the phone the week before would be delivered to my home. I knew God was up to something; in fact, I prayed on my way to campus, "Alright LORD! You've got something up your sleeve, don't you? Help me see what you are doing today, ok?"
I went to the library and returned a book. Nothing special happened. I went to the Communication Department to pick up the Organizational Communication text and interacted nicely with the receptionist, adminstrative assistant, and head of the department, but still nothing much really happened to write home (or in this blog) about!
Figuring I had misread the Lord, I started to leave for my car. As I rounded the corner of the building, I spotted Eric and Randy, two of my former students, standing by a bench talking. We made eye contact and Eric said, "Skidmore! We were just now talking about you!"
I said, "Oh really." I knew this was the something!
"Yeah," Randy continued, "You ever thought about acting?"
"Well, when I was a kid. But nothing serious."
"Ever thought about television?"
"Yeah. Again when I was a kid, but it wasn't serious then, and I haven't thought about it in years and years. Why the questions?"
Randy explained how he had just landed an internship with a television production company in Boise and they were beginning to cast for a children's television show. "A kind of kids fantasy that takes kids on a magical, musical, colorful flying ship to a magical, musical land where they meet all sorts of interesting characters. We are looking for someone to play the captain, and Eric and I both were just saying how you would be perfect for the role!"
ME? I thought. "What kind of time commitment am I looking at?" I asked. Randy assured me that it would be overly time consuming.
I said I would go home and discuss this with Jan, and we would pray about it. "By when do you need to know?" (Yes, I actually speak like that occasionally.) "Tomorrow would be the audition."
"Tomorrow? All right. I can tell you now, yes. We'll talk about it and see if the Lord opens that door or not."
To make a long story just a little longer, I did audition. Dave Turner, actor and stand-up commedian for over 60 years (co-starred in Barnaby Coast with Doug McClure and appeared on Sanford and Son about 7 times) said, "They done chose another guy for the part. But I think you're better. So, I'm gonna overchoose 'em!"
They agreed with his choice, we practiced, filmed, and they edited it -- applying computer graphics and animation -- and it now completed, the first show, the pilot. Saturday will be the premiere screening for the public at a local theater where they can meet the actors and crew who made it.
Here is the punch line, God's punch line I think. There is a chance Nickelodeon or Disney may pick this up. If not them, then perhaps another children's cable network. If this happens, it will broadcast nationally. This may propel me into a position of tremendous influence -- I can see the local news teams reporting, "Local pastor costars in children's television program picked up by Nickelodeon. These and other stories at 10." Perhaps schools will have me come and speak to the kids as well as other groups. Maybe, just maybe, it will put me in the position I have been praying for for years and years (especially since we moved to Boise), "LORD, use me to reach thousands and thousands of people with the good news. Help me move from line fishing to huge net fishing!"
Could this be HIS answer to those prayers? Stay tuned -- SAME BAT-TIME! SAME BAT-CHANNEL!

REVIVE US AGAIN!

2009-06-17T16:50:00.000-06:00

We need reviving. We need a heart-fire, a fresh vision, a renewed commitment. At least I do. "Can these bones live?" "Only You know, Lord!" "Prophecy to them!" Ezekiel did and REVIVAL swept through - re-life. First, the dry, bleached bones reconnected (bones flying through the air - arms, legs, trunks, necks, heads, feet, hands - all fitting together like they were supposed to - an army of skeletons!) Ezekiel kept prophesying; flesh formed around the bones. People stood. They looked ALIVE! Ezekiel ran down and grabbed one - he was cold, no breath! Ezekiel prophesied and a wind blew from YHWH. The lifeless came alive! A mighty army filled with the LIFE of God HIMSELF. I crave revival. I pray for revival. I ask God regularly to sweep the land with revival and let us be a part of it. I ask that a fire be lit that cannot be put out, that hundreds and thousands in Boise, Treasure Valley, Idaho, the North West, the U. S., the world would come to know Jesus and sell out to HIM as Lord of their lives. I pray that I can be a part of a movement that will reach thousands and thousands of people with the good news. I want to move from line fishing to massive net fishing. I don't know how God is going to answer these prayers. But I am sure that He is answering them, has been answering them long, long before they were ever prayed by me or others. God has been at work throughout eternity to answer these very prayers because they are exactly where HIS heart is. Oh God! Create revival in our land and throughout the world. And let it begin with me.

2009-06-15T19:44:00.002-06:00

I love our shepherds. These men, Ted, Stan, and John, are godly and wise. They are not perfect but they are gold.
They take very seriously the charge Jesus has given them to feed, protect, and grow the flock of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). They genuinely care for people and they are willing to do what it takes care for their sheep.
I have had opportunity to work with elders in several of the churches I have served. I have seen good and bad, mature and weak, prayerful and self-determining. There are a few who have really shone as great beacons of encouragement to me and many others as well. There are some who seemed to me to be little men with little agendas trying to walk in big shoes! Good business men, shallow leaders. (I realize how judgmental this sounds, and I guess it is. I take seriously the good fruit is evidence of good tree and bad fruit is evidence of bad tree criteria.)
God has strategically placed these shepherds and me together for exactly this time in this place for this work. I don't know when I have felt as "in the will of God" as I have since we moved to Boise.
I felt this way some everywhere we have lived for the most part. But never to the degree I do here. Right now, I feel like EVERYTHING that has happened in our life to this point has been in preparation for what we are doing now. And that is such a great feeling!

FED UP!!!!!!

2009-06-07T23:43:00.003-06:00

I am pretty upset right now with us - "us" being the traditional churches of Christ. I'm upset because I care. If I didn't care and I weren't committed, I'd jump ship. I don't jump ship, not because I believe the coc is the only right group, or even the "closest group" around to the "new testament church". I don't leave mostly because it's my heritage. I am what and who I am a lot because of my affiliation with this non-denominational denomination. I stay because I still see and hear people stating that they want only to be Christians, nothing more, nothing less.

Three major things about me == I am totally sold out to Jesus, I want to see thousands and thousands come to KNOW Jesus as LORD AND SAVIOR, and I want to see all of them grow up to be just like Jesus in every part of their lives and bring others to HIM. To these ends, I try to do all that I do - preach Sundays, write, teach college classes in communication, act, spend time with others over breakfast, lunch, or coffee, etc.

It is also because of these things I get so frustrated with us! I am angry at how satan can and does use conflict over such minor issues like instrumental music in videos in church, or singing with them or singing with a praise team, or seeing videos that make us feel uncomfortable because they are bloody (scenes from Mel Gibson's "The Passion"), or women praying in the presence of men, or women passing communion trays in an assembly, or . . . as if the major, primary thing God is interested in in all the universe is what we do during that hour to hour and a half on Sunday mornings that we call worship.

First of all, God never called it worship, never commanded it, never authorized it, never mandated things be done or not be done in this "worship" which He never commanded nor authorized! Secondly, this thing we call worship (or corporate worship) is something we have inherited and constructed for more than 2,000 years of tradition being handed down primarily from the Roman Catholic Church. WE have taken this "holy construct" and determined all the things we are allowed by God to do or not to do within that time frame. WE then read this entire worship structure back into our Bibles to justify our conclusions, argue with each other, and ultimately divide the loving followers of Jesus into various worship camps. Thirdly, WE do this at the expense of reaching the world with the good news of Jesus! While we bicker and haggle over minor, unimportant, and non-biblical issues (like worship), the world (our own families and friends) are running blindly and wildly headlong into an eternity into a raging hell of separation from the God who loves them! But that seems ok with us -- as long as we "worship on Sunday correctly" - because that is what God is all about! That is why Jesus came and did all that HE did - so we could "worship God in spirit and in truth."

I'm here to tell you - it is not worship either in spirit or truth - if we celebrate, praise, eat the Lord's Supper, pray, study, give, fellowship - all to worship God and ignore all week long either living under HIS lordship or worshiping HIM everyday in serving others and NEVER TELL A SINGLE PERSON ABOUT JESUS, we mock the Jesus we claim to follow! How can we ever say that we are worshiping Christ if we neglect any of these?

To be continued in next blog:

SEEING THE UNSEEN WORK OF GOD

2008-05-03T17:57:00.004-06:00

I have no idea most of the time how God works. I am just sure that HE is working. HIS work is in the invisible realm (seed germinates and grows UNDERGROUND; sperm and egg unite and child begins, grows -- IN THE WOMB; water evaporates, rises, forms into clouds, and rains down on us). True in the physical, truer in the spiritual. Because we can't see it, aren't aware of it, or have no direct hand in it doesn't mean it is not happening. Word-of-God-seed-work in the heart of a person is invisible. You may have had a hand in planting God's word in someone's life that later takes sprout due to a series of unfortunate and difficult circumstances (farmers are not the only ones who can use manure to cause things to grow!) The amazing thing about this is that it may take 25-30 years to produce fruit, and the person and you may not even remember the initial planting, but GOD brought someone else to water the seed, and/or caused/used stressful circumstances to fertilize the seed, or sent great blessings to add sunshine.
Got a call from a fellow who showed up to church one day with the woman and three kids he had connected with. They said they were seeking a church family. We befriended them and helped in some rough spots. Then after Christmas they dropped out of sight. I and others tried to make contact. No luck.
Four months have passed and suddenly out of the blue he calls and states that he has two questions: "How can I get into the ministry? I think God wants to use me to help people find HIM." And, "Could we talk about me getting baptized? I haven't been baptized yet and feel I need to do this as a sign of my surrender to the Lord." I don't know what has been going on but I know this --- GOD HAS BEEN WORKING!
The final chapter on this young family's life has not been written. I am excited to see how the Lord is going to grow them and use them in kingdom enterprise.
So, why am I writing this? To encourage you to keep going even when you don't see God working. Just know that HE IS. And to encourage you to open your eyes and be aware that white fields to harvest are already around us everywhere because God has already been working in the lives of people we haven't met yet. And to encourage you to pray that the Lord will open more opportunities to tell the good news, will give you eyes to see the opportunities, will give you boldness to take the opportunities, will give you wisdom to know what to say - when to say it - and how to say it, and then help you realize that you played a role by allowing HIM to use you as a part of that person's coming to and growing up in the Lord.

2008-04-19T21:27:00.002-06:00

It has been a long time, hasn't it? Well tonight I have something to say.
Jessica and I went to EXPELLED: THE MOVIE. Fantastic! Ben Stein does an excellent job hosting the documentary which exposes the lack of freedom of thought in the academic scientific community. In fact, as presented in this movie the scientific community is not only hostile to those who suggest Intelligent Design is a viable theory to explain the origins of life, but to those who even question Darwinian Evolutionary theory. If you haven't heard of the movie yet, check out http://expelledthemovie.com to view trailers.
Perhaps the most moving and convincing part of the movie is where Stein explores historical logical conclusions of Darwinian Theory - the Nazi regime being the most hideous extension of the evolutionary argument. Darwin himself had concluded that if the theory is correct then it is best to exterminate those who are handicapped, elderly, or could not add to the enhancement of the gene pool.
The movie also makes a strong argument that acceptance of the Darwinian Evolution leads to athiesism. "This is liberating", states Robert Hawkens who claims that religion is major cause of most of the ills of mankind.
Though there is an obvious attempt at persuasion in how the documentary is presented, Stein does an effective job of giving voice to academic scientific community allowing the major proponents time and opportunity to explain in their own words why they believe that it is best that people not accept God as real nor Intelligent Design as a viable explanation of the complexity of the universe or the origins of life.
My review: 10 fingers and 10 toes up! Not only should everyone see this movie to become more aware of this issue, everyone should see it to support this kind of movie -- to make a strong statement to Hollywood and the world.

PERIODIC TUNE-UP

2008-03-03T12:30:00.003-07:00

TODAY - I am at home while our next-door neighbor tunes Jessica's new piano. Well, it's new to her. And to us. It is great to have music in the house again. I enjoy listening to her plunk on the keys.
Which brings me back to today - to this very moment in time.
Out neighbor friend is presently tuning the piano as I tap out this blog. One note - over and over again - occasionally with a tune up or a tune down. Several minutes (seems like hours) on the same note. He is here for his week after tune-up check-up. Last week Richard worked several hours initially tuning up the old piano. He said that every key was flat when he started. He got it as good as he could (which sounded a heap-site better than when he began the process). We talked, he left, and I began to nurse a headache that had developed in the hours of hitting the same notes over and over. He was meticulous and did a great job. Did it mention it took him several hours to do?
I wondered. I have sung a song for years that includes the phrase, "Tune our lips for praise!" I wondered.
Is it possible that for the past several years of my life the Lord has continued to hit on the same keys - anger, lust, greed, arrogance, forgiveness, patience, etc - in the attempt to tune up my life. I have looked over the past couple months and the song I hear playing has been rather discordant. I seem to be like the mother who told the band director, "You all did a good job but I noticed my son was the only one who was in step!" Or "You choir was fantastic but my kid was the only one on pitch!"
I think I have been doing fairly well as I listen to the tune I am producing - at least, in contrast to those around me. Fairly well -- until I looked back the past couple months and listened to the music of my life in contrast to that of Jesus. Boy! Am I ever out of tune!
Bad news - good news: first the bad - He has a long way to go to get my life perfectly in tune with His. Now the good - He plays and sings His song through me so loudly that it drowns out my mistakes. His grace covers my discordant moments, my times of falling in weakness, my sin and rebellion, my missing the great opportunities to do good but didn't. He plays so loudly that it seems as though I never missed a note or even forgot the song we were singing. And, better still, then He treats me that way- as if I never missed a note or forgot a single word.
AMAZING! He treats me as if I am first chair and I never missed the mark once. And people wonder why I love HIM and want to be like HIM? Just listen to Him sing and play His song.

IDENTIFICATION, PLEASE?

2008-02-12T22:46:00.006-07:00

I really wasn't going that fast -- at least I didn't think I was until I saw the police car facing me just off the left side of the road. When I saw him I glanced at my speedometer at which point I began applying my brakes -- I was going 52 in a 35 mph zone! I had just passed him when I noticed his lights go on. "Sure hope he got the guy in front of me and not me," I thought. Nope - no such luck.
"May I see some identification, please. License, registration, and proof of insurance."
I already had it out of the glovebox ready to hand him when he asked for it.
"Identification, please?" Reminded me of the story of a professor who warned his class that they only 20 minutes left on a test. The time ran out and the professor cleared his throat loudly and asked all to hand in their tests. Everyone but one did. 10 minutes went by, then 20. Finally, the old professor loudly bellowed, "Young man - you're past time. You get a zero for this test!"
The student got up and walked down the steps of the large classroom with his test in hand. When he reached the desk he said sternly, "Do you know who I am? Huh, do you? Do you have any idea who I am?"
The professor said, "No, I don't."
The student placed the paper in the middle section of the stack of tests and said as he left, "GOOD!"
Just who are you? Who do think you are? What are you all about? May I see some identification, please?
At your very core who are you? If I asked you to list the top ten descriptors defining you (husband, father, teacher, friend, athlete, student, son, daughter, etc), what would you list? Then, if I asked you to choose one of these that would be your core descriptor, that one descriptor that informs all the others, what would you choose? (No matter what else I am, I am always this, and this one will always affect my decisions and behaviors in all my other roles.)
What did you say? I want my answer to be Christian. The central point of identity that informs every relationship, every attitude, every belief, every action, every whatever - is what Keith Green used to say was the definition of a Christian - "Someone who is bananas for Jesus!" It is my goal to bananaize all my life. That is one identity no one can steal.
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Addendum to Post: 2-13-08 No, I did not receive a speeding ticket from that incident. He informed me that I was traveling fast enough to double the fine - it should have been $140. BUT he was letting me go with a warning; I thanked him and went on my way rejoicing!

HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG?

2008-02-11T17:58:00.003-07:00

I just got an email that knocked my socks off, flooded my eyes with tears, and made my heart burst with gratitude. OK - so maybe it didn't knock my socks off -- that was metaphoric.
Jean (Koller) Watson had searched me out on the internet and made contact. Why is that such a moving event? Jean is the first person to become a Christian my first year in campus ministry in Cincinnati, OH -- November, 1983!

She has a tremendous testimony about the love, mercy, faithfulness, and redemption of God. She has been through "one hell of a journey" in the very worst sense of that phrase. But the Lord Jesus has worked in and through the circumstances, has shepherded her, rescued her, and is using her to reach perhaps hundreds of thousands of people with the life-changing good news of Jesus.

I remember the vibrant faith expressed by Jean when when was a a music major in Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and I am so excited about how the Holy Spirit has resurrected that faith and has renewed her hope by giving her a great understanding of His purpose for her.

A single mother of four, Jean has been blessed recently with a powerful ministry of singing and

speaking. She has held the top two contemporary Christian songs in the United Kingdom.

Here is a quote from a Lawton News article posted on Jean's site. "The CD, "Unveiled" received positive reviews in the United States and in Europe, where it was posted on a British independent artist Website this past spring.
(In May [2007], Watson was the "Featured Artist of the Week" at: mychristianbands.com in the U.K. "Purple and Red" and Dream Maker were No. 1 and No. 2 on their "traditional and inspirational" charts, and "Purple and Red" was No. 6 on the overall chart.)"

Her singing is powerful because of how the Lord has been in process of restoring her, healing her, and strengthening her from a serious battle with sin, destruction, and depression. She encourages and challenges people everywhere she speaks at women's events and retreats. Anyone who hears her sing can hear the passion and love she feels for the Lord.

You can read more about her and hear some of her songs at http://jeanwatson.com. You will thrill at what you see, read, and hear. I'm sure you will want to bookmark the site. I'm also sure you will want to order her CDs so you can take her with you and give her to others. It will also be a way of giving to the Lord in supporting her ministry as she continues to grow as a single mother of four and a Christian music artist.

(Photos lifted from Jean's site)

Rhetorical Passion

2008-02-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

ARISTOTLE says that rhetoric is the art of discovering all available means of persuasion. In his book by that title (Rhetoric) he reveals a depth of wisdom concerning three areas of concern in creating the most persuasive arguments – ethos (credibility), logos (logic, reasoning), and pathos (emotion, passion). He artfully and skillfully develops his ideas in this 2300 year old text on public speaking. He says that each of these areas (ethos, logos, pathos) are places from which appealing arguments may be invented as the speaker considers the occasion, the speech topic, the speaker himself/herself, and most importantly the audience. The importance of understanding these factors increases exponentially as each factor taken in relationship with the others.

I have devoted myself to rhetorical studies for thirty years. This does not make me an expert but it does perhaps give some credibility to some of the insights that follow.

Which of the three areas provides the strongest basis for creating the most persuasive arguments? Is it true, as some argue that if a speaker is not seen as credible, he will not be persuasive? Yes. But does it follow then that this is most important? No. Because effective use of logical and emotional reasoning has direct impact on credibility. Two things that inform credibility – perceived competence and perceived character – are determined before the speech, during the speech, and after the speech.

Are logical arguments appealing primarily to the cerebral realm most persuasive? No. While they do provide for post-decision support, logic alone rarely moves anyone to action. We generally decide (even major decisions) because we are moved emotionally.

Emotions, though, do not provide the exclusive claim for persuasiveness. In fact, the use (read that abuse or overuse) of emotional appeals may very well destroy what would have been a great persuasive speech.

Quick final analysis for consideration: It is the thoughtful combination of the three areas with consideration of speaker, speech, occasion, and audience which provides access to the strongest persuasive arguments. But, if one trumps the others in importance, I throw my weight behind passion. Often the passionate is seen as more credible even if she is less knowledgeable or even logical in the presentation. Passion is appealing – in communicates conviction and actually is a logic to itself. I heard someone recently say, “Better is ignorance on fire than knowledge on ice!”

What are some things you are trying to persuade others about? (Don’t tell me that you don’t believe in persuading others about anything. That dog don’t hunt.) My greatest advice is to determine at least three to five reasons why you are fully convinced in your position and why you can be passionate about it. Then present it with purposeful passion.

The reason I am even thinking about this is because I have been pondering on what the big attraction is for Barrack Obama. I believe it is primarily due to his passion. He presents his messages enthusiastically and extemporaneously. This gives the feeling he is actually talking with you and is fully convinced and even excited about his message. And so many people are persuaded to support him, give money to him, and vote for him.

A FEW NOTES ON NOTICING NOTICES

2008-02-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

When I logged in this evening to write, I was greeted with this message:

January 17, 2008 —

We are excited to announce that Blogger is now available in three more languages: Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian!

Notice the date of this notice. This notice had been posted more than a full two weeks before I noticed. I had failed to notice the notice for 18 days! I wondered immediately how many more notices I should have noticed but didn't; and then I wondered if anyone had noticed that I had missed their notices when they had tried get me to notice something. Then I was tired.

I have the distinct impression that God has sent out notices for a long, long time. Occasionally I notice His notices but usually (I'm ashamed to admit) I notice His notices like I noticed the above notice - way late after the fact. This realization draws a chuckle as I write and I remember the words of an old, departed friend, Terry Blake, "You can just see the fingerprints of Jesus all over that, can't you?"

I have resolved to attune my mind and heart to God's Spirit so I can see Him and hear Him in the present instead of looking back with 20/20. I want to catch Him in the act at the time He is communicating.

The notice about the new communication improvements of the world of blog - "three more languages: Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian!" - that I just noticed is exciting to learn about. I will have to brush up on my Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian (especially rusty in Persian!). But not noticing this notice probably is fairly inconsequential. Missing a notice from God may not be. I am fully aware that He has the ability to gain my attention when it is crucial to do so; I am also painfully aware that He expects me to not be "so dull", "Having eyes, I do not see. Having ears, I do not hear." I can almost hear Jesus saying to this dull disciple, "Wake up! Stop sleeping in class! I have a lot to say but you're not ready yet! Open your eyes, pay attention. My sheep hear My voice! Are you listening?"

I have decided my response from this day forward is - "I am now, LORD! Speak, your servant is listening. Open my eyes, Lord. I want to see Jesus . . . Open my ears, Lord. And help me to listen."

Forgive me if I sound like I'm bragging!

2008-02-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

I really mean that. I don't mean to brag - I just want to express my deep feelings of thanksgiving and love for my kids. God has blessed me and Jan with three of the most superest kids in the world. I know some may take exception to that statement - but is true nonetheless.
Jessica has such a keen perceptive mind and servant heart. I am challenged by her willingness to get her hands dirty in service to others. She works with some mentally and socially challenged folks (I can hear some of you saying "Well, that goes without saying; look at her dad!" Cut it out.) She is consistently and constantly looking for ways to share her faith in Jesus. She is in communion with the God of heaven regularly throughout the day.
Tricia is presently pouring herself into the lives of teens in a last chance high school. She deals daily with pressures and stresses from kids she knows are gang members, doing and dealing with drugs, involved in illicit sexual relationships, and with a bunch of good-hearted kids in messed up situations. She has taken this head on and gains strength each day by praying for each kid by name - and lets many of them know about it ("Miss, do you really pray for me?")
David is involved in reaching out to some of the Japanese students at OC. He is taking a pretty serious load of classes this year, preaching every opportunity he gets, and is scheduled this year to speak on the program in Tulsa's International Soul-Winning Workshop - twice! See http://www.tulsaisww.com/ schedule Friday and Saturday afternoons.
My heart feels like it is going to burst sometimes. I just can't contain the immense feelings of love, respect, humility, thanksgiving, honor, privilege, expectation, joy, and yes, pride! I am extremely proud of my kids. I know that they are not perfect. But they're God's!

"NO GREATER JOY!"

EVANGELISM SEMINAR

2008-01-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

We just conducted this past weekend an evangelism seminar with Steve Crane, evangelist for Eagle Christian church. Steve started a few years ago with a handful of Christians in his livingroom and the Lord has grown that church to over 2,000 every weekend in 6 assemblies. This is the second seminar Steve has presented since my arrival this past August. In November he helped us work through some things in a "church health" seminar. The premise of this seminar is that growth is a natural result of a church health. If a church is not growing or is decline, there is a health issue.
One of the things that came out of the first seminar is that an unhealthy condition exists in our church body. We had grown more focused inward into a more closed system attending to our own needs, creating great times of fellowship but doing very little in reaching out to the community. While there are numerous reasons for this (not the least of which being that this church had just come through a painful split and was/is needing time to heal), none of them are acceptable to take our eyes off the vision Jesus cast for us - "seek and save the lost", "go make disciples of nations", "as the Father sent me, I am sending you". It's nearly impossible to move forward and do/be what and who Christ has created us to do/be when our eyes are tied to our own bellybuttons.
Steve trained us to be aware of everyday situations and relationships we already are in and how to develop opportunities to communicate Jesus. He helped us see that we didn't have to go far outside our comfort zone - it's all about relationships.
That really is what Jesus says in Matt. 28:18-20. Most translations say, "Therefore, go, make disciples of all disciples . . ." This begins with a participle and should be translated, "Therefore, while going, make disciples . . ." The command is not "You go!" but rather "While going, you make!" The going is understood. While you are going about your everyday, normal, natural lives, MAKE DISCIPLES. So the key is to learn how to turn our everyday activities with others into opportunities to tell help others become followers of Jesus.
Two observations: I am thankful to be a part of church that is open to use a minister of an Independent Christian church to teach us how to become move effective communicators of the good news. Many acapella churches of Christ don't even recognize members of instrumental churches of Christ as Christians. Or they consider them to be "erring brethren" (as if there were any other kind!)
Observation 2 - I am grateful to be a part of a church family that really wants to change and grow. We recognize that we cannot continue to do things as we have always done them and expect different results. I am excited to be a part of a movement of God to reverse the decline and near death of a church body into a vibrant body of faith and hope where people can find a place to start over! Praise God for the tremendous power of the good news of Jesus and His Holy Spirit who strengthens us to be and do all He desires as we trust Him!

West Virginia Bound!

2008-01-02T22:37:00.002-07:00

I am pretty psyched right now. It's 10:40 pm Wednesday, and I leave in 9 hours for West Virginia to spend time with my family. I have mixed emotions anymore about "going home". It's not quite the same since Gramps died. I find the older I get the more I miss him. Can't imagine what it is like for Grandma after almost 70 years of marriage. I wish I had had the wherewithal to have understood just what I had when he was alive. I would dropped the bucket deeper and drunk more often from the cool waters of his well of wisdom. I never truly appreciated the wealth of information, spiritual depth/insight/maturity, life skills, understanding, and humor he had. I know he was proud of me. I believe I might have grown light years ahead of where I am if only I knew the gift God had given me in my Grandpa earlier in my life.
I can't wait to spend time with Grandma. At 98 years she still consistently beats her daughters more often than not in Scrabble. She beats me too - sometimes pretty soundly - and I love it! Then after she has finished taking me to the woodshed, a twinkle comes to her eye, she smiles and asks, "Want to play again?" I plan to go to the wisdom well with her often on this visit.
I love my mom and pop. Can't wait to see my brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and sister! I anticipate games, eating, laughter, eating, more games and more laughter. We will have some wonderful discussions and I will visit the wisdom well with Mom and Pop often as well.
The final thing I am looking forward to is the church family at Park Ave. They usually have me do something when I come in -- this time I lead singing, team teach a class, and preach in the evening. This group is especially meaningful to me for the love, encouragement, prayers, and support they gave us the 7 years we lived in Logan, UT. I love giving them my best.
One more final thing! I am looking forward to discussing West Virginia's awesome win tonite again Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. We will debate whether WVU is really the number one team in the nation and what would have happened had they met with MIZZOU (the nation's number two team) on the field for the championship. Really there will be no "debate" -- just reasons added to reasons why it is the fact of the matter!

Auto-talk

2007-12-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

Christmas break is nearly over. My son, David, came home for a couple weeks. My daughter, Tricia, has also come home for a couple weeks. My oldest daughter, Jessica, is home all the time, which I love. David and Tricia's time overlapped. Dave left Wednesday driving from here in Boise to Albuquerque in one day - then Albuquerque to Lubbock to spend time with grandparents. Then Lubbock to Dallas to participate in a friend's wedding - Fletch got married; Dave was an usher. Tricia will be here until Monday. She will return to her home to get ready for the rest of year teaching.
I said all that to say this. David needed a car since he got rid of his old clunker before he went on OC's study abroad program - PacRim. I sold him my car. I had just repaired the last thing needed to make it "just right". That solved his problem but created one for me. I now was in need of a car.
Did I mention I dislike car shopping? Not as much as I hate shoveling snow. But I rank it up there with getting my teeth drilled and smashing my finger in a door.
So, I prayed, checked the paper and prayed again. A couple possibilities jumped out at me and I immediately called about one. Thursday morning I test drove a Honda Accord (two years older than the one Dave left with and 40,000 miles less!) Then, yesterday negotiated a sweet deal with the fellow who was selling it.
Couple deep thoughts come from this experience. Thought one: It is practically impossible to survive in the world, work, socialize, shop, etc without having a car. It can be done but how inconvenient and impractical. Thought two: You don't have to spend an arm and leg (one arm or one leg maybe - but not both) to get a functioning vehicle. It's amazing how little you have to spend when you simply look for functionality. Bonus thought three: It is hard to live simple. I don't mean minded. I mean a simple lifestyle. I struggled with the desire to buy an impressive looking car that might make others think more highly of me. I lost the struggle somewhat - I did get a nice looking car - but it is a 1990 mustard gold, Honda Accord. It looks better than the amount I spent on it. So, what am I trying to say? Just that it seems pretty easy to caught up in looks and appearances to create a sense of value. Even when I am aware of it, I still fall easy to the lure of the materialistic.
There really is only place to discover, claim and build a personal sense of value. The cross of Jesus. Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus made a strong declaration of our worth. He said, "I love you this much!" Stated another way, "You are worth this much to me; I'm committed this much to you!"
WOW! I am worth the life of Jesus. That is an historical fact - no one can ever take that away from me. I may wreck my car, house could burn down, lose my job, gradually lose my great looks, suffer some accident or disease that could take away my physical abilities, etc, etc. All the things that people generally look to to find and declare their value, their self-worth can be taken away in a heartbeat. NOT THE CROSS! No one can touch that. I can build my life on that solid rock.

Snow!

2007-12-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with snow. I enjoy watching it go from flurries, to heavier flakes, to white-out blizzard conditions. I mean, I like to watch it from the living room window. I love to see the mountains covered with snow.
On the other hand, I hate snow. I don't like watching the roads become dreadfully dangerous to drive on. I hate the cold and I despise shoveling!
Overall, my love for snow wins out. It seems so pure, clean, beautiful! And even though it's so stinkin' cold, it still makes me feel warm all over to know that my sins, though "red as scarlet", have become "white as snow!"
Here's the dilemma. Shortly after a snowfall, the beautiful, clean, and pure snow becomes dirty, ugly, blackened by pollution, dirt, and salt trucks. In the same way, it doesn't seem to take very long for the beautiful white snow of forgiveness to be dirtied and sullied by my own failings, sin, and rebellion.
I don't know the answer to this dilemma -- at least not completely. I just lean pretty heavily upon "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning!" I depend on His fresh covering of snow of my scarlet sins EVERY DAY. That is amazing grace to the max. It is what has made me the great snowman I am.

Entering the Blogosphere

2007-11-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today is a new beginning for me. I plan to write fairly regularly on this site and ramble on concerning various issues providing extraordinary insights and motivations. They may not seem to others as extraordinary or motivating as they seem to me at the time I write them, but they will be my insights (mostly, to the best of my ability, or at least if they are other people's insights, they won't be outright plagiarisms! If I know that the ideas I am expressing are someone else's, I will site them or reference that they are another's ideas and not my own.)

My pledge to you: to write openly and honestly about current thoughts and experiences. It is not my intention to hurt or offend others. It is my intention to encourage everyone who reads this and to allow others to write freely whatever is on their minds or in their hearts. All comments are welcome. My only request is that if you choose to reply to any posting, that you be courteous and thoughtful and that you follow Christlike guidelines in your motivation and termonology.

For those interested the Boise church has been posting videos and audio recordings of my sermons online. Click here to view or listen.