Don't. Not even once.

Had a long telephone conversation today with a friend from another state who's having "boyfriend problems."

The people involved are both adults, have been dating just shy of a year, are both divorced and both have children.  The reason she called was because she and her boyfriend had an explosive, name-calling, expletive-filled argument this morning ... it just happened to occur in front of his 7-year old son.

It's likely that she'll read this post ... I hope they both do ... because what I told her is worth posting here.

Don't ever do that again.  Don't even think like it's a possibility.  Period.

Adults, but particularly parents, can easily overlook the weight and intensity their words convey.  To a child, no one's words or opinions are as important, or carry the potential for hurt, as a parent's.

And even if the child's parents' argument isn't directly concerned with the child, its impact certainly is.  To start accusing, name-calling or score-settling in front of a child isn't just unacceptable: it's reprehensible.  Don't ever do that again.

My parents didn't do it and my grandparents never did it either.   Kids learn by observation, and I learned an exquisite, life-long lesson from their example: Don't fight or argue in front of kids.  Ever.  No matter what the circumstances or the cause, there's simply to reason to ever let it happen.  Leave the kids out of it; don't even let the kids know about it.

For crying out loud, your children look up to and want to respect ... and admire ... you.  They want to think you're perfect, even though you, I and God know that you're not.  Don't let your children down ... especially when it's so easy to avoid doing it.  

And no I'm not saying to be deceitful, or to save your fighting and name-calling so you can explode at each other when you're together behind closed doors.  What I'm saying is Don't fight with each other at all.

Is somebody out there hollering, "Well, I'll say and do what I want to because they're my kids"?

No, they're not.  You may like to think "If it wasn't for me my kids never woulda been born" but you'd be Biblically mistaken, because your attitude leaves God out of the parenting equation.  Parents are the recepients but children, every single one of them, are a gift from God.  And children don't deserve to be treated like pets or appliances ... and exposed to your dirty laundry.

"Joe, let me tell you something.  Kids need to get used to life early and besides, my momma and daddy screamed and hollered bloody murder and fought all the time and it didn't do me no harm ... just look how I turned out."  Exactly: you think it's OK to argue,  scream, fight and call your wife ugly names in front of your kids.  So don't be surprised when your son starts doing it to his wife.

Or when your daughter marries a man who thinks its ok to call her repulsive names like whore and bitch, too.  In front of your grandkids.  Because your example taught your daughter that being cursed and called disgusting names is perfectly OK.

"But my wife always starts it!  Don't I deserve the right to defend myself and fight back?"

Defend yourself against what?  Loud words and silly names?  You gonna fight her moods, for Pete's sake? Are your feelings really hurt that easily?  Must be tough being you.

How about this: what about stepping up and being a man?   Try something new and risky ... stop acting like a "guy" and start being the man God intended.  

God made men the head of the family, not the boss or dictator, not the VIP to be catered to and attended, and not the constantly-dissatisfied complainer: it's the head of the family's responsibility, his God-given duty, to protect his family by putting them and their well-being, and not himself, first. Always.  

Don't ever fight again in front of the kids.  End of discussion.

Care to Kindle?

What's a Kindle?  The Kindle is a 3G wireless reading device sold exclusively through Amazon.com

So what's a Kindle do?  Basically, Kindle lets you download stuff like full-length novels (in less than 60 seconds), magazines and newspaper articles or check articles at wikipedia.com, download and play mp3 music or podcasts, or browse text-centric web sites  "any time, anywhere with no monthly fees, service plans or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots."  [You can check Kindle's coverage area here.]

According to Amazon, Kindle 2 lets you read for up to 4 days without recharging the battery ... and you don't even need to connect Kindle to a computer to do it.

Kindle 2's new text-to-speech feature can actually read over 240,000 books, articles, blogs and texts to you.  Aloud.     Amazon prices most New York Times best-sellers for downloading at $9.99 each ... and the Kindle 2 is capable of holding more than 1500 books.

Do it make ya wanna run out n' buy one?

Priced at $359 US, Kindle seems kinda pricey ... especially when compared to other gadgets, like Apple's iPhone 3G ($199-$299), RIM's Blackberry ($149-$589) and Apple's iPod ($53-$224.95)

For a boat live-aboard like me, Kindle's biggest attraction is space (and weight) savings: I usually read 4-6 books per month, and a year's worth of reading consumes about as much space as a small  bathtub ... and probably weighs about the same.

Oh, and lately I've been finding about half my reading material at the marina's laundry room book shelf, where other live-aboards thoughtfully drop off their most recent best-sellers (they're also thinking space and weight) so I'm not accustomed to paying for throwaway reading.

My decision?  I'll wait for Kindle 3 to see what new features are included ... and whether it's accompanied by a significant reduction in price as well.

is it about time ...

... or conspicuous consumption?

You decide: here's the top five finishers from AskMen.com's list of Fine Living Top 10: Watches

NUMBER 5

Richard Mille RM 002-V2 Turbillon

$240,000

It’s difficult to settle for a single model from this relative newcomer who’s taken watchmaking to another level from day one in 1999. But first, let’s make it perfectly clear that we’re not gushing mindless praise at yet another corporate rebel of his particular industry. Having said that, owning a Richard Mille is a rare treat. Several models are offered, and as we said, singling one out is not easy. As a good example, the RM 002-V2 Turbillon, with its carbon nano-fiber construction, is what you might imagine as the outcome of the most avant-garde designers locked in a studio with NASA engineers. To relay a few specifications in the allotted space we have here would do a great injustice to the several dozen other impressive characteristics. And that’s just our non-gushing assessment.    

NUMBER 4

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370

$274,000

Granted, the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370 does retail for over a quarter-million dollars.  However, it’s only about one-quarter the going rate for the car it was designed to complement, the Bugatti Veyron. You’ve no doubt heard of the car’s phenomenal performance; and the watch is quite impressive in its own right. Foremost, you can’t ignore the unconventional display angle. This allows the wearer to check the time at a glance without lifting his hand from the wheel or turning his wrist. Not a bad idea when scorching the Earth at over 200 mph. The watch also pays tribute with an upright parts arrangement, to resemble an engine layout. Look closely through the six sapphire crystals held by the 18-carat white-gold case. You’ll see movement wheels designed to replicate the design of Bugatti wheel rims of the 1930s.  

NUMBER 3

Breguet Double Tourbillon Classique Grande Complication

$329,000

It’s one thing when fine watches enjoy status among the rich and famous, but when you’ve been in the business since 1775 and your past customers includeMarie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte, you must be Breguet. You must also be the maker who patented the Tourbillon, designed to compensate for gravity and improve the watch movement’s accuracy. You may just get the impression they have a knack for this watchmaking thing. With 50 hours of power, their Double Tourbillon Classique Grande Complication strikes an appealing harmony between sophistication and simplicity with a rotating textured center plate, turned by hand. An image of the solar system is hand engraved on the back of the movement. A case of platinum surrounds the 588 pieces and 69 jewels.

NUMBER 2

Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Minute Repeater

$623,000

Henry Ford would not wear this watch. If he were still with us and the morbid name or heavenly price didn’t deter him, its assembly definitely would. There are perhaps just a few more parts -- moving or otherwise -- at work here than in a Tin Lizzie, and it wasn’t mass-produced on an assembly line. Any other captain of industry who can appreciate the thousands of hours spent in the creation of a Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Minute Repeater will wear one with pride. This 30-jewel timepiece has a 34-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, repeating hours, quarter-hours, and minutes by demand. So this is also not the ideal choice for feature-loving wearers, but if you appreciate craftsmanship over gizmos, this is one skeleton you won’t want to keep in the closet.   

NUMBER 1

Girard-Perregaux Opera Three

$630,000

Desirability is understandably great for the Opera Three, and even at $630,000 we can envision hordes of the well-to-do camping out for the chance to buy one, iPhone-style. There’s just a small flaw in that scenario. Girard-Perregaux position themselves as crafting “watches for the few since 1791.” They’re not about to change. For the especially privileged few who acquire one, life could be worse. Owners can let the arrival of each hour pass in silence or they can embrace it by allowing the Opera Three to play one of two personalized tunes on its (very) miniature carillon, somewhat like a diminutive music box -- on your wrist -- that cost over half a million.

what can we really expect from a church web campus?

Nick Charalambous is one of the most amazing, passionate, and Christ-loving men (with one of the most incredible testimonies) I've ever known.  It's true.  Nick also happens to be the pastor of New Spring Church's internet campus.

This morning I wrote a response to a recent post on his blog.

Nick, just finished reading yesterday's post on your blog and the subject reminded me of something I heard years ago during a historic home tour in Charleston.

This particular mansion was quite grand by every standard, including its ornate gas-fired chandeliers and sconces, but even though the house had been constructed after residential electricity was readily available, the original owner had refused to include the new technology in his home.

Apparently the stubborn man had argued that he'd gotten along fine without electricity so far and that, in his estimation, "Electricity is just a fad, and can't do anything gas already does better."

That man's stodgy thinking made me think of a comparison to today's web-based church campuses when mortar-bloggers opine, "What for? We've gotten along fine without web campuses so far. They're just a fad and can't do anything a 'real church' does better."

But I'd suggest that today's web campuses are only as sophisticated (and perhaps as delicate and mysterious) as the first light bulbs: not perfect, and in a sense still very unfamiliar, but good enough to get the job done. Which means the web campus experience merits further attention.

When the first home computers arrived on store shelves the systems were slow, bulky, arcane and expensive, offering little more than simple word processing and cumbersome filing systems (like, for keeping track of phone numbers and Mom's favorite recipes- awesome!). Which caused lots of folks to scratch their heads and ask, "Why would I ever need a home computer?"

It took a new dimension of thought (and some inspired innovations, like icon-driven menus, sound cards and the mouse) before the "home computer" gradually evolved to become Skype, HD surround-sound Xbox's, Kindles, Blackberries, video editing platforms and Facebook.

Just as that mansion's owner accepted that "Gas is better" because he couldn't imagine the arrival of electric hair dryers, TVs or washing machines, the parallel holds true for today's "first generation" web campuses: we can't overlook the reality that we live in an era when the majority of 21st century US citizens feel that owning a computer is a virtual [pun] necessity. And we haven't even mentioned iPods, iPhones or DVD players ... which would never have been invented had we been content to accept the previous century's notion that "Gas is better."

Perhaps some folks would argue that "Church web campuses are a fad," but the potential for great and amazing opportunities remains; the key to unlocking that potential might lie not so much in defining a web campus in terms of comparisons to brick n' mortar churches, or according to "things we already know for sure about what church is," but in formulating an entirely new paradigm from scratch ... and in making room, lots and lots of it, for the web campus miracle to define itself and meet the ministry opportunities those of us born in the second half of the 20th century cannot begin to imagine, much less perceive as possibilities.

Summing up, sure, nowdays probably nothing sounds quite as romantic as dining (or reading a good book) bathed in the warm glow of a hissing gas-lit fixture; it's just that I'm starting to seriously doubt we'll ever see natural gas iPods or gas-burning cell phones. Electricity opened doors that folks used to gas lights couldn't see.

Nick I can't wait to see where the web campus will take ministry and how its presence will revolutionize sharing the gospel. Not just by crossing time zones or circumventing geographical boundaries like oceans or borders, not just by responding to differences like language, ethnicity or age ... but how web campus ministries can impact and negate INDIFFERENCE and reach the hearts of individuals who desperately need to know Christ. Wherever and whoever they are.

I keep wondering what's ahead ... like, what will the equivalents of the first "web campus mouse" or icon-driven menu be? And it makes my head spin every time I try to imagine where God will lead us from there.

guaranteed ... in writing

Ever promised someone something, but then reneged and failed to keep your word? 

I certainly have; you probably have, too:  after all, "weasling out" of an agreement is only human (though it's certainly easier to remember the times other people have broken their pledges than it is to remember the times we've broken ours).

Especially if you're the one doing the weasling, which can be easily rationalized with excuses like "Well, things change" or "I didn't know as much then as as I know now," breaking a promise or going back on your word might not seem like such a big deal ... until we remember that breaking a vow is something God will never do.

"Get It In Writing"

If somebody offered you an irresistible deal on the car of your dreams, what would be the first words to come flying out of your mouth?  Will you put that in writing and sign it?  In ink too please, if you don't mind.

"Getting it in writing" serves to spell out the terms and offers an assurance that the other guy is willing to follow-through without reneging, while a signature serves as authentication and acknowledges an agreement to the contract. 

So how can we know our salvation is assured through Christ?

Here's the terms ... guaranteed

We know our salvation in Christ is assured because God doesn't renege or break his promises.  Unlike us, God doesn't change his mind, have second thoughts or go back on his word.  God doesn't make excuses either, because God does not change ... and besides, God already knew everything about everything and everybody before he created the universe: God had all the 411 up front.

Which tells me it's impossibly hard to surprise, outsmart or out-negotiate the Creator ... no matter how hard folks keep trying.

But but but ... who signed the guarantee?

The promise of our salvation wasn't written in ink; after all, ordinary ink is short-lived and unstable.

Our promise of eternal life was signed in Christ's blood instead.

And that's an imperishable guarantee.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

- Hebrews 9:15

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

- Matthew 26:28

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

- Galatians 3:22

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:28

"I'm very in touch with the universe because I'm a very spiritual person" (updated)

Huh?  

I've got no idea what that gobbledygook means (or even if it means anything), except that it's a catch phrase often heard from folks who pour their brains into New Age self-help books; from folks who're searching for Your Hidden Inner Power! ... from folks who're anxious to affirm "the progress of their on-going journey of self discovery, revelation and awareness of the infinite universe."

Like, wow.  

The universe is infinite, so it seems to make good New Age sense that the goal of any sincere spiritual space-quest is to "become a harmonious part of the infinite whole."  The infinite whole ... really?

Then why does God Jehovah somehow end up being in the hole instead of being the whole?

When God is mentioned in holistic spaceology, we find New Agers trying to re-define Him either as "something we're all part of" or as "a concept each person must decide for themselves."

So if you decide I need a miracle now! it's no problem, because Me-First theology insists God can be processed  into a kind of convenient between mind-meals spiritual snack, or  re-packaged as a take-as-required vitamin supplement: "The Secret's" own power bar.

Anybody out there wondering what's wrong with defining God according to our own terms?

What's wrong with that is 

(1) God created us, and doesn't need us to return the favor 

(2) God reveals Himself in scripture, not through the latest Have-Him-Your-Way best seller 

(3) If "We're all part of everything" then Satan must be part of everything too, so it follows that "We're all part of Satan" ... except that folks content to voyage along inside their inner-spheres never say that.

What's the critical difference between faith based on "I'll make up God as I go," and faith in Christ through total and complete surrender?

The consequential differences are that unlike a I-Deserve-To-Be-Happy paperback author, God the Father never said Go Ahead, Have It Your Way ... nor does God allow excuses for our sins. 

"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

- Joshua 24:23

Blessed is the man 
       who makes the LORD his trust, 
       who does not look to the proud, 
       to those who turn aside to false gods

-Psalm 40:4

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

- 1 Timothy 6:2-6

pursuit of the perfect picadillo

I dunno if should keep trusting my memory.  Lately it's been running me around in circles, because no matter how hard I try, recollection tells me that Picadillo was better when I was a kid.

(above: boat-made Picadillo, version 22 Feb 09)

The best picadillo I remember was in Ybor City at Cafe Mercedes in Tampa ... but that was so long ago, I can't even find a hint of Cafe Mercedes anywhere on google.

The serving line at the Mercedes included fresh Cuban bread and a delicious ropa vieja, too.

I keep trying and failing, without ever coming close to the flavor of Cafe Mercedes picadillo.

Try your own ropa vieja: recipe here.

Is an Internet campus really a church?

Here's one powerful response.

Just one more thing I thought I'd never see

(Monday morning blog lite: marina neighborhood news)

It's been windy here, sometimes gusting to 60mph, for almost a week. It's been so windy that trash gets blown from all over the Inner Harbor and winds [sorry] up stuck here around the docks.

So this past weekend the trash boat (technically, a "trash skimmer") came cruising down the fairway between adjoining docks and got busy skimming the trash mangroves from between boats before the morasses of driftwood, tree limbs, lumber planks, plastic bottles and assorted amalgamations of suburban debris grew large enough to become floating islands and a menace to navigation.

• Regular readers already know I love, and am a great fan of, trashboats of every description. You can watch a real TrashCat™ video here.

(above: UMI Trash Skimmer clearing debris along the promenade in Baltimore's Inner Harbor)

Further Reflections on Trash Skimmers

I suppose the name trash skimmer was chosen because it's pretty straight forward and self-explanatory when itemized in a city council's budget request. But a brand like The Trash Shark or The Dock Mess Monster would make every port authority practically start drooling to have one.

(above: a UMI TrashCat™ operating at the heart of Baltimore's waterfront tourist area, the Inner Harbor. TrashCat™ photos from trashskimmer.com)

A Ground and Pound Specialist

If you attended either one of the services today at New Spring's web campus, you already know what I'm talking about.

If you missed out, you can watch the podcast here (it'll be uploaded & available Tuesday).

In the meantime, check out Perry's blog here.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

- 2 Timothy 1:17

You didn't get here by accident

How'd you get here?  Maybe you googled, maybe you were scanning blog rolls or maybe you accidentally clicked the wrong link on another site.  Or, maybe you're a regular reader just checking in.  

However you arrived on this page, it's no accident that you're here and that you're about to read this:

I WANT A NEW MARRIAGE

New Spring Church Web Campus

tonight 6:00 PM ET  [11:00 UTC]

Just click on the text above at 6PM and find out for yourself. 

Bringing it

As BIG as it gets

(Tech-geek update)

Yesterday I picked up both a SVGA and a stereo miniplug cable ... so now I can watch the New Spring Web Campus on my LCD TV.  With real stereo speakers, too.

That's what I'm talking about.

And The Loser Is ...

(Sunday morning blog lite)

Me?  I think it must be, because The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be presenting the Academy Awards tonight, including the "Oscar" for Best Picture.

Isn't that exciting?  Yawn, here's the 5 nominees:

How many have I seen?  Nada.  Not a single one ... so am I missing anything?

Nope, I don't think so.  And besides, the category that would matter most to me is Best Cinematography.  Here's the nominees in that category:

Notice they're almost identical to the nominees for Best Picture.  So what does that mean?

It means film is a visual medium and that 99.9999% of everything you see on the screen is there because of lighting (the rest is dirt, scratches, film grain and emulsion blur).  Without light, there's no need for a camera to capture the action ... and we might as well sit blinking in the dark, trying to watch the soundtrack.

________________

Log on to the web and watch this before the Oscars:

Where?  New Spring Web Campus

When?  Today at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM

What?   I Want A New Marriage - part 3

Why?     Even if you're not married, this amazing series deserves your undivided attention.

BIG Plans for a Full-Size weekend

It's freezing outside today with sustained winds at 50mph, same as it was yesterday, but I'd still like to get over to Radio Shack tomorrow ... and pick up a SVGA cable to connect my laptop to my TV screen.

That way, come Sunday morning, I can visit the New Spring web campus and watch I Want A New Marriage pt.3 on a full-size screen.

I mean, as "full-size" as full size gets on a 28-foot cruiser.

;-)

In the meantime, check out Can Church Work Inside A Social Network for the Masses? on Nick's blog. 

You're on my mind

No matter what happens,

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

- Philippians 1:19

Starbucks goes Green in SC

Starbucks touts new ‘green’ S.C. roasting plant

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Starbucks Corp. said its new roasting plant in Calhoun County in South Carolina has been awarded a “green” designation from a national building organization.

The Seattle coffee giant (NASDAQ: SBUX) said the central South Carolina plant has been awarded a “silver” LEED certificate for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Starbucks officials have vowed to “significantly” reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2015. At the new plant, 20 percent of building materials were from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled, they said, adding that a portion of the plant’s power will be supplied by wind energy.

“In this business climate, it’s more important than ever that we make the right investments in our business, while making sure we do it in ways that support our business, the communities we work in, the environment and our people,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.

- source

Whatcha reading?

Who Moved the Stone?

English journalist Frank Morison had a tremendous drive to learn of Christ. The strangeness of the Resurrection story had captured his attention, and, influenced by skeptic thinkers at the turn of the century, he set out to prove that the story of Christ’s Resurrection was only a myth. His probings, however, led him to discover the validity of the biblical record in a moving, personal way.

Who Moved the Stone? is considered by many to be a classic apologetic on the subject of the Resurrection. Morison includes a vivid and poignant account of Christ’s betrayal, trial, and death as a backdrop to his retelling of the climactic Resurrection itself. - amazon.com

33

- source: BaltimoreSun.com

Gross Love

Around 7 PM tonight it occurred to me that some folks might read today's earlier "Tithe First" post and get the impression from the imaginary budget I used that I'm suggesting tithing should be based on post-tax, post-withholding, net income.

Sorry, but for folks looking to cut corners around God and set set-asides for themselves, I've got bad news.

We should never we think we're smarter or more important than God, and waste time figuring out workarounds to keep for ourselves what God said belongs to Him.

What did Jesus surrender, and do without, to take our place on the cross? Did He hold something back for Himself, or did He willing surrender everything in our place?   Was the Son of God's sacrifice based on Net, or Gross?  

Christ gave up everything because He loved us more than any thing in the world.  His love was gross ... unqualified, without profit, without deductions and without withholdings.

So if tithing still seems financially difficult, remember that a Tithe means 10% ... and represents the bare, basic minimum: we haven't even started talking yet about Offerings.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." 
      And they were amazed at him.

- Mark 12:17

Why Men and Women are just like Computers

Here's a video clip from Perry's second message in the I Want A New Marriage series.

You can catch Part 3 on Sunday at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM on the New Spring web campus.

Tithe First

Probably the most-often heard excuse people offer for not tithing is "I can't afford it."

Sometimes they'll frown or shake their heads, hoping for a sympathetic reaction, but remember: "An excuse sounds best to the guy who's saying it." 

An Excuse is not a Reason ... and it's their Reasoning, not their income, that's the problem. 

--  --  --

Budget Me This

Let's say your take-home income, after taxes and withholdings, is $2000 per month.  A quick peek at your Budget looks like this:

Mortgage/Rent: $600

Utilities: average $250

Groceries: $450

Insurance: (all)  $300

Property Taxes: $150

Credit Cards: (minimum payments) $200

Sound good so far?

Sure it does, except that the total spent so far is $1950 ... and we haven't even started tacking on all the "other necessities" (like internet access, NetFlix, dining out or weekend shopping).  And there's nothing left over for savings, either.

No wonder folks say they can't afford to tithe: they're out of money before they're out of month. So what's the solution when you "can't afford to tithe"?

A Two-Step Program

Step 1: Pray to God, and ask Him take control of your finances.

Step 2: Move tithing to the top of the list ... and calculate your God Goes First Budget from there.

But what about my standard of living?    How will I pay my bills?  I'm not gonna work like a slave for nothing, just to scrape by in life.

Hint: Instead of concentrating on a standard of living as your #1 priority, focus instead on Serving God, and make Obeying Him your only priority ... and see if a change of heart doesn't induce a change of finances.  Besides, about 95% of the world lives with lots less than what you've already got.  

If you're still having trouble taking the first step, remember that your eternal life was paid in full at a price ... and Christ didn't use a revolving account or Easy Terms to do it.

My goodness, did you really miss it?

Did you miss the 11:15 AM service at New Spring's web campus?

Well there's good news ... today's 6:00 PM service is just around the clock-corner.

Sorry, I'm just a little stuck around the edges

No matter what you may think of my skills (or aptitude) as a marine mechanic/plumber/electrician, I'd be the very first to tell you I'm really not very good at spreading goo.

Whether it's 3M 5200 adhesive, caulk, silicone, JB Weld, Bondo, di-electric compound, fiberglass resin or carpenter's glue, I'm genetically pre-disposed to doing a horrifically bad job and making a big mess.  But being ever-optimistic, I don't let that stop me from trying.

So yesterday afternoon I mixed up a big heapin' batch of white marine epoxy and began touching up some of the little nicks, scratches, pinholes and gouges in Calypso's fiberglass hull. 

To make a long story short, it's been almost 32 hours since I stopped working and cast my epoxy spatula aside.  And since then, I've been finding traces of white epoxy in the most unlikely places.  It keeps showing up in places where you'd never expect to see it.

On the rims of drinking glasses, on TV remotes, keys, door handles, tools and in my nose.  I can't help wondering Where did that come from? even though I can't hide from the answer:  White epoxy could only come from one source ... me.

Yes sir, sin is like that, too.  Even if you think other people can't see it, sin has a way of sticking to everything it touches, and showing up where you'd least expect to see it.  Sin separates us from God.

And like a bad epoxy job, sin can't be blamed on anyone else.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

- 1 John 2:1

Something to do tomorrow morning before the New Spring web campus goes live

If you haven't already visited, be sure to catch tomorrow's 11:15 service on the New Spring web campus.

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If you're a returning visitor, then you probably can't wait to catch the next message in the I Want A New Marriage series and you'll be watching the seconds tick off long before 11:15 AM.

And if you've already visited and think the web campus is the most exciting thing to happen to the internet since the dial-up modem, chances are you'll be up at 6:00 AM and staring at your computer screen (watching the seconds tick off till 11:15 AM).

And if you're up at 6 AM, have already prayed, had breakfast, walked the dog, read Campus Pastor Nick's blog, downloaded and printed the study guide, checked out the web campus blog, had two double espressos, e-mailed links to Perry's blog to all your friends and start getting fidgety, grab your binoculars and take a look up at the sky.

Because folks in the 29624* area code can catch a glimpse of the lost $100,000 International Space Station tool bag as it floats by, 150 miles in orbit overhead.  Here's where and when to look:

Here's a video of the backpack-sized tool bag in orbit:

And while you're gazing up into that big, infinite sky, if you start wondering "What's my role?" or "Where do I fit in the universe?" then please take time to remember "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Come and see what God has done, 
       how awesome his works in man's behalf!

- Psalm 66:5

* Tool bag gazing times for other zip codes available here.

Evolution explains why we have dandruff

(Thursday blog lite)

Today is Charles Darwin(12 February 1809- 19 April 1882)'s birthday.  Darwin is considered the father of evolution, which not only purports to explain how apes became humans, but also why humans get dandruff.

Say again?

It's true.  Dandruff is largely the result of sebum and sebaceous secretions (skin oil).  According to evolution, oily skin is a leftover from the days when our genetic ancestors began losing scales, but still needed a little waterproofing ... the same reason why ducks got oil glands and feathers.

On the big evolutionary scale I guess we should feel lucky we got dandruff, instead of feathers.

I mean, most of us.

Would you go to a church where the pastor didn't know your name?

I've heard a lot of remarks like that ... implying that because of the sheer size of the congregation, mega-churches are impersonal, which hints that members can't get a full measure of "pastoral care."  

Another comment I've heard is "When I die, I wanna know who's doing my funeral."

I don't think any one can ever really know that, and besides, by the time the occasion comes around, will you really care?  ("Excuse me Lord, but before I get moved into my mansion, can I take a peek down there and make sure the right guy's preaching my funeral?")

Now pretend like it's my turn, and I'll ask a different question:

- Would you belong to and participate in a church where the pastor knows your name ... but doesn't like you?

What?!  How can a man call himself a pastor and not like every single person in the congregation?  If I even suspected that was true, why in the world would I want to keep going- and giving my money- to a church led by somebody who didn't like me?  Just give me one good reason.

That one reason would be Because God wants you there.

And unlike folks who're always finding something about church to complain and gripe about, God's never once been wrong, changed his mind or made a mistake.

Religious Porn

This morning I saw a video posted at youtube that described my pastor as a "goat herder" who delivered "a purpose-driven scolding" to his congregation.

What was my reaction? I felt incensed and cross-eyed with ire at such a purposeful and dishonest misrepresentation.  After watching it three or four times, I downloaded the file to my drive ...  for "future reference" ... so I can watch it again and again, any time, and amuse myself whenever the mood hits.

Then my anger began fading as the novelty wore off and I got curious about finding more material like it.  Why?  Just so I could see what the critics are saying.  For entertainment purposes, you see.

I won't include the link here, but the same youtube poster maintains a virtual museum of videos "to show you what happens when the church does not remain faithful to correct preaching and teaching of the scriptures."  

I strongly disagree with that self-righteous assessment of his efforts, but ventured into the museum regardless ... and the more I watched his anonymous assaults (and there are plenty), the more angry and aroused I became.  Passionate, even, to jump on his assumptions and start wailing away on his smugness.

But then I stopped and asked myself, "Why on earth are you even watching this stuff?"

And I realized the answer is easy: because videos like that amount to religious porn ... because pornography is any lurid, sensational material intended to titillate or to cause arousal ... which exactly describes my anger-reaction to seeing it.

--  --  --

"Religion" is often confused with Faith, especially when religion replaces Faith and becomes man's attempt to reach up to God and achieve salvation.  But salvation isn't available, nor can it be earned, through any religion: Salvation is only through Christ and his sacrifice on the cross ... because God reached down to us.

-- -- --

So is this virtual museum of idolatry (and bloggers attempting to create acclaim for themselves by tearing down other believers and blistering their pastors) serving God and making the name of Jesus Christ famous ... or merely creating dissension in the body by peddling sanctimonious smut?

Sharing the gospel worldwide at the speed of light

New Spring's web campus is online, streaming live at 11:15 AM and 6:15 PM EDT.

What's a "web campus" all about?  Think of it as a way to attend New Spring Church live, via your computer and internet connection, no matter where you are in the world.  Today more than 600 people in eight different countries attended.  Stop for a moment, and think what that means.

You might be shrugging and thinking, "How's watching church on a computer different from watching church on TV?" or  "So what?  No matter what you call it, an internet church still isn't the same thing as going to a real church."

What's different about the New Spring web campus?

Read what Internet Campus Pastor Nick Charalambous wrote last week at Ipiphanist, following the web campus launch:

They were at church. It was just online. And they need the church to stop arguing about whether they were really there and just figure out how we can be the church online for them; how we can help each other love God, love others and make disciples.

The web has changed social arrangements forever. We cannot argue about that any longer.

In post-Christian Europe, local churches everywhere are being shut down and turned into luxury condos or bars. Physical, bricks-and-mortar church holds little to no meaning other than prejudice and anachronism for hundreds of millions of people.

We would be sinning against Christ and his sacrifice on the cross to turn our backs on them.

I plan to charge the gates of hell with our Web Campus. Who’s with me?

2000 years ago Christ said the gates of Hades will not overcome his church, and that "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

I sincerely believe the internet campus is the greatest means of sharing the gospel and reaching people for Christ we've had since Gutenburg's press.

And like Nick said, it would be a sin against Christ to let the gift of such an opportunity go to waste.