God's Man

So this is what I read in 2012. For some reason my reading went into overdrive this year. Where I am usually reading through, on average, about 3 books per month I often found at least 5 going at a time this year. Instead being incredibly fractured I found the differences in genre, style and subject matter flowed nicely. I included 2 bonus graphic novels that for some reason I devoured at a library in Houston while on vacation. My rule states that I can add a book to this list once I have consumed more than 75% of it. For most of these i read the entire thing. I was finally able to add #17 which is a 5 volume set this year. They are in no real order however the first 4 stick out in my mind the most. #2 is the one that I continue to go back to each month. I read #11 with my beautiful bride. Decline of African American Theology - Thabiti A. The Faithful Preacher - Thabiti A. Pastor - Eugene Petersen The Explict Gospel - Matt Chandler Legend of Zelda and The...

  This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families. We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news, I react not as a president, but as anybody else would as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do. The majority of those who died today were children — beautiful, little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them — birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams. So our hearts are broken today for the parents and grandparents, sisters and b...

My music collection is quite the eclectic mix. My darling wife teases me because I can just as easily enjoy a night of Celtic worship as a I can a Christian hip hop concert. One of the ways that God touches people is through music. Music, in whatever style or genre, has a way of speaking to us. The only restriction that I put onto my musical choices is that they point is to God in some way and don't disparage our relationship with him. Here are videos of music that we have been bouncing to here in our household. Entitlement by Beautiful Eulogy Excellent by Propaganda Goodbye by Json Tell the World by Lacrae Posted with Blogsy

Jesus on the road to emmaus 7 miles. Luk 24:12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. Luk 24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, Luk 24:14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. Luk 24:15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. Luk 24:16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

** Official website www.HumbleBeast.com ** Relevant social media networks www.Facebook.com/HumbleBeastRecords www.Facebook.com/Propaganda www.Twitter.com/HumbleBeast www.Twitter.com/Prophiphop Spoken word video and resource that Propaganda created in partnership with Dare2Share. Let Humble Beast make your next video! Email us at videos@humblebeast.com.

** Official Website www.HumbleBeast.com ** Relevant social networks www.Facebook.com/HumbleBeastRecords www.Facebook.com/OddThomas www.Twitter.com/HumbleBeast www.Twitter.com/OddThomasMusic Spoken word piece that Odd Thomas wrote for a Christmas church service at www.TrinityPortland.com Directed and edited by Edd Blott (@eddblott). Download Odd Thomas's entire album for free at the link below Odd Thomas "Divine Use of Animosity and Ridicule" - https://s3.amazonaws.com/humblebeast/albums/Odd+Thomas+-+The+Divine+Use+of+An... Let Humble Beast make your next video! Email us at videos@humblebeast.com.

I love to music.  This came from 1 source but in 2 very different contexts.  My dad is a fantastic singer.  When I was a kid there was always music being played.  We had a record player(remember those?) and dad would play all his favorite albums.  He is still to this day one of the biggest audiophiles around.  He can go on and on about the difference between his new Pioneer 7.1 surround receiver and his old stereo receiver that he bought back in 1971.  I say 2 contexts because my dad also sang on our church's choir for many years with his uncles and cousins.  The St. Mark's Men's Choir was in institution for many years.  Those brothers could sing.  There is something about hearing men joined in song to God that stirs the soul.  As a young boy and young man it was something that I didn't understand.  Now I recognize that God resonated through the songs of His people. Today they released the audio from the Together for the ...

Thanks to Tim Challies' A-la Carte post today for this video.

Mythbusters: God Wants Me Happy “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. ”  - Philippians 4:12-13  “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do… ” - 1 Peter 1:15 So over the last few weeks we have been looking at some commonly held myths about Christianity and just like on the show myth busters we put them to the test.  What is a myth?  The well regarded Dictionary.com tells us that a myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.   We have adapted this words an...

If you are disgruntled with someone, don't process that with them over email. Email is a poor medium for that type of communication. The same is true for Facebook, blog posts, tumblr, twitter. For my Christians family see Matthew 18. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 ESV) If you are unable to clearly articulate your concern face to face then why do you think that email is going to be received any better. My response will always be to meet face to face. I don't do email well. Even though I am a huge nerd I don't think technology help...

When you look out your bedroom window what do you see?  Is there something that you aspire too? Is it someone that has caught your eye? I don't know much but there is something I do know.  There is a God in heaven that is waiting for you to remember what you are really searching for. Ask and He will respond... Seek and you will find Him... Knock and He will open the door... What are you really searching for? God's Man

H/T to Tim Challies for having this video in his A La Carte post today.

I used to teach one of the new member classes at Living Hope Church . The class has had different names of the 6 years that I have been there but the content has remained the same, understanding your personality and how it effects you. When I took this class as a new member the material was not foreign to me. It was material that our former church, Houston Christian Fellowship, used in their leadership training course. I had also trained organizations on this material and the personality test that was its basis. The test is called D.I.S.C. and it identified, to a certain degree, personality traits you held. One of the things that we talked about as part of the class are the masks that we put on to show the world what we want them to see. Wearing masks are an important part of our culture. We are not an open society like we portray to the world. As a country we wear a mask of solidarity towards the world but underneath it we are a mixed bag of factions. This bubbles up out of ...

P4CM presents Rhetoric 2012, the largest Christian Poetry event. Official P4CM Poet Jackie Hill delivered her poem "Jig-A-Boo" in front of an audience of nearly 3,000 people. This is a powerful word regarding false teaching and our casual attitude towards it. -God's Man

I love how my minds moves when I do these drills. This one is a bit off topic but it captures something that I have been working on for quite some time. As I opened this drill I allowed one of my novel's characters, now an old man to write down in his journal. He lives in a prison. A prison of his own making. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There are moments where I can still hear the voices. Like echoes through time I can still hear the battle raging. I wonder if I will ever get beyond that moment. The smell of smoke and the clanging of weapons. The shouts of battle reflecting off of the armor of warriors who had seen both their first and last battle. Their young faces seem far to young to have been part of the carnage around them. The heat of fire still cascade through my mind. We had tapped into something in those days that no one even remembers in this age of peace. Time is short for one such as I and at my age you would think I would have all the answers. However because of my age I ...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

The summer is progressing nicely.  Working inside an office is hard though.

Want your mind blown. A hilarious view of how TV would be impacted if it followed the same continuity rules as comic books. This is completely off topic but incredibly interesting to my nerdy mind.

We are the head and not the tail. -God's Man

I would like to introduce you to one of my good friends.  Her name is Jolene and she is an amazing Pampered Chef Representative.  This weekend some friends and I will be hosting a Pampered Chef Grill Party.  We will be using some of their awesome tools to make some mouth watering dishes.  Specifically we will be make a BBQ Grilled Chicken Pizza (one the grill) as well as Grilled Orzo Stuffed Tomatoes (on the grill).  Jolene has been a Pampered Chef rep for a long time now and my bride has gotten me lots of great items for our kitchen ( winking at my knife set ).  If you would like to come out and enjoy some good food, see/purchase some great products, and have some fun, join us this Saturday 14 July @11am.  If you are not in the area but would still like to pick up some great tools for your kitchen Check out our events page here . You can see some great how-to on the Pampered Chef YouTube Page. Here is a video of one of our favorite products...

I am reading through "The Explicit Gospel" by Matt Chandler .  This book is a good presentation of the Gospel.  Right now I am in the chapter on the Fall of Man and he shares some quotes from Blaise Pascal and C.S. Lewis.  These quotes highlight the idea that as fallen individuals we are always longing to fill the hole that created by our first parents, Adam and Eve.  No matter what we try to put into that hole, it will never satisfy us the way that God can. "All men seek happiness. This is without exception.  Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end.  The cause of some going to war, and others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views.  The will never takes the least step but to this object.  This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves." - Blaise Pascal, Thoughts (1910) What is we take this to the opposite end of the spectrum.  I mean if trying t...

Jude 1:24-25 ESV Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen When I read the above passage I am in awe. In awe of a God who doesn't see me the way I see myself. I am a fat ugly man who lies, is full of pride, and lust. And yet God is able to "keep [me] from stumbling...".  Even beyond that he is able to "present [me] blameless before the presence of his glory..." How is that possible?  Doesn't He see me?  Doesn't he know who I am?  How could I stand before his presence and not be destroyed? It is only " through Jesus Christ our Lord". May he receive " glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever." Amen

From P.Mighty and P.Mini, Enjoy your Saturday.

 

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:13-16 ESV)

Have you ever played checkers? I remember playing this game when I was a kid. It was fun especially that moment when you reach the other end of the board and proclaim "King Me". See the king was all powerful. Able to fly from one end of the board to the other. Not like the king in chess who could only move one tile. So the image you see above is something that I "drew" in a a program called Paper by Fifty Three while I was sitting in staff. This is no random doodle though. I have been experimenting with visual note taking as a way of remembering things. My Pastor was sharing with us that to be excellent you had to work to master 7 different things. Two of them were captured there. These 2 were the ones that stuck out to me. I have never been good at these 2 things. Reality has never meant much to me. I tend to see things in was that are not realistic. This is a blessing and a frustration point for myself and others. It means that I am not usually able ...

Today I was able to preside over the funeral of a Vietnam Veteran. Michael was the uncle of one of our members.  I shared with the Jude 1:24-25. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Today I want you to Jump and thank a serviceman or woman.  There sacrifices give you the freedoms you enjoy. -God's Man

We have started a new sermon series called Chazown. Transliteration: chazown Pronunciation: khä·zōn' Part of Speech: masculine noun Root Word (Etymology): from chazah Outline of Biblical Usage: 1) vision a) vision (in ecstatic state) b) vision (in night) c) vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication) d) vision (as title of book of prophecy)   What are you doing with God's vision for your life? Jump into finding it out! - God's Man  

Today is Father's Day and as I was thinking what I would post I started looking through some pictures that I have stored and I came across this one. In this picture we have my God son, Cameron, cooking crabs for the first time. It was the first time that he had really touched one. Even wearing those thick gloves he was still nervous being pinched. The other guy in the picture is my Dad, who I refer to as the old King. I know that this isn't the best picture of him but, with half his face gone but it illustrates an important thing about my Dad. My Dad has one of the biggest personalities that you will ever experience but you won't always notice it. Sometimes it is in your face but most of the time it is behind the scenes guiding you. Growing up we always called my Dad the foreman because when there was work going on he made sure that all us boys knew what we should be doing, what we were doing wrong and how to fix it. Like with Cameron he was showing him what to do, th...

As you wind down on this Saturday remember that no matter what season you are in God has given you a focus, a hope, and a promise. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6 ESV) -God's Man

 

Enjoy every moment. Happy weekend.

I loved Mr. Rogers' neighborhood growing up. This video has warmed me up this week.   This was a fun one too. Enjoy your weekend - God's Man

I want everyone I meet to know God. This has not always been the most fun experience, however it has by far been the most rewarding. Here is a message of comfort from the prophet Isaiah in the 40th chapter. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall...

Hi, my name is God's Man and I am a nerd.  I love reading and words in general.  Especially new words.  Today I found these lovelies laying around on the internet. Deontology Deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek deon , "obligation, duty"; and -logia ) is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. [1] It is sometimes described as "duty" or "obligation" or "rule" -based ethics, because rules "bind you to your duty". [2] Deontological ethics is commonly contrasted to consequentialism . [3] Deontological ethics is also contrasted to pragmatic ethics . Teleology A teleology is any philosophical account which holds that final causes exist in nature , meaning that design and purpose analogous to that found in human actions are inherent also in the rest of nature. The word comes from the Greek τέλος , telos ; root: τελε-, ...

I found this series inspiring when I was trying to make it through multiple projects outside of my 9-5 job.  The Gatekeepers are Gone is a series created by Lamar Tyler .  He is the founder and creator of http://www.tylernewmedia.com as well as one of my favorite blogs on marriage Black and Married with Kids . Jump and Find Your Inspiration... Episode #1 Episode #2 Episode #3 Episode #4 Episode #5 Episode #6 -God's Man

A U.S. Army soldier of the Charlie company from 5-20 infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division, walks past his company's kitchen board at Combat Operation Outpost (COP) Pashmul South in Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, June 6, 2012. (Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters) # I saw this above image and it grabbed me and it lead me here.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. - 1 John 4:9 Every moment is precious. -God's Man

What a start to summer vacation.  P.Mighty, P.Mini, and I started the first day of vacation at the doctor's office.  Even not feeling good they are in good spirits. I suspect too much partying in the pool this weekend.

 

I have decided that this is the Year of the Nerd.  There are so many movies that speak to my nerdiness (sp?).  Today I submit to you Wreck It Ralph surprisingly by Disney. Enjoy Your Weekend... - God's Man

Combining 2 things that I enjoy kinetic typography and the effective you of language.  Enjoy, -God's Man

The Bible calls us to test ourselves.  It is important to know where you are coming from, what you motivations are, and what is your primary focus.  Today's Utmost For His Highest Devotional asks this important question. Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession deep within the hidden recesses of my life? There is no trap nor any danger at all of being deceived or of showing pride in true intercession. It is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit through which the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to waste away, or am I focused, bringing everything to one central point— the atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest of my life? If the central point, or the most powerful influence, of my life is the atonement of the Lord, then every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him. - Read the rest here  So I ask you to Jump into finding your focus today. -God's Man

Today's XKCD is incredibly relevant to our discussion today. As we look at the theme of Jump for this month's NaBloPoMo (National Blog Post Month) one of the things that we should make a habit of doing is trying new things. I went into the shoe store last week and tried on a pair of the Skeltoes from Fila.  I had looked at them many times but because of the weirdness of my feet I have ignored any shoe innovation.  I buy the same type of New balance shoe that I know fits my custom orthotics.  A weird thing happened when I tried them on.  They fit.  Even without my orthotic I could move around and they felt comfortable.  I am going to get a pair and see how working out with them feels (winking at Fila). Anyway,  Jump into something new today.  You never know what the outcome will be. -God's Man

I was listening to this sermon by Denny Burk about marriage .  He makes a distinction that many other pastor's have made.  It is a statement that I have shared with the couples that I have talked with, that you marriage is not about you or your spouse.  Your marriage is about the glory of God.  Denny, coming from Ephesians 5 asks wives if they know what is at stake in their submission to their husband?  He asks husbands if they know what is at stake in their love of their wives?  He asks the couples do they know what is at stake in their marriages?  Your marriage is supposed to reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church.  It is supposed to show God's glory. So as we continue to explore this month's theme of JUMP. Are ready to Jump into your marriage with this new focus? Always Chasing His Glory -God's Man

On our way home from the gym tonight my bride challenged the princesses to walk down the street to our house.  As they started walking I told them I would win the race. I was driving the car.  All of a sudden P.Mini jumped into full gear and took off at a run.  Huffing and puffing she ran and I cruised up beside her.  She jumped up to an even faster speed. Soon she began to get tired and started to slow down.  The car began to drift ahead of her.  She jumped back into gear and pushed herself until she, triumphantly, to the top of our hill.  She shouted,"I WIN!" as she jumped in front of our door where I took this picture. Never give up my friends.  You always have a little bit more to tap into. - God's Man

I am reading the book Platform, Get Notified in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt.  In the first chapter he shares 3 insights from Steve Job's 2007 keynote presentation.  1. Create products you would personally use. 2. Create products that solve problems in unexpected ways. 3. Create products that exceed your customer's expectations. How does any of that relate to this month's theme?  Jumping In One of the first obstacles that we have to overcome is analysis paralysis.  Sometimes in order to get beyond this you have to do something.  This is especially true for smart people.  We have a tendancy to overthink, overplan and over-criticize our ideas.  Getting beyond this wall requires us to jump over our self-doubt and get moving. Apple made several decisions that were unheard of at the time.  They chose a design that they hoped would be intuitive even though it was different then the current paradigm. So how did they get there? They jumped in. ...

Today I had the pleasure to continue a tradition with my princesses. At the beginning of every summer the princesses and I enjoy a snowball at our favorite snowball stand in the area. P.Mighty had strawberry cheesecake while P.Mini had cotton candy. I love being a Dad. Always Chasing After His Glory -God's Man

  Welcome to June I am participating in National Blog Posting Month which is now hosted over at BlogHer .  The theme for this month is Jump. Back when I was doing the 30 Day Trial Challenge I stressed the point of Getting Started.  This is a key element to everything. You HAVE to actually do something. Like I mentioned in yesterday's post , today is the 1st day of MY New Year so the theme fits. Since this is the 1st post of 30 I will not overdo it.  I am just going to list the things that I am jumping into during the month of June. Physical Commute by Bike After many challenges with my bike(Schwinn) I am committing to riding to work 2-3 days a week. Mental Complete Reading List I will tackling these books this month. The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler/ Decision Making and the Will of God by Gary Freisen Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt Gosel Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson Spirtual Attend the 2 remaining Ma...

I found this gem in my inbox this morning. Time is a valuable asset that attracts many robbers. Today is May 31. The last day of the year for me. I know, I know. I can hear you saying, "You do know that there are 6 more months left in the year right?" While that is true on your calendar, MY calendar reads differently. A lot of this, looking back on it, has to do with the fact that I am/was incredibly egotistical as a kid. The year for me starts in the month of June for 2 reasons that are important to me. 1. June is my Birth Month My birthday is in June and so, for me, that makes June a special month. It is why I have always counted June as the beginning of my year. Now I keep up appearances for the rest of the world but my internal calender says today is the end of year.  2. Summer Begins in June As most kids will agree Summer is the best time of the year. It is what we wait. It is what we dream about. Time to just be, do whatever we want, sle...