A Door Unhinged

My Blog has Moved to http://shawnbumpers.com

2009-04-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
As of early this morning, my blog has been relocated to http://shawnbumpers.com. Please update the address in your favorites. I also have a new post up there ... Psalm 119 Hey Stanza ... check it out and leave comments. Let me know if you like the new design and/or what improvements you would like to see. Thanks!

Psalm 119:25-32 Dalet Stanza

2009-04-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Beth and it is called dalet (dah-let). The sound of this letter is like the "d" in door. Dalet is the first letter of the Hebrew word Davar and Derek. Davar means "word or thing" and Derek means "way." Like Beth and Gimel, the Dalet may also contain a dagesh mark, making it have a hard "th" sound, but still very much resembling the sound of "d". It has the numeric value of 4 (Aleph=1, Beth=2, Gimel=3) and the pictograph meaning is that of a tent door. As I explained before in the Gimel stanza, it is also thought of as a poor or needy person. The word dalet comes from the word dalah (to make needy or impoverished) and the word dalut (poor or impoverished). As a door, Dalet symobolizes our choice to go forward through the door or to wait outside the door. Interestingly, the word for religion is dat (composed of a dalet and a tav), which means "the door of the cross."

Each one of us faces the choice of what we will do with Jesus. Will we accept what He did for us or reject Him? This stanza of Psalm 119 is all about God's way and man's way. Taking either path requires the choice to take that path. We can choose to take the path of the world and that will lead in the end to "my soul clings to the dust,""my soul melts with heaviness", "the way of lying" and shame. The way of Jesus (HaDavar - The Word - see John 1) leads to revival, answers, understanding, strength, truth, and life. The point is that there is a choice to be made. God gives us the choice to accept or deny Yeshua - the Way, the Truth, and the Life or to reject Him and go the way of the world. As in the pictograph of the Dalet, we have before us a door and thus a choice. Romans 13:1 tells us that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Have you made that decision? In Luke chapter 9, Jesus said, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Friend, nobody can make the decision for you. Jesus. Yes or no?

Soul Wow

2009-04-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

So ... what about:
1 Tim 2:1-7
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle -- I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying -- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
NKJV

Creativity-wise ... ok. doctrinally - Anyone else see a problem here?

How to Pose Like This

2009-04-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Came across this on Twitter and had to share. By the way, if you are not twittering, you are missing out.

Psalm 119:17-24 Gimel Stanza

2009-04-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

Continuing our look at Psalm 119, we arrive at verses 17-24, which is the Gimel stanza. The Hebrew letter Gimel has the sound of the English letter "G." It carries several meanings - camel, riches, and lifting up (as a camel lifts the rider who sits on it). The Talmud states that the Gimel is a rich man running after the poor man (the next letter, Dalet) to give him Tzedakah (charity). Gimel is the first letter of the Hebrew words Goel and Goyim. Goel is the word for kinsman redeemer and Goyim is the word for gentile and nations. Gimel can also be seen as a picture of grace in this way - the letter is made up of two other letters ... the Yod and the Zayin. The Yod is a "hand" in which is carried the Zayin "sword." In the picture of Tzedakah that I described above, the sword of the Zayin is facing away from the Dalet who is the object of the charity.

Reading this stanza of Psalm 119, it strikes me that we in no way merit the right to receive God's instruction. By no means have we received God's instruction because we are righteous enough. We are but Dalet's - poor men - in every respect before the Lord. We are poor in spirit and poor in righteousness. Yet God has brought His Word to us in the ultimate act of grace and charity. Though we should be destroyed in His righteous presence, we can yet come before His throne of grace boldly to receive mercy (Hebrews 4:16). Whereas God could have come to us with sword to avenge and destroy, He instead turned his sword away and came to us in charity that we may call upon the name of Yeshua/Jesus and be saved. He even delays judgement, that many more may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:9). Indeed El Shaddai has dealt bountifully with us. Let us delight in His testimonies, seek His counsel, and meditate on His chesed (loving-kindness.)

Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." ESV

Psalm 119:9-16 Beth Stanza

2009-04-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

In the next of the 22 Psalm 119 stanzas is the Beth stanza. The sound of the letter is "b" as in bait. This letter can acutally have two sounds. If there is a dot in the middle of the letter (called a dagesh) then the letter has the hard "b" sound. Without the dagesh, the letter has a soft sound like the "v" in vet. The Hebrew letter Beth carries the meaning of house, home or more widely, dwelling place. It's interesting to note that the Tanakh (The Hebrew Scriptures) starts with the letter Beth (Bereshith - means "in the beginning.") Why doesn't it start with Aleph, the first letter? Well, Yeshua said He was the beginning and the end, the Aleph and the Tav. God existed before His creation.
In Psalm 119:9-16, each verse starts with the letter Beth.

This stanza deals with three things ... the heart (ha-lev), God's Word (Yeshua Ha-Mashiach - Jesus, the Messiah [see John 1]) and the overflow of God's blessing out of our hearts. Jesus occupying the dwelling place of our hearts means we are righteous in the eyes of God. What occupies the dwelling place of your heart? Is it money, your job, possessions? Each one of us has only one thing that truly belongs to us. That one thing is our heart. What will you give your heart to? Will you give it to the things of this world or will you give it to HaShem - to God? Whatever occupies that dwelling place, will flow out into the things of our lives ... you will become like that thing (see Tehilim [Psalms] 115:4-8).
In the Psalm 119, what is the outflow of God's Word in the dwelling place of your heart? The outflow is rejoicing, righteousness, blessing and delight. Let the Word of God dwell in your heart and these things will inhabit your days and will be the joy of your family. Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Normally, I don't quote The Message as it's just someone's paraphrase of God's Word and not a literal translation, but I really like the way it puts Colossians 3:16 "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
.

Mythbusters Vaporize Car

2009-04-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

This is just awesome. To blow up a car is cool. To sandwich a car between two speeding trucks is pretty cool. To hit a car so hard the paint flies off and only a couple of pieces are left is just wicked awesome. If you have not seen this, check it out.

Psalm 119:1-8 Aleph Stanza

2009-04-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

As I discussed in my post yesterday, the Hebrew letter Aleph (as seen at left) carries the meaning of strength. The original pictorgraph version of the letter closely resembled the horns and outline of an oxen's head and in conjuction with this letters place as the first letter of the Aleph-Beth carries the meaning first, strength and leadership.

In verse 1, we learn that the undefiled in the way walk in the law of the Lord. What is the Hebrew word for law used here? It is Torah. Yes, the Torah. I know ... the Torah is "the old way" and now we live in liberty. I think we need to remember that all good things are from God (James 1:17). God gave the Torah, so it's not Torah/bad and Jesus/good. It's Torah/good, Jesus/better as the fulfillment of the Torah.
What are the rewards of living according to the instructions God has given? The rewards are:
1. Be blessed (Asher - happy)
2. Walk in the way of righteousness
3. No shame
Keeping all of the instruction of God is no easy thing for people with a sin nature. In fact, it's impossible. Todah a El that Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled the Torah - lived a life without sin and bore the penalty for our sin so that we may be saved. Where we fall short, Jesus is strong. He is our High Priest who can sympathize with our weakness and intercede on our behalf because of the work that He did on the cross. He is our Melech Tzedek - our King of Righteousness; our Melech Shalom - our King of Peace.
In this day many use "Christian"as a social moniker for advancement instead of what it is meant to mean - follower of Jesus. I'm moving from even calling myself a Christian anymore, but rather Follow of Jesus. Jesus is our leader. He is our strength. Blessed and happy are those who are followers of Jesus. I have committed myself to walk in His ways. When I fail? I will look to Him who Saves. Todah Yeshua!

My Plan for the Next 22 Weeks

2009-04-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

I love the Hebrew language and am on a quest to learn it and comprehend it. What do I mean by that? Well, Hebrew is a deep, rich language. To learn it is one thing ... to really comprehend it is another. Did you know that all languages of the world point to Jerusalem? West of Jerusalem, we read from the left to the right and east of Jerusalem, they read from the right to the left. Hebrew itself is read from right to left. The Hebrew aleph-beth (first two letters - where we get our term alphabet) contains 22 consonants and no vowels. There are vowel sounds in the language, but they are not written. The Hebrew reader knows what the word is based on the surrounding context. (Modern Hebrew does have vowel markers, but again, they are not always written.) Another interesting aspect of the Hebrew language is that each individual character has meaning. When combined into what we recognize as a word, the meaning of the word is derived from the combination of the meanings of the letters. Take for instance the Hebrew word for father - Ab (pronounced like Av - the "b" is soft and the a as the "a" in father).

The Aleph (a gutteral with no sound.) The unwritten vowel sound is what you hear.

The Beth (pronounced: Bait) can have a hard (b) and soft sound (v).

The Aleph means "strength" and the Beth means "house." So when you combine the Aleph and the Beth to make the Hebrew word Ab it carries the meaning, "strength of the house."

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. It is also what is called an acrostic Psalm with the first letter of each verse within each stanza starting with a successive letter of the Hebrew aleph-beth. If you open your Bible and look at this Psalm, you will see the way it is divided up - there is an Aleph section of 8 verses followed by a Beth section of 8 verses and so on. All 176 verses are divided into stanzas of eight verses each. In each of these 8 verse sections, each verse starts with a letter of the Hebrew aleph-beth. So, for instance, in verse 161, which is the beginning of the "Shin" stanza, the first word is Sarim (saw-reem) - Hebrew for Princes. Nothing in the Bible is there by accident and coincidence is not a kosher word. Over the next 22 weeks, I'm going to commit myself to sharing brief devotionals on this blog from Psalm 119 taking into consideration the underlying meaning of each letter. So stay tuned ... much more to come.

Matisyahu

2009-04-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Matisyahu (Matthew) is quickly becoming a musical favorite of mine ... check out his Rap/Reggae styling in the video below. Keep in mind that he is a Chasidic Jew - not Messianic. He does not believe that Yeshua ha-Meshiach - that Jesus is the Messiah.

No More Christians

2009-04-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the news this morning and saw this article.

Christians do some pretty silly things to get people into the church and often overlook the key thing ... simply teach the Word. Topicals can be great and dynamic and I enjoy a good topical teaching. However, nothing feeds me and teaches me like a verse by verse buffet of scripture. At one time it was commonplace for a pastor to teach verse by verse and chapter by chapter. Now, it's rare. Why? What do you think about this?

Florida Church Seeks Attention With 'No More Christians' Campaign

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Fox News

A Florida church is trying to persuade people to return to worship with a provocative campaign that has raised a few eyebrows around town.

The Mosaic Church of Crestview, a non-denominational Christian church, used the slogan "No More Christians" to spark conversation and attract the attention of people who have grown lackadaisical in their religious practice, the Crestview News Bulletin reported.

The campaign advertises a series of discussions with names like "Why you should be an atheist instead of a Christian" and "Why you should be a Muslim instead of a Christian."

Mosaic Church Pastor James Ross said the discussions are meant to "creatively and aggressively try to show (people) that God loves them so much that even though they are still sinners, Christ died for them," the News Bulletin reported.

"We were really trying to catch the attention of people who are searching," Ross told the newspaper.

Unfortunately, Ross told the newspaper, the signs have also drawn negative attention.

What's in a Name?

2009-04-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 8:28-30 "Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said,'My name shall be there,' that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place." NKJV

Teaching through the book to the Hebrews on Saturdays for Reach and Teach Bible College has been a blast because it's like being in a gold mine. Everywhere you turn, there's a nugget you didn't notice before. From the Rabbinical teaching method of Remez to Melech Tzedek and the Cohen vay Melech to the things that aren't even technically in the text, but you end up discussing in class. Totally Holy Spirit led - there have been many "moments" through the class where we have entered into discussion on something that technically isn't directly from the text, but touches someone's heart because it is a response to some situation in their lives.

Last week I was talking about how God has placed certain things right in front of us to be seen as faith builders (I think we were at the end of chapter 3 moving into chapter 4 discussing belief.) One of those things that I mentioned is from the 1 Kings scripture above where God says that He will write His name on the land. Orthodox Jews and even some more liberal Jews will not speak the name of God or even write God ... instead they write something like G_d or say Ha Shem - which means The Name in Hebrew. Sometimes, they will even use the first letter of Shem to refer to God, which in Hebrew looks like a rounded "W"and is called the Shin (sheen) - see below:

Now, and this is really cool, look at an Aerial map of Jerusalem or visualize based on the topographical representation below. There are three valleys that run through the land. On the eastern side of the temple mount is the Kidron Valley. Running up right next to the western side of the temple mount and under what is known as "Robbinson's Arch" and seperating Mount Moriah from Mount Zion is the Tyropoeon valley. Just a little further off to the west on the other side of Mount Zion is the Gehenna Valley. These three valleys join together at south just under the old City of David, forming a letter Shin - Ha Shem - The Name - the name of God written on the land.

Awesome. There is no god like our God Most High. Baruk Ha Shem!

The Crisis of Credit Explained

2009-04-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

This is perhaps one of the best explanations of why the economy has taken the plunge that I have seen. Check it out. It's originally from here: http://jonathanjarvis.com/.

Better than the Original?

2009-04-07T14:27:00.001-07:00

OK, so I've never been a huge fan of Matallica, but I can certainly be a fan of four guys doing a Metallica tune on Kazoos. Usually re-makes are pretty lame, but this rocks.

Do you think it's better than the original?

Around Here Everything Screams in Silence

2009-04-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 21 is Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. On the 21st starting at 7pm, Calvary Chapel of the Triad will be showing The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in remembrance of the 6 million Jews who were murdered during this horrible moment in history. I don't know if you are aware, but the church at large sat idly by during the Holocaust. Not long ago, I was in Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Museum in Israel. I was blogging this trip as we went and I thought it would be appropriate to share the portion about Yad Vashem ...

From there we travel to Yad VaShem - the holocaust Museum.

I’ve just been through a portion of the holocaust museum. I feel I can hardly breathe. I’m trying not to just break down in tears but have already done so several times. The images are horrifying but it’s the realization that people can do this to one another that really hits hard. There was a quote inscribed on a wall that made me stop dead. It said, “Around here everything screams in silence.” I don’t know who’s quote it was. Another wall was the picture of a soldier with his rifle aimed at the back of a woman trying to run away with a small child in her arms. I’m about to enter the children’s memorial but I really don’t want to. I don’t know if I can handle it. 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 1.5 million were children. Inside the memorial it’s not what I expected. The room is round an dark with mirrors and candles reflecting countless spots of light. The names of children an their ages are being read aloud. I’m not in there long … couldn’t. It’s horrible and I want to push it out of my brain but I cannot and should not. Quite frankly now I just want to be alone to sob. I’m going to stop writing for a little while.

- shawn

Little Wing on the Chapman Stick

2009-04-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite tunes. The Chapman Stick is an instrument I wished I had taken the time to mess around with. It's a crazy axe with six bass strings and six guitar strings and you play it by hammering on and sliding. Found this combo video of someone playing Little Wing with an acoustic Chapman Stick and had to post it.

Eye Opening Video - Did You Know?

2009-04-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Came across this video the other day. First time I had seen it ... thought some of you guys might be interested in it. Really eye opening.

I also want to share this ... I was driving down Mountain Street in Kernersville and saw a yellow poster board with "Rocking for Jesus" handwritten on it. I expected to see a stage or something, but instead there were about 10 wooden rocking chairs lined up with people just sitting in them ... rocking. I'm probably jumping to conclusions, but I hope there was more to this than sitting in a parking lot and relaxing. It just looked funny from the perspective of someone driving by. Anyone know what it was?

Crazy Tech, Exciting things ... and an opportunity for input

2009-04-04T16:26:00.001-07:00

OK, so you guys know Calvary Chapel of the Triad has the Kernersville Campus and the Greensboro Campus. In addition, we stream all of the services live over the internet, which you can get to at http://www.reachthetriad.com. In addition, we stream the Cross the Bridge Outreach events live as they are happening.

Also, I "tweet"all the life lessons and the verse references during the service through @CCOT on Twitter. If you would like to receive these updates, you can do so by signing up for a Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com) and following CCOT. If you would like, you can receive the updates on your phone through texts by texting 40404 with Follow CCOT. Check your phone plan before you do that, though - if you have unlimited texting in your plan you should be fine. While your at it, follow me @solarcoast.

We are also working on some video Real Life Groups, which will be coming soon. (You will be able to attend a video RLG from your home, say if you are sick or can't get out, using your computer and a webcam - probably using TokBox.)

In addition, sometimes I turn on a live cam in my office (not during counseling sessions or meetings!) If you are following me on Twitter or facebook, you'll see me announce when the cam is on.

Here's where I'd like to have your input. What if we were to add an internet campus or an iCampus? Basically, enhancing the live stream of the services with some other features that make it more interactive. What features would you guys like to see? Live chat would rock. What else? I'm listening ...

Our Opportunistic Adversary

2009-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." NKJV

Most people think of lions as powerful hunters, bravely hunting their prey. That's not always the case. Yeah, lions are fierce hunters but they are also opportunistic. They have no qualms with munching on a carcass left behind by another killer.

I don't think followers of Jesus really understand just what satan is capable of. He's not a cartoon joke. He's deadly serious and biding his time, waiting for the opportunity to destroy you. He's waiting for you to put down your sword and your armor. He's waiting for you to decide that because you lost your job or because your marriage is in trouble God does not care. When the variables of life in a fallen world leave you a carcass, he's ready to feed.

Don't put down the armor. Don't put down the sword. During the harder times of life, press in. Don't forsake fellowship and church. Don't forsake serving. Don't forsake your own devotion and prayer time. In counseling I see it a lot and I've seen it happen too many times to too many followers of Jesus.

Catch Me Daddy!

2009-04-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

This morning, my son was fearlessly jumping off the couch and into my arms saying, "Catch me, daddy!"

Rom 8:15-16
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father."
NKJV

With all abandon, jumping into the arms of my Heavenly Daddy.

Now, that's living!

Been Caught Sleeping

2009-04-01T07:56:00.001-07:00

In order to remain fresh and true to my calling as a "second" man, I do several things daily. I pray, have devotions, read blogs, listen to the twittersphere, and read trade magazines such as Outreach, Collide and Relevant, etc. There are some books that I read over and over such as Second by L.E. Romaine and The Ministry of an Assisting Pastor by Larry Taylor.
This morning, while reading the latter, I was reminded of the importance of praying for my Pastor. I thought about Jesus in Matthew 26:36. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene, left most of the disciples except for three whom He brought with Him further into the garden. He then continued alone to a place within eyesight of Peter, James and John. While Jesus was agonizing, the three could have been praying, but what were they doing? Sleeping.
The Senior Pastor as spiritual leader, is in dire need of the prayers of his flock - especially the prayers of those whom he has chosen to allow into his direct sphere of influence. It can be so easy, however, to get caught up in other ministry stuff and neglect this extremely vital ministry.

What are you leaking?

2009-03-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Heb 3:5-6
And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
NKJV

Moses was faithful in the house that he was entrusted with. Are we faithful with the houses we are entrusted with? What about the temple of the Holy Spirit … you? What comes in goes out.We leak and those around us get wet.What are we leaking? It’s what we receive into ourselves. Television, Music, Movies, Internet, Books, Friends … the stakes are high. If we allow the world into us, we will leak the world into our families and friends. Didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 5:37 to let our “'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” We need to be single minded and Kingdom driven; focused. We need to understand the subtleties of the devil and be aware of his schemes.

In June 1940 France fell to Hitler and suddenly Britain found herself the lone bastion of freedom in Europe. It was at this time that Winston-Churchill delivered one of his best known and most powerful speeches …

Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”

It is time for Christians to realize that their house (the family and friend relationships God has entrusted us with) is where satan is directing his attack. He’s not fighting in the crack houses, the bars, or the brothels … there is no battle there. The battle is in our homes and we must fight back. Much of what is going on today falls squarely in the laps of lazy pastors who would rather teach their pet topic instead of the Bible. Sure there are a few scripture references here or there, but it's like going into a restaurant expecting a buffet and only getting a piece of lettuce. After lazy pastors comes lazy husbands/spiritual leaders of the home. We all have to wake up! As the church continues to lose ground in this country, it comes down to bold pastors and bold spiritual leaders who are willing to "brace ourselves to our duties ..."

Day 3 #CTB

2009-03-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

OK ... so I waited a few days out from the last day before I blogged on it, so I probably don't recall all of the details. One thing I do remember from the last day is the way everyone pulled together to make this one of the greatest events I've ever been a part of. Sure, by that point we were all tired and operating off of minimal sleep, but the Lord gave us what we needed to do it and do it well. The bands were all just incredible every night and this final night was no exceptions. Billy Buchanan and his band are not only incredibly gifted, but they are just great people. Salvador, even with all their success are great guys to work with. The greatest thing about #ctb was that hundreds of people came to a saving faith in Jesus. That's why we did it and that's why the bands did it. All the fun and everything else was just a fringe benefit of working for God.

We'll be doing more of these events and I would like to encourage you to consider being involved in some way. I'm sure when it is decided when and where the next #CTB will be held, I will announce it here and it will be announced in many other media outlets.

God bless you all!

- shawn

Day 2 - #CTB

2009-03-22T05:00:00.001-07:00

So I didn't have time to type this as the day progressed. It's now day 3 and I'm gonna try to recap day 2.
The Katinas arrived first. Both bands were from California. They came in, shared a lunch with us then soundcheked and went to their hotel for some rest.
Two or More was after them. I had pre-arranged to have Pastor David sit in with them for a few songs which went great.
Both of these groups are extremely talented. Glad they came in to do this with us.
Really everything went very smooth the whole night. I think 42 people accepted Jesus so the total for these last two nigts is around 130 decisions. Awesome. God is good.
I'm doing lots of updates during the course of the day on Twitter so follow me at http://twitter.com/solarcoast.

-- Post From My iPhone

#CTB - Day 1

2009-03-21T07:37:00.001-07:00

Man, I've gotten soft from when I would tour. Didn't get much sleep last night. Started out the morning at 6am and will have to run on God-steam today. I didn't have dinner last night so even though I'm going to be late this morning I felt it was best to go ahead and take a tide to IHOP when it was offered.

First part of the day is crazy with set up and bands and radio arriving. I booked the bands and am coordinating them for soundchecks and radio interviews. Trying to update twitter and facebook with pictures all the time. Follow me on twitter for pics and updates of the event (http://twitter.com/solarcoast).

First up is Shachah. In Hebrew Shachah means "worship" or to prostrate oneself in an act of worship. The first letter on the word is the Hebrew letter Shin. Remember the Spock signal - Mr Nemoy got that idea from a hand position the Cohenim would use that replicated the shape of this letter. It looks apt like a W but more rounded on the bottom. Ha Shem means "the Name" and stands for God since religious Jews do not say or spell G_d. Shachah rocked the house.
Next is Stellar Kart. These guys have played CCOT a few times and they rocked the place out. Fun music with quick powerful rhythms and great guitar work.
To end the night of music, Sanctus Real. Real rockers these guys are. The crowd loved them. Their singer has a great stage presence and one great thing about all of these bands is they have great attitudes and want to win people for Christ.
After that, Pastor David did his thing and I'm not sure of the number but lots of people came forward. The night was a victory for the Kimgdom and a defeat for hell.
Didn't get back to the bed until 3am. Next up - day 2.

-- Post From My iPhone

The Night Before the First Battle

2009-03-19T20:04:00.001-07:00

Alright so after a marathon drive of 17 hrs we are here. It really shouldn't have taken that long but we hit a traffic jam that set us back 3 hours.

I'm at the house that the Lord provided for some of us to sleep in. It's really a neat thing because the couple that own it only purchased it on Friday - just in time for the arrival of some of God's soldiers.

I really feel like I am about to enter into warfare on an immense scale. I would have liked to see a huge army in this but it seems the Lord has chosen an elite but small force of servants backed up by the prayers of thousands. I know that Satan has made plans and I know that already some of those plans have been thwarted in no small part thanks to the covering of prayer. (Thanks to everyone who is praying for this outreach. I would encourage everyone to attwnd the prayer vigils at CCOT on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.)

Like Gideon's three hundred we camp in wait for the time God has prepared.
"Arise for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand." Judges 7:15 (Partial).

-- Post From My iPhone

Traffic

2009-03-19T16:17:00.001-07:00

Just sat in traffic on 95 for two hours and made 3 miles progress. Potty break time.

-- Post From My iPhone

Chik-fil-a - Jacksonville

2009-03-19T10:25:00.001-07:00

-- Post From My iPhone

Hide & Seek

2009-03-19T02:41:00.000-07:00

Then they lead me away
To the great surprise
It's "Papa don't peek.
Papa cover your eyes."
Then they hide.
They hide in the world.
- Leonard Cohen "Night Comes On"

My son has just recently started playing hide and seek. He doesn't quite grasp the idea, though. He wants me to cover my eyes and count to ten. While I do that he takes off running, but he doesn't hide. Instead, he runs around through the kitchen and the living room and back to me. When I open my eyes, there he is smiling and giggling - and I love it.

If you've been reading my blog much, you know that I'm going to draw a correlation between this and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm amazed by the spiritual lessons the Lord is teaching me through my son. When I write that, I feel kinda odd because I'm the spiritual leader yet my young son teaches me some of the deepest lessons.

I hope my son always keeps a tender heart towards me. I hope he's never able to hide from me. I've done some stuff and learned some things. I have a lot I want to share with him (Proverbs 15:1).

Sometimes we all try to hide from God - Whether it's not going to church, not praying to Him, not reading our Bibles or not listening to His instruction.

The Lord speaks to me a lot through my son and I hope that I always keep a tender enough heart to hear and receive. If I neglect the things I've listed above I risk that my heart may grow hard towards my Father.

We each really only have one thing that is truly ours - our hearts. Who are you giving your heart to?

Who does the Lord use in your life to teach you spiritual lessons?

Daddy

2009-03-14T07:47:00.001-07:00

This morning (like many mornings) my 2 1/2 year old son woke me up by climbing into bed with me. For 10 or more minutes he and I lay together - his head resting on my chest and my arms around him. There is so much joy in that - I cannot really express it.

Then God spoke to me ... "This morning My child came to Me and laid his head on My chest. He sang with Me and listened to My wisdom. His delight was in Me and Mine in him."

I had not done this ... So I went to a quiet place and rested my head on my Father's chest.

-- Post From My iPhone

Dr. Brilliant

2009-02-24T07:07:00.001-08:00

Just read on CNET that Dr. Brilliant is going to be leaving google.org. I know that must mean something significant to someone but as i read that all i could think is what an awesome name.
"May I speak with Dr. Brilliant?"
"Paging Dr. Brilliant."
"Dr. Brilliant your table is ready."
It would even make an excellent headline.
"Dr. Brilliant saves the world."
I wonder what his full name is ... Hopefully it's something just as cool. Would be a waste to pair "Dr. Brilliant" up with "Reginald T."

It's a great name but it wouldn't suit me. I'm one of those "confounding the wise" "foolish things" God is so fond of choosing. I'd say more often than not after a conversation with me most people walk away thinking "...ok..." rather than "brilliant!".

-- Post From My iPhone

Lost Child

2009-02-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

I had a terrible dream last night. I dreamed that my son, Nathaniel climbed up into a car that then rolled away. All night in my dream I was searching the streets desperately trying to find the car that he was in. It was horrible. I would dream a while then wake up then have the same dream then wake up ... and it continued that way until morning.

I am reminded of the following verse:

Luke 16:13 - "and not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living."

My love, even for my own son, is not perfect because I am not perfect. God's love for His children is perfect. I think about the horror I felt during that dream and wonder just how deep God's sorrow is for His lost children.

Luke 16:7 - "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Tech Faith

2009-02-18T07:45:00.001-08:00

Read Psalm 20:7 this morning and was convicted in the faith I tend to place in technology. When the Internet is down or the computer has a problem or when my iPhone locks up I react as if I actually think those things are infallible. Of course they're not but the fact that I allow it to get to me indicates I place too much dependence on those things.
I guess anything that I place my faith in that is not God can turn into an idol. That's dangerous. I'm glad those things fail occasionally. Praise the Lord that He never fails.

-- Post From My iPhone

Current Media Intake:

2009-02-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

Books:

Our Hands are Stained with Blood by Michael L. Brown

Stand Bold in Grace by Dr. Robert Gromacki

Types in Hebrews by Sir Robert Anderson

Fundamental Biblical Hebrew by Andrew H. Bartlet

Interlinear Chumash - Bereishis

What the Bible Says About Healthy Living by Rex Russell

Magazines:

Collide

Outreach

Relevant

Consumer Reports

Archaelology Magazine

Podcasts:

Reach and Teach

Bereans Online

Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary

Hebrew Podcasts

The Relevant Podcast

Stand to Reason

Thru the Bible

Understanding the Times

Zola Levitt Presents

66/40 Radio Broadcast

Israelisms Podcast

A New Beginning with Greg Laurie

Archaeocast

Buzz Report

Pastor to Pastor

Searchlight

Social Networking:

Facebook

Twitter

Myspace

Practical Path

2009-02-15T04:16:00.000-08:00

Exodus 14:15
And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
NKJV

Sometimes practical steps lead through miraculously opened doors. God may part the water, but we have to be willing to take practical steps to advance down the path.

The Scream

2009-02-12T20:51:00.001-08:00

So there was a night this week when my son Nathaniel crawled into my bed at 4:30 am. About an hour later he let out a blood curdling scream that sent me sitting up immediately. I asked him if he was ok and he said "yeah" and went back to sleep. I, on the other hand had to wait for my heart attack to subside. Not really any deep spiritual insight ... Just a moment in life I thought I'd share.

-- Post From My iPhone

Shutup

2009-02-04T08:24:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."

I've taken on a new challenge for myself. I've decided I need to shutup ... and listen. I've always suspected that I learn more by listening than by talking but God has recently confirmed this to me.

Precious Faith

2008-07-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

When I was playing music professionally, I had a drive to improve and grow musically. This was evidenced in the amount of practice that I placed into it in band rehearsal and in personal time. While I was in college, my commitment level to music was such that I drove a total of 6 hours three times a week just for band rehearsals ... when you add in shows, I don't know how I managed to graduate from college. My desire to do well in music was genuine.

Soften my heart, O Lord, and help me to regard this gift of faith more highly than gold or silver. I love reading the Psalms because I'm always blown away by the honesty with which the Psalmist approaches God. Never afraid to speak right from the center of his being, often the words are questioning. Often the words are probing. Often the words express depression so deep and excitement so high it's hard to imagine reading a Psalm with the same emotion with which it was penned. While teaching a bible college class on 1 Peter, I came across two words that really struck me. In verse 7 of the first chapter, there are two words ... genuine faith.
These words challenge me. I think of 1 John where it talks about evidences of faith and hits really hard on love. The truth of our love ... the actions of our love ... proof of our faith. Lord, teach me to love others.

Inclined to havoc

2008-07-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

1 Cor 1:27-29
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
NKJV

I remember a CD release show at the Wherehouse in Winston-Salem, NC eight or nine years ago ... As usual, I was messed up and at one point in the set, I stepped off stage and into the crowd. As I stepped off, I pulled the cable out of my flange pedal. When I realized what had happened, I tried to jump back on stage and ... WHAM! There I am face down on the stage with the breath knocked out of me, a nose bleed and a broken tuning key.

I have a pretty strong track record of doing stupid things. When my son was a few months old, he had a shirt that said, "If I can reach it, I can wreck it." I think I should have a shirt that says the same thing because there's a lot of evidence in my life that testifies of my own knack for havoc.

Yet the Lord uses me. I can't take any credit for the things which the Lord uses me because I know and everyone around me knows that I'm one of the foolish, weak and base things of the world. All the glory goes to God.

When in chains ...

2008-07-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

At Mississippi State University, there is a place called the "Free Speach Area" ... basicly a raised concrete platform with some benches on it where if you had something to say in a public forum, you could. One day I happened to be walking by and there was a dude preaching the gospel from this platform. A crowd (many of them my friends) had gathered around him and they were yelling insults at him. I stood there, long jet black hair, black leather jacket, black jeans and combat boots and observed this thing ... then walked away. I was not a Christian at that time, but this was a seed planting moment.
We really don't know who is being affected by our words or actions at any given time ... even moments when we feel ineffective, incapable or even trapped or persecuted. In the letter to Philemon, Paul wrote: "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains." Paul was bearing fruit even while confined and in chains.
Every moment in a Christians life is a seed planting opportunity. Whether there's just enough time for an acknowledging smile or 5 minutes from a concrete bench or 2 hours from a pulpit. Every moment counts.

Florida

2008-07-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wow. Fort Lauderdale, Florida in July is quite hot, but that didn't stop me from getting out and making the most of the opportunity. Growing up in Alabama and having spent a lot of time in Mississippi and Louisiana as well, I kinda got used to hot weather. I remember one time when Solar Coaster was on tour and I was packed with the band gear in the bed of a covered truck in the middle of downtown Atlanta rush hour traffic in the summer. No air conditioning. I was wearing jeans and a sweater. By the time we reached our destination, the sweater had started to disintegrate. Don't know if it was the toxins in my sweat or from the truck exhaust that did it. Of course, I still wore it for that night's show ... and probably woke up the next morning in it as well. Typical for the road.

There is a certain amount of "heat" that we all deal with on a daily basis. It could be job stress or family or finances. There are going to be times when the heat is turned up and it is how we react at those times that reveals where we are in our relationship with God. I wish that I always reacted to trials in the manner of Job who said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job also said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."