Hanover

I visited with a church about an hour awau last night. Being with the Hanover Church of Christ was a very cool time for me. Here is what they about themselves on their website:

We are Hanover Church of Christ, a group of believers dedicated to the Lord’s church the Lord’s way. In the summer of 2005, after a year of praying, planning and careful consideration, about two dozen Christians began formally meeting at a private home two or more times per week for prayer and Bible study. Most of us live in the Mechanicsville, VA, area. Our vision is to have a congregation established that will reach people in an area north of Richmond, near Ashland, VA. We also intend to obtain a facility that will help us in our goal. The unfortunate fact is that many congregations are more interested in promoting their traditional practices rather than the traditions of Christ. There is a difference.

We met in a home which was very comfortable . Billy Dyer was in the house and I always enjoy talking with him. We fellowshipped with burgers & hotdogs. We sang praise & prayed. Su Nguyen (in the pic above) taught from the Scripture. And we shared together in the Lord's Supper. I love new churches. I love the frontline work in new churches. I love the excitement & enthusiasm. I'm excited for these brothers and sister as they look to move forward and take the next big step toward reaching the Ashland, VA area with the gospel.

The Bare Necessities

One of the great movies from the old Disney. I loved watching Jungle Book with my children. This song is one of the best parts too. It's a simple message, but a good one nonetheless.

Your church might be apostate (or getting close) if...

I thought I'd have a little fun, so here goes.

Your church might be apostate (or getting close) if...

• the "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" guy wears a robe or a double-breasted suit.
• the "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" guy isn't a guy or it's not really clear.
• the name of the church is named after some historic dude or if it includes words/phrases like: rhema, word of faith, fire, international, worldwide, house, center, ministries or incorporated.
• there is reserved parking for the pastor & the "first lady."
• the "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" uses the NLT, LB, the Message, RSV or NRSV as his/her primary "Bible."
• most of the congregation is less than affluent while the pastor & co-pastor (aka. "first lady") park high end automobiles (Escalades, BMW's, etc.) in their reserved parking spots.
• when you get sick it's because you lack "faith."
• you hear lots of quotes from people named Kenneth, Gloria, Jesse, TD, Benny, Joyce or Rod.
• you support TBN financially.
• experience is more important than truth.
• you're not sure about this "truth" stuff anyway.
• you light a bunch of candles.
• your "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" guy wears a lot of hawaiian shirts (& usually sports a goatee too).
• Communion happens annually.
• the "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" guy suggests you read books by Brian McLaren & Rob Bell.
• the "pastor-preacher-bishop-apostle-reverend" guy is a metrosexual.
• any of your elders are called "Mrs."
• 1 Timothy 2:11-14 is understood as just "Paul's opinion."
• "Bible studies" consist mainly of questions like "How do you think Moses felt?" or "What would you be thinking if you were Samuel?"
• "Bible studies" are reading questions from a Max Lucado "Life Lessons" book and letting people share their answers (opinions).
• a muslim imaan is invited to address the assembly.

OK, I'm done. There are more, but that's all I can ramble off for now!

Dyer Thoughts

My buddy, Billy Dyer, is on the web with his new blog: Dyer Thoughts. Billy is a young brother who is strong in the Lord and His word. I encourage you to check him out.

Whatcha Talkin Bout Willis?

Not too much lately, but I'll try to get going again soon.

Pawleys Island

We are off to Pawleys Island, SC for some much needed "r & r." I'm ready to head down and kick back. We're hoping for nice weather too. A few years ago we went down and it rained every day. We're also going to try to do some bike riding down there. My wife and I rarely get to ride together because one of us has to watch the children. We're planning on getting up really early while everyone is asleep and heading out. My mom & sister will be there so the kids will be fine. I may update the blog while I'm there, but then again...

Funerals...

I recently went to three funerals in four days (Two I "officiated"). They were all for believers and that does make a difference for sure. Also, all them were very advanced in age and their deaths were somewhat expected. It's interesting to be at funerals and see the wide range of people...young and old - generations together. Some dressed up, pthers casual. Ecclesiastes 3:8a: "a time to weep and a time to laugh" always comes to mind. At funerals (memorials, celebrations of life, homegoings, et al.) you see people who haven't seen each other in years enjoying a laugh over a good memory while others weep in sadness at the loss as they too remember. These same people might switch roles moments later. Together: Tears & smiles, mourning & rejoicing, weeping & laughing...and somehow it just makes sense. Thank God.

New Bike

I landed an unbelievable deal on bike yesterday. My lovely wife was at Conte's Bike Shop here in Newport News when another customer was looking to sell his bike. He'd just bought a new bike and was looking to make some $ on his not so old one. Well the price he asks is very low for the quality of what he was selling. Then Walt (coolest bike store owner around) suggests my wife might want to call me... then I head to the store. The guy was my height, etc. We contemplate it for few moments then make the deal. Walt is taking parts from my current bike and putting them on my new one. I should have it in a couple of days. I guess now I'll have to start riding again (I've been slack since the MS-150). Anyway, the bike is a Cannondale CAAD 9 - handmade in the USA. It's actually the frame the Conte's racing team uses here. It still has the team logo on it, so I hope I don't make them look too bad when I'm slowly riding through town. Someone suggested I wear an "in training" jersey. Maybe so...

The guys at Contes (Newport News) are the best. If you're looking to ride I highly recommend them to you.

Off to Delmarva Family Camp

Tomorrow, I'll be making a quick run up the coast to the Delmarva Family Camp. I preached there last year, but I'm going up to listen others this year (I'm must have been a little soft last year!). It will also be a time to enjoy some good fellowship and to renew some acquaintances. The program looks strong and I'm especially looking forward to Mike Kjergaard's return to the shore. Also, Ray Bennett himself will be preaching Wednesday night. Ray usually "hosts" but this time he has a preaching slot. I'm guessing that he has something to say and I don't want to miss it!

I laugh every time I watch this.

I love this clip. It's been around for a while, but it's a good one. Around my house I quote this to my children frequently. They always look at me with that "Huh?" look. I tell them i'm quoting the president. They're perplexed yet I am am amused.

Wimbeldon Wow!

6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 = the best tennis tennis match ever? Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in an "epic" match at Wimbeldon yesterday. This finals match was one of the best matches ever and many commentators are calling it the best ever. That's what John McEnroe thinks and he certainly knows a little bit about the sport. The Nadal vs. Federer match-ip is reminiscient of the McEnroe vs. Borg rivalry of my youth. I still think the 1980 Wimdledon finals between John & Bjorn is the greatest ever. Of course, that's my bias along with some nostalgia talking. Bjorn was my favorite. I couldn't stand McEnroe at all. Ironically, I like him now, especially as a commentator. I didn't like Federer much when he arrived on the scene, but now I'm disappointed that Nadal has knocked him off. It sort of reminded of when McEnroe began to eclipse Borg. I'm just not ready to buy Federer being done yet. The U.S. Open is just around the corner...

Still Relevant

The late Dr. Roger Chambers wrote the following way back in 1982, but it's still just as relevant today...

"Our generation of the Church is childish. Too often we play word games in
the pulpit, sing syncopated nonsense and call it church music – or worse,
praise, and fight over who pays for the hot dogs when the God Squad goes on it’s
next spiritual retreat at Circus World. Secular society doesn’t hate the Church;
it doesn’t take the Church that seriously. The world knows it’s in deep trouble,
so it can’t take time for our stained glass amusement centers; it doesn’t see
that we have very much to do with reality. We’re in this fix because too many of
our leaders are intellectual children. " - Roger Chambers

I wish I could've known this brother. Thankfully technology has preserved some of his work. For the enitre article click here.

Good Bye Jesse

The headline from Drudge: "Conservative icon Jesse Helms dead at 86"

By now you probably know that I'm one of those right wingers & a paleoconservative. The commentators are right - Jesse Helms was one of our guys. I never knew Helms to roll over & go soft like so many other "conservatives" & republicans. Many of his weak compromising peers were vacilating while Helms stood firm. He would drive the liberal types nuts and I loved it! I'm sure the "mainstream" press will use this opportunity to rehash Helm's "extreme views." I'm sure we will hear how he opposed the MLK holiday too. Ronald Reagan once said of Helms, "Bit by bit, he became more than a lonely crusader. He grew into a lionhearted leader of a great and growing army." I was a big fan of the late Senator as was my father (who was also a Carolinian). I never got to vote for Senator Helms as a Virginian but I did go to college in NC during his time in office. Wow, things have changed down there: John Edwards & Bob Dull's wife, Elizabeth! Jesse Helms will be missed. Maybe we will see someone like him again, but given the trends, its doubtful.

AKA "Sprocket"

"Sprocket" over at Insipid Garbage is saying something again. I crossed paths with this blogger & brother on a internet discussion board many moons ago. He was a posting machine. I liked him right away and usually found myself in the same corner with him during many of those discussions (debates). He wrote very well, was insightful, and his keen wit flavored many of his posts. He was conservative without being a neanderthal & progressive without being an airhead compromiser. I got to meet Robert at a convention a couple of years ago and he stopped in at Olivet on a Sunday during his vacation last year. I'm glad he's out here in the blogosphere. If you haven't checked him out, I hope you do.

I was thinking....

...about the various jobs I've had. I don't have any real skills, but I do have experience. I'm sure I've missed something but here they are...

• Made screens for windows & helped install storm doors & windows.
• Helper/Laborer for mecahnical company...A/C, plumbing, boilers, etc. I got to run a jackhammer which is probably the most macho job I've ever done.
• Cleaned pools. (Yuck!)
• Worked on campus doing "maintenance" & grounds stuff at Christopher Newport University.
• Delivered flowers. Got lost a few times too.
• Sold memberships at a private purchasing club (Uniway).
• Briefly tried insurance sales.
• Material handler...became fork lift driver as well a stockpicker operator (anybody know what that is?).
• Supervisor in a telephone center...later specialized in sales, promotions & training.
• Manager in a warehouse: 3rd Shift Stocking, Picking, Receiving, etc. (I moved around a lot).
• Account Executive (radio sales guy). Outside sales & cold calling can beat you down but I did fairly well.
• I'm currently in paid ministry at a local church.

Some of those weren't the most fun inherently, but I usually had a good time anyway. I like people and I met a lot of them and even made a few memories. I wonder what my future holds. I occasionally think about trying my own business, but never go beyond just mental gymnastics & hypotheticals.

I wonder what the future holds. If it's like the past it should be unpredictable that's for sure.