I cannot stand to shave my face.  I guess it’s just five minutes that I would like to spend on something else.  The problem with this is:  I grow a terrible beard and when I grow it out my face breaks out.  Then there is the problem that when it gets long it hurts to shave. (Like shaving with a chainsaw)  Even if I trim it first with clippers, it still hurts.  But if I shave everyday my face stays clear and I feel refreshed. It does not feel like I am shaving with a chainsaw.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,  he leads me beside quiet waters, ³ he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

The verse above is from Psalm 23.  As I read it this weekend, I could not help but be reminded of what it’s like if I am not spending time with God the way I should. (aka spiritual disciplines)  I am not talking about making a checklist and marking things off, or putting off shaving until tomorrow.  I am referring to spending quality time with God. 

When we spend quality time with Him, He refreshes our soul.  It’s like shaving your face everyday.  You will feel refreshed.  You will have a better handle on life when things start to break out.  Trust me, it’s worth it to take the time everyday and shave.

What about you?  What do you feel like if you don’t shave (spend time with God) every day?

The other day I woke my wife up singing the classic Ricky Martin song, “Living La Vida Loca.”  The problem was this was at 5 am and I sing horribly.  She did not appreciate the fact that I was serenading  her with my mad singing skills.  In fact, I got the look.  If you have ever gotten the look, you know what I am talking about.

  ”Sing to him, sing praise to him;  tell of all his wonderful acts.” 1 Chronicles 16:9

I tell you this story because I have noticed something recently:  Some Christians act like they are singing Ricky Martin songs at 5 am during a worship service.  It’s like they are afraid that God is going to give them the look.  What I am trying to say is that some don’t sing.  They will stand up and do nothing or lip sync. (Not sure what’s worse) 

I love to praise God. I know that when I sing, it sounds like a monkey that got caught in a meat grinder, but I know that it’s music to God’s ears.  He does not care if you sound terrible, He cares if you are worshipping Him.

I just want you to take time out today and sing praise to God.  Please don’t act like you are singing a Ricky Martin song at 5 am.

I recently reconnected over Facebook with  Pee Wee football coach that I hadn’t spoke to in about 15 years.  His name is and will always be Coach Bender to me.  As I look back those 3 years of Hillhound Football was one of the most joyous times of my life.

What this coach did for me is something that he probaby does not even realize.  Let me explain:  My first year of football was 4th grade and I was not all that good.  At first they had me as a lineman and then they moved me to tight end.  One game they finally threw me a pass and I caught it and drug some guys for a couple of yards. 

After the game he told me good job and the next year I was going to be his fullback when I moved up to the 5th and 6th grade team.  The next year came and he stuck to his promise.  What you have to realize is that I did not come from a “rich” family and I was not from that town, so people could have very easily given him flack for this.  But he believed in me.  He saw something good in me when no one else did.

We went on and won a Superbowl.  And I went on to be a pretty good athlete.  But Coach Bender helped give me the confidence that I needed to trust God and myself. 

The point to all of this is fairly simple.  You don’t have to be a coach to impact someone.  You don’t have to be a pastor to impact someone.  All you have to be is you.  I encourage you to take the time to care for someone today because it may just impact who they become.

Who impacted you in a major way?

This is the stuff that I like this week, all written by people smarter than me.  There is no particular order.  If you were left out I am sorry, I still like you…I totally didn’t come up with this.

Pete Wilson…The Worm that changed my day…Love his insights on parenting…

Zee Kleshchar…A taste of Ukraine…Totally Beautiful…

Mark Batterson…Again…

Pete Wilson…insightful parenting advice here…

Scott Williams…No Naysayers…

Jim Foreman…Purpose…Love this…

Chad Missildine…40 Ways to Worship God When Your Not At Church…

Bill Grandi…Cost of Obedience…

Dusty Rayburn…We should do more of this…

My wife has recently been on kick that is definitely God-given.  She keeps talking about the little things.  It’s the little things that we can do for people that can make all the difference.  We can do these things for our kids, family, friends, and strangers.  But it’s the little things that can literally change someone’s day.

Ethan goes to the mail box everyday with me and one day he started to cry.  He said, “Why won’t Batman send me a letter?”  (My heart literally melted) Here’s what Batman (Me) wrote to my son the next day: 

Ethan,

Hello, this is Batman.  I talked to your dad, who is my best friend, and he said you would like me to write you a letter. 

I have watched you since you were a little boy.  I have to say that you are one of the coolest 5 year olds I have ever seen.  You want to know what I love about you?  I love how your smile makes everyone smile.  I also love how you ask questions, because this is how you learn.

I do have some advice for you.  First thing is that you need to make sure that you love God.  You also need to make sure you listen to your mommy and dad.  They love you more than anything in the world.  Also, if you want to get big and strong like I am you need to be sure to eat everything your mommy cooks for you.  She knows what it takes to become a super hero like me, so you need to eat…even if it looks gross…

I promise I will keep writing you as long as you are good.  I love you and I am proud of you.

Batman

I try not to ever miss an opportunity to minister to my kid and I try to never miss an opportunity to show him that he is important.  He was so excited.  He took it to preschool the next day and had his teachers read it to the class.  This one small thing made all the difference in the world.  I encourage to take  a few minutes and do something kind for someone today, it may just be what they need.

What has someone done for you that may have appeared small to them, but impacted you in a huge way? 

Monday evening we went to Wendy’s for dinner. My son got a kid’s meal and I got two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers. When I got them home I noticed that there were no tomatoes on my sandwiches. Evidently, because the price of tomatoes has went up you now have to ask for them if you want them to put them on a sandwich.   This is the craziest thing I have ever heard of.  From now on:  If you want tomatoes, you have to ask.

This made me think about prayer.  Billy Graham said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayer that have never been asked.“  Think about that for a second.

 ”If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22 TNIV)

 I’m not telling you to go out and pray for a million dollars, but I am telling you that if you are truly seeking God’s Will in your life and ask Him, He will meet those needs.  I think that we sometimes think our problems are too small for God and that it’s a waste of time to ask Him for help or guidance.  God wants to give you tomatoes for your sandwich.

If you have a need for your sandwich (life) ask God for the tomato.

For the last two months my family and I have driven four hours on Saturday evenings to a town so I can preach on Sunday mornings.  The church has been gracious enough to let us stay in the parsonage so that we don’t have to pay to get a hotel.  The picture you are looking at is the living room.  They have put a card table, bed, and blow-up mattress in the house.  In other words it’s empty.

On the outside of this house you would not know that it’s empty, it looks perfectly fine.  I got up early Sunday morning to pray and go over my notes and I looked around at the empty house.  I couldn’t help but see the parallel between the empty house and people.  Some people look like they got it all together on the outside, but on the inside, they are falling apart and are completely empty.  This applies to both Christians and non-Christians.

I think the key to this can be found in Ezekiel 36:26-27:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

If you are one of those who feel like an empty house ask God to give you a new heart and fill you with His Holy Spirit.  That emptiness will be filled with love and joy.  You will soon start to feel like a fully furnished house.

Friday night we had a play date at my house for my son. (He’s the polite looking one dressed as Spider Man)  Ethan and his friend had such a good time. (So did my wife and his friend’s mom) They played hard for about four hours.  While they were playing I was up in my room working on a sermon and I had to stop and just listen to them play.  It was so cool, the two boys, both 5 years old, told each other how much fun they were having and they would have to schedule a meeting next week with each other. 

When they said this, I literally started laughing.  It brought me so much joy to see and hear how much he was just enjoying life.  As a parent, I want my child to be happy and enjoy life.  It was obvious that he does. 

I think that God wants us to enjoy life as well.  I know that we all have our worries and burdens, but He wants us to enjoy the life that He has given us.  He is a God who delights in His children.  So today, think about something that brings you joy.

If you don’t care, share something that brings you joy.

This is poor quality, but I recorded this weeks message.  Below is a link where you can download and play it in media player or itunes.

But…umm… 3-21-10

This was the cover of the Wal Street Journal’s Creations Magazine that we got in the mail on Friday.  I looked at it and seriously started laughing my head off.  They look about as serious as you could get being in Star Trek. (Sorry Trekkies) 

This made me think about how amazing it is that we still recognize them today:  Captain Kirk and Spock.  It has been decades since the show was on air but they are still famous.  They have left a legacy that will probably won’t be forgotten.

Jesus left a legacy as well, but His legacy is so much greater.  I have been doing a lot of reflection about the life of Christ as we gear up for Easter.  I think that the most amazing thing was when the curtain was torn.  The curtain at the temple separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple.  In essence it represented a barrier from God’s presence.  When Christ died the curtain was torn and we were able to gain access to the Lord.  There were no more barriers.  That is something we should make Him famous for!

I don’t have any questions for you today, but I do have a challenge:  Let’s make Jesus famous.  Whoever you talk to today or whatever you do today:  MAKE HIM FAMOUS!