I’ve always wondered why they didn’t start daylight savings time on Friday night. It seems like it would mess up fewer people if everyone changed their clocks earlier in the weekend, but what do I know!

Anyway, don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night!

Sometimes, the things I see other Christians do makes me cringe.

I’m not against “Christian” apparel, but if you have a “Tommy Hellfighter” shirt, please throw it away. It doesn’t attract people to Jesus. If anything, it makes them think Christians are weird.

I’m not trying to attack other Christians, so please don’t misunderstand. I just think we ought to be a little less cheesy as we try to reach men and women who are far from God.

So, I’ve got an idea:

Act like a Christian. Do a simple act of service for someone today. Meet a need. Work hard at your place of employment. Love your wife and be faithful to her.

Don’t worry about putting the perfect Christian bumper sticker on your car or wearing the latest Christian accessory (cross necklace, WWJD bracelet, etc…). God doesn’t care if you have a Christian fish on your car or not (and for some of you, with the way you drive, it would be best if you take it off!)

So, instead, just live right.  And of course, as we always say around here: Love God, love people, and love the world on the journey to life change!

A few things I saw / heard this morning:

·         Wild weather…I’m convinced that snow is only good for skiing.

·         We learned a new worship song this morning and it took rhythm…not cool for me…I was born without a lot of talents and having musical rhythm is not one of them…thankfully the choir has it.

·         We baptized a few people in each service…never gets old.

·         Started a new 3 week series called EPIC – the fall, flood & fight

·         A few notes from pastor’s sermon: Genesis 3

o   The voices you listen to influence the choices you make

§  We like to listen to the voice that tells us what we want to hear

§  Eve did not take an apple, it was a chocolate bar

o   The choices you make determine how your story turns out

§  God had given them heaven on earth and they threw it all away for a moment of pleasure

o   As far as we have fallen, we are still within the Father’s reach

§  Interesting, the first recorded death in the Bible was to cover the sin of Adam/Eve…perfect precursor to what Jesus did for us

§  It was a sneak peek of Calvary

o   (for all you pastor’s reading this post, you’re welcome for the free sermon outline)

In session two, Ed Young talked about a subject familiar to all pastors. He talked about depression and specifically used the example of Elijah after his encounter with the prophets of Baal. Here are some of the thoughts he shared in this teaching:

• The ministry is set up for burnout.
• The ministry, if we’re not careful, can drive us crazy.
• People are watching everything we do and say as ministers.
• If you are a pastor, you will deal with depression.
• There is such a thing as a holy hangover.
• Having to deliver a sermon every week is like giving birth on Sunday and finding out you’re pregnant on Monday.
• When you’re emotionally tired, you’re going to have some problems.
• Cannibals aren’t the only ones who get fed up with people.
• Don’t compare yourself with other pastors or other churches.
• Don’t make a decision when you’re depressed.

This was an absolutely great session, and if you’re a pastor you need to find this CD/DVD/MP3, and listen to it.

Today is a sad day for those of us at Southside.Our friend Ryan Kimes-Richardson went to be with the Lord this past Friday, and today is his funeral.

I have many memories of Ryan, but I think more than anything, I’ll never forget the impact he had on my kids.  

My kids adored Ryan!  He was Micah’s small group leader for several years and he thought Ryan was so cool!   Kenzie would see Ryan a lot at Old Navy (where Ryan worked and my wife lives) and he would always tell Kenzie that he had a job for her whenever she was ready to work.  He would also hook Robin up with some sweet discounts!!  Of course, he loved Brody and Kassidy as well and would go out of his way to give us hugs and high fives.My family will definitely miss Ryan!

But his family will miss him more. So, pray for Ryan’s parents, Joe and Felicia.  

And pray for his really cool siblings, Lyndsay and Nate.  These days ahead will be difficult for them, so pray, pray, and pray some more.

We’ll miss you, Ryan! Good night. See you soon!!

A few things I saw/heard/realized this morning:

·         Think we might need to start ordering more doughnuts!  Saw one person take 7 at once – maybe she was sharing with her friends!?!

·         If you come to the Men’s Conference, you can burp and not say, “Excuse me,” keep the toilet seat up if you like (at church, not at home) and eat a lot of unhealthy food.  Sorry ladies.  I can hear it now, “Why don’t we have a Ladies’ Conference?”

·         That I can bring home the contribution statements that are not claimed and file them on my taxes.

·         Hess Conley Balltzglier joined the church this morning.  Or at least he was a visitor.

·         That “Hell” and “Damn” are Bible words. J  I’m sure all of those who clapped in indictment of such speech have not used these words recently.

·         Oswald Chambers, via pastor, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else.”

·         How would it affect my actions/reactions to truly believe that God will bring into account every hidden thing?  It does matter how we live.

·         Welcome to the people who joined this morning!