Outdoor Baptism Highlights

1. Snakes in the water. Had to throw rocks at them as people got baptized. Who's next?!

2 Our son, Joshua, pulled the power plug to the outdoor sound system while I was leading worship for the 300+ crowd gathered on the lakefront.

3. Lisa saying, "Crap!" and replugging the sound system back in.

4. Our daughter, Kayla, peed on Lisa's shirt. Nice big ol' wet spot for everyone to see. Lisa, I didn't know you got in the lake too...oh wait.

5. My Taylor fell out of the stroller without its case. Who's the dummy who put it in there?

6. Watching 12 people take their next step by following Christ's command in baptism.

Here are some picture highlights:

The crowed begins to gather on the hillside at the lake.

Our son, Joshua, takes an audio lesson from Nat.

Reggae Today, 80's Next Week

Just got done with the 3rd worship gathering at TBC. Big thumbs up to the techs and musicians for pulling off the click-track! I especially appreciated the willingness of the musicians to transition from the Lord's Prayer in the the reggae tune. Great job!

Looking forward to next Sunday with everyone. Up next Sunday, 80's music. Axel F, Jump, Power of Love, Africa, and more.

Can't wait to see who wears a mullet. Don't forget to roll up your jeans.

A Friendly Reminder

4-Way Stop Intersections

In the United States and Canada, there are many 4-way intersections with a stop sign at every entrance. In this case, the default rule is:

1. Whichever vehicle stops first has priority.
2. If two vehicles stop at the same time, priority is given to the vehicle on the right.
3. If three vehicles stop at the same time, priority is given to the two vehicles going in opposite directions.
4. If four vehicles stop, drivers usually use gestures and other communication to establish right-of-way. In some areas, the custom is for the north-south or the more-trafficked road to have priority, although this is rare.

Got my info here.

What's Next in Computers

Wow! If you are a computer moderately or are a power user, check out this video of a coming computer user interface.

Thanks to John Bowes for sharing the link with me.

Check out Engaget's article here. And the article about the demo here.

$20,000 Microphone

Talk about expensive microphones...check this one out. Bob Barker microphone as used on "The Price is Right"

Exceptional Church Websites

Here's a great list of exceptional church websites. Thanks to Kent Shaffer for compiling the list for us.

Interesting observations about the church names...

> only 2 of 75 have the word "Bible" in the church name
> 15 of 75 omit the word "Church" from their name
> only 4 of 75 have the word "Christian" in their name
> 14 of 75 have the word "Community" in their name

See also Kent's list of churches to watch.

Does God Lie?

Next Sunday is Father's Day, so it's appropriate to post about my dad. It's not very often in life we tell family members that we love them and are proud of them. Maybe we show it, maybe we hint at it, but we rarely say "love you" or "I'm proud of you." This is one of those moments that I'm proud of my dad.

My dad just published a book entitled "Does God Lie?" Check it out on Amazon. Here's a quick summery of what the book is about.

Book Summary:
Could Calvinists and Arminians both be wrong? C. Hanson wrote in Christianity Today (September, 2006) that the debate about “free will” in salvation may never be settled. The author here takes a fresh look at God’s Word from outside the two traditional views and finds a few surprises. Both sides of the debate ignore a fundamental truth which could revise how we see God’s elect. His proposal changes how we commonly understand some of the tougher texts in the Scriptures, but the interpretation could be more accurate. The author asks these questions to those in the debate: 1) If God’s elect, whom He foreknew, are those with faith in Christ then who were the elect in the Old Testament? 2) How would people know they need a Savior before faith in Christ? 3) Who would hear Christ’s voice and follow Him, such that this would always happen without fail?

Way to go dad. I love you. I'm proud of you.

Love,

Bryan

You shall not covet

... your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Dear Lord, help me make You the One I spend my time, thoughts, and money on. Help me ignore the THINGS that compete with You.

Blunt End of a Fork

Tonight, my eyes were opened a little wider. Lisa went out with some friends tonight. I watched the kids. Well, that's not totally true. I cheated and took Joshua and Kayla up to have some Taco Bell with family for dinner. The ride up was great. Kayla slept. Joshua asked where Mommy was. When we got to Taco Bell, Kayla let loose. Fortunately, my family (mom-in-law and bro-in-law) kicked in to help. Mom-in-law suggested she was hungry. No prob. I brought food (that mommy packed). But then I discovered the tragedy - there wasn't a spoon (daddy forgot to pack). Taco Bell didn't have any spoons either. Kayla was in full swing by now. So I grabbed what I could and fed her prunes and pears with the blunt end of a fork. It worked like a charm - except there wasn't a bib packed (another daddy airhead move).

Got me thinking. God cares for His children far more than I could ever care of my own children. God knows what I need, when I need it, how much of it I need, and how I will get it, and plans for it in advance. He does this without me even knowing it. Many times I never think to thank Him. Kayla had no clue that we brought (or forgot) all those items to cure her hunger. Good thing God knows how to care for us.

God help me to recognize that my entire life has been designed by You. I appreciate all the material and health blessings You offer to me. Open my eyes more often to Your grace in my life. I never want to take You for granted.

Phenominal Regardless of Style

I heard the Bill Gaither Vocal Band tonight. While the style is not my most favorite, I appreciate it. Phenomenal vocals. Authentically sung. And they have one guy with long hair.