I was inspired at a seminar in Rochester Hills last year.  The subject was preaching using story telling.  The main idea was to learn the scriptures by heart and sharing them dramatically instead of just reading them. 

There is so much power in speaking the scriptures from the heart!  So, I set a goal of learning by heart the letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus.  I’ve never done anything like this before.  It has been demanding and yet extremely rewarding.  There are life situations which scripture now comes immediately to mind that applies to that situation. 

I now have chapters 1-3 in heart.  I’ve a start on chapter 4.  I am well on my way of completing my goal.  Learning scripture by heart has all the same challenges of training physically.  You can come up with all types of excuses as to why not excercise.  I’ve found some of the best times to practice are driving in the car, mowing the lawn, riding in airplanes, etc.

Why not try it yourself?  Pick a chapter, a psalm, etc. and put that scripture in your heart.  I’d love to hear back from you on how it has changed your life.

…When It is Relevant and not Irrelevant.

That was my sermon for last Sunday.  Check out this article about a pastor in Cleveland who is doing everything he can to be relevant to the community he lives in:

 http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/20253/jesus-laughed

By the way, he is the one who is doing the video Baby Got Book.  I love it!  I think Mudpuppy posted this video some time ago….it is good to re-visit!

Just when I think Pixar can do no better….along comes a movie about a cooking rat!  No, I don’t mean cooking a rat, rather a rat that cooks!  He doesn’t just cook….he is the best chef in all of Paris!  He does his cooking through his surrogate Linguinni.  The story line is cute…inspirational and the animation is astounding!  There is romance, there is action, there is morality.  It is a movie the whole family can share together.  Out of a possible of 5 stars….I give this movie 5!  Don’t miss it!

CAUTION:  This game is very addictive!  My best score is 1129.  Can you beat it?

http://www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf

We hear about the war in Iraq on a daily basis and sometimes it becomes anonymous to us.  That changes when you have a dear friend or relative on the front lines.  My dear friend of 25 years, William Davis III, makes this war very personal to me.  I met Bill and his wife Patty and their 2 children, Ann and Andy, while stationed together in, what was then, West Germany.  Bill is a loving, caring father and husband.  He is a school teacher when he is not deployed by the U.S. Army.  Bill loves his country and serves in the Army for the rest of us to enjoy freedom and security.  Bill is a great man of faith.  He has taught me much about faith and God.  I know that wherever he goes Bill will share the good news of Jesus, that is who he is.  Pray for my friend Bill, yes, for his safe return, but I’m sure that Bill would say, “pray that I will be faithful in serving God where I am.”  Semper Fi!  Thanks Bill!