Goals for 2008

One of my goals for 2007 was to memorize, or learn by heart, the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians.  I am happy to say that goal was accomplished.  I must admit it was harder than I thought it would be.  Paul is very difficult, due to his style of writing, to memorize. 

So, in 2008, I am setting the bar a little higher.  I want to learn by heart the Gospel of Mark.  I’ve chosen Mark for the following reasons:  1.  It is the shortest (16 chapters)  2.  I like the power of Jesus theme in Mark .   3.  Mark’s style of writing seems the easiest to learn by heart  4.  I want to preach through Mark in 2008

At NewSong my goal for us as a congregation is very simple this year.  It comes from Micah 6:8

“To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Innovate in 2008!

A few other goals I have for 2008 are:

Complete a sprint triathlon in June

Run a 1/2 marathon (time and place yet to be determined by my brother)

Bike from my house to my brother’s house in Imlay City (exactly 100 miles one way) and back.

What are your goals for 2008?

Jackie Robinson

April 15, 2007 marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut in major league baseball.  In light of Don Imus’ most idiotic and ignorant remarks of last week, I thought it would be appropriate to honor a man of both great talent and courage on my humble blog this week.

There are many levels to this inspirational story.  I’d like to share just one aspect today.  Jackie faced opposition from many different directions.  It is hard to have the fans, the press, club owners, and opposing team players coming against you, but how do you hang in there when your own team members are against you?  There were some of Jackie’s own team members who said publicly they would not play if Jackie did. 

Fortunately, the Dodger’s management did not cave into public pressure or the immature tactics of several team members.  The management brought the team mutiny to a halt when they informed those divisive ball players they would either become team players or find somewhere else to play ball!  To their credit, they did change and became one of the best teams in baseball!

We need this kind of courageous leadership in all areas of life; in business, government, churches, families, etc.  Leaders who don’t allow the babies of this world to lead where the organization is going.  Leaders who lead on principle and not popular opinion.  Leaders who are courageous enough to confront agitators and, when the time comes, show them the door.  We need team players that see their wrongs and humble themselves for the sake of something bigger than themselves.  Team players who don’t insist on having everything their way or they take their toys and go home.  Team players who can follow the leader.

So, this April 15th, instead of being discouraged about paying taxes, take your hat off and salute men of integrity, men of principal, men of courage like Jackie Robinson and many of those in the Brooklyn Dodgers management of 1947.

Dreams

Dreams.  What do you make of them?  Are they just random, sometimes non-sensical thoughts, or do they have meaning?  If they have meaning, how are they to be interpreted?  God used dreams in the bible to communicate certain messages.   Does God still use dreams to communicate?  I see no reason, biblically or otherwise to infer that He has stopped using dreams.  So how do you know what’s from God and what’s from eating pizza before going to bed?

Have you experienced a dream that you thought was God communicating something to you?  What was it?

Do you remember your dreams?

Do you ever dream in color?

Do you dream about flying?  If so, do you flap your arms?  How high do you go?

Have you ever dreamed you were under water?  Could you breath underwater?

What’s the best dream you ever had?