OK...I can admit it!

Yes, I am a fan of Hannah Montanna.

I know...as a grown man with no kids that is sad.

My wife and I find ourselves watching her show on Disney all the time (followed by The Suite Life of Zach and Cody...but that should be another post).

While on Foxnews.com today, I found an article about Miss Miley Cyrus (who is Hannah Montanna if you didn't know...and, yes, she is the daughter of that Cyrus). I really appreciated this part.

LOS ANGELES — At just 15, Miley Cyrus is a multi-millionaire mogul not just for her music but for her film, fashion and entrepreneurial endeavors; however, the pop princess has managed to stay sane (and sensible) amid her very adult-like life and credits Christianity for her good behavior.

"I think it’s my faith that keeps me grounded, especially because I’m a Christ follower for sure," Cyrus told us. "Live like Christ and he’ll live in you, and that’s what I want to do." Click here for rest of article.

I love that part "...especially because I'm a Christ follower for sure."

Can you say that the way you act and behave is evidence that you are a Christ follower for sure?

What's In A Number?

6,701.

125.

There is a big difference between those numbers.

I have been thinking about those two numbers all week.

Over Easter weekend, we had 6,701 people in our worship services. They piled into our comfortable, yet crowded, sanctuary to hear a message and sink what were, for most, familiar songs. There was ministry provided for kids from birth to 4th grade which was incredible. It was all about making everyone feel welcome and "at home" at Christ's Church.

Then there were the approximately 125 people. This is the team that has kept me challenged all week. This team of individuals from Christ's Church...mostly from our Celebrate Recovery ministry...chose to spend their Easter Sunday in a not so comfortable environment. They were ministering to the homeless of Jacksonville at the City Rescue Mission in a tent set up outside their downtown building. Christ's Church was asked provide the service. We took it a step further by providing socks for everyone as they were leaving and lunch.

6,701 people attending and 125 ministering to about 100 homeless.

In my head I want to try and compare those numbers and ask which was better. I believe in my heart, however, that God is pleased we where both in the church and outside the church.

I am proud of my church, but the real challenge is to rest on this act of service, but to continually seek ways to make it a way of life.

Out of the church and into the community where people are hurt and broken.

Communion with Apple Juice and Bread

Today I had the privilege of being the minister at a small family memorial service for Violet Long, or Granny, as I was introduced to her.

Violet lived 92 beautiful years. She spent the first 17 years of her life in an orphanage. She was full of love and I enjoyed hearing all the stories from her family.

I first met Violet just over two weeks ago. Her family invited me over to see her and have communion...except I didn't know I would be having communion with them. Since I didn't show up prepared to lead in communion, we ended up taking the Lord's Supper using apple juice in dixie cups and a slice of bread cut into squares.

This communion experience reminded me that what matters most is the heart and not hte emblems. I don't want to get focused on making sure I do everything so right that I forget people in the process.

That is one lesson I learned from my time with Granny.

Not too profound

I wish I had a real profound way to put this that would make everyone amazed by my use of words and ideas to express this fundamental concept.

Here it is: I am learning to trust God even more.

Powerful, isn't it.

I was recently at a Panera restaurant in Orlando, FL after a conference with other executive pastors from across the country. Being in Orlando and close to the tourist areas, there were people all around me speaking different languages. I literally counted 6 different languages in just a few minutes.

Have you ever been to a country where you didn't speak the language? In Honduras I had some experiences of feeling uncomfortable because I didn't know the language.

I am learning that trusting God sometimes feels like that. I don't always understand what is going on around me, but I am going to go enjoy the adventure. It sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable because I am not in control.

So what is a guy to do?

I choose to trust. Yes, it is a choice. What do you decide?

When things begin to go crazy around you what do you decide?

When you feel overwhelmed, but you know you are in the place God wants you, what do you decide?

When your head is spinning and you're frustrated because you see a glimpse of how things could be but are not, what do you decide?

Make a choice! I choose to trust God. Not always the easiest choice, but always the most rewarding.

Faith

(From a recent sermon)

Faith is personal, not global
Faith is action, not words
Faith is unleashed, not controlled
Faith is God at work, not man in charge
Faith is love, not judgment
Faith is others driven, not inward focused
Faith is open to all and closed to none
Faith is exciting, not down in the mouth
Faith takes us off the beaten road
Faith takes us to the hurt, hungry, and hopeless
Faith gets us dirty
Faith makes us smell like the people we love on
Faith points to God, not man
Faith heals
Faith conquers
Faith loves
Faith reaches out
Faith reaches down
Faith raises hands in praise to the one in whom our faith is in

No where in the scripture does it say that faith rests, dies, or is disabled.

It does say faith brings forgiveness
Strength
Salvation
Wisdom
Assurance
Life
Hope
Love

In Mark 9:23 Jesus says, “The one who has faith can do all things!”

If you have that type of faith, how can you sit on the sidelines of life and not get personally involved with those around.