A Summer Project... Coming Soon!

Enjoy this U2 song from Transformers 3 soundtrack!    

Testimony to holding the Shield of Faith from Morning Star Church on Vimeo.

Oh, my. So powerful...

on my iPod... All My Days by Alexi Murdoch

Sorry for the extended hiatus. Really busy with the boys and getting close to a conclusion for Anders in the Heavens... coming soon!

Pic: Lifesong Recital Night... boys performed hip hop routine to a Michael Jackson medley.

I had a contractor out recently who informed me he usually works in er, um, well, higher-end neighborhoods. This was an outdoor matter so as we walked the perimeter of the house he had occasion to spy my brand new solar oven in the backyard. I'd come to a place of peace over the years at what our energy efficient lightbulbs do for my complexion (Johnny Depp's Alice in Wonderland scenes were shot in my kitchen.) In fact, I quite fancy certain green lifestyle habits. So, the contractor who works in much nicer neighborhoods took one look at my backyard kitchen and said to me: "What's going on back here?" To which I replied "Fixin' dinner!" I let him linger for a moment with the unsettling thought that Granny Clampett here just might have a squirrel in the pot before fessing up to a simple batch of chicken soup gently rolling to a boil under a brilliant Texas sun. All to say... it's a little unconventional... but the solar oven simply rocks. It was some of the best soup we've ever had! I did a bit of research and settled on the Global Sun Oven. In case you're interested, I bought mine here at a nice discount. Bon appetite!

On my nightstand: The Intellectuals by Paul Johnson... a fascinating survey of what motivated and shaped the hearts and minds of some of the world's most influential leaders. Just beware of teeny, tiny print...

Satan's Spin?

Going back to the most primitive renderings, human beings have tried to put a face and a tangibility to the look of evil. Invariably, that face looks, well, evil. Although sometimes today, the face of evil is more of a joke. The $9.99 horn and tail get-up you can buy in the seasonal aisle at WalMart. There would be something organically out of whack, to our thinking, of depicting old Beelzebub with apple cheeks and a filmy set of cherub's wings. Save the pretty imagery for the nice guys, right?

But what does Scripture have to say about the appearance of Lucifer?

You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Ezekiel 28:12

Even in the garden, we are privy to the workings of some sort of smooth operator. Eve and the serpent conversed. She took him seriously, no doubt entranced by every hook-and-line reeling word. Eve didn't shriek and dispatch Adam for a garden hoe. There was something altogether convicting and charismatic about this guy.

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty. Ezekiel 28:17

So, are we, perhaps, looking for Satan's biggest traps in all the wrong places? Where should we be looking?

Please contact me here to schedule session about "Stars & Scars" for your ladies group. Our Sonrise study group will be meeting this Wednesday at Hebrew's Cafe from 8:15-9:15 to analyze the results of a powerful personal inventory developed by Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Ramesh Richard that's designed to open eyes and change hearts. You're welcome to join us!

…for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

On my iPod... Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

Thanksgiving in Florida

Just back from a memorable Thanksgiving in Destin and Naples, Florida. Boys splashed around in the surf and had a fun golf outing with Gramp. Hope you all had a most awesome holiday!





On my iPod... Magnificent by U2

Ewww...

So, we had just enjoyed the sweet movie "Up" at our rental condo in Florida and I was getting the boys ready for bed. My 13-year-old remembered seeing a promo for the American Music Awards and asked to check it out on ABC. We found the show just in time to catch Ryan Seacrest at the end. We like American Idol, so we stayed put. Then, to my horror, out comes Adam Lambert dragging some scantily clad, leathered-up woman around on stage. I told everyone to look away and fumbled around rather unsuccessfully in the dark for the remote thinking it doesn't get much worse than that. Unfortunately, that was the gentle part. By the time I found an "off" button, I'd witnessed the absolute depths of prime time network programming. The sad debasement of God's beautiful creatures. Lambert is throwing the word "discrimination" around. I'm not anti-gay, friends. When I'm perfect, I can start throwing stones. But I am unapologetically anti-orgy on prime time television.

ABC says it got a modest amount of complaints. I'm thinking that if the calls and letters don't ratchet up, we'll be seeing a Caligula routine next year. If you have kids... if you think you might have kids... hey, if you know a kid... please take a moment to send ABC a note of complaint here.

Manna & Mugs!

Join me on December 5 from 9-12 for "Manna Mug & Muffin" at Scofield Church in Dallas. I'm speaking on the subject of endurance. The event is free but you'll need to make a reservation by calling 214.349.6043. Details are here. It promises to be a fun morning of fellowship and gourmet muffins! Hope to see you there!

On my iPod... I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight by U2

Great Coffee... Wonderful Value!

Coffee lover or, dare I say, coffee snob? You might want to pass on the pricier brands next time you shop and try Eight O'Clock coffee, instead. At $4.98/pound, it's a better value than the other brands... and, surprisingly, it tastes better, too! Rich and velvety with no bitter aftertaste! Kathy P says the grind-your-own whole beans are great. I bought them already ground in regular and decaf and was delighted!

Looking forward to... U2 at Cowboys Stadium... nosebleed section facing stage... happy party of 5!