Archive - January, 2009

Contentment versus Entitlement

January 29, 2009 in Leadership with 0 Comments

With all the news on the government bailouts and stimulus plans, everyone is wanting help. We see the automakers flying in on private jets needing money to stay afloat. We see banks using bailout money to remodel offices (who needs a $35,000 toilet?) and we even see the porn industry asking the goverment for money. Everyone thinks they are entitled to receive something for nothing.

Our society is going through a time of entitlement, and it bothers me. We see this with the examples above, but the scary thing is that we see it in our families as well. Have you found yourself rationalizing purchases? Everyone else has a flat-screen so I deserve one as well! What about your children? I see my children constantly wanting stuff because their friends already have it. We live in a society where it seems nobody is content with what they have. And the result of this type of thinking is people spending more than they make, and getting into trouble when times are tough.

The truth is that life isn’t always fair. The truth is that we must sacrifice. The truth is that we must act our wage and not spend money we don’t have. The truth is that we won’t always be able to keep up with our neighbors. And the truth is that we will never be content until we rely on Jesus to meet our needs, instead of relying on our “stuff” Entitlement is a result of our materialism and it has become our modern day Golden Calf.

So my question for you is: are you content with what you have, or do you feel like you are entitled to more?

Philippians 4:11-13

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

It’s All Worth It

January 29, 2009 in Leadership with 0 Comments

Perry Noble posted yesterday about 15 things he wished he would have known going into the ministry. I loved the quote at the end. Every pastor needs to read this for encouragement.

The fights, the sleepless nights, the critics, the spiritual warfare, the long meetings, the frustration…IT’S ALL WORTH IT! When lives get changed…it’s worth it. When hell becomes less crowded…it’s worth it. When repentance takes place…it’s worth it! When marriages are restored…it’s worth it. IT IS SO WORTH everything we go through!!! SO…don’t EVER give up–EVER!!!

Take a look at this incredible picture!

January 25, 2009 in Crazy Stuff, Technology with 0 Comments

Go to this website to see an incredible 1474 Megapixel photo of the inauguration. You can zoom in and see individual faces. I could literally spend hours looking through the detail in this photo. The story behind the photo can be found here. Click on the photo below to go to their website and browse around. It’s like playing where’s Waldo.


one interesting thing I noticed is the faces of Aretha and Rick Warren are superimposed. It looks like Rick Warren’s beard is part of Aretha’s hat! What else can you find?

Family Survival Kit

January 25, 2009 in Crazy Stuff with 0 Comments

We used this at Cornerstone this morning as the intro to Todd’s message on family. I think we all have family members that need some of these items.

Connected but not committed

January 22, 2009 in Technology with 4 Comments

Since I received my new iPod Touch, I’ve been using it to do some of my daily Bible reading. I have been reading through the book of Isaiah and so far I have really enjoyed using the iphone Bible application YouVersion from the tech geniuses at Lifechurch.tv. It looks a little strange to be flipping through Bible verses on your iPod, but it works great. I especially like the ability to bookmark verses so I can come back to them later.

But it has made me stop and think. I’ve got a bookshelf full of Bibles, I can access the Bible from my smartphone, I can listen to it as mp3 files, and now I can read it on my laptop or iPod. We have more access to the Word of God than any other generation and yet, as Americans, we simply don’t make it a priority to read! How can you truly love a God you don’t know? And how can you know the character and love of God if you never have read His words written to you?

You will never see significant Spiritual growth in your life until you start reading the Bible. If you don’t take responsbility and start feeding yourself, you will remain an infant being spoon fed by others. It doesn’t matter if you read the Bible on an iPod or a normal book, JUST START READING! If you don’t know where to start, then check out my previous post about different Bible reading plans.

So my question for you is, how do you read the Bible?

And I’ll add in a plug for YouVersion, if you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, you really need to download this app – it’s awesome. They also have a blackberry version and a normal website as well.


YouVersion iPhone Bible App from YouVersion on Vimeo.

Two New CD’s For Your Listening Enjoyment

January 20, 2009 in Book and Music Reviews with 2 Comments

I wanted to share a couple of albums that I’m looking forward to. The first is the new debut album from Fiction Family, a musical collaboration between Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman and Nickel Creek guitarist Sean Watkins. It has a cool flow and feel to the music. It is very reminiscent of Jon Foreman’s recent solo albums and I dig the guitar work from Sean Watkins. Listening to it reminds me of old British rock or solo work from Kevin Max. It’s smooth and good.


The other album that I think everyone is waiting on is the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, coming out in early March. You can pre-order it now on itunes and download the first song. Check it out here. They also have a deluxe version available on itunes.

Focusing on Fitness

January 20, 2009 in Church Related with 1 Comment

This is an inspiring video that we showed at Cornerstone this past Sunday to highlight the importance of taking care of our bodies. Josh Farmer is a young man who has been through some very tough problems and has lost over 120 pounds. Remember, every BODY ends up somewhere, but not every BODY ends up somewhere on purpose. Let’s take care of our bodies so that we can serve God faithfully with all of our strength.


Bringing Your Physical Life Into Focus from Mike Morris on Vimeo.

Remember – Review – Refocus

January 18, 2009 in Family with 1 Comment

I’m sitting at my computer tonight preparing for a funeral service tomorrow for my uncle who passed away this week. Death has a way of making you slow down and re-evaluate your life, especially when it is unexpected.

I’m using the three words below as an outline for my funeral message based on John 11:21-44.

Remember – Review – Refocus

We all need to spend time remembering the past, cherishing the memories that even death can’t take away. We need to spend time reviewing our own life. Where are our priorities? How are we living our life? Are we truly honoring God and leaving a legacy as a follower of Christ? And finally, we need to refocus, realigning our life with God’s will, and making sure that we are living life to the fullest, enjoying every moment. Life truly is a gift from God, don’t waste it.
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