Amen to Myself

World Cup Worship

Okay, so have you been getting into World Cup Mania?  WhooHoo!...

Yeah, me neither. But I do have to admit I've watched some of the coverage on TV and it's pretty exciting stuff.  Oh, I'm not talking about the players, although their skills are phenomenal, I'm talking about the FANS!  These people are obsessed with their teams and players.  They dance and sing, in one accord, over and over - NONSTOP - throughout the 90 minutes of regulation play and even into another 30 minutes of overtime, if required.  It's amazingly distracting to the opposition and very encouraging to the warriors on the field, for sure!

I had the most excellent honor of being asked to help lead worship two weekends ago and it was a real blessing to see God's people humble themselves and corporately proclaim their love for Jesus.  But I went home and told God that I felt more like a cheerleader, at times, than that of a lead worshiper.  Man it just seems to me like it shouldn't be such hard work to try and persuade humans to read words off of two giant projector screens with a live band, top shelf lighting, sound and choreography while singing and clapping together, but forgive me Lord, it sure feels like it's very hard work. I know that I can't do it in my own strength, but should I really have to sell and resell the idea that we are here to worship our Creator?

And so I ask you, I ask God, shoot... I ask myself!  Why, how, when will we see God's people, especially those who attend our church, become fanatical about the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's like these "futball" fans?  Why can't we have Christ followers paint crosses on THEIR faces and sing God's glory at the top of their lungs?  If we all sang out loud at a worship service, with world Cup zeal, I'm sure that the enemy who seeks to distract us, discourage us and place shame on our faces, would be abruptly ushered out the front doors.  I'm talking about FREEDOM to worship God here. Freedom to draw close to Him in a corporate environment and do it with the rest of His family all at the same time.  Lives would change and the power of God would flow out onto the streets of our communities and splash on everyone we knew.  So what's stopping us?  What are we waiting for?

It's not going to just "happen" because the music is relevant or the lights are inspirationally timed.  It's going to take commitment to prayer, fasting, and proclaiming war on the other team. Talk about commitment? I read that the Staples center in Los Angeles hosted over 20,000 Korean soccer fans who joined together to watch Korea face France at 3:00 in the morning!  Um, just for review, that's 3am, over 20,000 fans in an arena to watch a soccer match on a jumbo screen taking place on the other side of the planet!  No lights, no cheerleaders, no doughnuts ;)

So here's the challenge:  We need to humble ourselves and pray that we and others will lose the selfish pride that prevents them from being free to worship God in spirit and truth.We need to seek God with all our hearts and hold those around us accountable for doing the same. Oh and if you see someone next to you sitting on their hands during the worship service next week...  just lean over and shout GOOOAAALLLL as loud as you can, maybe they'll get the hint.  ;)

"if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Ding Dong Zarkowi's Dead...

Wow!  I guess we dropped the bomb on this guy.  I hate to sound like I'm dancing in my undies over the death of this creep - but, well, I am.  I didn't say I was praying that he be killed, cuz I wasn't.  But I do ask God to have his way with the evil in this world, and He apparently did, to some small extent.  It will be interesting to watch now as the left wing liberals who run our news agencies try to make a positive move by the Bush administration look like something that took way too long to pull off.  I'm sure we'll hear "What about Osama?" and be told that by cutting off the head of the monster we will now cause three more to grow back.  I say "BRAVO" men and women of our armed forces and I hope the Iraqis are dancing in the streets like munchkins singing "ding dong Zarkowi's dead - now we want Osama's head... Ding dong Zarkowi's really dead."

Idol this...

Hah!  So as a slightly older dude who respects any artist who sings uniquely from his or her SOUL, rather than from an inability to perform poor imitations of everything they hear on their iPods; I say HAH!  I picked Taylor Hicks as the winner weeks and weeks ago, just glad the rest of America agrees.  And on an unrelated note:

Is it just me?  Or are these guys related?

 

We Interrupt This Program

Is it just me or would you like to hear the following Special Report from the White House?

My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been
completed.
Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our
mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American
forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now
to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries
which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short.
The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the
countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the
world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing
copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those
nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved
during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the
Iraqi war.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world
Hellholes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money
toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that
note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt
you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the
earth.

Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France,
Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring
from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN
diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking
tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and
crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps
have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or
watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of
the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely
to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not
pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government
really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and
infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em? Yep,
border security.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty -
starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for
oil in Alaska - which will take care of this country's oil needs for
decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision,
I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens.
Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn
tootin."

Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the
world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the
planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate
homelessness in America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank
you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to
speak Arabic.

God bless America. Thank you and good night.