The Insomnia Chronicles

SNR: (Sunday Night Review)

God Rocks!

HE really does!  Over these last few months, I have been totally amazed by the way the Lord has blessed, healed, equipped, encouraged and propelled my life!  He is my everything! 

The phrase, "God Rocks"  is especially appropriate for me to shout, as it is said hundreds of times each day by my little boy, Chase Truth! It's the  name of his favorite TV show.  He grabs his toy guitar (pronounced, "goodday") and shouts, "OdRoks!"  - even as I started bloggin' this post, Chase has begun demanding his show.  Sorry, squishy (his nickname), it's Olympics tonight!

So, yeah, back to what I was saying... God IS Incredible! This summer I have seen thousands of teens pray to accept Christ as Savior & Lord. At the same time, He has increased our influence here in Hamtramck & Detroit. We have many new faces and lots of momentum as we head into the Fall...

My life be like...

 

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!

With the Olympics ending soon and my Tigers fading into the fall, I'm SO ready for some FOOTBALL!!   Here's my take...   in the NCAA, I have to be cheering for my Buckeyes! I take a lot of hate, here in Michigan, for such unwavering allegiance.  They face USC on September 13th (a preview of the national championship?)... we'll see.  in the NFC, it's all about the Steelers for me.  So, my dream superbowl:  Vikings vs. Steelers... I'm also still pulling for the Lions to rise out of mediocrity - and Punk the Favre-less Packers!!
- one last thing, yeah, I play fantasy football too... IT'S GO TIME!

I'm WAY Out There!

So yeah, IF you would like to shadow me - twitter - or, be my pal - facebook - please do it! I love all of these avenues for us to be connected and also spread the GREAT NEWS!

Oh, a couple other things, I have a surprise and a free gift coming this week on my blog. The surprise is, well, a surprise - so, you'll have to wait! But the gift I've already mentioned, a free copy of "Wild Goose Chase" this Tuesday to one of you!  Stay tuned...

They said it...

Here's 2 quotes from last night's McCain/Obama interview with Rick Warren... when asked why they want to be president:
Obama said, "the United States should be an empathetic power for good in the world, a mission he fears is slipping away."
McCain said, "I want to inspire a generation of Americans to serve a cause greater than its self interest."

HE said it...

Jesus, the greatest leader of ALL, said:  "Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave.  In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people" Matthew 20:26-28.     

but, of course, Jesus wasn't running for President,
He was already King of Kings!

hmmm...

I've got a lot of random thoughts on my heart and mind this evening...  so, I think I'll just keep typing and see what happens.

Jesus Saves

~ this reality is blowing me away - yet again.  In just one week I've watched Him transform the lives of kids, teens, parents, grandparents, rich people, homeless people, and yeah, hopefully, me too. 

I like worship

~ I've been hangin' out with this guy who, by the way is going to work for this guy, who actually works for this guy... oh yeah, so back to the guy (Andy) - what a great young guy!  He and his wife (and amazing band) were so awesome in leading our 2 congregations into the presence of God. It was a powerful and yet really natural.  I'm not one of those people that listens to lots and lots of worship music or needs to hear it to 'feel' God.  I like touching Him in silent times & places... a lot. But then, there are those unique times when music, lyrics and love seem to collide into something unexpected and genuine.  Today (and last night) we had that happen.  This make sense to anyone but me?

politics, stage left

so...  I'm seriously thinkin' & prayin' about Obama.  hurry, grab a hold of your religiously-right heart and get a posse assembled for an impromtu intervention.  I must have backslidden.  I was hangin' out with this guy the other night... I learned a lot.  Please fight from jumping to the wrong conclusions... this man has sang at the Republican National Convention and dined at the White House with President Bush many times...  there's more I'd like to say but, I'll just leave at this...  one last thought, it's not as IF Obama is running against 'righteousness'... hmm.  still prayin' - but, go ahead, feel free to rebuke me on this.

blog blues

I'm not real happy with typepad - my host for this blog.  in fact, I'm seriously thinking about jumping over to my other (idle) blog at wordpress.  I think what I want to do is combine my personal ministry site: www.iChilly.com with my blog site: www.InsomniaChronicles.com ...  ultimately this may result in iChilly winning the 'what to name it contest'.  I've got some guys that know a lot more about the technical side of all of this... so, their looking into some stuff & will advise me.  So, stay tuned - it may all change this week!!

... sigh

With the completion of War Week, my summer outside speaking & ministry has come to a conclusion.  I have a few one day things I'm speaking at but nothing that will take me away from my family (or my bed).  I'm excited for August... and thrilled for September! 
~ For now, I'm going to catch my breath.  Read a bunch.  Kiss my wife more. Exercise daily. Pray. Laugh. And drink lots of water...  sound boring  & bland?  good!  perfect!  you haven't lived the last 2 months that I have... 

I still have more that I'd like to blog about...

Hmmm...

Nope, that will do. 

Well, almost. 

let me add this Word that God dropped into my heart this evening: "Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed" Psalm 119:41, msg.

peace.

Sunday Night Review, Volume 3

*Yeah, I know, I don't do this every week...  not sure why, but here it is none-the-less.

Church:

Awesome day at Real Church today (despite it being FREEZING outside)! We are 13 days into our time of prayer and fasting (40DAZE) – that means we only have 27 more days until we start our second church: NIGHTLIGHT!   Our current message series has been incredible so far - we're looking at the lives of those that spent 40 days with God - today was Elijah (1 Kings 19) - listen to the message "What Are You Doing Here?"  by listening to the podcast (just click ear-buds in right column >>)...

Sports:

Football: Well, the Patriots are in the Superbowl ... again.  Kind of shatters the old saying "cheaters never win".  Seriously, I'm pretty frustrated that on the year that Bill Belichick is caught cheating, doesn't deny it, is fined by the league and penalized draft picks; he is also named "NFL Coach of the Year" - sends a message to our kids: it doesn't matter how you win, just win!  ... ugh.   
        - then Giants beat Packers in OT to represent NFC in the big game... weird.  I'll be pulling for them (but then again, I pull for any team playing the Pattys). 

Baseball:  Got Steroids?

Hockey: Here in Hockeytown our Redwings continue to dominate! Hockey is definitely a sport for studs - but you have to see it LIVE to really appreciate it.

Basketball:  Is it just me or is NBA and NCAA basketball extra boring this year?  Doesn't seem to be any fun story-lines or rivalries...  our Pistons are even in first place and no one seems excited around here... Hmmm... what's up?!

Emergent/Missiology:

If I have to pimp a bunch of secular music in order to be able to hang with the "cool" emergent pastors & leaders, you'll have to count me out!  I get a little frustrated at the crap I see them promoting on their blogs...  they might say I'm legalistic or uptight (but they wouldn't say it to my face - ha), I simply say: Philippians 4:8.  As long as you're trying to be cool, you're not...

A Quote:

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises...leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."- Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Bible:

Last and certainly not least, a passage that has rocked my world this week:  "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before."   Job 42:10

-    After you read the entire book of Job and listen while Job argues with his friends - taking turns trying to sound wise.  Coming up with man-made solutions to God-size problems. Even challenging God, Himself...  he finally gets relief "AFTER he prays for his friends". 
-    Could that have been the key to Job's 'locked dilema'? 
-     Of course, repentance was needed too, but how many times do we pray last??  Hmmm...
-     Let me reiterate our, Real Church, theme for 2008:  PRAY FIRST!!  ... making more sense with each turn of the page of God's Word.

*Yeah, I know, I don't do this every week...  not sure why, but here it is none-the-less.

Church:

Awesome day at Real Church today (despite it being FREEZING outside)! We are 13 days into our time of prayer and fasting (40DAZE) – that means we only have 27 more days until we start our second church: NIGHTLIGHT!   Our current message series has been incredible so far - we're looking at the lives of those that spent 40 days with God - today was Elijah (1 Kings 19) - listen to the message "What Are You Doing Here?"  by listening to the podcast (just click ear-buds in right column >>)...

Sports:

Football: Well, the Patriots are in the Superbowl ... again.  Kind of shatters the old saying "cheaters never win".  Seriously, I'm pretty frustrated that on the year that Bill Belichick is caught cheating, doesn't deny it, is fined by the league and penalized draft picks; he is also named "NFL Coach of the Year" - sends a message to our kids: it doesn't matter how you win, just win!  ... ugh.   
        - then Giants beat Packers in OT to represent NFC in the big game... weird.  I'll be pulling for them (but then again, I pull for any team playing the Pattys). 

Baseball:  Got Steroids?

Hockey: Here in Hockeytown our Redwings continue to dominate! Hockey is definitely a sport for studs - but you have to see it LIVE to really appreciate it.

Basketball:  Is it just me or is NBA and NCAA basketball extra boring this year?  Doesn't seem to be any fun story-lines or rivalries...  our Pistons are even in first place and no one seems excited around here... Hmmm... what's up?!

Emergent/Missiology:

If I have to pimp a bunch of secular music in order to be able to hang with the "cool" emergent pastors & leaders, you'll have to count me out!  I get a little frustrated at the crap I see them promoting on their blogs...  they might say I'm legalistic or uptight (but they wouldn't say it to my face - ha), I simply say: Philippians 4:8.  As long as you're trying to be cool, you're not...

A Quote:

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises...leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."- Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Bible:

Last and certainly not least, a passage that has rocked my world this week:  "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before."   Job 42:10

-    After you read the entire book of Job and listen while Job argues with his friends - taking turns trying to sound wise.  Coming up with man-made solutions to God-size problems. Even challenging God, Himself...  he finally gets relief "AFTER he prays for his friends". 
-    Could that have been the key to Job's 'locked dilema'? 
-     Of course, repentance was needed too, but how many times do we pray last??  Hmmm...
-     Let me reiterate our, Real Church, theme for 2008:  PRAY FIRST!!  ... making more sense with each turn of the page of God's Word.

Sunday Night Review (on Monday... or is it Tuesday?)

Church:

Great day at Real Church WITHOUT me – ha!  My wife, Netta, stepped up and hit one out of the park! Her message, "Eight Dollar Hotdog," is practical challenge reminding us that thankfulness can change the world! We were also jam-packed again!  Oh, and several people accepted Christ!  Listen to her message and check out a really powerful video on my podcast - (click earbuds in right column)...

Where was I?  I was on my way home from speaking at the Tennessee Youth Convention in Chattanooga, TN.

Sports:

Football: My Buckeyes drove Lloyd Carr into early retirement with it's fourth straight spanking of Michigan. Ouch!

This weekend is our youth ministry, REPO, Turkey Bowl football game.  It's co-ed, tackle and tons of fun.  Definitely a fall classic.

Not much comment about other sports this week - it's a Football, football, football time of the year.

Emergent/Missiology:

Sometimes I wonder why listening to any music artist is so "in" with the emergent pastors & leaders today...  Seems that posting about it in a bragging type manner is far too common.  Is it their way of saying, "Philippians 4:8 can apply to anything you deem praiseworthy... it's subjective" - hmmm.  Maybe it's their reaction to the other extreme that finds fault with every form of entertainment... and people will think it's cool that they have a pastor into Dave Matthews, Cold Play, Lenny Kravitz or Kayne West.  I don't know - I'm not trying to pick a fight - maybe just provoke a little "holiness inventory"...

A Quote:

"A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart." - Charles Finney

Bible:

This week I've been chewing on this passage: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:12-17

-    What a challenge!  What jumped out at you in this passage?
-    Right in the middle is three words "And be thankful." - how can you BE thankful this week?

Sunday Night Review

*This is a new feature of this blog - where on Sunday nights, I'll just throw a bunch of random thoughts & subjects at you.  Would love to get some feedback & comments from you on ANY of it!  Thanks!!

Church:

Great day at Real Church today – looks like we’ll need to add another service VERY soon – we’re packed!  New people every week and several salvations – so cool!  Catch some of the excitement by listening to the podcasts (just click ear-buds in right column >>)...

Sports:

Football: Rough loss for my Buckeyes this weekend… I was a bit bummed. Thank goodness the Steelers rallied from 15 points down to defeat, once again, the Cleveland Brownies…

Baseball:  Any predictions as to where A-Rod will end up?  NOT Detroit we know…

Hockey: Here in Hockeytown our Redwings are melting the ice they’re so Hot!  9 in a row!!

Basketball:  Will the Celtics lose this year?  Wow, IF you have lots of money you can buy a pretty loaded team – seems to be the Boston way of winning (just ask the Red Sox).  Side note: Pistons are looking pretty good too…

Emergent/Missiology:

Does it seem like all the books in this category are starting to sound the same?  Seems like the same guys are writing book-after-book and speaking at conference-after-conference, where do they find time to actually minister?  Are they bothered by the “ministry groupies” that follow them, hanging on every word?  Hmmm…

A Quote:

"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair." - C.S. Lewis

Bible:

Last and certainly not least, a passage that has rocked my world this week:  “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:19-22

-    Which part of this is hardest for you to apply?
-    How can you “Do what it says” in practical ways this week?