day 2 of 21

So I hear it takes 21 days to make a habit.  I am on Day 2 of that 21 in getting up early in the morning to work out.  Today was fairly easy to my surprise.  It might have had something to do with the fact that I slept about 15 hours yesterday, just maybe.  I do feel a lot better and have a tons more energy during the day it seems.  I have no goal of being "the hulk" but I do want to shape up!  They installed tvs on each of the machines so that's a good way to get my mind off the fact that it's 6AM and I'm working out.  We'll see. 

thoughts

I have always been amazed at the story of Billy Graham. I love the way he started out and just the history of his life and how many people have come to know the Lord because of him. Here is my wanderings today...I've listened to a few interviews lately by Graham on Larry King Live and his latest article in Newsweek. Read this excerpt and tell me what you think. It's tough for me to read because I feel that there is a huge confusion among Christians of today as to whether Jesus really is the gateway to heaven and the only way. This is a truth that our faith hinges on and if there are other ways then what Jesus did might have been crazy. The excerpt below was taken out of Newsweek and the whole article can be found here. Mark Cahill also wrote an article about this in his latest newsletter and he brings out some good points also.

"A unifying theme of Graham's new thinking is humility. He is sure and certain of his faith in Jesus as the way to salvation. When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people, though, Graham says: "Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won't ... I don't want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have." Such an ecumenical spirit may upset some Christian hard-liners, but in Graham's view, only God knows who is going to be saved: "As an evangelist for more than six decades, Mr. Graham has faithfully proclaimed the Bible's Gospel message that Jesus is the only way to Heaven," says Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross. "However, salvation is the work of Almighty God, and only he knows what is in each human heart."

working hard...

You know, I bought some equipment to start recording voiceovers for radio, tv, etc.  They say it's a lot like acting, some people spend a long time and go to many auditions before they get their first job.  I come home everyday almost and work a few hours.  I sit in my walk in closet that has been converted to a mini-recording studio.  It looks pretty funny if you have never seen it.   I've just now sent in my 100th demo.  whew!!!  Please pray that something would happen :)  I guess I'll stay in the closet until something happens :)

It's been fun either way and I have a few fun projects going on the side that some of you will benefit from :)

somewhere to go

So it was an interesting week in El Paso, the food was good, but I do not want Mexican food for a long time, okay, I'll settle for eating it on Wednesday :). I like to go to new places and eat all different types of food that I can't get in my own town, I never like to go to chain places, boooo. I was glad to get back on Friday but so TIRED! Of course, I should have taken a day off to rest, but no, I woke up early in the morning and went dirtbiking in GA. I realized something when I was driving over to a friends house. It's a lot easier to put gas in your vehicle, motorcycle, etc when you know where you are going. Basically, when you have a goal that you will enjoy. Like, it's a lot easier putting gas in my dirtbike when I know I'm going somewhere fun. It's a lot easier putting gas in my Jeep when there is a cool trip planned and you're not just putting expensive gas to get back and forth to work. I feel like it's a lot like our relationship with the Lord. It just seems so much easier to read the Word and pray when we have a "path" to go on. When we have some type of idea where our life is heading etc. Sometimes maybe God doesn't want us to have that, sometimes He does, I just know it's a lot easier when we know where we are going and are excited about it.

As you can see from the picture here, I made a few falls that were quite fun. It's just a rush to jump hills and not really know where you will land. In this picture, I almost took a stump out, that would have really been quite painful and probably would have broken a few bones. Thankfully, I slid in right before the stump :) One of my friends came to take pictures of this event, how nice.

Hola, Que Tal!

So I am in El Paso this week teaching some classes.  The last time I was here, I hopped across the border into Mexico and it was the funniest thing.  One gringo among about 400 Mexicans, making our way, legally, across the border.  The agents at the border see thousands a people a day and this guy recongnized me, mainly because the day before I was, again, 1 gringo among 400 Mexicans.  Since then, I have discovered that what I did was very dangerous and I was an idiot.  I will not be going to Juarez this time around :) 

In other news, the weird things cease to stop happening to me.  Sept. 11th has always been a special day in my mind, for years before 09-11 I would have weird occurances that made me think of 9-11 and after 9-11 happened, it made it even weirder.  Yesterday, this guy called me out the blue to tell me his salvation story and some things that were going on in his life and some of the people we both know.  Just really random, but I learned a lot from the call and was glad to talk to him.  I am not complaining about these "different" things that are happening, I am starting to like them :)

Now I'm off to find some Mexican food, NOT.

Pretty Mouth

So usually every 2-3 weeks, I make my way to my local Great Clips. I've been going there since it opened about 6 years ago and a few of the same girls have been cutting my hair(s) for all these years. I always like going into Great Clips because we always have good conversations. It's neat because one of the girls will talk about church etc. and it's a good way to let the time pass and everyone in the store ends up listening. (Eph. 4:29) It's fun. We laugh, joke, and I always have a good time in there. Well last Friday was a little different story. I went in around 6 or so as I usually do and sat down. I waited for about 30 minutes and still no haircut, but hey, no problem, I'm a patient guy. Around 15 minutes into my waiting, a co-worker comes in and we begin to talk. Around this same time, another guy walks in, we shall call him "big dude." Well Big Dude was not really into the waiting thing, he gets up after he had waited a long time and makes it known to the stylist that he is not happy with the service. He didn't do it in a way that was very nice. I just pretended that I didn't hear him and kept chatting with my co-worker. Well, my name is called. It's so fun when they call your name, because I know my buzz cut will be done in about 15 minutes. A girl that has cut my hair(s) before takes me back. She was a little upset that the Big Dude was so upset. She made it clear that she would "hook him up" if he sat in her chair. I responded, "ahh, nah you wouldn't do that, you are too good for that." She laughed. Well we chatted about the service industry, restaurants, and serving people. After this we talked about Clemson, where we liked to eat, and just general stuff. Well she finished cutting my hair(s) and I got up to walk up and pay. As I get up front, I hear someone say in a loud voice, "You've got a pretty mouth!" I look up to the left of me and see this big dude standing there looking at me. I look him in shock and say "excuse me?" He says, "you've got a pretty mouth!" At this point I should have thanked him for his kind compliment to my parents' genes and my Lord who formed me in the womb, but I chose not to. I pretty much say something to the effect of "dude what are you talking about." He then says something to the effect of *$#*$#(*$#(*$#(*$#(*$*%(#*%* and I'll *#(*(*#(%*#(%*#%*. I look at him kindly and say, "we were talking about chinese restaurants." I then sign my receipt and then the story gets interesting. He then looks at me and says, "If you ever come up to the *it*y bar, I will let you #*$#(*$#($*#*#(". Well let's just say that I can't write it on my blog. I think it was a gesture of apology for him making a fool of himself, but I am not sure. The stylist apologized to me and gave me a "sorry" card from Great Clips that gives you a discount on your next haircut. Ha. Ya know, I prayed a long time ago that God would give me stories to share Him with others. I prayed for crazy stories. I am getting to a point where crazy things are starting to happen to me but I am usually so shocked that I haven't quite made the transition to the spiritual. I am working on it.

Another man grabbed me last weekend out of nowhere and asked me if I was experiencing spiritual warfare. This man was probably in his 60's and had a long white beard. He told me that if I was not, I would eventually face it. So weird. We talked for a few minutes and he ended up being a nice guy, we had a nice chat. I feel like I have a sign on me that attracts "different" types of people. I'm not complaining, I actually kinda like it. :)

On another note, I went wakeboarding with Ed and Julie on Saturday. We had a good time and Ed finally hit a backflip for me to see. I had heard he could do it, but hadn't seen it. Well in the process, I did get some nice footage of all his falls and hardwork. I share it with you here.

Be Prepared

I found this video through Way of the Master radio and was created by the Great News Network I do believe. This is one of the most unique and amazingly convicting videos I have seen in a long time. The punchline is at the end of the video, man.

On another note, this brings up a talk I heard recently on the same program. John MacArthur had given a message on using the church as a tool to entertain people and then evangelize. He talks about bringing tares in with the wheat. The believers are supposed to go out and the heart of evangelism is not bringing people to church. The problem today seems to be that most Christians believe this to be evangelism. Jesus did not put a sign on the upper room and ask people to be there at 7:30. We would never be Christians today if that were the case. He went out into the highways and biways. How can we change the focus of evangelism from "invite people to church" to teaching people to evangelize? They say that 95% of the church has never led someone to Christ...is there something wrong with this?

I hope you enjoy the video.

Yes, I did this

I usually don't like to do these sorts of things but Ed did it, and he saw that Lee did it, and Lee copied that stripper he met...wait, that last part is not true :)


I love Jesus
I like people
I love speaking about Jesus to large groups of people
I like big parties with lots of strangers
I like burgers at big parties
I also like oysters at big parties
I like Mike Rowe in "Dirty Jobs"
I like Johnny Cash and his story and his deep voice
I like people who are friendly to drive-through workers
I love theology
I love motorcycles
I do not like raw onions
I like cooked onions
I like riding dirtbikes and motorcycles
I like to talk geek with Stunningman
I do not like getting lost
I rarely lose my temper, I can count 3 times in my life that I've somewhat lost it
I am very patient
I like computers
I am not a big fan of camping when it rains a lot
I like doc martens, big soles, and wide.
I like Jeep Wranglers.
I do not like waking up early in the morning
I like staying up late
I worry very little
I am very easy going
I like picking up hitch-hikers
I like wakeboarding with Ed
I like practicing voice overs and being a radio guy.
I like doing impersonations.
I do not like spandex
I would like a few kids and maybe adopt 1
I probably need a wife first
I do not like math
I currently work as an application engineer (hmm)
I love evangelism and teaching it
I like Ray Comfort
I can be a hopeless romantic (did I just confess that)
I like "Lost"
I like Jack Bauer in "24"
I still do not like getting lost
I like to ski but don't have snow
I enjoy being nice to people
I love to meet strangers
I want to have some type of "unique" ministry someday
I have 3 worldy dreams
1-Sky Dive , check
2-Rent Crazily Nice Car in cool city, check
3-I can't quite share #3 yet.
I don't like hurting people's feelings
I am confrontational
I like sitting in my closet/recording thingy and making funny voices
I am sensitive
I love studying apologetics
I once dated someone, broke up, and she got engaged about 3 weeks later
I like playing guitar but I am not good
I love to sing but not in front of people
I, so okay, I liked "The Notebook"
I hope to one day work for myself and have time to do things that mean something
I like my Black & Decker Blower, I use it once a week
I like to take things apart
I enjoy naps on Sundays when there is lots of rain, a blanket, and a comfy couch.
I like sectional couches
I want to fly planes one day
I do not like sand
I like to pressure wash
I do not like poison ivy...
I like dreaming and thinking of inventions but am not good at putting them together
I think blogging is fun
I love sleeping by the river in the mountains, w/o rain of course
I love to eat at new places that nobody knows about and then tell everyone
I do not like when puppies poop on the floor
I like when puppies poop outside
I enjoy making strangers feel comfortable
I like discussions with Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses
I like having a huge group of random friends
I must become less, He must become greater

Is this it?

I've caught myself getting caught up in politics of life and work etc.  You go to work everyday, you do your job, you work hard.  Is this it?  Is life just about making a paycheck and waiting on a promotion?  What a boring life, what a meaningless life that would be if that's all there was to this life.  I've thought about this a lot.  I think I have figured a little something out in my own life.  When my focus is off of the Lord and His Will, I can get caught up in the day to day.  I can find myself just going to work, thinking like the rest of the world, thinking almost like a lost person.  The cool thing I like about the way the Lord deals with me is this.  He never gives up on me.  He knows what I need to get me back and thinking clearly and focus my mind back on Him. 

I used to pick people up on the side of the road all of the time.  I've shared stories about that before on here.  It's the most amazing thing, some of the stories I've heard and just being able to hear the story of strangers.  I haven't picked anyone up in a long time it seems like.  I was leaving work today, after a long week at work, and just in processing thoughts, feelings etc.  A heavy week.  Well I'm leaving the office and I see two people on the side of the road.  I ask them if they need help and they need a ride, so they jump in my Jeep.  These were the sweetest people.  They were the most country people you could meet.  Their car broke down and the police had it towed away.  They didn't have any way to get home the day before so they had to sleep on the floor at someones house.  I had a bag full of chips in the back of my Jeep that they started eating.  (Thanks to Julie Edwards who gave them to me) They hadn't eaten anything, they were tired, thirsty, and just worn out.  We found their car and it need a new fuel pump.  They needed a ride to a town about 20 minutes away.  I honestly was tired and really didn't feel like going that far out the way.  It's funny how the Lord will bless you when you are obedient.  I gave them a ride and it gave us a chance to talk.  I heard about their life and what they had been through and really just paid attention to their story and where they were going.  They talked about how they really just wanted to get married.  I thought they were married, but I guess they were just dating.  We got to talk about the Lord and I found out that they were believers.  They were happy to finally get home and I was happy that the Lord encouraged my heart through talking to them. 

I've also learned that it is not cool to have poison ivy in randomly scary places on your body.  I don't think I have consistently woke up so early in the morning in my life.  Just scratching.  I feel like this is a temporary thorn in my flesh :)  Literally!  It's also not cool to have to get a shot in the hip.  I'm such a baby.

Questions...

Is there something wrong with this article?  Read it and tell me if this seems normal to you.

just like a kid again

When I was a kid, we would play in our neighborhood all the time.  We would go back as far in the woods as the river would let us, sometimes we would even push that line.  I loved being in the woods but occasionally bad things would happen.  Like the time my buddy Chad built a fort out of vines.  Vines that happened to be poison ivy and that I am extremely allergic to.  After spending the day in this fort and waking up the next morning with no sight, I realized that playing in a fort made of poison ivy was not good.  I had it in my eyes, throat, face, and well, you name it.  It's been years since I've had it.  I have to go the doctor immediately.  My mom said I looked like the elephant man.  It was bad. 

Well I woke up about 5AM this morning in torment.  Let's just say that I have poison ivy again and it's not in the best place.  It's on my face, my arms, my legs, and ...well let's just say the worst place it could be.  This is not fun. :(

JT

Lick the Bowl

Psalm 51:17 (New International Version)

17 The sacrifices of God are ^[a] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

I know I have talked about this verse before, but I really do think it's one of my favorite verses. It seems that we (Christians) always have this tendency to go away from brokenness. It's tough to stay broken spiritually before the Lord when all is good, the salary is nice, the house is comfortable, and you have a 401k. We just have these comfortable lives and is a blessing, but usually causes me to take Him for granted. My brother shared a story with me this past week that broke me down spiritually. It's so neat how God can use people close to us to do that. I'm just blown away by God's interaction in my life. I had just been thinking and telling my brother that the Lord was in the coincidences of life and that, well, they really weren't coincidences and if you want to call those little crazy things that happen, "coincidences" then...I say that He is also Lord of them. Okay, that was a run-on sentence. Forgive me. It seems that...in brokenness...it's like the ears of our heart have amplifiers on them and we can hear everything around us. Before, the Lord might have to scream for us to hear, but now, He can give a gentle whisper and we wake up. There are people in this life that live a life of brokenness and constantly are enamored with heartache. Our Lord was enamored, and we can know that He has been through anything and everything that we could ever think about going through. That's comforting. I just want to come to a place where telling people that "I love them" is fresh and sweet on my lips. It's not something that makes me feel uncomfortable or makes me feel weird. Lee Cunningham, whom I love, told me that he loved me as we left a party this weekend. That's brotherly love. People that care about each other w/o asking for anything in return. Jesus lived like that.

When I was a kid and my mom would make a cake. She would pour the batter out and then give me the bowl and mixer. Man, I am not going to lie, I would like this bowl until there was not an ounce of mix left. I would get my tongue between the mixer blades and get every last bit of it. It was sooo sweet. I am hoping that one day, I will seek the Lord and His Word with that intensity...well of course...w/o all the licking :)

Just a few details

It really amazes me that the Lord cares about the details of our lives.  I think we all know that He does, but I don't think we ever really thank Him for it or really believe that He is in the details.  I'm just now realizing that He is in every detail of our lives and we cannot surpise Him.  He was there before the world began, before we were thought of, and after we are gone, He will still be there.  He's in the coincidences and mishaps, He's everywhere.  That's good news.  I think I can rest in that. 

Just sayin

You know, as I sit here and realize that the "f" key has come off of my keyboard, I also came to the conclusion that out of an entire day, this was the worst thing that happened to me. 

Today was the first "official" meeting of CrossPoint.  It was quite cool to have so many people in church and to see the entire football team and coach Bowden in church.  There was not enough room to sit, it was really cool.  We also had the start of our small groups which we are calling "connecting point" groups.  It was pretty neat to have them over to my house and get to know some of them.  I love having random people coming together, there is something that is electric in that.  The semi-awkwardness of it does it for me.  It looks like we have a very unique and awesome group of people and I'm excited to get to know them. 

So I just finished Rob Bell's newest book, "Velvet Elvis."  It was a really interesting read.  I would not consider it a very deep book but he does go through a lot of Jewish customs that will better help you to understand Jesus and the scriptures.  In one chapter of the book, he discussed coming to people and treating them with an agenda.  Do we group people in a "saved" and "not saved" category?  Do we love them based on what category they fit in?  He brings up the idea of service also.  How can we show people Christ?  By serving them, the gospel is good news for everyone is the point he makes.  If a woman in an apartment complex becomes a Christian, then this is good news for the entire apartment complex.  This woman should now be even more caring, giving, kind, and serve the people around her.  It makes sense.  I've been trying to get to know my neighbors.  I desire to serve them and want them to know Christ.  We have to give an account one day, I've been convicted lately that I haven't used everything I've been given.  Thank God that Jesus and the disciples didn't stay in the upper room, I'm glad they didn't post a sign, and invite people to come hear them.  I am glad they went out and found the lost people, reached them where they worked, and shared life with them.  I'm trying to really see Christianity in its purest form, the way Jesus showed it to us.  It's tough to read the book of Acts and not label them "super Christians."  They weren't super at all, that was "normal" Christianity.  Whew, I've got a long way to go. 

In other news, I have officially set-up a mini-recording studio in my closet.  Yes, I said, my closet.  I realized that it was the best place to set-up with the least amount of distractions.  When I just recorded in my room, I noticed that the mic would actually pick up the dog scratching herself, or well, maybe that was me, but anyway, I moved to the closet.  My first major personal project is to record the New Testament and eventually get it out on CD for you, my fine friends.  If you would like to record a few chapters for me, please email me and let me know.  It's been a great way to read through the scriptures and I hope it all works out! 

That was Neat

This was a very relaxing weekend. I haven't really felt good for the past month and have something wrong with my head. I went to the emergency room with a bad headache one night and I really thought I was going to die. I have been putting it off, but I think I am finally going to go get a brain scan. I just hate to pay all that money and then say that nothing is wrong with me. Oh well, I guess I'll finally go. Anywho. So this weekend I just hung around the house. I played on the computer, caught up on my geeking and talked to a friend of mine, Brent Sears. Brent is a really awesome guy. He's one of those people that you can meet and instantly know that he knows the Lord. He quit his job to follow the Lord and it turns out...a few months after he did that, he found out that they are closing his office. You telling me that God doesn't know our future? Wow. He has helped me a lot in getting started in doing voice-overs. He let me borrow a mic of his for a few weeks to get up and going. I think I am going to buy one just like it. So on Saturday, Cheatham and I drove around and looked at some investment properties. It's kinda fun, I feel like there should be a tv crew rolling around with us. Okay, maybe not. Saturday night, I just came home and watched a Josh Turner and Randy Travis special. So good. If you can check it out, do so, on CMT.

I woke up this morning and went to CrossPoint. It's just been amazing to see this church grow and be apart of it. We were probably about 60% of the building, it was great. Next week, the football team is going to visit and it should be crazy. I'm excited. I left church, came home, took a short lil nap, and then headed out to Greenville to meet my little girlfriend at Macaroni Grill. MMMM. I had a gift card that we have now used 2 times. Penne Rustica...mmm. We devoured it and then enjoyed a slice of cheesecake :) I drove my motorcycle over there so afterwards, we rode around some neighborhoods in Greenville and came back. I drove back to Clemson for a meeting at church. Now, for my whole life, I've never been a member of a church. I've felt the Lord dealing with me in this for a long time but just haven't found a church that I feel "apart" of. People said that I should just join a church and then it would feel like home to me. I just disagreed. I don't want to sit down at a meal, not like it, and then someone tell me, keep eating it, you will eventually like it. I have always felt like when the Lord wanted me somewhere, He would make it very clear. I have known for a few months that I wanted to join CrossPoint, but I kept missing the join meetings. Today was the day I was going to join. Well on the way there, my motorcycle breaks down just outside of Clemson. This is about right. I didn't get upset and quietly said in my heart that this was not from God and was from Satan :) I really believe that Satan wanted to keep me away from joining a church. You might think that is a little much, but I believe it 100%. I got the bike cranked enough to get me a mile and then cut off. I did this for about 4 miles and eventually had to push a little ways. I got home about 30 minutes late and enough time to jump in my Jeep and drive to the meeting. It was an informational night and just a chance for people to hear about the vision of the church etc. I fit right in. All of the things I have wanted from a church are there, teaching, people, style, evangelism. AND all the gifts that I have, I feel like can be used there! I really had to fight tears when they played some music. It just felt natural to sign my name on a card and commit my time and life to a place. I really look forward to what the Lord is going to do in and around the people there. It's exciting that He can use broken pots and pans to prepare a meal could last for eternity.

Chris Moody tells of the Proposal to the Lod

This is hilarious if you know Moody. He was self-proclaimed "Bachelor to the Rapture".

So Chris finally made the jump and got engaged. I tell you, this guy is completely out of his league as Lottie is a hottie as she is formally known as. I do salute you Chris for becoming "that guy" and making everyone wonder how you got such a hottie and beautiful woman. The only way is that the Lord has "done gone and blessed you." You have freely relinquished the pimp juice and invested wisely :)

I wish you the best :)

The little things

What has always amazed me is ...well...how does God think?  What influences His decisions to do certain things?  Why does He allow some to be healed of disease and others to die?  Ultimately, He is sovereign and in control of all things.  The Bible says that everything on earth is under Jesus' feet.  We trust that He know all things and all futures.  You can bog your brain down to think about it.  A co-worker of mine had a tragedy in her family.  Her son was in a jet skiing accident and had extensive brain damage.  His brain stem was badly damaged which usually means there is no hope.  People have been known to take people off life support once this happens from what I'm told.  The family has been around this boy and just waited to see what would happen, even though doctors have not been very positive in his outlook for life.  He's been like this for almost two months, no response.  I heard today that he is now responding and has miraculously come around and started to write on a dry-erase board.  He said he was hungry and wanted spaghetti.  He also named friends that he wanted to visit him.  It looks like he is a miracle in the working.  Huge praise.  I pray that if God does completely heal him that he will have a clear understanding of grace and love the Lord.  That's huge news. 

In other news, I really love how the Lord deals with me sometimes.  I've been out of myself for a while.  I'm sure you have all been there.  It's that part of faith that you just don't have a desire to do the things that you used to naturally do, well with God's help.  I haven't really done anything the past few months.  I read every now and then and still grow to an extent, but my life has not been the abundant life that I know is there.  The Lord has been slowly getting me back and it's neat when He does the little things that let me know that He still knows I'm there and cares.  I was telling a story about Tom Conlon tonight, a musician that I absolutely love and have for years.  I was talking about this one song he has, "Water", I've probably talked about it on here before.  It's one of the best written songs I have ever heard.  I was sharing a story about it with my roommies.  How God used that song many years ago as I was preparing to give a message one Sunday.  I had heard the song for years w/o fully understanding the meaning.  It was about 10 o'clock and I'm listening to it as I'm writing down some thoughts.  It finally hit me.  I had Tom's cell phone number so I called him.  "Hey Tom, this is justin tanner...blah blah, I finally understood and got your song."  I was just in tears sitting at my computer listening.  It just amazed me that I could listen to it all those years and never get it.  It was so refreshing to see what he was talking about.  The song is about getting outside of your comfort zone and sharing Christ with people.  He describes us as water that is just sitting, sitting, sitting so long that it has become stagnant.  I got this picture of water in an alley that has been sitting there for months.  It's smelly, green, things growing out of it, and it's just disgusting.  I realized that even though I have this gift of evangelism, I don't use it.  I'm rotten, literally.  Selfish, complacent, stagnant water.  He talks about picking a guy up on the side of the road, now that guy knows the Lord and has a family of Christians because you didn't have fear of picking someone up. 

So back to the story, I walk in my room after sharing this story about "water" and guess what's just started playing on my computer.  Yeah, "Water."  I just have to laugh and get a little teared up and say that God is still around, He hasn't gone anywhere.  He is still there and wants me to realize that He still cares about me and wants me to be a good steward of my life.  He's in everything, even the little things.

Water Lyrics

It's a silent night, I'm sleeping in my bed
A studio apartment with a dream in my head
But nothing much changes unless I change it
But one day when the time is right, i just might rearrange it


We are like water, we fit the container, we look for an outlet
we know we can't just remain there
It's all about flowing out into dry land
Open mouth, dirty hands.

I heard about you, making friends with a stranger
Now he's got a new family because you had no fear of a danger
But i had my days of waitin on a roadside,
for a friend like you, who wasn't afaid to give me a ride


We are like water, we fit the container, we look for an outlet
we know we can't just remain there
It's all about flowing out into dry land
Open mouth, dirty hands.

I found that I can be, a friend and a lover
I got sweet water to fill your cup
I got this well of life, the source is high above me
I just let it out, i just let it out
it keeps filling up, filling up, filling up with neverending love
Feeling up...

Children of the light, sons and daughters
sitting in buildings, standing water
maybe someday soon, our hearts will open
maybe one of these silent nights will rush like a river flowing

We are like water, we fit the container, we look for an outlet
we know we can't just remain there
It's all about flowing out into dry land
We are like water, we fit the container, we look for an outlet
we know we can't just remain there
It's all about flowing out into dry land
It's all about flowing out into dry land
Open mouth, dirty, dirty, dirty hands.
Making soil out of sand...

Haven't seen for a while

There was a song I used to listen to all the time called "Haven't seen for a while"...what a great song. Pat Mcgee band sang it. The greatest part was when he talked about "it's 5:15"...because I know what that time of day is like...i'm coming home from work, done for the day, time to relax. I like music.

So I've been gone from the blog for a while and for the few people who still check this thing, well I'm starting back. So a lot, well some, has happened since I last had something to say. My grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. I woke up on a Saturday morning and went into the garage to clean up a bit and just started thinking about her really randomly. An hour later, my mom called and told me that she had passed away that morning. It's really crazy when things like that happen, it gives me just enough scent to know that God is still around and still speaks to us clearly.

She was a beautiful woman. She was like the spiritual rock of our family. She was the type of person that could cook really well and then when she would pray, you would almost cry. You could feel the Lord in her voice and the things she would say. She had an intimate relationship with the Lord and read the Word all the time. She had so many books that she would read. I didn't appreciate my grandma until I got older. Growing up, the prayers were just something you did before you eat. I used to think they were kinda long and I was really ready to just dig into the little biscuits she made that must have been like manna in the Bible. They were so good. As I got older and the Lord got my heart, her prayers started to make sense to me. I realized that she really knew the Lord and everyone that knew her was positive that she had a relationship with him. She didn't grow up with a lot of money so she liked to always make sure people had enough food and always made sure she cooked enough so we could give food to people around her town who didn't have much. She thought about everyone and if she knew you were coming to her house anytime around Christmas, you better believe she was going to give you a present. It might have been a couple of tshirts or a couple pair of socks, but you got something and appreciated it.

As her health started to go down hill, she always could catch me just as I would leave visiting her and ask about our family. She wouldn't ask how much money each one of us had, how big our house was, or anything like that. She was always concerned about each person in our family and their relationship with the Lord. She prayed constantly for the people who didn't know Him. My grandmother and I shared this same passion for our family, our whole family to know Him, really KNOW HIM. I could never leave her bedside without crying so hard. She would pray and it got to me. I learned a lot from her and I wasn't around her all the time. She lived an hour away growing up and when i went to college, I was hours away from her. The only time I would see her was if I went home and would stop by in the nursing home.

She asked me years ago to speak at her funeral. Along with two of her pastors whom she adored. It was such a blessing to be able to do that. I got to speak at the graveside and what an honor I thought that was. I got to summarize a life that was well lived. I talked about how she was a servant and cared for people and their needs. She didn't have much, but made much of not much. I told a story about how her dinner table was set-up. Everyone had a chair except her, she had a stool. I didn't figure out the reason for the stool until I was a lot older. She wanted to sit on that stool so she could get up really quick if anyone needed anything. And don't you dare try and get up and get something yourself, this was a sin. She was a servant and I will miss her...our whole family will. The crazy thing about a life that is well lived is that it doesn't have to stop with her. I've learned a lot from her and hope to carry on what she left with. She wrote this letter for me to read at her funeral. Talk about convicting and loving bound in paper.

In other news, I have found a church, finally. I visited Crosspoint a few months ago and absolutely loved it within the first 5 minutes I was there. I've looked for years and haven't been directly involved with a church that I could call mine. I wanted a church that was open and fun but still taught the scriptures verse by verse. I found it and love it. We start meeting in Tillman auditorium this Sunday, fun times! I hope to do some video work and start shooting some videos around the campus and use it as an evangelistic type tool. Please pray for that if you will :)

In the last bit of news, I started doing some voice-over work. I have desired for many years to get into doing commercials, radio, etc. I finally bought some equipment to start recording. I have a few projects that have been on the back-burner for many years. Soon they will be :)

Oh yeah, I still have a girlfriend after many months, why she keeps dating me, I'm not sure :)

Until next time, have your pets ...well nevermind. :)

Funny

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 80% Green Lantern 75% The Flash 65% Spider-Man 55% Supergirl 55% Wonder Woman 45% Iron Man 45% Robin 42% Hulk 30% Batman 30% Catwoman 25%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

A Good Laugh at Christians

If we can't laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at :)

Changing a lightbulb the Christian way:

Charismatic: Only one. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterians: None. Lights will go off and on at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old bulb was.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light bulb is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb or tulip bulb. A church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring a bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review the church lighting policy.

Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

I've seen many thing

You know...there have been many interesting things that circulate around the net...but this is one of the strangest I do believe.

Human Beatbox

Famous!

Updated Some Fun Links :)

Click here for Miss Wyatt

Click here for Herbert

Click here for flight of Moth Butterfly(It's LIVE)

Freedom Weekend Aloft 2006

Like almost every year, a group of us take off to Freedom Weekend Aloft in Anderson. It's a time of Hotair Balloons and multiple mullets amongst the crowd. My bro Greg, lil sis Jess, and I went and it was fun :) Jewel, Train, and well...we saw a few lesbians too. Interesting mix for Anderson :) 

Greg, Jess, and me :) 

 

 

 

Clemson Student

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2019201

You never really think this can happen in a place like Clemson.  So sad.

Cute Jen and Cami after the wedding, well, not their wedding, but Melanie Reid's wedding ;) 

Linds Addison just acting crazy! 

No Dr. Greezy, I want to take a picture of you. 

 

 

Me and Greezy, MD, just acting crazy. 

 

Cingular

So I have been faithful to Cingular for around 6-7 years if you count the time that they were Bellsouth DCS.  I have spoken highly of her and always defended her.  Without Cingular in my life, I probably would have the shakes and have very little communication with some friends.  When others speak more highly of their wireless carrier, I alway speak even higher for my precious Cingular.  I exalt her name amongst the other carriers always. 

Things change!

As I was traveling down Interstate 85 last Friday something sparked inside me.  Let me tell you what happened.  I was talking on the phone and in good conversation when the dreaded happens.  DROPPED CALL!  As I look down at my phone, with no bars, and the terror runs through my heart, only to look up to the sky and see a huge billboard with the words..."CINGULAR, RAISING THE BAR."  How could this be?  How could they place a sign in an exact place that they have troubled service?  Were they not thinking of these things?  I was hurt, injured bad.  So now, to you, oh precious Cingular, I am starting to look other places.  Yes, I'm starting to look at other wireless carriers. 

Power Of Death

It is amazing how captivating death is to people.  I know this is a very morbid subject and very sad, but it's interesting how we are programmed spiritually.  We were created to never die...but to have life eternally.  Sin came into the picture and so did death.  Nobody has to be taught how to respond when they see a newly born.  It's much more difficult to respond to someone who has experienced a death in their family.  Look at this passage from Hebrews 2.  It's neat to see how the Bible speaks about people being held in bondage or slavery by their fear of death. 

 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for^[f] the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

This is the Gospel

I have listened to Ray Comfort for a number of years.  I have never in my life heard someone present the gospel as clear and correct as him.  I encourage you to listen to this message and maybe even burn it on a cd to send someone that you care about.  This is not watered down, it's not an entertaining message, it's the gospel.

Download Here.

My Boy Greezy

Yes ladies and gents, that man in black or green and other funky colors is my boy Jason Grier. I had the pleasure of attending this young doctor's graduation and it was actually pretty good. I didn't slobber on myself because of the boredom and all the speeches were really good and entertaining.

Jason has worked hard and made up for all of our lack of studying in college by busting his butt in med school. Congrats greezy!!!

Also pictured from left to right are THE Hunter Feemster, Miss Sandy Pirkle, the tall and elegant Brianne Siciliano, Dr. Greezy Grier, and myself. 

Goo Goo Dolls "Better Days"

So has anyone heard this song and really listened to the lyrics? Click HERE to watch the video.

GOO GOO DOLLS LYRICS

Better Days


And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

Wrong Way

My work crew left today for lunch. There were about 7 of us in the SUV and we were going our merry way when we noticed something unusual. A car was merging onto a major highway in the "off ramp." We all wanted to see what would happen as the car approached the highway in the wrong direction. We were on the other side of the road merging onto the highway on the correct ramp. As we looked back and could see that the car was about to start on the road, we see that he realizes the mistake he has made. But at this point, he's stuck and can't really get off the highway. Other cars move around him, some go off the road, we all kinda laugh and find humor in it. We went along our merry way and had lunch.

After work, I was thinking, how in the world could that guy miss all the signs and go the wrong way. As I was passing the path he took, I noticed that there were two signs warning him but they were dull. The "Do not Enter" sign was blemished and dulled by the sun and you could hardly read it. The "Wrong Way" sign was pretty much the same way. It all made sense to me how this guy could have taken that wrong turn, he didn't really have many warnings.

This is a pretty good picture of the church for the most part. I get apathetic and complacent and end up being a dull sign and sometimes not even readable at all while people in this world blow right by me heading straight for Hell. I rejoice in the fact that I'm in the correct lane and merging safely while others are doomed. I wonder what it will take to lead us to be constantly on the lookout for lost people? Do we really really care? When we witness, do we do it out of some sheer feeling inside us that tells us that if we don't, we're not "good Christians" or do we witness because we care about lost souls?

Even for the mature Christian, I think we walk around spiritually drunk and oblivious to the people around us. Sometimes God takes some form of tragedy to sober us and pour cold water on our spirit to wake us to the fragility of life. He's only promised us today.

At Least One Way To Annoy Your Girlfriend

Video Here

Add Mp3 to your Phone

http://mobile17.smashsworld.com/

my boy dr. greezy in da pimped suit

Again...just one of the many reasons why i luv my boy dr. greezy grier. Please note the pimptaciousness of this spectacular suit. I give it a high five.


  

Rachel West Wicked Skating Party

I love my friends. Twenty-somethings keeping it real on the skating rink floor :)

Song of Solomon Columbia

Well it was another fun weekend going through Song of Solomon. I have listened to this message about upteen million times and I continue to learn from it. It amazes me that God would actually be so candid and real about the areas of love, sex, dating, marriage, etc. At some point during the conferences, you might see a few people turn red. Below are some of the fun people that helped volunteer :)








 

Flight of the Dwarf Moth Butterfly

So it's been a long time since a highly produced video has hit the blog...well...there is sarcasm in that. My friend Loren gave us a caterpillar in a small cup. We almost forgot about him as "lil Jimmy" has been on the window for a few weeks now. Yesterday, I was sitting at our bar and heard something, next you will see what I heard. Magnificent!!!!

Butterfly

Just a note...

So we had a spend the night party last night.  Went to Fuse to help Pastor Sandy Gibbes and then went to eat with the Cheat, Rhett Cheatham.  After enjoying the modern day manna of Chick-fil-a...Sandy and I convinced Cheatham to come spend the night with us.  We spent an hour bonding over me crushing their faces in Halo 2.  How fun.  It's fun to have fun friends.  Speaking of one of them, this is a picture of my friend Billy Roger's dog...so funny.  His name is Mogley. 

Does anyone need a registration packet for the Cooper River Bridge Run????

Facebook

And you thought you couldn't make money being social, read this about Facebook.

My sister makes the news

So my sister has a pretty cool job.  She works at the Hague in the Netherlands.  The Hague is the UN's place where they put internation war criminals on trial...such as Milosevic who just died in prison.  She has a pretty cool job.  So apparently she is a Dutch pimp because they wrote an article and used her to teach people how to flirt with Dutch men.  Hilarious.

few things I like...

So I totally have the greatest friends ever. I think I got more emails, phone calls, facebook messages, etc etc than ever before. My mommy sent me the sweetest card too.

It really is nice to have friends all over the place. I am so thankful for all of them, and if you are reading this, you are probably one of them. Unless you are one of those weirdos that searches google for really strange stuff and ends up finding my blog. Well I guess that says I'm strange too because, well anyway. Oh yeah, I also have a super sweet girlfriend who made me two cakes and extremely fat over the weekend. She's also a great gift giver and quite attractive. I mean, not that I look for that kinda thing in a girl. uh huh.

I have been visiting different churches for a while now. I never really feel that feeling that most people feel when they want to become apart of something. Some people say that you should just go, commit, and then it will grow on you. I just have never felt like that, it's like I don't want to taste a meal for the first time, not like it, but continue eating it because someone says I will aquire a taste for it. No, I want to like it from the first bite and continue to like it more and more, ie. Zaxby's and Chick-fil-a. But anyway. I visited CrossPoint in Clemson this weekend and liked it the first time. I felt welcome and it was a very friendly environment. There were many people there that I've crossed paths with through the years so that was neat. The teaching was superb and just right on point. He went through verse by verse and still provided a relevant message. It's a tough thing to find a church that can have a relevant message and still have solid biblical teaching and an open and welcoming atmosphere.

I have to admit, I straight up watch people. On business trips, I am a people watcher, in airports, I am a people watcher. Well, in church, I am a people watcher. A woman that was sitting a few rows across from me was crying during the message. You could tell that she was fighting it and was doing the thing girls do when they try to fight crying. The keep pushing out the corner of their eye as if their eyes are doing something wrong. It's neat to see a visual of what conviction and understanding does in a person, it's goooood.

I also like funny stories, like Stunningman's girlfriend, everytime she visits, I make her tell me a gross story about her doctor's office. It's so funny and gross to hear, but I luv it. We all went to Wild Wing on Friday and I got to her some new ones from another friend of ours...well, Standy had a hard time eating after a few of them, if that tells you anything.

I started listening to Relient K again and also to The Fray...man, now that's good stuff. Not to mention that I love Johnny Cash and his music is GOOOOOOD.

News from the air force 1a Jet

You will enjoy this nice lil video from the office of Air Force 1A. Home of my private jet.

Jesus Videos

So every once in a while, I stumble across a video that I just must share. These videos take a look at people's perceptions of Jesus and their ideas about who He is and how He feels about us. This is hilarious and I guess, when you really think about it...sad.

Jesus Video #1
Jesus Video #2
Jesus Video #3
Jesus Video #4

Way of the Master

I have spoken about these guys many times. Yes, it's Kirk Cameron from "Growing Pains." I started listening to Ray Comfort before his ministry really took off. He now has a show on Sirius radio and it's podcasted for those of you ITUNERS. Just go to Podcast and "Way of the Master" is the podcast. Amazing. I could listen to it all day.

These guys have such a whit about them which allows them to communicate the gospel very clearly, sometimes with a little controversy.

Song of Solomon

So for the past few weeks I have been helping with Song of Solomon. I am not a big promoter of someone or something unless I really believe in it. I'm very critical of what I tell people to listen and learn from. I heard Song of Solomon taught by Tommy Nelson my freshman year of college. He spoke at Ridgecrest and it was super good. I have listened to the messages a bazillion times and always learn something new. He goes through the Song of Solomon verse by verse and teaches how a man is to pursue a woman, date a woman, respect, love, affirm, court, romance, and eventually, well...the romance and sex parts :). I have heard many sermons on dating and they all offer good advice but in reality, many of them are some man's opinion of what he has or does with his wife. Good advice is good, but when you hear something directly from the Word it holds so much more power and weight. Probably one of the biggest struggles in mature Christian singles is dating. We just don't have a clue. I know most guys don't. In the Bible, God always spoke to men two times...Saul Saul, Moses Moses, Samuel Samuel. We need help! The conference goes through:

Art of Attraction
Art of Dating
Art of Courtship
Art of Conflict
Art of Romance
Art of Intimancy
Art of Commitment

You will learn things that are in the Bible that you never thought would be there. Unless you understand the cultural context and history, many of the ideas and verses won't make as much sense. Like...Solomon talks about the womans...well, I'll just let you listen to the teaching yourself. Some of it might make you turn red :)

The next conference will be in Columbia, SC on March 31-April 1. It starts on a friday night at First Baptist Church. It will start again on Saturday morning from like 9 until noon. You can register online at SongofSolomon.com.

It is a good conference if you are single, dating, or married. If you are in college, I think the cost is around $20. If you would like to volunteer, there are a few tickets available free.

I totally just had a commercial on my blog. :)

A good read

Blake Wilbank's post on preaching.

Enough Said.

talk about a sign...

I was driving down the road one afternoon and saw this sign.

The feeling of getting it done

This totally should not make me happy. Yes, I just took a picture of my bed. See, after buying a house from Stunningman, he left much of his furniture in the house until he bought another house. Yes, I was sleeping in Stunningman's bed until the repo man himself came and took everything, haha. Hey, he's got another house now, and his furniture needed him. So I have been furniture shopping. 4 years ago, I could have cared less to go furniture shopping, how boring. Well, I have become domesticated. I think I used that word right. Anyway, I have been roaming around looking at beds, couches, and all sorts of other stuff. Being the manly men we are, Standy and I got a nice tv and surround sound system before we really got anything else. Men. Mizz Wezz went with me to Greenville yesterday, well we didn't actually go. On the way there, I asked her if she minded driving to Atlanta on a whim. She was happy, so off we went. I bought a bed! It didn't fit very well in the back of my Jeep, so we stuffed it. I really wanted to get a really cool bed that looked different. I got home around 11:30 and could not go to sleep. I kept looking at the box and had to start putting it together. When I get something on my mind, I have to get it done. I stayed up until about 1:30 putting it together. Today, I went and bought a phat mattress...ammmmm....a beauty rest. How awesome it is. So right now, I'm laying in my new bed, new mattress, and very thankful for my job and the things God has blessed me with. It feels so good to work really hard and sit back and relax after everything gets done.

On a side note, I went to a Vietnamese restaurant on Monday night. You are talking about good. I had never eaten anything like that, so good, and so healthy. They bring out this big bowl of soup with shrimp, chicken, and beef. Then they bring out a plate full of stuff that looks like they got it from the backyard. You pull the leaves off and put it in your soup. I really like eating at the "not so normal" places. I also met a man inside that taught us some really cool ninja type moves, popped my friends back, and then found out that I went to school with his son. A very fun evening.

On another note and I have talked about this many times. Why are women breastfeeding all over the place these days? I mean c'mon. Just because the weather is getting warm and people are throwing frisbees does not mean you can do that in a restaurant. I mean...at least try to shield yourself! Men cannot have a normal conversation with a woman if she has her boob in her hand, I don't care how natural many of you say that is. Maybe in Africa, but not in Walhalla, SC. haha.