What An Amazing 24 Hours?

Just as I was coming down from last night's truly inspired, historic, mesmerizing, awe-capturing, show within a show within another show;
a new jolt of adrenaline hit me around noon today.

Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, accepted the VP spot for the Republican Presidential ticket.

Now, first, about last night.....to all my fellow conservatives, it IS possible to be inspired by concepts without agreeing to the philosophies.

I use the word "INSPIRED" as being - a moment something makes you feel, believe, or act differently than you had before.
This does not mean you have to change you own standards or beliefs; it just means that you were compelled to reach a little deeper in your own thoughts and decisions.

You can be inspired by a car and be compelled to buy it......this does not mean you have to agree with everything that car designer, manufacturer, or distributor believes in.

You can walk into a clothing store.....see an outfit that "speaks to you".....decide you want to buy it.......that, to me, is being inspired.....even when you know the designer has different beliefs than you; did that prevent the inspiration?

To those blessed enough to have been to Walt Disney World, were you not inspired? I mean, come on....the happiest place on earth.........but it is widely reported they have special days for those whom you do not agree with spiritually or philosophically.....does that stop the sheer awesomeness of you trip?


This happens in music all the time......there are great musicians throughout time, who have written / performed inspiring music, who have differing views as myself; however, it does not stop the heart from beating faster or the spiritual uplifting gifts that come with that hearing.

Well, last night was inspired! Knowing this country's history and the sins our people have committed on one another throughout the last 400 years, last night was miraculous. I have not heard an orator as moving, with so much pressure put upon them, as I did with Barak Obama when he accepted his nomination last night

.

And the production was AMAZING......that staging in the little time they had.....it was a wonderful achievement.

But don't get me wrong, I still despise most things he and his party stand for. It PAINS me that we do not have a speaker like that in my party. The gift and talent of oratory is not to be discarded as something 'anyone' can do........Not just ANYONE could've have done that last night.

So, yes, I was inspired and a little saddened as I went to sleep last night........I mean its over... there is nothing we can do to top that next week....

And then this morning, the political storm clouds grew darker..... a name, Sarah Palin, entered my vocabulary. Who is she? How do you say her name? She was picked as VP candidate? What?

WHY, OH WHY DID YOU PICK HER?????????

I mean its no big deal that I don't know who she is.....but NOBODY knew who she was (outside of Alaska)........this could not be happening.........we are DOOMED!!!!

Then I heard her speak.....I saw her family......I learned that she was a mom of 5 (including a soldier going to Iraq and a 5 month baby boy with Downs Syndrome)..Today was her 20th wedding anniversary and she's a fighter for the RIGHT causes. She is a STRONG Christian who goes to an Independent Bible Church

Throughout the day, I got more and more pumped up......this is a breath of fresh air...this is making a true change in our government politics as we know it.

Here is an article that TIME online has put out titled
"10 Things You Should Know About Sarah Palin"
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1837523_1837531_1837528,00.html

It was a surprise to all politicos, pundits, media, and people in general.........all the newscasts are talking about this being the biggest gamble in America Politics history...just imagine if McCain can pull this one off.......................OH MY!!!!

Its been an AMAZING 24 hours of politics in the US of A.

Pastor Hunter prayed the Closing prayer of DNC

Pastor Joel Hunter has a special church at Northland Church in the Orlando, FL area.
I have wonderful friends that have gone and continue to serve there.
He gave the closing prayer for the DNC tonight and at first I was not a happy man.

How could he endorse Barak? What is he doing?
It reminded me when Sandi Patti and Phil Driscoll performed for the Clinton inaugurals.
I was furious!

My judgmental persona was in fine form..........
Look, the bottom line is we either will work together or be left in the back of the room.

Barak will no doubt be the next president (unless some act of God intervenes)...... I won't turn away from an invite to the White House....If he becomes president, He will be our leader.
We must pray for him ....and for those in position.....pray to him!

Congratulations Pastor Hunter for praying to the world tonight!!!

ps. I particularly like the .."IN JESUS NAME"....real loud at the end of the prayer.

The Result of Thinking Outside the Box

This is a very cool live video by some church (I'll have to find out where they are)
I love to see creative, fresh ideas to old concepts
Enjoy!....Thanks for sending this to me Paula

Why Fake An Illness or a Healing?

Evidently Hillsong and PlanetShakers singer, Mike Gugielmucci, the pastor of Edge Church (an affiliate with the Australian Assemblies of God - now called the Australian Christian Churches - traveled around telling everyone he had an aggressive form of cancer....sang with an oxygen tube in his nose... wrote the hit song Healer (on the latest Hillsong recording)...and milked the healing of his cancer............and now its revealed he NEVER had cancer..... a fact his wife didn't know about.

The church has asked him to report to the police and they will be paying back those who were defrauded monetarily (which is another conversation - I mean if you give to God, it will NOT return void)

I HATE THIS!!!!!!

People we got to put our face before God (DAILY).....the world and its deceptions are capturing too many believers......

Here's the article.............

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24212817-5006301,00.html

If anyone knows Mike personally and can share anymore about this story...please let me know

Here's another article about Mike's wife staying with him

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24247868-5006301,00.html

Youngest Preacher or Youngest Demon? You Decide!!

Another HAWKINS moment - on church

I wanted to treat you to another Tim Hawkins moment.
I gotta see him live!!!

Unity is grossly IMPORTANT; Is it IMPOSSIBLE to do?

While I was in Alabama, I was blessed to hear Dr. Pete Sanchez give a devotion. What struck me was a comment about unity. He said (and I paraphrase), "...when you are working towards unity, watch out....cause its ugly. It's messy....dirty, hard, almost impossible"

Now, I didn't say it the right way and may have used some different adjectives...but it was the idea that seeking unity is ugly - because it is difficult to do.

I came home and my first week back presented a 'not-so-easy' week of challenges - All about unity and unifying our worship teams (we have 7).

Strange as it may seem, I didn't think about Dr. Sanchez's words until after the brouhaha was over......but he was so right......The process of unity is UGLY.

The only way you can be and live in unity is laying yourself down for others - and lets face it, our world is not breeding those kind of people anymore.

The art of selfless living - someone needs to write that book.......it will totally bomb at first until the world collapses and then figures out it needs one another.

How to (NOT) Be in the Worship Band

A great spoof on the struggles of a worship band leader.
I loved the kicks (@2:45) and also
the homage to SNL's legendary "more cowbell" sketch.
Very Funny....enjoy!

Tim Hawkins - "Cletus, Take the Reel"

Once again, this guy cracks me up....I want him to come to my church. He has to be one of the funniest comedians in the world of family comedy.

Here he is doing a spoof on Carrie Underwood's smash hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel"
Enjoy

Praise the Lord - Victoria is a free woman

I was worried about Mrs. Lakewood....... I mean, really....would she treat a flight attendant that way? Pushing her up against the wall?.....I would've LOVED to have seen that happen...but this sounded too much like a little money-hungry-blackmail.....

The Lord prevailed.....and Victoria is a free woman

Trial Begins for Pastor's Wife

http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5586434&page=1

30 LASHES....I know

Okay.... I hear ya........ I've been away for a very long time. Give me 30 lashes.... I deserve them

I mean....this is my first blog in August.....what????

I must say that it has been a very busy month.
We had a wonderful Inspiring Excellence Conference filled with great speakers and music. KUDOS to all involved.

Then I went away for a little R & R with the family. We went to Branson to see Mom and Dad and my sis Starla. My grandparents George and Jeanetta were there, as well.....looking wonderful and being the best they've ever been in their 80's. I love them so much.

Then, I went sown to Mobile, AL. to the University of Mobile to work with one of my favorite groups. THE VOICES OF MOBILE.


They were every bit the most wonderful group to work with this time. I love their music and the way they are performing it. Keep it up guys.

Anyway, I back to it now. SO MUCH GOING ON!!!!!!!!
Let me know how your summer has gone.......because it is just about gone!