:: the PAC blog ::

Diaper-changing war stories...

I had a phone conversation this PM with my friend, Rex Turner. He is the Executive Director of the Teen Challenge for Girls in Houston.  Rex and his wife recently gave birth to their first baby, a precious little girl (what else for the director of a girl's program!).   He was sharing with me the "woes" of his diaper-changing war stories, in particular, a recent 3AM "blow out" that required the use  of 20 wipies!! :-D     Evidently Rex is struggling with "gagging" spells at the odor of these "BM Challenges".  My advice?  Get one of those face masks from Lowes that contractors use to prevent breathing in dangerous vapors, wet it with alcohol or strong cheap perfume, and wear it during future diaper changes!

Any other suggestions I can pass along to Rex?

Incredible sugar highs!

This afternoon we hosted a Newcomers Coffee Fellowship at the church.  It was a great time to get to know some of the new folks attending FLAG.  Such as Tim, a New Jersey native and Harley biker who is the Executive Chef at the Westchase Marriott.  Then there was Kristen and Sarah, who recently relocated to Katy from Shreveport after he retired from the Air Force.

But my very favorite part of these Newcomers events?  Eating a million of those cream puff, round pastries with coffee!  By the time I leave these gathering I'm experiencing incredible sugar highs!

Spinning our wheels!

What exactly is it that makes a Christina church..."Christian"?  Shouldn't it be Jesus Christ Himself?  Then why is it that His name is often not included in the marketing?  Why is it that His name is hardly mentioned inside many church buildings?  I'm not talking about saying, "God" or "Lord"...but actually proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ during the worship and ministry of the Word.  Isn't it that precious name that demons tremble at when they hear it?

Another question. Why is the "Cross" no longer displayed in many churches?  Not "hip" enough?  It'll turn-off visitors and "seekers"?  Huh?

Folks, if Jesus Christ is not "stage center" in our lives, in our churches, in our ministry efforts...we're simply spinning our wheels and wasting time.   Playing religion.  Sadly, Jesus Himself is not even near our "stages"!  Do this...next time you listen or watch a Christian media program, go ahead and jot down the number of times that the actual name of Jesus Christ is mentioned (as opposed to the name of the ministry itself).

CUTE!! CUTE!! CUTE!!

Special thanks to Darrell Woodard for sending this delightful clip to me!

Just had to get that out of my system...

Tonight my wife and I took one of our missionaries out to Saltgrass before he spoke at church.  Gayle Grisbee and his wife have been ministering in Latin America for many years. Hearing him share about his assignment reminded us of how hard these folks really work, often in very difficult situations, and usually while maintaining marathon schedules.

I consider all our missionaries modern day "heros of the faith", and will do whatever I can to be a blessing to them.  Most of them could easily be enjoying a "gravy train" pastorate in the States, but instead have gladly chosen difficult and sacrificial assignements, all to the glory of God.

And to all you pastors that don't invite these wonderful missionaries to your churches, and who don't even return their phone calls...shame on you.  You're cheating your church folks and yourself from a blessing.

OK...just had to get that out of my system before going to bed!

Mountains & Valleys

Mountaintops are for views and inspiration,                                                                                         But fruit is grown in the valleys.

--Billy Graham

We interrupt this sermon...

You'll probably need a tissue box nearby....

Folks, this is WORTH WATCHING!!    Although the video is 52 minutes long, TRUST ME, you will be tremendously blessed by it.  Jim Cymbala is the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, the church that I was a member of during some of my teens. Several years ago, Christian music legend, Bill Gaither, invited Pastor Cymbala to speak at one of his conferences.  Jim Cymbala BLEW EVERYONE AWAY.

Sit back...click on...and enjoy.  A word of caution, you'll probably need a tissue box nearby toward the last third of this clip.  Let me know your thoughts afterwards.

You won't regret taking the time...promise.

During my early 20's...

During my early 20's, I attended a minister's conference in NYC. The guest speaker was TF Zimmerman, the General Superintendent of our denomination at that time.  Honestly, I don't recall what he spoke about, except for one profound statement that was seared into my memory.

"Preachers, don't make up in thunder what you lack in lightening!"

Wow.  In other words, don't make up in volume and drama what is lacking in the anointing.  I'm not sure how many of the ministers present "got it".  But I did. 

I could sense it in the air this morning...

Spring break is over.   This is now the home stretch were the kids begin to experience restless symptoms of "spring fever" and "stir craziness" in anticipation to summer.  I could sense it in the air this morning when I dropped my kindergartener at school.  Let's keep them teachers in prayer!