Inov8

The Five Octave Guy- Classic!

The Selfishness and Pride of Jonah

All of us know the story of Jonah, however we may not know the end of the story.  We all know the part about Jonah being disobedient to God and not going to Nineveh.  We all know about Jonah taking a trip on a ship with pagans and him being thrown overboard.  The most vivid picture of Jonah is an image of being swallowed by a giant fish and spending 3 days and 3 nights in the lovely belly of the whale.  Of course he was vomited on to dry land and God gave him a second chance.  He walked to Nineveh and proclaimed that God was going to destroy the city in 40 days.  The Ninevites repented and fasted and wore sack cloth and God spared them. 

Jonah wasn't happy about this, he wanted them to be destroyed because it made him look foolish.  Jonah became bitter and wanted to die.  God told him that he spared 120,000 people in Nineveh and Jonah still wanted to die.  He would rather be right than to see God's plan fulfilled.  He would rather look good and have people die rather than be humiliated and see people spared. 

Have you ever felt like Jonah?  Has your pride for self been out of whack?  Would you rather be right and have accolades or you rather be wrong and see God's glory and purpose fulfilled?  I want to encourage you to drop your pride and take joy in the fact that God is in control even if we don't understand it and it makes us look bad!!! 

My Blogging Sabbatical is Over!

My blogging sabbatical is over!  In case you haven't noticed I haven't written on my blog in a month.  First of all I needed to take a break from the daily grind of writing, secondly so much has changed in one month's time.  The last month has been the busiest time of my life and now I am trying to settle into new roles and I am trying to figure out how to balance everything in my life.  Let me recap the month for you and I will try my best to remember everything. 

One month ago, we made some staff changes here at the church.  I am thankful to still have a job here, however I have increased my workload and added a position.  My new title is Pastor of Families with Students and Outreach and Retention.  Yes it is a long title, but once again just blessed to have a title.  I have had to rediscover how to do Student Ministry.  I haven't done it since 2001, so that has been a challenge and a change of pace for me.  I have enjoyed working with the students so far.

We launched our new Wednesday Night Experience (Catalyst) last week and the students responded well.  We wanted to create a high energy fun experience for all students.  Week 2 is this Wednesday!  Pray for our students as they go through this transition time. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had to delegate more and give up control of some things.  I pray that God continues to allow me to do this.  Something I learned long ago from Andy Stanley was that we as leaders have to constantly replace ourselves.  That is what leadership and discipleship is all about. 

Pray for me and Tiff and the kids as we adjust to new roles and changes.  My family is my first priority and I don't them to lose out because dad has to do ministry.  So many pastors have lost their families because of that mentality, I pray that won't happen to my family. 

Here are some other random things that have happened since we have talked last.

• I turned a year older, 31.  Wow I feel old but at the same time I am energized!
• We hosted Chris and Conrad in concert on Oct. 3!!! It was amazing.  If you are a pastor or worship pastor, you need to have these guys in for a concert!!! Amazing night of worship and music, amazing artists and men of God!

I will continue to update and get back into the swing of things this week!

 

Let the Titans Rise!

Let the Games Begin!

Titans vs. Steelers Tonight!

Go Titans!!!!

A Trip to the Mountains! Too Brief

Last Friday we flew to Tennessee and spent some time with my family.  It was so much fun.  On Friday for lunch we stopped in Chattanooga and ate at my personal fave, Terriyaki House!  It was so good!  I tried to talk the owner into opening one in Orlando.  After that we drove to Gatlinburg for the weekend.  On Friday night we took the kids to Dixie Stampede and it was so much fun.  The kids loved it. 

Saturday morning I woke up early and took a stroll down to downtown Gatlinburg.  It was so peaceful before the sun arose.  My dad picked me up in the car and we went to Clingman's Dome and hiked up to the observation deck 6600 ft. above sea level.  It was so refreshing to witness God's beauty.  It was certainly a special moment!

We also hiked on Saturday after breakfast with Skyler, Justin and Chad while the ladies went shopping of course.  We also watched the Vols lay it on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers!  That night we grilled out and hit the town.  Lots of fun. 

Sunday's highlight was no doubt the bear that was spotted about 30 ft. from our back door.  It was about 500 pounds.  He was huge and wasn't too happy that my dad wanted to aproach it and take it's picture.  He got about ten feet away before the bear growled at him.

Here are some pics of the trip!

 

More Pictures Coming!

12 Most Memorable UT Wins (That I've Attended)

Football season is firing up tonight with a Thursday Night ESPN showdown.  As many of you know I am a huge Tennessee fan so I thought I would look back at the 12 most memorable UT wins that I have attended.  For years we had season tickets and it was our normal Saturday routine in the fall to drive to Knoxville and see the Big Orange.  Here is my list....

12. 1989 vs. Ole Miss- It was a great game.  Ole Miss was very good that particular year, led by their Head Coach Billy Brewer.  That day however belonged to one #44, Chuck Webb.  Webb finished the day with a school record 294 rushing yards.  Johnny Majors didn't know that Webb needed only 6 more yards to reach 300 until after the game.  Tennessee won the game and went on to be SEC Champs with an 11-1 record. 

11. 1990 vs. Florida- It was the Ol ball coach's first game in Knoxville as the leader of the Gators and the Vols greeted with a kick in the ol teeth.  Final score UT 45, Gators 3.  That game was close at the half and then Dale Carter returned the second half kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and it was all downhill from there.  Another great play in that game was a end around pass from Tight End Von Reeves to Carl Pickens.  A sidebar to this game, in the fourth quarter ESPN came back from commercial and who is on the camera, yours truly.  I still have the VHS tape somewhere. 

10.  1996 vs. Alabama- Jay Graham raced 75 yards to score the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.  At that point we had a 2 game winning streak against the Tide.  Tennessee would go on to have a 10-2 record and play in the Citrus Bowl against Northwestern.  Me and my papaw would be there in Orlando to cheer them on.  Who would have thought that 12 years later I would be living 10 miles from the Citrus Bowl.  UT would go on to win the rest of the games in the 90's vs. the Crimson Tide.

9. 1989 vs. Auburn- This game was played in a torrential downpour.  I absolutely love rain games.  I think my whole family went to this game.  The game's key play was Reggie Cobb's 79 yard romp in the rain.  Cobb was amazing that day with 225 rushing yards and they had Chuck Webb in the backfield too.  Tennessee was dominant on that day and after the game the goal posts came down.  The most memorable moment of this day was what happened following the game on the way back to the car.  We had to go down a slippery grass hill and my mimi slid down the hill (on accident).  She wasn't hurt, but 20 years later that is still etched in our minds. 

8.  1996 vs. Ohio St.- Tennessee had so many weapons in 1995 and that led them to 11-1 and to the Citrus Bowl to face Ohio St, who also had some weapons.  Their biggest weapon was some guy named Eddie George, who won the Heisman that year.  Not to mention Terry Glenn, David Boston, Ricky Dudley and Orlando Pace.  The game came down to making a play on Eddie George.  Bill Duff was the man who stuffed Eddie on the goal line on 4th down to preserve the Vol win.  Me and my dad went down to Orlando to witness it.  Great game!

7. 1992 vs. Florida- On the Friday night before the game my papaw surprised me with tickets to this game.  This was a tough ticket and the forecast was once again rain.  This was a monsoon game.  The game was on ABC and during the second half ABC lost their national feed.  What was odd about this game was the fact that is completely dry the first half, the second half was another story.  The most memorable play was a swing pass from Heath Shuler to Mose Phillips that went the distance.  After this game Mr. Spurrier was 0-2 in Knoxville as the Gator coach. 

6. 1995 vs. Georgia- It was the first SEC game of the year and it was a barn burner.  The turning point of the game was when Bulldog running back Robert Edwards limped off the field and didn't come back in.  Edwards was absolutely having the game of his life.  The score was tied at 27 with seconds remaining and Tennessee's Freshman kicker Jeff Hall kicked the game winning field goal as time expired.  The place went crazy!

5. 1998 vs. Mississippi State- SEC Championship-The Georgia Dome was the setting and earlier in the day Miami knocked off UCLA and Texas A+M took care of Kansas State, which cleared the way for Tennessee to appear in the National Championship Game.  Their only task was to beat the Bulldogs.  Tennessee struggled in the first half and then Tee Martin took over and sealed the deal.  We celebrated in very tip top of the Georgia Dome.  Great atmosphere and experience to see the Vols win a championship.  They of course went on to the Fiesta Bowl and beat FSU for the National Title!

4. 2002 vs. Arkansas- This was a marathon, one of the longest games in College Football history and vols prevailed.  The game went into 6 overtimes before Casey Clausen hit Jason Witten for the winning score.  This was ironically my brother-in-law, the Arkansas fan, his first game in Knoxville.

3. 1995 vs. Alabama- My cousin Mike and I drove down to Birmingham to watch the Vols play the Tide at Legion Field.  When I woke up that morning I felt that streak was going to be ended.  The first play of the game Peyton Manning hits Joey Kent over the middle and 80 yards later it's 6-0 Vols.  The game was never in doubt, we stayed for at least an hour after the game as Peyton Manning led the band for the first time.  Final score 41-14.  We didn't get home until around 5 am.  Unbelievable night in Tennessee History!

2. 1998 vs. Arkansas- Another messy game weather wise.  It was UT's first game ranked number 1 and Arkansas was also undefeated 8-0.  Tennessee got down early and Arkansas had the lead until about 1:00 left in the game.  Arkansas Quarterback stepped back to hand the ball off when he tripped, braced himself with the ground and fumbled it away.  Billy Ratliff made the rush right up the gut to force the play.  Tennessee recovers and then it was all Travis Henry.  Tennessee won in miraculous fashion 28-24.

1. 1998 vs. Florida- The monkey was finally off of the back.  There is nothing like a night game at Neyland Stadium and this game had everything that you need for it to be a classic.  National TV- Check, Two top 10 opponents- check, hated rivalry- check, night game- check, over 100,000 fans- check, overtime- check, goal posts coming down- check.  The game was tied at 17 going into the overtime.  Tennessee gets the ball first and tries to throw it into the end zone to no avail.  The aforementioned Jeff Hall, now a senior, kicks a field goal to give UT the 20-17 lead.  Florida gets the ball and they are stopped.  They set up for a field goal and Collins Cooper shanks it and it took the around 10 seconds for the goal posts to fall.  CBS would later find one of their cameras floating in the river near the Vol Navy.  It was the first and last time that helped tear down the posts.  Right before the kick, I told my papaw that if he shanks the kick I will meet him at the car.  It was shear pandemonium!!!!

That is my list. What are some games that you have been to that were classics? 

 

Lessons from Jonah Part 2

^1-9 Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish. He prayed:

Jonah 2  

 "In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God.
   He answered me.
From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!'
   You heard my cry.
You threw me into ocean's depths,
   into a watery grave,
With ocean waves, ocean breakers
   crashing over me.
I said, 'I've been thrown away,
   thrown out, out of your sight.
I'll never again lay eyes
   on your Holy Temple.'
Ocean gripped me by the throat.
   The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight.
My head was all tangled in seaweed
   at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root.
I was as far down as a body can go,
   and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever—
Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive,
   O God, my God!
When my life was slipping away,
   I remembered God,
And my prayer got through to you,
   made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds,
   walk away from their only true love.
But I'm worshiping you, God,
   calling out in thanksgiving!
And I'll do what I promised I'd do!
   Salvation belongs to God!"

 ¹⁰ Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.

Bottom of the whale hope.  We have all been there.  We have been sinking in a seemingly endless abyss.  I think my favorite line in this passage is, When my life was slipping away, I remembered God and my prayer got through to you.  When we need him most He is there and He still hears our prayers.  Even when we are scaping the bottom of the barrell, He hears us when we call.  That is assuring. 

When was the last time you were in need and God was there?

Be Encouraged to know that God is always with us and give Him thanksgiving!

Lessons from Jonah Part 1

Why is the story of Jonah so vivid in our minds?  Well think about it, how many stories of a guy being disobedient, thrown overboard, swallowed by a large fish and spit onto to shore.  Pretty improbable story huh?  God comes through again and makes the improbable or impossible, not only possible but reality.  As I was diving into this story, (it's only 4 chapters) God revealed some new nuggets of truth that were always there but I never realized.  I thought it was very interesting how influential Jonah was on the lives of the people on the boat. 

 "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."

 ⁷ Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

 ⁸ So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"

 ⁹ He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

 ¹⁰ This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)

 ¹¹ The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"

 ¹² "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

It was amazing to me that Jonah, who had a relationship with God, didn't fear God until he went through the storm.  Yet the crew on the boat, who did not have a relationship God, feared God.  In fact scripture says that they worshiped many gods (small g).  Is this another example of crisis causing a reliance on God.  Why do we wait to hit the bottom of the black hole before we cry out to God.  He isn't a convenient God, yet he is easily accessible but our relationship shouldn't be on our terms but His

The other thing that stuck out to me is that even when we are at our worst, he still uses it for His good.  This shouldn't be a get out of jail free card in our Christian walk, but we will have trials.  The book of James makes that clear.  We could just roll over and give in to disobedience or we can make it right and begin to follow God's plan.  That is what God's grace is all about!

Are you being obedient to what God is calling you to do?

What consequences have you had to deal with due to disobedience?  

Inov8 Interview with Jonathan Sprang

I did an interview with Jonathan Sprang back at General Assembly and I have been so busy that I haven't been able to put it on the blog until now.  I am really hearing some great things about what is happening at Catalyst Church in Rowlett, TX.  I went to college with some of the folks down there including there creative arts Pastor Jonathan Sprang.  Their church is a great example of the right way to plant a church.  We have seen so many "Newstart" churches in the Church of the Nazarene that just didn't make it, mainly because of the lack of vision and passion.  These guys are doing it right.  Check out their website here.  Their site is pretty sweet too!

Social Media Revolution

This is a great video that explains where we are right now in culture.  The train of social media isn't slowing down any time soon.  It is here to stay.  Some amazing statistics in this piece that really shows the trends of social media.  Enjoy....