What's Wrong With This Picture?

Something just seems wrong with this headline and story. I just can't figure out what it is. Now, what could it be? Hmm.....

Alicia Keys expecting baby, plans to marry

The R&B singer is pregnant with her first child and is engaged to be married later this year.

Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da

For many years the opening bars of "Insight For Living" rang in my memory.

"Insight For Living" is the radio ministry of pastor/preacher/author Chuck Swindoll. I've often thought that he more of a "Chuck" than "Charles."

For years, I have listened to his sermons, read his books, and gleaned many thoughts from him. And, well, I may have used a few of his thoughts and outlines in my own sermons and teachings. Of course, I was always careful to give him credit for being the originator of the material. (Yeah, right!)

Anyway, not long ago, he shared some lessons he has learned over 50 years of ministry. They are worth rebroadcasting on this blog:

“Fifty years ago, I was a first year student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I was scared, unsure of myself, and fresh out of the Marine Corps. I did not know much about seminary.

“I remember sitting in chapel, and a minister told me, “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” I am so proud of everything you are dreaming of and doing that I hope that you remember to leave room for the crushing.

“10 Things Chuck Swindoll Learned in 50ish Years of Ministry:

It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decisions, the lonelier it is.

It’s dangerous to succeed. It is dangerous to succeed while being young. Rarely, does God give leadership that young because it takes crushing and failure first.

It’s hardest at home. Nobody at home is applauding you. They say, “Dad! Your fly is open.”

It is essential to be real. If there is one realm where phoniness is personified it is leadership. What I care about is that you stay real.

It is painful to obey. There are rewards, yes, but it is painful nevertheless.

Brokenness and failure are necessary.

My attitude is more important than my actions. Some of you are getting hard to be around. And your attitude covers all those great actions you pull off.

Integrity eclipses image. What you are doing is not a show. And the best things you are doing are not up front but what you do behind the scenes.

God’s way is better than my way. God is going to have His way.

Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

I really like the second thought. I recall learning that lesson with clenched fists. But that's all for this time.

Stay tuned to this blog 'till next time.

"Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da"

Advice To New Graduates

I recently took an (informal) Facebook poll asking for advice for this year's new graduates. Several people- mostly women- responded. Yesterday in my sermon, "A Graduation Gift I'd Gladly Give,"which you can find here, I promised to post the entire results.

Here's some good advice:

"Look for a good mentor in anything you do. Most of the time they can help you avoid a lot of pitfalls."

"Realize that for every choice in life their are consequences and be wise by learning from others experiences. A wise man is one who having the power of discerning and judging properly as what is right and true."

"Get a job! Lol! Just kidding! "

"Listen to your mother. She is always right!"

"If you want it..GO FOR IT NOW! If you wait...you may never do it..if you never do it..you will regret it the rest of your life!”

"Dream big, even if it looks out of reach. Hold on to that dream and do whatever it takes to make it a reality!

"No matter where life takes you, don't forget what is important: God and family."

"Don't wait to get a job in the field in which one studied. I graduated in 07 " and have done nothing with it . Hopefully when I job hunt I will remember what I learned ..Keep moving ! Just keep moving !"

"Be kind, caring and compassionate. "It is not how much you love but how much you are loved by others.....""

"There are plenty of lemons out there but there is also sugar. Have fun!"

"God made you wondrously beautiful...find your talents embrace them and be all that He allows you to be. "

"Don't get discouraged, work hard, trust in the Lord, and keep a close watch over your finances and everything will be great

"1. You can be anything you want to be in this world if you work hard enough for it. 2. School isn't finished 'til you graduate college!"

"Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them!”

"Keep your eyes on Jesus"

Good advice worth heeding. Any more?

Coming Soon: To A Church Near You

Formula driven contemporary church:

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Isn't it interesting that what is considered "relevant," "contemporary," and "fresh" can itself become routine driven and formulamatic?

It's nice to know we can poke fun at ourselves.