My Favorite Renditions of the National Anthem

No matter how old I get, my eyes always grow moist and I get goose bumps at the Star Spangled Banner. James Taylor, one of my all-time favorites whom I have seen in concert somewhere around thirty times, sang it for game two at Fenway on October 25. This isn't dramatic, but I still like to hear JT sing it:



But the best rendition ever belongs to Whitney Houston at Superbowl XXV in 1991.

And the Visigoths Just Apologized for Sacking Rome . . .

Bill Hybels and the folks at Willow Creek now say they got it wrong. You can read about their "repentance" here.

The money quote from Hybels:

We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.

Hershael York and Hershael Grissom

This was taken Monday night at the NAMB commissioning service for President Geoff Hammond and over 100 missionaries, including Hershael's mom and dad, Steve and Sheena Grissom, who serve in Newfoundland.

Isn't he a great looking kid?

If you don't know Jake Shimabukuro . . .

Nothing spiritual here, other than the realization that God did not have to give us the gift of music. Since He did, I am praising Him even for SOME ukulele music.

It Never Gets Old

Tonight, guided and guarded by the Holy Spirit, I once again had the privilege of leading a precious lady to the throne of mercy where she found the forgiveness of her sin and the gift of eternal life. Though I had actually gone to this home to see someone else, she recognized me and we began to talk and she confessed that even though she has been a Baptist church member for years, she remained troubled about her destiny. When I asked her about the basis of her hope (or lack of it), she responded with a classic works answer. As I shared the gospel with her she would actually stop me intermittently and thank me, interjecting that this is precisely what she has been needing and longing for.

After explaining the gospel to her she was eager to repent and believe. Had I been standing in her way as the Holy Spirit so sweetly drew her and opened her eyes and mind to Christ I think I would have feared for my physical safety! God was drawing her and she was willingly coming. I marveled at so beautiful a conversion.

When we were finished she invited me and my team to come back next week so she can have her extended family to hear what she heard tonight!

This follows on the heels of a marvelous Lord's Day at Buck Run last Sunday. We worshiped in our pavilion on the 100 acres we call Rehoboth, our future location, with both of our two campuses combined in one great "Praise in the Pavilion" service. It was the first outdoor Sunday morning service I have ever done in the U.S. The weather was absolutely stunning. Many who have been attending our church asked to become members. Many members--including one deacon and his wife--said they needed to be rebaptized to get their baptism in the right order. We had 560 adults and older children present with 53 preschoolers and workers in another facility. God blessed us with a $40,000 offering, though we had not made a special emphasis or appeal for money.

I am God's spoiled little child, to be sure. He allows me to teach his young preachers and also to pastor one of His great churches. The week before last I preached or taught 12 times, not counting seminary classes. Most weeks I preach or teach about 6 times in addition to classes, so I stay busy, but I wouldn't trade my life with anyone. I get tired in the work but never of the work.

I have traveled and preached around the world, met most of my living heroes, and enjoyed more blessings than I can possibly share. But the greatest thrill of all remains finding that one lost sheep whose safe inclusion in the fold gladdens the heart of God.