This hit me like a cast iron skillet to the face when I read it.

I plan out my reading. I plan out my lunches. I plan out my studying. I plan out everything… except intentional, specific times of prayer. I really feel that God laid this quote out for me in order to challenge my schedule and prep time.

I desperately desire to see God’s fruit from my prayer life and I’m unwilling to continue to stumble my way there. It’s not that I believe that scheduling time for prayer will curry God’s favor. It won’t! I’m under no illusion that I can or ever will be able to impress God with my prayer routine or words.

No, the fruit I desire is a deeper level of intimacy with the Father. I want a strong dependence on Him. I want to simply sit in his presence.

Piper is right. There is a race to be run and a fight to be fought. I’m taking steps right now to make sure my heart, soul, and mind is prepared and ready to go. It is time to plan for prayer!!!

I really enjoy listening to Dylan’s music. The depth of emotion in the music and lyrics is unmatched. What is even more fascinating is Dylan’s matter-of-factness about fame.

“His fellow musicians paid tribute to him when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, joining him in a rousing rendition of his most famous song, “Like a Rolling Stone.” That song was recently named by Rolling Stone magazine as the No. 1 song of all time. And he has 12 other songs on their list of the Top 500.

“That must be good to have as part of your legacy,” says Bradley.

“Oh, maybe this week. But you know, the list, they change names, and you know, quite frequently, really. I don’t really pay much attention to that,” says Dylan.

“But it’s a pat on the back,” says Bradley.

“This week it is,” Dylan replies. “But who’s to say how long that’s gonna last?”

Leave it to Bob Dylan to remind us that everything is just blowin’ in the wind. 

If you get a few minutes, look around and tell me what you think. I’m excited and anxious to get back into writing mode.

Happy New Year everyone! It is the first week of 2011 and I couldn’t be more excited. The last two months have been a real challenge for me. In December, I began preaching each week during the minister transition at our church. I’ll be preaching for the whole month of January as well. For today’s Top 5 list I have decided to post about my five best friends over the last few weeks- my study tools. Let’s get to know these guys little better.

This is a picture of my ESV Study Bible. The ESVSB is no joke. It’s huge and chock full of great study notes, outlines, essays, and beautiful maps. I primary use two study bibles to help prepare my lessons and classes. Besides the ESVSB, I rely pretty heavily on my TNIV Study Bible. Both of these Bibles are great and I would recommend either one of them in a heartbeat. A Study Bible is a must-have study tool for me.

When I purchased my iPad back in August I figured I would use it for two things: a) as a tool to preach from and b) a device to read from. Little did I know that my iPad would allow me to do so much more. Here is a quick run-down on how I typically use my iPad each and everyday.

I upload a copy of my sermon presentation into Keynote for the iPad and carry it and a bible into the pulpit with me each Sunday. I also use it when I teach my small group Bible study at my house. Using either the Kindle book app, YouVersion Bible app, or my own notes that I have loaded into Pages for iPad the iPad is flexible enough to meet my teaching needs.

I use NoteTaker and a stylus to write (by hand) notes for classes, bible studys, meetings, or sermons.

I use Pulse to gather all of the blogs that I read into one place so i can read them offline later in the day.

I use the Facebook and Twitter apps to keep up with my teens and friends.

My dad got me these Beats by Dre for Christmas two years ago and they have been my constant companions since then. The headphones allow me to concentrate on what I’m reading or listening to. When I read I typically have some music going but they have proven to be my favorite headphones to listen to podcasts with. Plus, I look super cool- at least I think I look cool.

The reading experience on my Kindle is second to none. When I read on my iPad I get easily distracted- “Oh, let me research that. I have to check my email. Let me download this other book. Angry Birds!!!” On my Kindle, all I do is read and I love it!!! There are a lot of e-readers out there now. The Kindle is the best.

Let’s get this out of the way- Yes, I keep my pens in a pocket protector. Big whoop! I gots to have my pens ready and easily accessible. Here are the instruments that I rely on:

Highlighters: Zebrite Bible Highlighters
Stylus: Pogo by Sketch
Writing Pen: Pilot G-2 0.38 (I like to write thin and small)
Bible Pen: Micron Archival Ink 01

Top Books of 2010
Favorite iPad Apps
Top 10 Favorite Podcasts
Favorite Ministry & Leadership Resources

I love making lists. My wife laughs at me and believes that my Top 10 song list must include at least 100 songs or more. Hopefully these lists can be helpful for you and I hope that you enjoy them. look for the first list to be posted tomorrow morning. See you then!

Three weeks ago, our family suffered a miscarriage.

I am still sifting through my thoughts and feelings about what has happened to us. I don’t yet have the words to explain it all. What I do know is that I have a profound sense of thankfulness and a desire to express my love and gratitude to everyone who has cared for us over these last three weeks. It is hard to believe but, even in the midst of incredible sadness and loss, we have much to be thankful for.

I’m thankful that I have a God who is good and does good. The day before the miscarriage I read an article about Pastor Matt Chandler and the 1 year anniversary of his battle with a brain tumor. The picture that accompanied the article showed Matt surrounded in prayer. His head is bowed- his bald and scarred head- and his hands raised. The author asked him how theology sustained him through the suffering of the past year. He answered:

“There were at least 3 meetings with my doctors early on where I felt like I got punched in the soul. In those moments when I was discombobulated and things felt like they were spinning out of control, my theology and the Spirit were there to remind me that “He is good and He does good”—to remind me that God has a plan for His glory and my joy that He is working.“

I am thankful that, even in the midst of questions, loss, and pain, ultimately God is good and does good. That perspective has been my rock over the last few weeks.

I am thankful for our Family. Our immediate family members have been supportive and loving throughout this whole ordeal. I am thankful for their love and care.

I am thankful for our Church Family. One of the axioms that we live by is that we do “life” with our church family. We want to celebrate with them and we need to mourn with them. When we went to the emergency room, our church family took care of our son for the day. While we waited to hear from the doctor, we were surrounded in prayer by many people. Phone calls and text messages flooded my phone throughout the day and didn’t stop 24 hrs after. People engaged us and cared for us. And food… oh was there food. We have seen the blessing of “Doing Life” with our congregation. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am thankful for my wife. The strongest, most beautiful woman in the world somehow agreed to marry me. We will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary in August 2011 and I am very thankful that God saw fit to bless me with this woman.

Since we have moved into this new house I have found this red chair to be the perfect afternoon companion. At around 2:30pm each afternoon, our back porch begins to be shaded from direct sunlight. As soon I get home I usually pour myself a tall glass of Sweet Tea, grab something to read, and sit outside for a few hours. As hectic and as crazy as our lives have been over the past few months being able to sit outside and be still for a few hours has been an incredible blessing.

In this chair, the concerns of the day are paused. In this chair, tomorrow is planned.

In this chair, life is good.

1. We Moved. We moved into a brand new house that was a little bit bigger than our old house and a little bit closer to the action of our daily lives. The move was a whirlwind of activity. We ended up moving our furniture in the dark because, in all the confusion of closing houses, our power was shut off. Crazy. So that was on a Tuesday.
2. We Are Having Another Baby. And on Saturday we found out the big news. This was not the plan but we are excited and have begun the process of getting everything together for our new family member. We are anticipating another May birthday in our house.
3. Catalyst. This past weekend I attended the Catalyst Conference with some of my youth ministry peers from here in town. We traveled by White Church Van from DFW to the ATL last Wednesday. The conference was the best yet. Andy Stanley gave an incredible lesson on Esau and set the bar for the whole week. It was incredible. On Friday, we drove the entire trip back during the night. It was a long trip but extremely fruitful. Our personal ministries will benefit from the conference and so will the joint ministry event that we participate in together. I am so excited about what lies in store for us.

There you have it 3 great things that have kept me from the blog. Be on the lookout for more regular posts beginning today.

Magnificent / U2 (No Line On The Horizon)
One of the strongest songs off of NLOTH and one the loudest professions of faith in the U2 catalog- at least, that’s how I hear it. I turn this song into a prayer.

Favorite Line: “I was born, I was born to sing for you, I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up and sing whatever song you wanted me to, I give you back my voice, From the womb my first cry it was a joyful noise.”

All Along The Watchtower / Jimi Hendrix
Interesting fact: When this song comes on when I’m in the car, my vehicle turns into a helicopter and I fly missions into Vietnam. It’s true.

Favorite Line: “Let us stop talkin’ falsely now, the hour is getting late.”

Don’t You Forget About Me / Simple Minds
Have you seen Simple Minds in concert? I have. Did you every have Saturday School… In college? I did.

Favorite Line: “Smoke up Johnny!!!!!” (That’s from The Breakfast Club)

God Only Knows / Beach Boys (Pet Sounds)
The Beach Boys accomplish in 2:53 what it takes most bands lifetimes to achieve (Or not achieve).

Favorite Line: “God only knows what I’d be without you.”

A Day In the Life / The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band)
Chaos and order culminates into the most definitive note in rock n’ roll history.

Favorite Line: “Looking up, I noticed I was late (huff, huff, huff).”

Last Goodbye / Jeff Buckley (Grace)
The Mighty Mississippi took Jeff Buckley way too soon but not before he left us with “Grace.” This is the best track off that album and most definitely one of my favorite songs to sing along to. I can hit those high notes like no one’s business. The key is to sing with passion- a truth Buckley lived by.

Favorite Line: “Kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation”

The Times They Are A-Changin’ / Bob Dylan (The Times They Are A-Changin’)
Was this really written in 1964? Truth is it was written yesterday and will remain prophetic even tomorrow. Did I just blow your mind?

Favorite Line: “The line it is drawn, The curse it is cast, The slow one now will later be fast, As the present now will later be past, The order is rapidly fadin’, And the first one now will later be last, For the times they are a-changin’”

Bad-40-Where The Streets Have No Name / U2 (Electrical Storm-EP)
It’s my list and if I want to list 3 songs as 1 I will do so. Taken from the Elevation Tour: Live in Boston DVD this track contains everything you need for a live U2 experience. Add to these 3 songs Bono quoting Psalm 116 from the Message and you’ve got 12 minutes of awesome, heart-and-soul rocking music. You’re welcome!

Favorite Line: “What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?”

Mighty To Save / Hillsong (Mighty to Save)
I often wonder which church songs that we sing today will my son be singing 30 years from now. I hope that he will be singing this one… loudly, passionately, and with conviction.

Favorite Line: “So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures, and fill my life again. I give my life to follow, everything I believe in, now I surrender.“