Wow. Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to pre-screen the upcoming film “October Baby” which releases in March. To be honest, I am still a bit numb to everything that I saw. This is a heavy, heavy film about the life of a girl that is the survivor of an abortion attempt. The movie is the story of her search to find who she is and who her birth mother is. Like I said, it’s incredibly powerful and incredibly heavy.

Without giving away specific details of the film, I would say that this is a movie that each person should consider carefully before attending. This is not something for younger children due to the nature of the subject. Teenagers are a possibility as there are several themes and lessons which can be taken away from seeing it. Adults should certainly consider seeing it, yet consider each person you invite and what their past may or may not include. Hopefully that makes sense. I’m not trying to be cryptic, I just know this is a very, very sensitive subject.

October Baby succeeds in literally putting a “face” to this topic. You see and experience a life that almost wasn’t. You feel the emotion and weight of the decisions of several different people. There are light moments and some comedic performances (namely former American Idol contestant, Chris Sligh) which seem to come at the appropriate moments. I’ll post more once the movie officially hits the big screen. Until then, know that I recommend this film. For a better understanding, let me share this powerful clip about the casting of one of the people in the film. This story is remarkable.

This is not how it’s supposed to go. This is not how this story should end. These are those “Why God?” moments when the questions don’t have answers. I did not know David well but I know his wife Nicolle. She is a treasure. She is the kind of person that lights up every room and beams the spirit of a living God. David has been described as a “Warrior” and a man with a huge heart for those in need. Their foundation, Eyes Wide Open International, I have mentioned before on this blog.

Please keep Nicolle and their son Mack in your prayers during the days ahead. I don’t know much, but I know that God holds them now. I know that David is face to face with the Creator of this universe. This song just feels appropriate at this moment….

“We are here to be there for our kid when they score the game winning goal…and especially when they don’t”

As a matter of fact, I covered a time when he “didn’t” about a year ago. Heartbreaking. This year has been different. It’s been an interesting year of watching my 11 year old son trying to find his place within the game of basketball. From the first time he put on a uniform of any kind, in any sport, he has been the tallest kid on the team. In basketball, that translates to playing “down low” or in the post. Yet, I know his hearts desire is to be a point guard that makes great passes and shoots the “3″. He’s worked hard to do both and do them well. We’ve seen glimpses all season, but this weekend he really put it all together.

Saturday featured two games against one of the other rival local schools (Hilliard Bradley). Game one was a game to remember for sure. Feeding off a new full-court press we have installed, “the boy” would hit 3 out of 4 three pointers and score half of his teams points. Each three was within the flow of the offense and at a critical moment. Davidson would go on to take both games from Bradley.

Sunday would be another game against a local rival school. This time it was Hilliard Darby which are always close games. After jumping out to a 16-4 lead, Davidson would struggle against a zone defense and ultimately lose the lead. With the game tied and 11 seconds left, Davidson had the ball and a chance to win the game. That’s when this happened….

Though the video quality is poor, the shot was not. After the game someone said they are going to start calling him “CCC – Calm, Cool and Collected”. As his Dad it was great to see the game winning shot, but far greater to see him finding his place in the game. Because he’s a “shooter” I constantly remind him that his mentality has to be that “the next one is going in”. During the timeout prior to that shot, I whispered in his ear that “this one’s going in”. I just had the feeling that it would.

Let’s say that the shot didn’t fall. Let’s say we leave the gym with a loss. Again, am I “being there” for him then too? Am I cheering him just as loud if he scores no points? This is the balance I have to find as a Dad. While he finds his place on the court, I have to find my place too. Proud of you number 50!

Yesterday morning was a very special day for Rock City Church. It was one of the many reasons why it is a blessing to call Rock City Church “home”. You see, yesterday was the first Sunday where we gave a gift to a local ministry thanks to ONE FOR ONE. Through this simple, yet brilliant vision, we set aside one dollar for every man, woman and child that attends Rock City Church on any given Sunday. Every person. Every week. The total is gathered and set aside for a local or global lead. The first need to receive our donation is an amazing ministry right here in Columbus called “C.R.A.C.K. HOUSE Ministries“.

Thanks to the heartbeat of Rock City and a continued season of growth (a new record was set for attendance yesterday), we were able to present C.R.A.C.K. HOUSE Ministries with a check for $2,000 for their ministry. Heather and I had the opportunity to meet Pastor Mitchell Ellison and his lovely family after the service and they are an amazing family. We look forward to meeting with them again in the future and continuing to pour into this ministry. It’s making a difference in the city of Columbus. Lives are being changed. It was such an blessing to know that Rock City could help support their efforts.

Every person. Every week. ONE For ONE.

Series: GuardRails

Title: Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20

Definition: A Guardrail is a a personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience.

My friends ultimately influence the direction and quality of my life.

Knowing how to choose friends is one of the most important skills I will ever develop.

A wise person is one who understands that all of life is connected.

A fool is a person who knows right and wrong but doesn’t care.

3 Characteristics of a Life-Giving Friend:

1. A Life-Giving Friend knows LIFE.
2. A Life-Giving Friend is committed to living out Gods will.
3. A Life-Giving Friend is committed to seeing God’s will lived out in my life.

5 Practical Guardrails to consider: My conscience should light up when…

1. My core group of friends isn’t moving in the direction I want for my life.
2. I catch myself pretending to be somebody I’m not.
3. I feel pressure to compromise.
4. I hear myself saying, “I’ll go, but I won’t participate”.
5. I hope the people I care about most don’t find out where I’ve been or who I’ve been with.

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”

Pastor Chad Fisher. Rock City Church.

For a few years now I have watched this series of videos gain momentum and become a full blown movement of change. I haven’t just stood on the sidelines to applaud this movement, I’ve become committed to it. It’s more than wearing a bracelet or a shirt. It’s reviewing the materials with my son. It’s introducing the study to our Men’s Life Group at Rock City Church. It’s being prepared to share with anyone and everyone that asks what it means. The web site is the perfect place to point those that want to know more. Now there is a resource to go even further and I’m thrilled to have a copy of it.

I Am Second is a book that is filled with the testimonies of people we see every day in the media, on ESPN, in music, politics and on the news. They are stories of success, failure, searching, loss, hope and restoration. They are edgy. They are raw. They are real. The stories are yours and mine. I would submit that at some point in this incredible book you will find a common place to something you have or are struggling with. It will remind you that you are not alone. We all fall short. We all struggle.

But there is hope.

We are second. Christ is first. In this book you will read story after story of those that have discovered this truth and are living it. It’s not a prosperity gospel. It’s stories of the struggle. It’s a collection of unbelievable “behind the scenes” truth in the lives of people you and I think have it all. The truth is that they do “have it all”, but it’s not in fame, fortune or success. It’s in realizing that they are second and Christ is first. He is the hope. He is the answer. I applaud Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender for following a passion, starting a movement and sharing these stories. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I give “I Am Second” a 5 out of 5. 

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

So what in the world could that video possibly have to do with the new book by Mark and Grace Driscoll called “Real Marriage – The Truth About Sex, Friendship & Life Together“? In order to understand the book, in order to understand my review, you need to understand Mark Driscoll. If you don’t understand Mark Driscoll, you will most likely be shocked by the honest, open and edgy discussions within this book. So let’s start there. Let’s understand a little bit about Mark Driscoll:

1. He is growing several churches in the most unchurched city in the United States. (Seattle)

2. He is relevant in the area in which he ministers.

3. He reaches the twenty something crowd that is immersed in a world that has little shock value anymore.

4. His language is strong, but his theology and doctrine are even stronger

5. He has caused controversy in the past and will cause it again.

So why the talking points? Why go through all of this before I ever once talk about this book? Because it’s important. This isn’t a Max Lucado/Billy Graham (of which I love both) book on marriage. This isn’t a book that softly touches on the issues of sex for example. It’s Mark and Grace Driscoll and it’s “going there” on topics that need to be discussed. Some will hate the book. Others will appreciate it for it’s honest approach. I, for one, am a member of the second group. I appreciate the honesty. I appreciate the candor and the uninhibited nature with which they share what needs to be shared.

Much like the video above, “Real Marriage” isn’t just Mark Driscoll being Mark Driscoll. It’s honest truth backed by theological foundation and truth. Could someone have said it differently? Sure. Would some people rather read it written in a different context? Sure. Yet there are many (myself included) that believe we need this kind of truth. The world in which we live surrounds us by images far stronger and language far more graphic. This book, like Driscoll’s preaching is being relevant to the culture with which we live. Simple as that. There is so much good in this book that you need to see past what might offend or not sit well with you. You need to understand the broader audience. For that reason, I am recommending “Real Marriage”.

I give Real Marriage a 4 out of 5.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tis the season… With the Super Bowl just a few short weeks away, I have an opportunity for those interested to possibly win some cash while sponsoring the Hilliard Red Baron’s baseball team. Because I’m not really smart enough to understand how this whole thing works, see the link below for the full details of how it’s going to run. This much I know, it’s $20 to get a square and you have a chance to win $200 each quarter. Not a bad return on your investment.

All of the proceeds of this fundraiser go directly to your Back-to-Back Big League Champion Hilliard Red Barons baseball team. We love our Red Barons and cannot wait for another exciting summer of baseball. Click the link below to download the full description of the contest and EMAIL ME if you are interested in signing up. Thanks in advance for supporting the Red Barons and especially Number 50.

Super Bowl Squares FundRaiser Official Details

Hilarious!