Big fan of people

So I know there are a lot of mean folks out there, I really do.  I've seen people be mean to each other and it makes me pretty pissed off.  It probably brings about a similar emotion in you.  But, you know, I've run into a lot of nice people as well.  Today, while walking around Town Center and I just ran into a lot of nice people, and that made me very happy.  I hope those people know Jesus, but if they don't, I sure am convicted that they were nicer than I usually am...

Maybe the next time you have a chance to thank someone for doing something nice, you should. Maybe you should thank someone when you see them doing something nice for someone else. Just sayin'.

Totally unrelated: I saw Expelled on Saturday.  I really, really liked it.  A couple of thoughts:

- It is a movie about opening the conversation about Intelligent Design.  If you didn't like it, that's completely fair, but remember: it's about opening the conversation - just giving a fair shake to another theory

- Intelligent Design and creationism are not one in the same.  Creationism may be the scientific explanation you ascribe to, but don't go into this movie looking for bullets for your gun.  At the end of the day, you're still supposed to be salt and light to the world with love and truth and grace - you don't need any bullets for that

- You should really see this movie because it's fun and reasonably fair and is a fantastic talking point with friends.  Just be sure to honor Jesus and be nice..

Love

Wayne

Trinity is amazing

I love my church.  I really, really love my church.  I don't know how you feel about your church, but I pray that you love your church as I love mine.  But, more importantly, I hope you love Jesus a whole lot, and that you would be a part of the community He calls you too - completely, without back biting, griping, gossiping, complaining.  If Scripture is being violated, then yes, by all means, cause a ruckus.  But if you just aren't getting your way, shut it up.  

Some reasons I love my church (Trinity Church):

- Our leaders are crazy humble.  None of the elders are pushing their own agenda or jockeying for power or trying to get everyone to rally around their own little pet project.  Not sure if you've read Philippians 2:1-11 recently, but I see that lived out here at Trinity

- Prayer is in and over all we do.  I love that the folks at Trinity are prayer warriors.  Not cheesy prayer warriors, but folks who know that: 1) we are dependent on God to do His work and/but 2) He has called us to get things done

- We are pretty snotty about sticking to Scripture.  If it's neat or fun or gimmicky but not biblical, booooo

- It's simple.  This is not a high production church - and I freaking love it.  Our band practices for a couple of hours on Wednesday or Thursday night and are very talented and work very hard, but we don't put a premium on production.. Preach the Word, seek the Lord, worship authentically.. boom.

Love

Wayne

Finally..

Jimmy let me have his sandwich today.. It was incredible.  The sandwich was delicious because Primetime probably made it, but it was double good because Jimmy NEVER shares his food. Even if he only took like half a bite. So yeah, it was pretty special.

much love

Wayne

An undivided heart

Teach me your, O Lord,

and I will walk in your truth;

GIVE ME AN UNDIVIDED HEART,

that I may fear your name.

- Psalm 86:11

Dear God, that's my prayer.  Give me an undivided heart for You.

Another good one

Good news: your favorite 7th/8th grade baseball team won it's first game on Friday!  That's right, folks, your Norfolk Academy Bulldogs (feel free to make jokes about me coaching a team called the Bulldogs..) JO baseball team won 12-1 - they called the game in the 5th cause we were killing them so bad.

Also, God is good.  Just in case you forgot or didn't know.  

If anyone is in town this weekend, come play ultimate on Saturday at the Hutchinsons.  

I love Virginia Beach

It was 73 outside today, not a cloud to be seen, a light breeze.  I went and jogged from my apartment, 4 blocks to the beach and down the boardwalk for a mile or so and back.  It's amazing. It's crazy to compare where I am today and where I was this time last year... I don't like all the things that have happened, and disagree with what some folks have done that affected me and others I care about, but I see how God allowed those things to take place so that He would have me right where he wanted me - in Virginia Beach.

One of my students who I have had some good times with but who has never really seemed to care whether I'm really around or not called me from his mission trip.  That made me super happy.  I got time in with a high school junior on Monday that I haven't ever had time with before.  Today, me and my boy J Clay had some good talks at the Purple Cow, and last night me and Michael set up what looks like a pretty serious and amazing discipleship time (we're going to read through one of Paul's epistles and read Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller).  Praise be to God for all He has done and is doing - but, most importantly, thanks be to God for being God.

Some verses of late: 2 Samuel 24:24, Romans 12:9, Acts 20:28

Wayne

Best week ever?

Evidence:

- Got to sleep in on a Monday morning

- Had our first JO baseball team on Tuesday (we lost, which would normally would be points deducted, but it was so much dadgum fun and the guys did a great job by and large)

- Gators played on Wednesday night.. it was the Not Invited Tournament which isn't great.. but I still love watching them play

- Rob arrived in Va Beach at 9:30 FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF WATCHING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF BASKETBALL

- 12:20 in the PM: the glorious Madness begins

- 8:30 Buffalo Beach with the boys for 3 hours of basketball and PILES of chicken wings

- Friday: so much more basketball to come

- And, seriously.. This week is passion week, and today is Good Friday, the day my God, my Savior is going through His disgraceful trial, public scourging, and ultimately death on the bloody cross.  ALL for the payment of my sin.  And Sunday is coming - the day Sin, Death, and captivity were defeated once and for all with the Resurrection.  If you haven't read them recently, read Mark 14 - 16, Matthew 28, John 13..

Because he lives, my friends

Wayne

Acts 20:28