Once there was a man who had an extreme passion for fireworks. And he was very rich.

So great was his wealth and his passion that one day he made a drastic decision. He gave all of his money to possess all of the fireworks in the world. It seemed insane to everyone else, but to him it made all of the sense in the world. Why wouldn’t he give everything for the things that he loved?

Once he had the fireworks in his possession, he set about the process of lighting thousands each day. But there were a few problems.

There were some that refused to be lit. No matter how hard he tried, the man could not get the wicks to catch fire. Those that would not light he sadly threw away.

Other fireworks lit quickly and with great heat, but fizzled out before they even left the ground. Though the man worked with them to re-light them, nothing worked. Those were disposed of as well.

Still other fireworks lit and rose into the air, only to fall to the ground prematurely. The man was a little more pleased with these. However, they did not do what he desired them to do.

Lastly, there were some fireworks that lit quickly, rose into the air steadily, and burst into beautiful colors that shone brightly in the sky. This made the man fill with joy and the sacrifice he had made in order to obtain the fireworks.

All around him, those who had ridiculed his decision to give up his wealth for the fireworks finally understood. Because of his decision, his name became known far and wide and others came to love the fireworks as much as he did.

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This parable is written with apologies to the greatest teller of parables–Jesus. In the parable, the wealthy man who purchased the fireworks represents God–who gave His only begotten Son in order to purchase salvation for all mankind.

The fireworks that would not light are those who refuse to accept the gift of salvation. The ones that lit but fizzled are those who received the Gospel with their intellect, but do not give their lives to the Savior. Those fireworks that light and fly up but fall too early are those who accept Christ but do little else to bring glory to His name.

But the fireworks that are lit, rise high, and fill the sky with beauty are what every Christian should strive to be—people who bring glory and notoriety to the name of our King.

While this parable is not perfect and pales in comparison to the parables of the Perfect One, I believes it accurately describes much of what the Christian faith is about.

I pray that all those who follow Christ will live to know Him and make Him known.

If you know my family, you know that when we all go anywhere it is a toss-up on whether we’re going to have a good time or not.  I don’t mean to sound negative about my children–they are often well behaved and joys to be around.  However, on occasion, when they all decide to act like monkeys on speed at the same time, I can feel myself growing older by the mili-second.

So, I really didn’t know what to expect when Kristy and I took all 5 of them (Mary Hope included) to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game last Friday night.  I had been given free tickets from work and thought we could have a good time–especially since there is a fireworks show after every Friday night game.

After arriving for the game and eating in the park restaurant, we settled into our seats for what I feared would be the longest nine innings of my life.  But something great happened, our kids behaved magnificently. 

Sure, I got aggravated at having to take them to the restroom 67 times (give or take), but for the most part I couldn’t have imagined them acting any better. 

After the game had ended and the fireworks were going off, Noelle looked up at me and said: “Thanks for doing this for us–it’s fun.”  If that wasn’t great enough, on our way out to our Expedition to leave Bradley said: “This was the most awesome day ever!”

We have tried to teach our children to be grateful for what we do for them.  It is a real treat when we are able to see very clearly the fruits of our labors.

This past Sunday as I sang praises to my Lord during our morning worship service I wondered if God felt the same way I did when my kids expressed their gratefulness to me.  I hope so.  It’s a good feeling and I surely want to make Him feel good.

The first time I saw the phrase “#1 Christian Porn Site” I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.  Surely people were not so perverted as to produce Christian Porn.  Of course, there really couldn’t be such a thing. 

Then I found out it was what XXXChurch called itself.  You can check them out at www.xxxchurch.com (only go there if you are not easily offended). 

XXXChurch is an anti-porn ministry dedicated to exposing the problem of pornography for the sin that it is and assiting people in battling addiction to it.  Some of their methods may be a little controversial, but they are effective.  People should do whatever it takes (short of sin) to overcome this issue that is so deadly to themselves and those that they love.

Pornography addiction is one of the “hidden” sins that infects men and women of all ages.  It destroys families and marriages by perverting the minds and hearts of those who are caught in its trap.  Feelings that belong only to a person’s spouse (or future spouse) get twisted as others become objects of lustful desires. 

The damage pornography inflicts is deep and lasting.  If you (or some you love) are struggling with this sin, XXXChurch may be able to help.  Take their suggestions, go through their teaching programs, use their filters.

Do whatever it takes to rid yourself of this sin that so easily ensnares people and keeps them trapped for far too long.

Several members of my family attend Holston Baptist Church on Andrew Johnson Highway in east Knox County.  Every year for the past several years they have put on a fantasitc Judgement House program. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Judgement Houses have been described as a Christian alternative to a haunted house.  A better description is that they are walk-through dramas that depict how our choices affect our ulitimate destiny.

This year, like every other year, the Judgement House at HBC will be going on around Halloween.  Here is a link to a blog so you can keep up with it if you like:  http://hbcjudgementhouse.wordpress.com/.

Those involved spend countless hours preparing, practicing, and praying for what they hope will be a life-changing experience for many.  Please consider attending this fantastic drama and taking along a few friends.

What do you think about the “new look?”

I tried various styles–some were far to funky for me and others far too bland.  I like the picture.  It is calm and serene.

Calmness is one trait that I think is lacking in our society.  It seems to me that many people are tense no matter where I go.  At work, at church, at Wal-Mart—tense, tense, tense. 

So, if you are reading this, take a deep breath and take it easy.  You only get one chance at life; you may as well try to enjoy it.

Please do not think I am disrespecting John McCain with this post.  I admire his service to this country greatly.  Also, please do not think that I am endorsing him about Barack Obama in the presidential election.  As a minister of the Gospel, I do not think it is my responsibility to publicly endorse one candidate over another.  It is my responsibility to life Jesus up and no one else.

That being said, I was a tad bothered by something John McCain said the other day about patriotism.  You can read it here:  http://news.yahoo.com/page/parade/patriotism/mccain.

Here is an excerpt of the passage that was bothersome to me:  “Patriotism is deeper than its symbolic expressions, than sentiments about place and kinship that move us to hold our hands over our hearts during the national anthem. It is putting the country first, before party or personal ambition, before anything.”

If putting the country first before anything is what it takes to be patriotic, then I do not qualify.  While I am glad to be a citizen of this great land, as a follower of Jesus I can put nothing first other than the one who died on the cross for me.

I think I understand the thought process behind McCain’s words.  I believe that he meant that the country is more important than political parties or particular ideologies.  But that is not how it came out.

The freedom that I enjoy here is outstanding and I do not take it for granted.  However, if those freedoms disappeared tomorrow, I would still have the freedom from sin that Jesus has given me.  For that reason, I could never put anything first above Christ my King no matter how great this country may be.

Yesterday, July 3rd, Kristy and I celebrated our 9th year in wedded bliss.  I love her more today than ever, even though, with our gaggle of kids, it is difficult for us to get much alone time.

Kristy has taught me much in our time together.  I am far more compassionate now than I was 9 years ago.  I like (or at least tolerate) animals far more than I did back then.  And now, thanks to Kristy, I know a lot more about washing clothes and raising kids than I would have otherwise.

Every anniversary I am reminded of my mom’s encouraging words when Kristy and I told her we were going to get married.

Upon hearing the news, my mom said (without missing a beat)

“Well, I hope it will last.”

So far, so good.

Thanks Kristy for all you’ve given me–especially your love.

We only have one life–one precious time frame in which to live.  Whether long or short, our lives are often lived in a state of dullness.  What we feel is truly important in life changes. 

At one point, basketball was important to me.  I played it, read about it, and dreamed about being a great NBA superstar.

At another point, various girlfriends (I didn’t have many of them, really) where vitally important.  Until those realationships ended–leaving me feeling foolish.

Other things were important at others times:  school, writing, business, children, being right…all these things had my highest attention.

All the while, the really important thing was staring at me from the pages of Scripture.  Paul summarized it best in the book of Phillippians:  “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Jesus–His example and His words–that is the key to a life of purpose.  Being dead to my selfish desires and my deluded imaginings of what is important and being alive to what Jesus places importance on. 

Love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, being blessed to be a blessing, reaching out to show the love of God in tangible ways.  A life focused upward to Him in praise and outward to Him by my actions toward others.  That is what can satisfy a person hungry for a life of purpose. 

My hopes and dreams have slowly changed (and are slowly changing) from being centered on materialistic desires for a better future for just me and mine to being centered on knowing Christ and making Him known in as many ways as I possibly can.

I don’t want to waste any more of my life.  I hope you’re with me.

This commercial is the reason I often call Mary Hope “the dang baby.”  Check it out:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=I7EVwIdrEyk

I did not watch George Carlin’s stand-up routines.  I did not know him.  We had very little in common.  But I still am saddened at his death.

Apparently, he had very little use for God.  I am hopeful that he accepted God’s gracious gift of salvation before his passing.  He was loved by his Creator, whether he knew it or not. 

I am not only grieved about his death, I am also grieved at the response of many of my fellow Christians.  Reading statements like, “Good riddance” and “In his act he mocked God–I wonder if he’ll tell God a few jokes before he goes to Hell” makes me understand even more why many reject Christianity.  As Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” 

Regardless of Carlin’s faith or lack thereof, he was still a human being that God loved.  Because of that, I mourn his passing and pray for his family. 

May God have mercy on those who believe it is their responsiblity to condemn anyone else to Hell.