'Mediocre' or 'Momentum' March?

Can you believe that March 2014 is done? WOW!

It was an amazing month with my only complaint being the cold weather! But the Lord is good.

Yesterday was a special small blessing... in a paddle boat catching 10 or so small bass. Beautiful day!

March is always interesting- my motto for March is 'mediocre or momentum?' because typically March finds us weary of new year resolutions and a little bit of that 3rd quarter fatigue for those in the school business.

April is always a big year for me personally- it has my wedding anniversary and is the start of MY NEW year (more in line with Hebrew calendar and the support of creation i.e. SPRING)

So March usually finds me burned out..stagnant.. and limping into April kickstart.

But I had a very good March!

Bible Reading:

I am doing the McCheyne plan- keeping a google doc of notes. Each month is its own seperate document and I am sharing it with my wife and children. My goal is to have an entire year of notes from daily Bible reading and going through the whole Bible. So far so good!

Blog Posting:

I have made it 3 months into my goal of having an entire year of devotions. April will be on physical training- May is going to me 'Mission and Calling"- the sumer is going to be a Harmony of the Gospels.

My football site still continues to be my most visited site with 950 visits in the month of March.

Exercise and Eating:


This is all about to get serious "April is the cruelest month" but I am statistically better on March 31 this year than I was last year. But last year was not a good year in this area.

I conveniently skipped comment on the 'eating' but April should be 'better'.

MEMORIES FROM MARCH:

Enjoyed spiritual impact week

Teaching SS is always a blessing (Next Step- Song for the Climb)

Bass Tourney at Lake Guntersville

Ruffner Mtn visit on Spring Break (MCM in NYC)

Neat story:

Had a former student visit me to tell me he had given his heart to Christ. We had a super visit and I am thrilled to see his excitement... makes it worth it!

Melissa decided to go to UA for sure

I hope my next monthly report is positive- April is always important

Prayer:

Wisdom for my 'job'- having to make the right call on these things is impossible. I need the Holy Spirit.

Football spring training is approaching...plans

There is a family that I need to reach out to- 

Lisa and I will be married 26 years this Wed... what a blessed man I am!

God's Not Dead....And I Feel OK as Well

Went to the movie "God's Not Dead" last night.


I purposely look to give my presence and money to efforts like this. And I am very cautious to criticize any of these types of efforts in public forums. The boldness and work that it takes to produce a film in a culture where every headwind is working against you is admirable. Heck, who am I to be a movie critic?

What did I like about the movie?

(WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS)

I am always thrilled when ANY movie, play, you tube video, song, etc lifts up the name of Jesus Christ and presents the gospel without any reservation.

When the movie repeated Matthew 10:32-33 TWICE in the early stages-

[32] So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

to me that was important gospel proclamation.

Apologetics.

For the most part, the 'debate' in the classroom covered a good list of the many rational arguments used as evidence to support the existence of God.

I taught these for 7 years in a class called 'Apologetics' and I do see the value in being prepared to answer questions/issues like the problem of evil, is there absolute truth, is Jesus the only way, etc.

But it is so interesting that the Bible does not debate the existence of God. At Genesis 1:1, He is there and in Romans 1, Paul's basic point to the philosophers is that God is 'plainly evident' and those who cry that there is not enough evidence are blinded by the enemy or unwilling to see it.

The basic premise is that an atheist cannot find God for the same reason a criminal cannot find a police officer ... he doesn't want to.

Don't misunderstand me- apologetics is more necessary now more than ever in being prepared to proclaim the gospel in a culture who have been trained by people like Hitchens and Dawkins- apologetics is evangelism if done in the right way.

But I have written on the danger of apologetics emphasis as well: Christian Quarries and Apologetics

Should you debate professors?

This is a tough one. I used to play a role in my classes called 'Professor Skeptic' and, because I knew the arguments, I could take apart almost all of my students.

And we would talk about the scenarios of when to speak, when to stay silent, when to go private, when to be public.

In this movie, the professor does a full frontal assault and in that scenario a Christian would have to respond. The word for 'apologetics' is found in I Peter 3.

[13] Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, [16] having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17 ESV)

This is such an important passage for the field of defending THE faith.

My advice to college students is to be wise. Don't go pick a philosophical fight.. but if it comes to you...don't back down, but let the audience see your demeanor and resolve... you may not win the argument, but you may win a soul.

And I encourage students to be trained in apologetics... the Christian worldview EXCELS in these areas. Our narrative BEST EXPLAINS the condition of life because it is TRUE.

The key is our demeanor...look again at the passage - be wiling to suffer, don't fear... don't worry...Honor Jesus (this is not about us)- prepare- answer questions about the hope we have- do it with gentleness (this is one I mess up in all the time) and respect.

This does not mean we cower away... but it also doesn't mean we don't be so right we are dead right!

We are to present Christ.... and that message should be the only offensive thing about us. (and it is enough..believe me!)

I also ask students to go and speak to teachers they are concerned about in private (with a friend/witness) with a positive spirit. Let them know you are a believer, but are excited to learn in the class. Respect them as an authority even if you have disagreements in views. Be a great student- be attentive- do excellent work- learn.

If a professor is extremely attacking- listen to their arguments and learn how to research the counters.

In Acts, Jesus told his disciples to not worry about what to say- the Holy Spirit would grant the words- but this does not mean we do not prepare... we have to know the Word better and being trained in giving answers does help!

If the public debate happens- know what that is about.

You are not going to win over that opponent.. He/she is likely dug in if they are willing to challenge you in public. But you are really defending a reasonable faith in public and the goal is being faithful to your testimony. If you do it humbly, yet confidently. If you are skilled and articulate. If you are truthful (willing to say, I don't know). If you show a good knowledge of the gospel and Scripture- you will win- even if the entire audience votes that you lost. All you are called to do is stand for your Savior in a world that put Him on a cross- but do it with love- and plead for God's mercy on us all!

WHAT ELSE DID I LIKE ABOUT THE MOVIE?

I like how the movie depicts the power of social media to spread the message globally.

I love when we get positive messages about Christ trending. Don't get caught up in endless controversies on the internet... there is not enough space or time to flesh out all the Biblical balance. Tweet good news!

As Christians, I challenge all of us to let our social media speech to be a pleasing aroma to the love and joy of following Christ!

I like seeing Franklin Graham and Willie Robertson cameos!

I liked the music! (except for the same piano rift over and over- for some reason it sounded too much like Freddie or Jason was about to come out with a knife!)

ARE THERE THINGS I DID NOT LIKE?

Sure. But it does not keep me from being grateful that the movie is making an honest effort to entertain and inspire.

Josh Wheaton made a tactical error in the 3rd debate by attacking and challenging the professor. First of all, that professor is not going to fall into the 'God is not there and I hate Him for it' line of reasoning and it would not help in Wheaton's desire to win over the watching audience. Also, I wish only 2 or 3 students stood up at the end... that would have been just as cool without the cheese factor.

If it were me, I would not have used the Muslim characters in a movie unless the movie was about the theme of making a decision to follow Christ in a family deeply entrenched in the tradition of another.
There are too many nuances in this to adequately deal with it as a subplot. In the end, this scene hurt our dialogue with Muslims in our neighborhoods (in my opinion). The cross cultural tension was already adequately shown in the Chinese family. That one is easier to develop and pits a decision for Christ against the pressure of a government system and a family struggling under the weight of that.

I also cringed a little in the atheist professor getting run over by a car and having a deathbed repentance.

I know, I know.... in all movies there is a universal suspension of reality from the audience.. but that one threw me for a loop. Our Rev. Joe was actually smiling when the professor breathed his last breath..."Well, he knows now."

And I wish the 'attack journalist' had not been given a 'terminal' cancer diagnosis...it made the prayer scene at the concert almost as heartless as the last rites scene in the rain. Every scene where that poor lady was left alone- boyfriend walk in and out- Dr walks in and out- Newsboys walk in and out- always leaving that suffering person with no one. How about, 'Come out with us as we go and sing about God's not dead- and here is all of our support staff to be with you" . Been better to have her struggling with a potential deadly cancer ... but when you get to that stage, I doubt you are going to attack the Newsboys before the show.

I know... give them a break... it's only a movie.

I do wish we wouldn't make stories that seem to say- 'trust Jesus and you win state championships, get a new truck, have massive revival, your car starts, your wife starts making you coffee, and get to go meet everyone at a rock concert!'

I was so excited that my 9th grade daughter chose on her own to go see it. She liked it. Her comment? "They had too may stories going on for that type of movie. They could have done less and made it better."

Her review is spot on... and she did it much better than my rambling blog.

On a side note- as we finished the movie, I ran into some of my former students. One of them WALKED OUT of  the movie NOAH. "That movie was a bunch of bllpppp (he did a NY raspberry sound) but the meaning was clear.

I will not be seeing that one- the director helped me out by bragging that he had produced 'the least biblical biblical movie ever'.

I will choose instead to recommend you give your money to "God's Not Dead".

Of the entire genre (christian movies produced by christians and for christians) I still list "Courageous" as the best effort.

I hope I haven't seemed too full of myself or jaded... let's keep turning on all the lights. The gospel is that good!

This movie gets a thumbs up for me!

And even if it were bad?......... listen to what Paul says:

[18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, (Philippians 1:18 ESV)

Hike Into the Past- Ruffner Mountain

As a boy, I practically lived on Ruffner Mountain. In the days before cell phones- we would pack a brown bag lunch and walk off into the woods, only to return at dusk.

We had it all 'mapped out'- the limestone quarries, the iron ore mines, we knew how to get to..and climb the old fire tower.. and we knew that over the ridge was the Ruffner ball fields.

So it was good memories today, to go over to the Ruffner Mountain Park and hike some of those old trails.

The neighborhood is pretty rough now, though the parking on 81st street seemed fine.

We hiked to the quarry and them took the orange trail to the east trailhead and back.

I mapped from the quarry back, which was about 3 miles. Very tough terrain of up and down the ridge!

Some shots at the old quarry:

Here is the entrance on 81st St South.

Then the saddest part of the day was seeing how bad the old house was where I grew up in.
I guess I'm doing better at 50 than this old house is!

We had a good day on a cold spring break in B'ham.

Keeping Track of My Crazy and Odd Days

I'm here in Guntersville, AL- a place that has become a strong draw because of it's current place as a 'Mecca' of bass fishing. And a draw of future goals and dreams....... and inspiration!

And it is the first day of a Spring Break...one I desperately needed.

I am in an interesting time- excited about what I want to accomplish this year..my 50th

And I have the honor of being 100% convinced that I am exactly where God wants me to be and doing His work.... but at the same time- it is never where I dreamed I would be.... happy- but totally dependent on Him because I could not do this without Him.

Exhausted- but energized. Frustrated... but content. On the cusp of disaster in every decision- but totally at peace.

My job is one crazy gig.. and I am convinced that God has prepared me and provides and protects me..I wish I could write the daily evidence of how He has used me and saved me....in spite of me.

My goal is 'Zeal -2014' and only I know what I am crying to see happen- but I am seeing it and wrestling with it. The key is a heart for people... we (I) don't love people much anymore- we (I) don't admire human beings- we don't adore the inspiration of flesh and blood- I worry it is a unintended consequence of digitizing everything.

The decay of dust and the cry for renewal....  but I have so much to be grateful for!

So what exactly am I doing?

BIBLE IN A YEAR PROGRAM- 2014

I am reading God's Word everyday on the McCheyne reading plan and it is really good- I am including the D.A. Carson notes and making each month a separate google doc. I am sharing it with my girls as something they might enjoy having down the road and in 2015 will use the notes to write my own through the Bible in a year commentary/devotional... will re-arrange some- will split it up a little more.

BLOGGING

Jayopsis Devotions- this has been a challenge- but fun. My goal is to have 365 devotions at the end of the year..... keeping me busy- but excited to see it on the web!

Jayopsis Football- this has been crazy! Wow! I have been joking about how hard I work on spiritual writing to get readers in the 100's and I write football stuff and get readers in the 1000's!
Look at this as an example:

I am so honored and humbled to be included in a national network of online coaches through twitter and other sites.

The Best of Jayopsis- this site has been a good way to re-package some of my more popular posts. It has given me some great connections and a new audience.

TEACHING

I am currently doing my 'Song for the Climb' series at Briarwood. I am so prayerful regarding this cautionary duty!

So for a break in March- I am so thankful to the Lord- He has been so good to me!

On this site- I do have a lot of drafts in the works...LOL

But my next big project on jayopsis.com will be an exploration on attitudes toward authority and how it contributes to the corruption of our culture.

Thanks to all who encourage me in my desire to live out a transparent life in the beautiful grace of Christ. I am nothing..... He is everything.... and I am the beneficiary!

FAMILY

What can I say? Man! I am blessed!

JM- BBC- PTL-