Play Something Country

I don’t know if you realize it or not, but country music is back on our FM dial. Go Country 105.1 re-launched country music in L.A. and I have to say that I have kind of missed it! Country music is not my first choice in music, that would be worship music, but it is often my second choice. I think that the reason that it is high on my list is because I pretty much grew up on country. I was raised listening to the likes of The Statler Brothers, Merle Haggard, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, and Larry Gatlin.

Just a bit of trivia. Larry Gatlin married the organist of our church in Odessa, Texas. I knew Larry Gatlin when I was four years old. How is that for name dropping? I am sure that the remembers me!

When you step back and look at country music you have to ask yourself can you really go wrong with songs like Jesus, Take the Wheel, She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy, and Hillbilly Deluxe? What a myriad of theological and practical enthusiasm just jam packed into those titles!! Yea, I know that country music can be a bit trashy, but a lot of it is good clean fun.

The thing about country music, I think for me, is the memories that spring to mind when I listen to it. I remember things like the fact that I am basically white trash. The proof is in the pudding. My parents and my brother and his family actually live in trailer parks. We are “born again” white trash, but we are still white trash. Is there any chance of not being white trash when your mom grew up in Borger, Texas and your dad grew up in Sweetwater, Texas?

Just a bit of trivia. The little town of Sweetwater, Texas has produced the likes of Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh, professional wrestler Black Jack Mulligan (the Wyndam Family), professional poker legend Doyle Brunson, and of course my dad, Bob Henson Baptist preacher. I guess that is the point. Country music reminds me of Texas like good hot dogs and good pizza remind me of Chicago. My parents always tell me that Texas is a good place to be from. That means that they ain’t going back, but it does hold a lot of memories.

When I am reminded of Texas I am reminded of a lot of great things like the type of food they eat down there. The BBQ is fabulous and of course there is the fried stuff. Country fried steak. Fried catfish. Fried okra. Oh, you betcha! And my grandmother used to make stuff like green enchiladas, pimento cheese sandwiches, Frito pie, and Jell-O in the shape of fruit and fish. We would go to Sweetwater for a couple of weeks in the summer and every day at lunch my grandmother would break out the leftovers from the preceding suppers (they eat supper down there not dinner) and it would be a smorgasbord of Texas treats. My grandfather would come home from work at the railroad for lunch and we would listen to Paul Harvey while we ate Texas style. Now you know the rest of the story.

I know. You are wondering what is the point? There ain't one. Just…Play Something Country. You might like it…then again…you might not.

Ten Things I Think

1. I think that it is unbelievable what happened at Virginia Tech. Pray for the families of the victims and the Virginia Tech family.

2. I think that it is ridiculous to second guess the response of the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech Police the day after the massacre. Should they evaluate the process at some point? Absolutely. Is it our media’s job to hold them accountable? Maybe, but the day after, I think not.

3. I think that I can be very proud of myself. After literally decades of biting my fingernails…I have broken that ugly habit. I am amazed how fast my fingernails grow now that I am clipping them!!

4. I think that we have more windy days now than I ever remember. Sometimes I think I have been transported back to Chicago.

5. I think that our Men’s Ministry is blossoming into a wonderful blessing and benefit for the men of our church. The backbone of a strong church is a core of strong men who love God and live for His purposes.

6. I think that it was awesome to hear Zach Johnson, a journeyman on the PGA Tour, give thanks to God after winning the Masters Golf Tournament on Easter Sunday. When asked how he was able to make his way around the treacherous August National Golf Club and out ahead of Tiger Woods, Zach replied, “I just knew that Jesus was with me every step of the way.”

7. I think that Jack Wilson http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=333292 has gone way beyond the call of duty. For him to, not only be willing to speak to our men, but to host us at his home is amazing. Even you Dodger fans will be rooting for Jack on Saturday night! ;>)

8. I think that I hate it when I feel the need to make a “smiley” face on an email. I hate using emoticons as well, but sometimes you have to let the reader know that it was said in jest.

9. I think that the view that Amy and I had from the top of the Marriott in the Marina on Saturday evening is one of the best I have ever seen. We were not just hanging out up there. We were at a wedding.

10. I think that it is only 141 days until the National Football League 2007 Season begins. I think that you think that I am crazy because I know that. I think that you are right.

Courage

It takes courage to do this. To follow Christ, to be obedient, to honor God with our lives requires courage. To live a life where we are growing, serving, worshipping, engaged in true fellowship where there is encouragement and accountability, and sharing our faith requires courage.

There is nothing new here. When God called Moses out of the desert to deliver His people from Egypt it was a given that courage would be required. As they leave Egypt…courage. Joshua succeeds Moses…courage. The Children of Israel go into the Promised Land to possess it…courage. The Judges…courage. King David…courage. The kings that follow…courage. The prophets…courage. Jesus epitomizes courage. The Apostles that lead the early church…courage.

Here is the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe.

Be courageous. Be strong.
Bam! There it is.
We will not be any different. So, my prayer for me and for you is that we would be on guard, stand true, be courageous, and be strong. God will be pleased. We will reach our true potential in Christ and as a church. That is what a life of worship is all about.

Easter Week

Welcome to Easter week 2007. There is little doubt that many of you are traveling and enjoying some time away from the daily grind that is life on the west side. I hope that you are enjoying yourselves. If you are stuck here in town…somebody has to work! I love this time of year. I love this week in particular. The weather is spectacular. It is Master’s week. The Masters Golf Tournament is without a doubt the best golf tournament on the PGA Tour schedule. Even when you see it on television you can almost smell the azaleas blooming. And…of course…this Sunday is Easter.
This weekend is the time that we celebrate the essence of our faith. On Friday we will remember Christ’s death. On Sunday we will celebrate His resurrection. Without Christ dying in our place on that cross, and without His resurrection we have nothing. It is that gospel, that good news that makes our faith alive and vibrant. So I encourage you to reflect and celebrate and enjoy your Easter week. Easter is what following Christ is all about.

Romans 4:23-5:2 (NLT)
Now this wonderful truth—that God declared him to be righteous—wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. [24] It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. [25] He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.
[5:1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. [2] Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.