I don't need your money, just your vote.

 

And you thought you were having a bad day?

This morning I was ticked because I had to go clean off our patio in preparation for TStorm Fay, which will probably be a non-event. A yacht broker friend of mine sent me a picture that put things in perspective.

Make sure you look at the guy on the top rt. of the boat.

Things don't always appear to be what they seem.

Things don't always appear to be what they seem, right? For instance, the picture on the right is me with a tribal Indian located deep in the Amazon Jungle. It would appear to have been on my last expedition down the river, and this guy dressed up specifically to get his picture taken with me, right? It's partly true but I had to pay this guy $5.00.  He was one of about a dozen men who wore the ceremonial dress and makeup so that people like me would want to get their picture made. It takes a little away from the "coolness" of the picture doesn't it?  

Like the picture most of us are like that Indian.  We play the part. We put on the ceremonial dress and makeup so that others might be attracted or drawn to us. All the time never getting to close. 

What would happen if all of that changed? What if we were authentic in our relationships? What if we took off the ceremonial dress and make up? What if we really made ourselves available and accountable to others? What if we gave others permission to ask us the tough questions of life? What if? 

In a couple weeks Nate Larkin is coming to South Florida and he is going to talk more about this subject. If you haven't read his book (and you are a guy) read it. Samson and the Pirate Monks, a must read for any man desiring authentic relationships.

By the way, I go back to the Amazon next week. Hopefully I will have some more "authentic" pictures to post.

What's going on in the SBC?

According to SBCOUTPOST they write "Today Ed Stetzer is reporting that, for the first time in our history, the Southern Baptist Convention is in decline in terms of overall membership. We’ve been in decline in baptisms for about seven or so years and now we are seeing that reflected in our membership numbers."

How are other denominations doing? Will the decline in SBC numbers have any ramification on the future of missions for Southern Baptist? Is this simply the tip of the iceberg?

Attn. All Samsonites!

If you are in the Samson Society or want more information about it and live in the South Florida area, Nate Larkin author of Samson and the Pirate Monks will be in Fort Lauderdale July 21.

Warning--this book is not for the faint of heart. If you are a run in the mill guy who enjoys living in isolation and does not want intimacy with other men and God, this book is NOT for you. 

However, if you are a man who struggles with anything from anger to feeling like a zero (and everything in between) this book is a must read. In Samson and the Pirate Monks, Nate shares his personal experiences of isolation and the guilt that so readily accompanies it. Reading the books is like looking at a train wreck in slow motion. You know it's going to be bad but you just have to see how it ends.

Read it. Share your thoughts here at www.missionscafe.com and meet Nate July 21 (more details to follow).

A Lesson from Little League

What a great game! We were down at the bottom of the sixth inning and came back to win it.

Unfortunately the coach from the other team didn't think the umpire made a good call and we were given the game.

I was amazed at the amount of anger one man can have over a coach pitch game. He yelled, threw his glove down, and stormed off the field. When the teams lined up to give the traditional "good game" and high five, many of their kids called our team "cheaters".

It is amazing to me how much influence we have on our children. How our poor or bad attitudes can be manifested in them without to much effort.

Great Friends

Today at The Book of Hope, I spent some time with some great friends and we discussed the future of what short term missions could look like with transformation in mind. 

Is it possible to measure true spiritual transformation? What does it look like? 

Friends around the table today: 

brian

todd

tj

travis