Obey. Now.

You've got to go watch this video: www.vimeo.com/3325548
(sorry, I can't figure out how to embed it)

One of the coolest things happened yesterday that I have ever experienced in Student Ministry. Nick (our MS Pastor) and I were set to baptize 4 guys between services downstairs in "the coffin," as it's affectionately known (It's a portable baptistery, but watch the video and see hwat I mean). This was going to be very cool - it's always a raucous event, with people crammed in the room screaming their heads off. We make it a big party for these people that are obeying God by taking the next step with Him in baptism.
Well, we get through two of the guys and have to pause and wait for the other guys' parents to get there, and I ask (as I always do), "Anyone else?" I usually get a few laughs, but no one takes me seriously. Until today, when one of our Sophomore girls stepped forward and says, "I think God is asking me to obey. Now." She had to be on stage, leading worship in 10 minutes, and she had all of her normal clothes on with nothing to change into, but she felt God's Spirit prompting her to oeby, no matter what. So she jumps in and the crowd went nuts! She told me later that what happened was huge for her, because she needed to be reminded that she was "precious and honored in [His] sight" (Is. 43:4) even if she looked silly on the outside. Deep stuff from a 10th grader.
It could have stopped there, and that would have been amazing. But what followed was phenomenal (yes, there is a big difference between "amazing" and "phenomenal" - I looked it up). After her example, seven more kids jumped in that pool fully clothed! How cool is that? Nick and I were so overwhelmed by these students intense desire to obey God on the spot.
This whole experience reminded me that when God speaks, we just have to listen and obey. Period. No questions, no stalling, just obey. Now.
Watch the video, if you haven't yet. Go God.

Head of the House

Our mornings always start way too early. Alarm goes off at 6:25 AM (and my alarm only gets one radio station, an OLD country station that always has some obnoxious twangy old singer yowling about heartbreak), and our feet hit the floor in a mad dash to get our Kindergartener and 4th grader out the door to catch the bus at 6:55 AM! I will never understand why Georgia makes the Elem kids start at 8:00, and the older kids at 9. Makes no sense, but, oh well!
The most difficult part of the morning is keeping our aforementioned "squirrely" middle child from waking his sister up (She'll sleep til after 8:00 if she isn't rudely awakened by loud-talking, ball-bouncing, wall-crashing-into, stomp-running, door slamming, or other general noise-making squirrely-ness. And the thing is, he's trying to be quiet! He just can't seem to keep the ants out of his proverbial pants.).
Angie and I, as often as we can, read a devotional together after the tornado leaves the house. This morning, we got into a discussion about what it means to be the "Head of the Household." Many guys just think that it means imposing your will on all who dwell inside your mini-kingdom. That all your minions must respond to your every beck and call. That high-falootin' idea may make you feel a little powerful, but it doesn't get you very far, especially when it's "business time" (Search on YouTube).
As with all leadership psitions, we guys have to follow the model of Christ and his leadership. He, of all people, had the right to dispel commands to all under his authority, but instead, he chose to serve. Always. As head of my house, then, I should be the greatest servant. It's ok to change diapers, help with homework, wash some dishes, clean up constantly after the tornado, and most importantly, serve my wife mostly by listening and giving her some adult convo at the beginning and end of each day. That's what she needs, so that's what I need to do.
I guess the early alarm isn't all bad after all. Maybe I should remember to welcome the sound of that annoying radio station as a call to rise and serve my family. It may help my perspective for the rest of the day.