Nino's News

I recently wrote a 6 page "state of the family" letter for mine and Ali's family. I talked about church and all that is going on here and my feelings about it, home life, family, etc. It was a healthy experience for me. (If your in the family and reading this, I mailed it yesterday). But here is an edited excerpt from it:

It’s funny to think of SBC as not a church of Christ, however, we still are in so many ways. We feast on communion each week. (Although we are learning more and more about how communion is a love feast at the “table” not the “alter”. It’s not a funeral but a celebration!) Baptism is more significant now; I used to believe it to be a work that got me into heaven. If I didn’t do it, I would go to Hell. I understand it more as obedience to what Jesus asks me to do to identify myself with him. I’m still studying and struggling with the gift of the Holy Spirit and when that is given (at baptism or at the acceptance of Jesus). I suppose that last statement could freak my family members. I’m not advocating that a “sinner’s prayer” needs to be spoken and then Jesus is in your heart. But I don’t think it to be too far off. It is a confession! And I’ve asked my children, and will continue to ask them, if they believe that Jesus is the Son of God (they all respond yes, praise the Lord!) and if they will be willing to let him be Lord of their life. I don’t think they comprehend that last part so much…sometimes we use the terminology of “forever friend” but that cheapens it to me a little bit. Nonetheless, they know Him, pray to Him and I believe love Him. Some have questioned that my kids don’t know enough Bible. No offense to my parents or home congregations, but I think they know more than I did at their ages, respectively. And they are continuing to learn. They certainly can find a scripture if you give them a little time. [reading it and comprehending it is another thing] I’ll confess they don’t have a hunger for His Word…well, maybe my . But that confession comes more out of my mouth that I haven’t hungered for it. So they have not seen that in their spiritual leader. I continue to pray for a revived heart and passion.

Anyway, just a peek into me.
Blessings

(Note...saw this written at woot.com...found it funny so grabbed most all of it and adapted a little bit. Enjoy!)

The National Institute of Fictional Statistics estimates that, at current rates of growth, computer networking cables will make up 41% of the Earth's total mass by 2017. Large tangles of cable in major metropolitan centers are already visible from outer space, and their combined weight has been cited as a contributing factor in soil erosion and seismic activity. Ultimately, they predict, all human society will be oriented toward the manufacture and service of these cables, to the detriment of traditional industries such as agriculture, textiles, and LiveStrong bracelet production.

But there is something you can do. There is something we all can do. We need to go wireless in all aspects of life! Start looking around the house, if it has a wire...replace it. Cetainly the computer areas of your home can become wireless networks as well as phones. But think outside the box, washer and dryer, iron, tv, lamps. Join neighborhood programs to network these appliances. Folks, if we don't do something now, think of what this world will become.

The clock is ticking, but it's not too late to avert the network-cable catastrophe that some call "Wiremageddon." Network simply so that others may simply network, or our descendents will survey their wire-strangled world and curse our blind attitudes.

I just won on ebay!!! Our computer at home is only 3 years old, however, Gateway no longer has the specific memory one needs to add to it. So looked around some shops and saw that I could pay $100 for 256mb. Went to ebay and bid and got 512mb for $110. I like that and now our home computer, after adding the service pack 2 from microsoft, won't be noticably slow!

I'm still reading "Blue Like Jazz" and I am enjoying it! But I just don't take the time to read on any routine basis. Hopefully I'll finish at some point in the near future. I really like his honesty and simplicity when it comes to Christianity and a relationship with Jesus. I'm also going to "skim" through Joel Osteen's new book, "Your Best Life Now."

Ali and I watched, I guess, both grand openings of Lakewood Church (Saturday evening and Sunday morning services) over the weekend. I actually fell asleep watching them. It was larger than life! First, I couldn't comprehend the old Summit/Compaq being used week in/out as a gathering place for a church. It was massive! Everytime they would pan the crowd, it was like something you would expect at a conference. Anyway, what I'm most curious about is Osteen himself. I found and read a few blogs the other day all from the beginning of the year (this one first, then this one, then this one) and basically they slammed the guy as an apostate/heretic/wolf in sheeps clothing. I don't know, but found it curious as I read/skimmed over them.

I'll look through the book and see for myself. I know when I first saw him on TV in Houston, I enjoyed him...and I know several others who have noted that their life changed because of what he says.

Two in one week, wow! A couple of things: I listend to two CD's this week. One is a music CD I get with my Worship Leader subscription, more on that in a moment. The other CD I listened to was from Willowcreek's "Defining Moments" (a product of a roundtable discussion that they send out monthly?!?) Anyway, the topic for this one was "Pastors and ."

They had Bill Hybles and Nancy Beach were joined by two guys who started church.com. The plea was for pastors to not skirt the issue of addressing this topic, but to say that it is so rampant that it must be addressed. I don't disagree at all! To many men (and women) see this as something that must stay hidden, but God's truth would plead for it to be brought out into the light. The website has the odd subtitle of "#1 Christian site." It is totally a tool to help beat this addiction. What struck me most was something that Hybles said

When it comes to guys who struggle with this addiction "their prayer lives are not often consisting of asking God to end the war, or to feed the hungry, or to hel the situations of great oppression and suffering around the world. Two-thirds of their prayer time is 'O God, would you forgive me for yet another night of spending 4 hours in front of a computer screen.' It becomes shame management.

Isn't that incredible, and yet I totally understand and have been there. What a demon! If you are struggling, it's not enough to tell you to hang in there. You need to expose it! Feel free to call or email me if you need to. And if you tell your wife and she needs to talk to someone, my wife knows all of this about me and is a great source of help. (Hope I didn't freak anyone out!)

As mentioned, I got the new Worship Leader magazine which comes with a CD with fairly new music on it. I ove getting it and listening for stuff to bring to our Body at Southlake and to honor God. Bebo Norman's "Nothing Without You" was the first song and I couldn't get past it (although I've put it in now and let it go...good stuff!) I listened like 10 times, pulling out my guitar and playing along. What an incredible song!

Nothing Without You Written By: Jeffrey Stephen Norman & Mitch Dane
Sung by Bebo Norman on album "Try
© 2004 New Spring Publishing, Inc. / Appstreet Music / Rotten Banana Music

INTRO:  D2(no3)  [4 measures]

VERSE 1:
         D(no3)              Asus
Take these hands and lift them up
         Bm                                    G2(no3)                   
For I have not the strength to praise you near e-nough
          D(no3)
See, I have nothing
     Asus            D(no3)
I have nothing without  You

VERSE 2:
         D(no3)            Asus
So take my voice and pour it out
     Bm                             G2(no3)
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
         D(no3)
For I have nothing
     Asus           D(no3)
I have nothing without You

CHORUS:
         G    D  
And all my soul needs
          G               Bm
Is all Your   love to cover me
     A   G          D
So all the world will see
          A
That I have nothing  [2x to BRIDGE]
      D
Without You

VERSE 3:
     D(no3)             Asus
Take my body and build it up
        Bm                       G2(no3)             
May it be broken as an offering of love
         D(no3)
For I have nothing
     Asus            D(no3)
I have nothing without You   [back to CHORUS]

BRIDGE:
          Bm7     Asus      G2(no3)
That I love     You  (yeah)
          Bm     A    G2
With all my     heart
          Bm     A    G2
With all my     soul
          Bm     A    Em9
With all my     mind
          A                   A  (let ring)
And all the strength that I can find

VERSE 4:
      D(no3)            Asus
Take my time here on this earth
         Bm                       G2(no3)
And let it glorify all that You are worth
       D2(no3)
For I am nothing
   Asus            D(no3)
I am nothing without You

Be blessed!

On Sunday night, our small group discussed Jesus as a a servant with the story line being the washing of his disciples feet (another side story was the good samaritan). Anyway, we had a great discussion about how we should be "servers" as well. We talked about adopting a local family as a small group and blessing them throughout the year...going to nursing homes and blessing those who may be forgotten...on an international spectrum, each family join an organization like Compassion International and adopting a child for $30 a month.

I like all those and we are trying to make them a priority in our small group. What intrigued me the most, and what I've actually been thinking about but didn't know how to go about it, was organizing a "service bank." In essence, someone has a need, "deposits" that need into the bank, then someone else with that ability, gift, talent, resource would "withdraw" that need and take care of it. Maybe the bank analogy is way off, but imagine some needs:

• you're going out of town and need...your lawn mowed, mail picked up, pets cared for.
• a ride to a doctor's appointment.
• childcare.
• help with a utility or medical bill.
• down to one car due to a wreck and need to borrow one for a short time.
  
• clothes for your kids and "gently used" hand-me-downs will do.
• someone who can't see well would love someone to come by and read to them.

I know the list could go on...what would you add? I'm not sure I'm the guy to organize this, it certainly seems as though it could become a huge undertaking, but I really believe this is what the body of Christ should be doing! We all need something at some time or another and we all have something to give!

OK! It has been awhile...not that I care all that much, but wow...the guilt and peer pressure weigh in! A potential new friend slammed me on the lack of my blogging, which caused several others to chime in as well only to become a recurring joke of the night. So out of that guilt, I write.

Actually, I have something I can write about. Last week I got to join a great friend, Eric Fridge, and kids from his youth group on a trek in Colorado. I climbed my first "14-er" and camped where there were no public restrooms (check that, no public toilets!) We white water rafted on Monday then hiked on Tuesday through Thursday. I climbed Mount Missouri and while thrilling, very grueling! The feeling of accomplishment was amazing and the view of God's majesty was spectacular! The unofficial theme song for me all week as "Surround Us, Lord" and to see mountain range after mountain range was a great message from God to me. I have kept trying to force God into just being in my prayer time (or lack there of) or into my Bible reading (or lack there of) or in my worship of Him and God reminded me that while He is in those places, He is everywhere else as well. As the mountains surrounded me that day on the summit, so the Lord surrounds me! I know that seems elementary, but it was so profound on that day! Truly a refreshing and what a great group of guys I was with...amazing maturity and love for the Lord as well as the want for authentic relationships! Keep pressing on you mighty men!

On Tuesday night, our band rehearsal night getting ready for Sunday, I came empty handed. I had nothing planned...we talked and prayed (prayed for Kyle C.'s dad who had surgery today and it all went well!) and then we just worshiped. It was a great night letting God plan what's in store for this Sunday!

I enjoyed getting to spend time with Eric and then got to be with Val Durrington as well as Brad & Jennifer Crisp (she's Ali's sister and what great friends they are...they're the type I'd want to be around even if I wasn't related to them...it's just great that I am!) Hooked up with Ali's folks and cousins and aunt and uncle as well! And then finally caught up with my buddy Ron Clyde! It has been a good week!

Blessings to you all!