ZOO Atlanta

Dede (my mom) was in town this week, so we went to the zoo. Maddie's love for ducks could have kept us in front of the pink flamingos all day (yes, their beaks qualified them for "duck" status). Fortunately, we were able to move on. Here are some pictures from the day.

Passion City Church

Emily and I visited Passion City Church last night. Two of the top names in Christian music taking the stage to lead worship can only be described as "surreal." But like Louie said, it's not about them. It's about God.

Louie shared the three anchors of the church: The Glory of God. The Grace of God. Extravagant Worship. But don't be fooled by "Extravagant Worship." It's not just music. It's justice. Compassion. Mercy.

According to Louie, the church gave away 100% of its offering from the first gathering. Last night's focus was on women and children who are trapped in sex slavery and prostitution. Did you know Atlanta is among the top three cities in the U.S. for child prostitution? Wellspring Living is one of two organizations in Atlanta that exists to create restorative environments for victims of forced prostitution. A portion of last night's offering was to allow a 17-year-old join the program. Sari Bari -- a project in India providing rescue and restoration to women and children through micro-enterprise -- was featured as well (One Million Can).

These guys know what it means "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

Spicy Beef Wraps & Jesus Christ

After reading Romans 10:9 this morning, I thought I would share part of my story.

I grew up Catholic. Our church attendance tapered off as I got older. I was introduced to Fellowship of Christian Athletes -- a campus ministry at University of Kentucky -- my sophomore year. A fellow by the name of Travis Freeman was involved in leadership. The unique thing about Travis -- he's blind. He lost his vision when he was 12. According to his website, his condition -- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis -- has a 70% death rate and those that survive typically have little or no ability to function as a normal human being. He was only the second case in the world where the infection had only affected the eyes.

Travis was in several of my classes, so I offered to serve as an "escort." While eating lunch -- spicy beef wraps -- one day, he said something along the lines of, "Mike, I don't know that much about you." I thought to myself, "What does he want to know? How many brothers and sisters I have? What are my hobbies?" Then Travis asked me a question that changed my life forever. "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven?"

That wasn't exactly the question I was expecting. I was nervous. I had never REALLY thought about it. I assumed I was going to heaven because I had been baptized in the Catholic Church. Unsure as to what to say, I responded, "Well, to be honest with you, I don't know. I try to be a good person. Isn't that enough?" Right then and there, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I felt like the heaviest weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My life has never been the same.

"That if you confess with you mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8).

Mama's Little Helper

Maddie immediately went to the closet to get her vacuum once she heard that oh-so-familiar sound. I didn't get it recorded, but once Emily made her way to the island, Maddie put her hand up, yelled "No!" and stood in front of her vacuum. I think she was offended Emily was vacuuming an area that had already been vacuumed -- by Maddie.

Don't Forget Africa

I cam across an interesting article this week. While the financial crisis has caused the net worth of American households to fall by the largest amount in over 50 years of record keeping, it pales in comparison to the impact it could have on Africa. "Millions of people will be thrown back into poverty. Fragile political systems will be tested. We must ensure that the voices of the poor are heard. We must ensure that Africa is not left out."

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"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

Hollywood-bound

Maddie got some new shades the other day and lets just say the star in her is shining brightly. While on walks, she waves and blows kisses to each passer-by -- even if they're in a car. She stops for dogs and points to her shades. She has a hard time understanding they can't communicate with her, so we tell her they're impressed and walk on. Rolling a red carpet to the lake might egg her on; maybe we'll start carrying a pen with us in case someone -- or something -- wants an autograph!

What are the consequences?

I don't know about you, but I tend to "forget" about some of the Ten Commandments. Murdering, for example, is NOT one of them -- it's a law -- you WILL spend time in prison -- you CAN be put to death. But keeping the Sabbath day holy? What are the consequences if I don't? According to the Old Testament, you WOULD be put to death (Exodus 35:1-2).

After reading that, it dawned on me that -- if keeping the Sabbath day holy IS one of the Ten Commandments (#4 to be exact) and failing to do so resulted in death -- how I spend my time on Sunday (MY seventh day) is probably more important to God than I think.

What does keeping the Sabbath day holy look like? I don't know, but here are some helpful resources -- Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy and Keep the Sabbath Day Holy.