Ed Young is a Lyrical Gangsta’

I had no idea Ed Young knew how to rap, but check out this video I ran across today by Ed Young, pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX. Say what you want about Ed Young, but you got to admit, this is pretty funny…!

Check it out, and let me know your thoughts. Funny? UnFunny?

The “Blizzard” of 2010

It’s not to often I’m able to make a video like this in Dallas, TX! (Not with out A LOT of powdered sugar!) I’m not sure how long it will be before anything like this comes to Dallas, so I thought it’d be fun to make a little video. I hope you enjoy!

God loves Uganda

I’m currently taking a World Missions course at Dallas Seminary, and one of our recent assignments was to create a “prayer guide” that focused on a country outside of North America. We were also asked to find a few other people to join with us in prayer for the country that we focused on. I decided to create a visual “prayer guide” to help myself, and others, get a better idea of what is going on in Uganda.

I also thought I could use the “power” of the internet to hopefully get more then “a few” others to pray for Uganda. My hope is that everyone that stumbles upon this “prayer guide” would view it, and then take a few minutes to pray for the prayer requests at the end of it.

Please let me know if you took a moment to pray for Uganda, as well as any other feedback that you wish to share in the comment section below!

Do you have a love for “the lost?”

I am reading “Let the Nations Be Glad!” by John Piper for a class, and came across this quote tonight, and thought I would share.

This quote really made think about how often I share the Gospel of grace that has so radically changed my life with people in my life. How often I think I need to wait for some “feeling.” (whatever that is)

It saddens me that I’m not so in love with God that I can’t do anything BUT tell everyone I meet of us grace, and love. Not just when I’m on a stage, or “working,” but always, everywhere – sharing, and talking about God’s love and mercy, and how He made a way for us to come into a personal relationship with Him through His Son – Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit opens us hearts to the Gospel.

What I need to do is love my God so much, that I, like Peter, can’t shut up about Him. That it oozes out of me.

At this point in my life, it doesn’t. And I hate that.

I can’t wait for that day when the Love that God has for people oozes out of me. I know deep down in my heart how deep, and wide this love is, I just want my actions to match up with what I know.

That’s the hard part.

This is what keeps me up at night

I wonder what these crayons were doing an hour before this picture was taken. Were they just resting inside of a dark, dusty, old box on a shelf at Target? Do you think those colorful crayons would ever guessed that very soon some external force, a powerful force outside of their self, was about to intrude in their life in a powerful way? In fact, so powerful that these simple crayons would never be what they once were again. Life as they knew it was over. Something powerful was about to transform these crayons; so much so they could NEVER be the same again!

When I examine the lives of so many in the Bible who have had a true encounter with the Triune God, I see them as one of these crayons. No they don’t write in cool colors, but their lives were impacted by such a powerful external force that they couldn’t ever be the same again. They were all together different.

I think of Peter. One day he says he doesn’t even know Jesus, then a few pages over he is willing to die for this same Jesus. What happened? One day Matthew is collecting taxes, and then then later that same day he is inviting everyone to his house to tell them about this guy named Jesus he met. Why? How about John, a fisherman from a well-to-do family, with a flight temper who leaves it all behind (including his temper) to follow Jesus. His life forever changed. FOREVER. CHANGED. Then you have Paul. Just making an afternoon trip to Damascus. Little did he know that trip would change his life forever. FOREVER.

Normal people. Living normal lives. Impacted by a supernatural God when they least expected it. Wow!!!

Their lives turned inside out because of a supernatural, external God! Their lives would never be the same.

Be reminded of that today. God is powerful. He changes you in such a way that once you encounter Him, you can NEVER be the old you again. It’s impossible. You are changed. (The Bible says you’re a new creation!)

This thought keeps me up at night. It still blows me away. The fact that this powerful, loving, awesome, Triune God, would decide to come into this old, dusty crayon box and change me forever. Why me? Why not lots of other people who need God? Why not a “nicer” person? A “richer” person? A more “gifted” person? Why Rick?

Why you?

I can’t explain it, but it blows me away – every second of the day. I can’t get my mind off of it. I can’t stop thinking about it. It consumes me.

Grace.

Grace.

Grace.

Grace.

Grace.

Mass: We Pray – “Bring your Family Closer to Heaven” …. by playing a video game?

When I first saw this commercial I thought it was a joke; but it’s not! “Mass: We Pray” is a REAL video game produced by a company called “Prayer Works Interactive.” (I cut and copied the press release below the commercial.) I’ve seen some bad Christian “stuff” before, but this is over the top. I can’t believe this is even real, even as I type this I still think it is a joke, but unless this is a very elaborate, and early, April Fool’s Joke – it’s real! Check out the commercial below, and let me know if you’ll be getting one! (Be sure to check out their website – it’s over the top as well!)

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“PRAYER WORKS INTERACTIVE LAUNCHES MASS: WE PRAY.
NOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY TO WORSHIP THE LORD.
Boston, Mass., November 17, 2009 – Prayer Works Interactive is pleased to announce the launch of Mass: We Pray, a revolutionary videogame that allows families to go to church every day from the comfort of their own home. After all, a family shouldn’t have to wait until Sunday to worship the Lord.

Mass: We Pray is the first of many worship-themed games in development for Prayer Works Interactive. Just like with any videogame, families can use a television as a monitor to play. Then, they can use the CROSS, a proprietary, wireless, cross-shaped controller to participate in 24 unique and exhilarating rituals. Make the Sign of the Cross, sprinkle Holy Water, take Collection and even give Holy Communion. Every motion and nuance of a blessing or ritual is detected in three dimensions and replicated on-screen.

As they play, gamers collect Grace points. Then they can trade them in to unlock the Holy Mysteries. It’s entertaining, educational and enlightening.

To get off the couch and into the action, add the KNEELER, a pressure-sensitive accessory that allows gamers to kneel or genuflect just as they would in Church.

To extend the experience even further, download the Seven Sacraments and Holy Rituals Expansion Pack featuring: Ash Wednesday, Confession, Holy Procession, Transubstantiation and much, much more.

According to the founders of Prayer Works Interactive, “Families shouldn’t be scared of videogames. Just like television and radio before that, it’s not the medium that’s dangerous; it’s how you use it. Mass: We Pray is proof that videogames can be used to spread the Good Word.”

Don’t miss this revolutionary launch, coming Easter 2010. Visit masswepray.com for more information.

With Mass: We Pray, you can bring your family closer. To Heaven.

About Prayer Works Interactive
Prayer Works Interactive is a new game-development company founded in Boston in 2007. We believe there is a lack of quality games based upon traditional family values. Our mission is to fill that void by creating engaging, top-quality games that entertain, inspire and bring families closer to the Lord. Our first game is Mass: We Pray, but look for many more in the months to come.

Right Now 09 – Day 3 – LIVE BLOG

Ok, we’re back at Right Now 09′, live blogging the event for you.
{You do not have to reload the page, simply leave your browser up, sit back, relax, and watch the updates! – Enjoy!}

Right Now – Day 2 – NIGHT SESSION – Live blog

This is the LIVE blog for Right Now – Day 2 – Night session
{There is no need to refresh your broswer, the updates will auto reload! Just leave the page up, sit back, relax, and enjoy the updates! I pray you will grow in your relationship with God through these updates! }

Right Now – Day 2 – Live chat

I’m here now, living blogging from the Right Now conference, in Dallas, Tx.  Stay right here for all the latest updates from Right Now – 09.
THIS PAGE WILL AUTO UPDATE AS I TAKE NEW NOTES – JUST STAY ON THE PAGE AND YOU WILL GET ALL THE UPDATES!

an [open] letter to my dad…

**disclaimer** – This is a letter that I wrote to express what I have been feeling. I do not believe that you can communicate with the dead, or anything of that nature. So please don’t read to much theology into this letter. Thanks!

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Tuesday, October 6th – 1:06 AM

Dear Dad,

The truth is I should have wrote this letter years ago. I’m not sure why I didn’t. I guess I thought I’d have more time. I told myself that I’d do it “someday” – but I don’t think I ever knew when that day would be. In few hours I’m going to get in my car and drive to your funeral. Wow, that’s weird. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve spoke, and allot’s changed in my life. You won’t believe what happened the last ten years. I grew up – allot. So many things have happened in my life, I’m not even sure where to start.

First, I graduated college – I can’t believe it either. Second, I got into graduate school – finishing that will be another story. Third, I’m married now, for almost two years now. I have the most amazing wife, she is beyond words. I wish you could have met her. She is one of the most loving people I have ever met. We live in Dallas now, she is a pediatrician (and a really good one) – and I am a minister. Yah, that’s right, a minister. Can you believe that? I work at a church, go to seminary (graduate school), and get to speak to students about who God created them to be. I can’t believe it either. I would have never thought God would want to use a guy like me, but He did – wild stuff. I’m beyond humbled that I get to do what I do, and that I have the life I have. Its beyond humbling to me. It’s hard to tell you everything that has happened in the last ten years, but those are some of the highlights.

Dad, I have to say when I heard you passed away this weekend I wasn’t really sure if I was going to go to your funeral. I mean when you and mom divorced it seems like you sort of forget about us. I never got a birthday card, a phone call, an email – nothing. Same goes for your other kids. (my brothers). I’m not sure you have any idea what it is like being the oldest of four brothers, and trying to find a way to explain why their dad just seemingly forget about them. How could you do that to your kids? You are the only father we had. Who do you think I called when I graduated college? Or had questions about life? Or when I was getting married? I had no one to call! I always hear my wife getting to talk to her dad about important life events (tests, interviews, etc) and I always wish I had someone who called me, and asked me how my test, or interview went. I wish you called me and asked how my seminary is going. (it’s hard by the way). I can’t understand how you could do that to us. Did you ever wonder where I was? Did you wonder if I had gotten married, or what I went on to do in life? Did you care? Perhaps you did, but you just didn’t know what to say. I can understand.

I have racked my brain the last few nights trying to think about our last conversation, but I have had no luck. I’m not sure what the last words I ever heard you say were, or when the last time you ever said “I love you, son” to me. Those are the things that are the hardest for me. I know I wasn’t the best kid either – in fact I was pretty bad. There are so many things I want to tell you I am sorry about. I’m also very sorry for never trying to contact you, to be honest I didn’t even know where you were. Dad, I wish I could go back years ago, as a teenager, before the divorce, and do something about the drinking. I’ve seen first hand the effects of alcohol on a marriage, on a family, and on a life. I know you were hooked. I’ve seen you cry before because of it. I’ve seen mom cry before because you couldn’t stop. I remember you trying to go to rehab as a little kid, and to AA, but that didn’t work for you. That alcohol was bad news for you. You used to say some pretty mean stuff when you drinking that stuff. That’s my last memories of you. That makes me sad. I wish there was something I could have done to show you what the stuff was going to do to you, and to your family years down the road. I know you never thought it was going to do all of this.

Dad, one of my biggest regrets is that I never shared with you what has changed my life. The Gospel message. I was trying to think back to a time when you went to church with us, but I can’t. That makes me sad. Why didn’t you ever come to church with us on Sunday’s? Why did you just make mom sit there at church with all four of us boys, while you stayed at home and drank? How do you think that made mom feel? I have no idea where you stand before God. I have no idea if anyone ever shared the Gospel with you. If you ever responded. Dad, I know life was hard for you, but despite it all – you were created by God. He loves you, and He really wanted to make something of your life. It didn’t matter that you were 57 years old, God still wanted to redeem your life. To give you freedom from the alcohol – He could have! Dad, I know I was mad at you, but I don’t want you to go to hell. I want you to have a relationship with God. I don’t think I can ever remember you smiling or laughing when you weren’t drunk – you had no joy. God could have given you a deep down joy. He really could have. Dad, I hope in the depths of my heart that you had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Dad, I forgive you for the years of hurt and pain. I just want to know you.

I don’t have all bad memories. I do have some good memories of you – in-between the times you were drunk. I remember the Christmas you bought us that basketball game, that was fun. And when you bought us the nintendo, and we played duck-hunt, and Mario – that was a big surprise. I also remember going to Big Bend as a kid, and to thousand trails – that was fun. Not to mention all the six-flags trips. I remember working with you at your hot dog stand, and making so-cones also – that was fun also. Every memory of you isn’t bad – in fact I try to only hold on to the good ones. That’s how I want to remember you.

Dad, thanks for providing for us as kids. For the school clothes, and the home, and the times you would bring home candy from the story. I miss you, and I love you. I am sorry things turned out the way the did. I forgive you, and humbly ask that you’ll forgive me. I know your life wasn’t easy, I really do. I know your heart harbored pain so deep that I will never know. I’m sorry that I added to some of that pain. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I never thought the next time I saw you, it would be at your funeral. You really never know, do you? Dad, I love you. I really do. And so does God, He wants to fill that pain in your heart with joy. Dad, I hope we’ll get to see each other again one day. I really do.

Now I’m going to sleep, and I’ll wake up in a few hours and drive to your funeral. What an eerie feeling. Goodbye dad. I wish we could have hugged one last time.
I love you.

Your Son,
Rick