Of Greatest Worth

I was running yesterday AM and started going through the to-do list. As I went through it, I began to get more and more anxious. I was even thinking about shortening my run to "get going." Up to that point, I had been having a pretty good start for the day. I was feeling pretty relaxed, was actually praying and then BAM! Anxiety. Hurry. Let's go!

It's then that I think that God reminded me of the pearl analogy that Christ used with his disciples. The Pearl of Greatest Worth.


Matt 13:44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

I thought about that verse before and I realize that I've mostly thought of the metaphor as a one time event. Finding Jesus, and then forsaking everything else for him once and for all. But as many may know, and I'm just realizing how EVERY DAY I need to sell whatever it is that I have that prevents me from buying the "pearl of greatest worth." Yesterday it was certainly time that I didn't want to sell. I wanted to control each moment to make sure I got everything done. My friend, Corey, mentioned in a message a few weeks back how our relationship with God needs to absolutely primary. It reminds me also of Prov. 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

So each day I need to ask myself, "what's not for sale today that needs to be?" You sellin' anything?

A Recurring Dream...

So, I've been having this dream. In it, I'm looking in the mirror combing my hair. Note: I haven't had any real hair to comb in about 7 years. So I start combing and I realize that if I only combed my hair a little different that I end up having a TON of it. Not just a little, but cool long hair.

So I watched the season opener of Desperate Housewives on Sunday night. There is a new character named Orson Hodge (Kyle McLachlan, actor). He becomes Bree's new guy and asks her to marry him. Well, as in all good soap operas, he turned out to be a wife killer. But he has good hair. I'm speaking from a bald guy's perspective.



So on Sunday night. The dream again. This time I have hair like this Orson Hodge character. What does this mean? A few things I know: a. not a wife killer, b. not a obsessive complusive, c. no hair on the lid. So, I can only speculate as to the meaning of this dream that torments me.

Is there such a thing as scalp envy?

The Way Things Should Be

The Superdome reopened last night as the Saints won. I'm not the biggest football fan, but when I watch what this game means to New Orleans and to our country, I'm moved. I realize that something is inherently "right" with the Superdome being rebuilt. There is something inherently "right" with people gathering and expressing joy amidst a region that is still devastated.



When I see U2 and Green Day get together to perform to benefit musicians in "the Big Easy", I think, "Yeah, it should be that way."

I'm reminded that in Revelation, Christ speaks to John and says "Behold, I'm making everything new." I realize that we as members of His body here on earth - the Church. We are responsible for this recreation. We are part of this Heaven to Earth movement that is called "The Kingdom."

It's kinda cool that we can see an example of the "the Kingdom" coming through "The Saints." God is cool...

Half Way There...

Back in early July I got fed up with never seeing any progress made in my running. I'd always start up with good intentions and then fizzle out a couple weeks later. This time, for some reason it stuck. I used to run around 8-10 miles per week. Now I've amped it up to 20 miles per week and I set a big goal. Starting on July 15th I decided to run 400 miles by Dec. 31st. I'm happy to report that I will pass the 200 mile marker tomorrow. In honor of the occasion I purchased some new official running shoes (since I went with style and have been running in trail shoes - NOT A GOOD IDEA!) I'm liking them so far . Asics GT-2110. Good stable shoe. Little stiff in the midsole, reasonably wide toe box. I'm looking forward to the next 200.

I ran in Key Bank's Salmon Chase this weekend. I ran the 10K (6.2 miles). Mostly just for fun. I DIDN'T FINISH LAST IN MY AGE GROUP!!! ...I finished second to last. Oh, well. I beat my goal time by 5 minutes. So I was happy.

Two New Videos to Check Out

Hey everyone!

Lisa and I have really been blessed to use our talents, build God's kingdom, and have so much fun while doing it!!! We have two new clips to share with you. The first was from a weekend service at Granger Community Church this summer where we helped our friend, Corey Mann tell the story of Joseph. We were once again, the Culps.


So much fun to do. Check it out here.

Next, for your viewing pleasure, we have a little treat from a service on Labor Day weekend. We were talking about dating and the movies. I think we took the audience by surprise by starting a drama that seemed normal enough and then switched into a little number from the musical "Grease" - Summer Nights.
The "Pink" Ladies:


And the "T-Birds"!


We really hated to see that weekend end. Check it out here.

Great thanks to Jill Ulrich, Amy Franklin, Courtney Helman, Jeanette & Kyle Sagarsee, Josh Canfield, Ted Bryant and Ryan Prugh. You all did great!!!
Enjoy!!!