Confessions of a Facebook Hold-out

I know I am not among the 250 million of you who use facebook. Believe me - I feel the pressure everyday. Why not facebook? More on that in a minute. I actually did sign up for an account some months ago. I was on for about 10 minutes and then cancelled the account. Let me first say - that if you are on facebook; I am not mad at you nor I do I think you are wrong for having it. We all have our own personal convictions and we should live by those.

I have seen other people's facebook pages and they seem really cool! Whoever came up with the idea has to be a genius and I am sure is now well compensated for that too. Like most things, there are positive and negative aspects to consider. For me, I had too many people telling me, "Can you believe what they wrote on their facebook page?". I have very little tolerance for gossip, hear-say, and plain out talking about people especially in a public forum that has the potential to be hurtful to others. I realize that some of this I heard was from teenagers, but it sealed the deal when adults act like children in the things they write. I do not have the time nor energy to follow the unending drama! Also, to be honest, there are some relationships in high school, college and other places I have lived that I don't want to re-visit. Nothing personal - just where I am! Maybe being a pastor has something to do with that?!

We all have our own little hang-ups! Some people watch to much television...some eat to much....some of us talk on the phone to much :)....and some of us spend way to much time on facebook! That would be me if I was on it! So I choose to not join the 250 million of you who are on.....

The Bible says in James that we are to watch what we say..(3:6 - the tongue is unruly evil, full of deadly poison)...may we apply that to our fingers on a keyboard as well. By the way, don't be deceived by how many friends you have on facebook. One of my buddies has over 1,000 now! A true friend cares and loves you unconditionally through the good and bad times no matter what. In this high tech world- may we not miss out on true relationships by hiding behind a keyboard and if you choose to use these technologies, be a blessing to others representing Christ in all that we say and do!

Amen?

Waiting on the Mail

I love the latest technologies....I really do! I remember when AOL first came out, and those famous words popped out of the computer - "You've Got Mail!". That was so cool - 90's cool if you know what I mean! Today - our inboxes are loaded up with spam, forward's, etc...almost to the point where it is not fun to check e-mail anymore.

Now, the U.S. Postal service has been around along time. These days most younger folks refer to it is as "snail-mail". Of course, like most things stamps continue to go up in cost, but the post office lines still seem to be longer than ever even in this modern world we live in.

Even greater than e-mail, there is this mystique about what comes in my mailbox on the street each day. I actually look forward to seeing that old ragged white four-door Buick century come down my street and I wonder what might come today. Most of the time it is bills or credit card solicitations, but once in a while it is a nice card, surprise check or a cool magazine or a card from my grandmother. The crazy thing is that I can be away from home for a night and when I call home, one of the questions out of mouth will always be, "Did we get any good mail?"

Here is to all the mail guys and ladies out there....thanks for bringing a little mystique to my day even in this communication frenzied world!

The Cost of Convenience

On our recent trip to Grand Cayman, I quickly became aware of the higher prices of things. Our hotel room had a fridge with some snack items in there that looked pretty good. I was thirsty so I pulled out a diet coke to drink and then noticed the price sheet laying on the counter. The cost for that one can (12 oz.) was $4.00!! So I had a decision to make - drink that can and pay $4.00 or I could walk a mile (I did not rent the car yet) to the local grocery store and buy a 12-pack of diet cokes for $8.00. Convenience does cost a lot! I decided that it was worth the effort to walk a mile and save a little money and have a few diet cokes the rest of the week instead of that one moment.

As I made that mile walk, I realized that many of us treat Christianity the same way. Like the popular "Staples" commercials, we hit the "easy" button. Who doesn't like easy? We all do, but it when comes to being a Christian, the Bible gives no reference to it being easy. If you need proof, start in Acts 4 and keep reading.

The mentality of "Convenient Christianity" is alive in most churches today. This thought process misleads people into believing that we worship and serve God on our terms and when it is convenient to us. Jesus clearly said in Luke 9:57-62 that it costs something to follow Him. It certainly cost Jesus something as He hung on that cross for humanity. May we quit taking shortcuts in our relationship with God and really live our lives as a daily sacrifice to Him. Instead of just saving money may we begin to be a small part of partnering with God in saving souls.

3 hours from paradise!

Sorry for the delay in posts last week. Kim and I were in Grand Cayman celebrating our wedding anniversary and it was very expensive to get on the internet, so I let it go. I have to say that I am blessed with the best wife in the world and it was truly a honor to take her away for a week. We have been blessed to travel quite a bit over the last 15 years, but we really found our own slice of paradise in the Cayman Islands. Who needs a 10 hour flight to Hawaii when you can have your toes in the water at Seven Mile Beach in three hours from Charlotte?

There were many highlights to the trip including driving on the left side of the road, seeing some blowholes, jet skiing off 7 Mile Beach, swimming with and feeding stingrays, but most of all spending 24/7 just with Kim. No need to get gushy.......but I encourage all of you who are married to just get away together. You don't even have to get on a plane, but quality time is needed and keeps you going.

I will try to post a few more pics on this site if you are interested. We hope to see Grand Cayman again soon, but I have this feeling that I might have 3 kids that will want to be with us next time. We shall see.......

Carlos!!!!

This past Friday night, I had the opportunity to take the family to the Charlotte Knights AAA baseball game. We met some of the kids from our church for a "boys nite" out. I had looked at the roster for the Knights before we left and noticed Carlos Quentin was re-habbing with them right now. Carlos is an all-star outfielder for the Chicago White Sox which are the parent club for the Knights. He is one of the white sox best young talents (his salary this year is $550,000.00) and will probably be back playing with them by next week.

With the recent baseball cards packs the boys and I have opened lately, it was not a problem to find one of his cards. So I had the idea that we would go down near the dugout before the game to try and get his autograph. So with gloves, cards, and a sharpie in hand we found the perfect spot. After about 5 minutes, we spotted #20 Carlos Quentin. He walked right by us (20 feet) and didn't even look as we yelled his name (of course, very politely). He went on the field and stretched and took a few swings and came back by us toward the dugout. Of course, we called his name again; he did not even turn his head as he entered the dugout. We were a little disappointed that we missed on getting a major league all-stars auto, but I am very thankful to #17 and #39 who made my boys night by signing their ticket.

We left a little early to get the kiddos in bed, but not before we hit the concessions stand. 6 hot dogs, 2 drinks, 6 ice cream cones, one thing of nachos, and two autographs later, we loaded up. We came, we saw, we conquered! By the way, the knights beat the braves 7-6. Take care Carlos and I hope the yankees take it to you and the white sox the rest of the year!

$5 lunch deal at The Smokehouse

Today, I had the opportunity to eat at the famous, "Smokehouse" restaurant in Jefferson, S.C. for lunch. Get this - $5.00 for an all you can eat buffet including tax and drink. Yes- $5.00! Let's just say this - I gorged myself with fried shrimp, pork tenderloin, fried chicken, barbecue, fries, and hush puppies - not to mention some soft-serve ice cream to top it off. I wasn't the only one in town who had heard about this deal. It was packed, even at 1:00 p.m.

It seems in this tough economy, there are a lot of "deals" to be found. Last night, the Brewster's Ice Cream shop near my house was offering free ice cream for two hours. I heard the line was unbelievable. How did I hear about these amazing deals going around? Well- to be honest someone heard about it and they shared it with me. Interesting concept, huh? As they shared about the Smokehouse deal and the Brewster's deal, they were pretty excited and convincing that I needed to try it. Of course, I have hit Smokehouse three times since.

I thought to myself , "How come we don't tell others about the real deal - Jesus Christ?" We tend to be more excited to tell others about how they can save money then sharing with them about true salvation. This idea really challenges me personally! Matthew 28:19-20 really lays it out for us clearly - Go and Tell! May we go and tell people about Jesus with the same zeal and enthusiasm as we would about free ice cream or the $5 lunch deal. Will that result in our churches being packed out? Not sure about that, but it will result in us being obedient to what God has called us to do! See you soon at the Smokehouse!

"Predictions"

I love this time of the summer! It is the time when the annual college football magazines are published and "experts" make their picks. College football is awesome even if your team is terrible. The fall weather, tail-gating, band playing, and the opportunity to win a big game is rivaled by no other sport. Can you smell the stadium food too? Of course, I am a big UNC tarheel fan and I know we have struggled for the most part, especially when compared to our #1 basketball tradition, but it is fun nonetheless.

There are big expectations on the "Hill" this year. Most magazines have us predicted to be in the top 25 and to compete for the coastal division title. Away games at Va. Tech and Ga. Tech will be major challenges, but are winnable. I have a few tickets this year and am looking forward to the drive up to "Blue Heaven" otherwise known as Chapel Hill on those fall Saturdays.

I hope we have a great season, but all the predictions in the world don't matter when the whistle blows and the ball is kicked. It is up to the players on the field. That is so true of our lives. There are people in our lives that may discourage us and say we are not going to amount to much,,etc.....but the reality is that we make the choices that determine our successes or failures. There are very few teams that go undefeated throughout a whole season today! All great teams face a time when something doesn't go their way and may or may not possibly let one slip away. What makes the difference between a mediocre team and a championship caliber team is how they respond to adversity. Coaches often have a saying - "leave it all out on the field". May we do the same with our lives and give God our very best no matter what others may say.

Go Tarheels!!!

"The Quiet Time"

In religious circles, the term "quiet time" has spiritual understanding of time alone spent with God with little distractions. Ironically, for most who carve out this time with God, it's not really quiet. We either tend to talk the whole time to God or have a little music playing in the background or the TV barely up enough to catch a few words.

In a household that includes my wife and three children under the age of 10, there is not much that is considered quiet time. Yes- even after the kids are in bed, we tend to have a couple of televisions on or music playing in the background. We even have a couple of fans that run all night on low for some background noise to sleep. Fast forward to this week - my whole family is at summer camp in Virginia. Wow- very different around the Qualls' house. Just Chewy and me and he doesn't even bark!!!

Sometimes "quiet times" make us uncomfortable. A few weeks ago as I was speaking at South Pointe Fellowship (where I am pastor); I stopped speaking on purpose for 10 seconds. It seemed like an eternity and you could tell some were uncomfortable with it. In our fast-paced society, I think we have allowed this "noisy" world to desensitize us to the point where we expect to be stimulated 24/7. The result of this is that many of us are uncomfortable with times of silence and miss out on time spent with God alone allowing Him to speak with us.

I can't wait for my family to return this week and all the noise that accompanies them. However, I do think my "quiet week" has taught this 38 year old pastor a few things about cutting out the distractions in my life and having a true "quiet time" with Him. May we all come to a place of not just hearing God, but really tuning in and listening to His still, small voice."