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I wrore this in March of 2005, so it's only been about a year.

Having sat through only one conference of Maxwell's (a short luncheon at that), and having read only his Leadership 101, I was unsure of what to expect from his newest release, Winning with People.
Much like Fakers, Posers & Wannabes (Brennan Manning), I was equal parts dumbfounded and deeply impacted. I don't know exactly yet just how wise a person I consider myself, but through the experience of sitting at the feet of someone gifted enough to succinctly state so many practical principles on relationships I came away feeling like a first-year ministry leader. I guess, like many books of this type, some things were an affirmation to aspects of my life, but many of the pieces of wisdom Maxwell shares from a life of a learning leader hit home for me as areas that required massive amounts of further growth.
I was also deeply grateful for having read this book as early in life as I have, but at the same time, I wished I had read it earlier, such as before having entered into vocational ministry. It would most definitely have saved me some headaches and a few heartaches along the way.
Especially impacting for me was the paraphrase of Charlie "Tremendous" Jones… the difference between who you are today and who you will be in 5 years will be the people you spend time with and the books you read. I think back to where I was 5 years ago. I was still in college, but the people I was surrounding myself with were the cream of the crop in the University of Houston's Baptist Student Ministry. I was uplifted and encouraged by them on a daily basis. We had the late night prayer times and discussions of faith and life that can only be had by sleep-deprived college students at 2:00 AM. The books I read on a regular basis were textbooks and other mind-stretching books recommended by my pastor at the time and those I associated with at the UH BSM. And I see now, that it was all shaping me for where I am now.
The biggest challenge for me out of this book came as Maxwell utilized this quote to flesh out his assertion that friends are one of the five things that determines who we are (the other four being; genetics, self-image, experiences in life, attitude & choices about those experiences) . In large part, that quote was instrumental in challenging me to begin this entire new reading program. If I waste the time I have at my disposal now for self-improvement and growth, I will never forgive myself later. It has also been a challenge for me to expand my relational horizons. I really have no excuse to not be interacting with people outside of the church office on a daily basis. With my unique freedom at both home (being young and single) and office (flexible schedule), I should be immersing myself in the lives of many more people than I do (church members or not, I need to be more relational and less reclusive).
In my interaction, I also have the need to incorporate the Elevator Principle. I really do desire to be a Lifter, as Maxwell calls it. His practical helps towards taking this principle into action are ones I have already begun to try and initiate into my own life. Maxwell states that Lifters do the following:

+ Commit Themselves to Daily Encouragement
+ Know the Little Difference that Separates Helping and Hurting
+ Initiate the Positive in a Negative Environment
+ Understand Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal

I often feel that I can slip into becoming someone who drags others down. If I was truly a courageous person, I would ask some of those around me whether they feel uplifted or dragged down when they see me coming. I guess I just fear the answers they would give me. Above all, I do desire improvement in this area. If I can’t get down and dirty and repair the parts of myself that are broken or lacking, then I guess I don’t have much business meeting needs of others.
I was particularly inspired by the story of Professor Crane and his Compliment Club. In my quest to eradicate "Hatespeech" from the Student Ministry, I have utilized Lovespeech, but the task is far from complete . Utilizing Crane’s experiment of complimenting 3 people per day in the context of a ministry (ie: complimenting or encouraging a different 3 members of the student ministry on a daily basis) could prove highly beneficial. It brought to mind an old practice which I have fallen away from… the practice of writing little notes of encouragement and mailing them out to varied students during the course of a week. It also highlighted for me the importance of getting out there, getting into homes, schools and workplaces to interact with people in a positive manner that will encourage and uplift them.
As Maxwell moves into talking about the Trust Question, I begin to get squeamish. You see, I have something of a trust issue. In the past, both distant and recent, I have had those very close to me violate my trust and hurt me. Now, that wouldn’t be a huge problem, but when you combine that with insecurity and one of the most active imaginations since George Lucas (of Star Wars fame)… well, you can see that sometimes I can have a hard time really trusting folks. I mean, I can care about people and be compassionate towards them… but really, really trusting others is something I feel I need to work on. Conversely, I also feel that being worthy of others’ trust is a big struggle for me. This is something I genuinely desire to change and improve about myself… that I would be able to trust others enough to speak plainly and honestly with them about myself, my thoughts and motivations. I guess that would be genuine transparency?
However, as Maxwell goes on to write about The Approachability Principle, I am deeply challenged. I don’t know that I am the type of approachable person I need to be in order to effectively minister to students. By saying that, I mean, Maxwell gives the sub-heading for this chapter as being “Being at ease with ourselves helps others be at ease with us.” How at ease am I with myself? Before, I stated that I am an insecure person. Not as insecure as I used to be, assuredly, but vestiges of the old self do still remain. I am surely impacted by the seven characteristics that put people at ease:
1. Personal warmth (genuinely liking people)
2. Appreciation for the Differences in People
3. Consistency of Mood (Do people walk in asking "How is he today?")
4. Sensitivity towards People’s Feelings
5. Understanding of Human Weakness and Exposure of Their Own
6. Ability to Forgive Easily and Quickly Ask for Forgiveness
7. Authenticity (I am the way I am; I look the way I look; I am my age)

These are always the hardest kinds of thing to address personally because I always tend to have a hard time seeing which negative qualities I possess and which ones I don’t. I believe I have a personal warmth… sometimes. When I am literally not at ease with myself in a given situation or setting, I become so embroiled in my own insecurity that I do not exude the warmth that I believe I genuinely feel towards others. Additionally, I also believe that I have an appreciation for the differences in people. I think that difference is good, however, I do tend to have some personality disagreements with people who share different sensibilities and tendencies, however, like most, I probably have more friction with those who share my own worst faults than those who are radically different, though sometimes that isn’t the case.
However, as I move to the 3rd characteristic, I am deeply convicted. I don’t know how consistent my moods are on any given Sunday or Wednesday. And I know that my mood sets the trend for the night, but there are those times when it is so difficult to smile or have fun with them… not because I don’t love them or care about them, but because things just go wrong. Plain and simple. And I have found that sometimes the smallest things can deflate me and sour my mood before we’ve even gotten started for the event. I don’t want it to be that way, but sometimes, the stress of fighting with a projector or screen resolution or a recalcitrant, reclusive student just gets to me. As an aside, none of this is being stated as any type of excuse, but simply as a statement of fact to inform as to why sometimes there is not consistency of mood. It has been encouraging, though, to note that even for those whom everything seems to “go right,” there are still going to be off nights and off events.
As for the 4th characteristic, I am generally sensitive towards others’ feelings. I can be abrasive sometimes, but nothing that I feel is too much for that particular student to handle. The 5th and 6th characteristics, respectively, are both things that I feel I am moderately blessed at. I usually try and place myself in the other person’s shoes and see things as they are seeing them. I sometimes fail, but I am aware of this now, so it makes it easier to watch out for not doing this. As far as forgiveness goes, I am generally pretty forgiving… there’s been at least one instance of me having a difficult time forgiving somebody in recent times, but the harder thing for me has been to quickly ask forgiveness. I have been trying to be more intentional and lay down my pride in order to quickly seek forgiveness if I have done something to hurt or offend someone, but there are those times when it is just plain difficult to do so. God forgive me for the times I don’t swiftly seek forgiveness.
The 7th characteristic is something I give great lip service to, but I am, quite honestly, horrible at backing up with my lifestyle. Authenticity – I am the way I am; I look the way I look; I am my age – is something I consistently wish I could become stronger at. That quality of being at ease with who I am so that others are at ease with me. I feel I am learning and growing in this area, but I wish I were even more solid in this way. The story Maxwell gives is that Barbara Walters looks in her mirror every morning and says those words… “I am the way I am; I look the way I look; I am my age.” I have been praying through the ability to accept that I am who God made me and I look the way I look (and God loves me anyway) and that I am my age (and not younger or older). I have found that this does bring a level of security and ease to the insecure part of me… the people pleasing part.
Reading this book has been an eye opening experience for me, to say the least. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I feel I have gleaned an enormous amount from this first, almost cursory reading of it. It has literally felt like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant. There are some solid, life-changing principles that I feel God has used to continue and begin anew in developing my people and relational skills.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 06:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check here and see some of the featured articles that will be published over the next couple of weeks...

I will be publishing a ton of all-new articles in the coming months. I just want to give a quick preview on what they'll be, because I really want you to check back in and start commenting on them as they're published.

Rating the Resources: I will be giving ratings to both types of curriculum and I'll even be doing some in-depth reviews of the different Bible study materials that are available out there. I'll be starting off giving capsule reviews of the various 5-6 session curriculums that are popular for Disciple Now and weekend retreats. Instead of you student ministers having to buy copies... just swing by MadMinister.com and check the ratings!

Articles: Look for all-new in-depth articles on the ongoing 'culture war,' dangers to avoid for the emerging church, and an in-depth look at the importance of para-church ministries such as Mission Houston and UBA. I am also considering a series of articles outlining the importance of regional cooperative efforts between student ministries.

Books: I have some responsive articles that I wrote based on my reading list from 2005 and I'll be sharing those essays, some of which are deeply personal, over the course of the next few weeks. In fact, I think I'll go ahead and post one later today...

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 03:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Donald was a great guy and a solid youth worker. In both incarnations of MadMinister.com, I've had a page dedicated to Donald's memory. Take a look.

Donald Scherer

Fellow UH Alum, Fellow Youth Worker, Fellow Mad Minister

In early February of 2003, a godly young man went home to be with the Lord. I was pleased to know Donald Scherer and to have been able to experience his passion, his zeal and his overwhelming love for Jesus Christ, the Personal Lord and Savior we shared. In addition to sharing several classes (Dr. Donnelly's web design class & several others), we were in the same graduation ceremony at University of Houston this past December (2002) and the last memory I will carry of Donald is the two of us, among others, laughing and celebrating the beginning of a new phase of life.

Before that, I remember hanging out with Donald at the "Church on the Cutting Edge" Conference being held at Houston's Second Baptist Church. We were both in the Youth Ministry Track and got a chance to dream big about the future.

I have to tell you that Donald was a solid, godly guy and a good friend. But more than that, he would want me to tell you that the most important decision you could ever make would be to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So, if there's never been a time like that, or if you have your doubts, feel free to get in touch with me. I would love to tell you more about the Jesus that inspired and encouraged folks through Donald's life.

Below is Donald's Obituary as it appeared in the Houston Chronicle:

DONALD RAY SCHERER, 23, born November 23, 1979 in Houston, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 9, 2003. Donald was a 1998 graduate of John Foster Dulles High School in Sugar Land, where he lettered in football, broadcasting and academics. He was also involved with the thespians and Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he served as Vice President for his Senior year and played soccer for 2 years. While in junior high and high school, Donald was an active member of the Westbury UMC youth program, the Agape youth choir, CCYM, DCYM. He received the John W. Armstrong award his senior year. Donald was also active in Boy Scout Troop 1303, earning 41 merit badges and the Eagle rank in 1994 while a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow-Colonneh Lodge 137. Donald received his BA degree from the University of Houston on December 19, 2002. As a student at U of H, Donald had an impact upon all those he met. He was an active participant in several campus ministry programs including the Baptist Student Ministries, The Methodist Wesley Foundation, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and was the Vice President of U of H Inter-fraternity Council. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (UH) chartering in November 2000 and served as the Pi Kappa Phi historian and Chaplain. He had worked the past 5 months as the Youth Director at Asbury Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Donald only had a short time on this earth, but was one of God's bright, shining stars. Donald claimed a simple mission, "To faithfully serve Christ and show his love with everyone he encountered through relationships, discipleship, his personal actions and evangelism." It is his strong faith that assures us that he now walks with the Lord in Heaven. Donald touched a great many lives in Houston, Corpus Christi and across the state of Texas. His energy and laughter, and his constant smiles will be missed here, but we can only imagine the events he is planning for us when we join him in Heaven. Donald Ray is survived by his parents, Donald Alvin and Patricia Ann Scherer; sister, Katherine Sherer; brother, Robert Scherer; grandparents, Donald and Francis Scherer and Cesare and Dollie Mancuso; aunts, Rae Lynn Gabrieles, Sandra Worthy and husband Roger, Linda Krzywicki and husband Gary; cousins, Brandon Worthy, and Benjamin Goodheart and wife Tania; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Pallbearers will be his brothers of Pi Kappa Phi. Open visitation will be on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 from 5:00 pm to 8 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. "A Celebration of Life" memorial service on Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 11 am will be held at Westbury UMC, 5200 Willowbend at West Bellfort. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the youth programs at both Westbury United Methodist Church and Asbury Methodist in Corpus Christi.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I wish I had been clever enough to come up with this one, but sadly, I can't claim it as my own. So, kudos to the creative goober who came up with this and thanks to TS for sending it in.

1. My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexiglass visors, not face-concealing ones.

2. My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.

3. My noble half-brother whose throne I usurped will be killed, not kept anonymously imprisoned in a forgotten cell of my dungeon.

4. Shooting is not too good for my enemies.

5. The artifact which is the source of my power will not be kept on the Mountain of Despair beyond the River of Fire guarded by the Dragons of Eternity. It will be in my safe-deposit box. The same applies to the object which is my one weakness.

6. I will not gloat over my enemies' predicament before killing them.

7. When I've captured my adversary and he says, "Look, before you kill me, will you at least tell me what this is all about?" I'll say, "No." and shoot him. No, on second thought I'll shoot him then say "No."

8. After I kidnap the beautiful princess, we will be married immediately in a quiet civil ceremony, not a lavish spectacle in three weeks' time during which the final phase of my plan will be carried out.

9. I will not include a self-destruct mechanism unless absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, it will not be a large red button labelled "Danger: Do Not Push". The big red button marked "Do Not Push" will instead trigger a spray of bullets on anyone stupid enough to disregard it. Similarly, the ON/OFF switch will not clearly be labelled as such.

10. I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum -- a small hotel well outside my borders will work just as well.

11. I will be secure in my superiority. Therefore, I will feel no need to prove it by leaving clues in the form of riddles or leaving my weaker enemies alive to show they pose no threat.

12. One of my advisors will be an average five-year-old child. Any flaws in my plan that he is able to spot will be corrected before implementation.

13. All slain enemies will be cremated, or at least have several rounds of ammunition emptied into them, not left for dead at the bottom of the cliff. The announcement of their deaths, as well as any accompanying celebration, will be deferred until after the aforementioned disposal.

14. The hero is not entitled to a last kiss, a last cigarette, or any other form of last request.

15. I will never employ any device with a digital countdown. If I find that such a device is absolutely unavoidable, I will set it to activate when the counter reaches 117 and the hero is just putting his plan into operation.

16. I will never utter the sentence "But before I kill you, there's just one thing I want to know."

17. When I employ people as advisors, I will occasionally listen to their advice.

18. I will not have a son. Although his laughably under-planned attempt to usurp power would easily fail, it would provide a fatal distraction at a crucial point in time.

19. I will not have a daughter. She would be as beautiful as she was evil, but one look at the hero's rugged countenance and she'd betray her own father.

20. Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.

21. I will hire a talented fashion designer to create original uniforms for my Legions of Terror, as opposed to some cheap knock-offs that make them look like Nazi stormtroopers, Roman footsoldiers, or savage Mongol hordes. All were eventually defeated and I want my troops to have a more positive mind-set.

22. No matter how tempted I am with the prospect of unlimited power, I will not consume any energy field bigger than my head

23. I will keep a special cache of low-tech weapons and train my troops in their use. That way -- even if the heroes manage to neutralize my power generator and/or render the standard-issue energy weapons useless -- my troops will not be overrun by a handful of savages armed with spears and rocks.

24. I will maintain a realistic assessment of my strengths and weaknesses. Even though this takes some of the fun out of the job, at least I will never utter the line "No, this cannot be! I AM INVINCIBLE!!!" (After that, death is usually instantaneous.)

25. No matter how well it would perform, I will never construct any sort of machinery which is completely indestructible except for one small and virtually inaccessible vulnerable spot.

26. No matter how attractive certain members of the rebellion are, there is probably someone just as attractive who is not desperate to kill me. Therefore, I will think twice before ordering a prisoner sent to my bedchamber.

27. I will never build only one of anything important. All important systems will have redundant control panels and power supplies. For the same reason I will always carry at least two fully loaded weapons at all times.

28. My pet monster will be kept in a secure cage from which it cannot escape and into which I could not accidentally stumble.

29. I will dress in bright and cheery colors, and so throw my enemies into confusion.

30. All bumbling conjurers, clumsy squires, no-talent bards, and cowardly thieves in the land will be preemptively put to death. My foes will surely give up and abandon their quest if they have no source of comic relief.

31. All naive, busty tavern wenches in my realm will be replaced with surly, world-weary waitresses who will provide no unexpected reinforcement and/or romantic subplot for the hero or his sidekick.

32. I will not fly into a rage and kill a messenger who brings me bad news just to illustrate how evil I really am. Good messengers are hard to come by.

33. I won't require high-ranking female members of my organization to wear a stainless-steel bustier. Morale is better with a more casual dress-code. Similarly, outfits made entirely from black leather will be reserved for formal occasions.

34. I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.

35. I will not grow a goatee. In the old days they made you look diabolic. Now they just make you look like a disaffected member of Generation X.

36. I will not imprison members of the same party in the same cell block, let alone the same cell. If they are important prisoners, I will keep the only key to the cell door on my person instead of handing out copies to every bottom-rung guard in the prison.

37. If my trusted lieutenant tells me my Legions of Terror are losing a battle, I will believe him. After all, he's my trusted lieutenant.

38. If an enemy I have just killed has a younger sibling or offspring anywhere, I will find them and have them killed immediately, instead of waiting for them to grow up harboring feelings of vengeance towards me in my old age.

39. If I absolutely must ride into battle, I will certainly not ride at the forefront of my Legions of Terror, nor will I seek out my opposite number among his army.

40. I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.

41. Once my power is secure, I will destroy all those pesky time-travel devices.

42. When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around.

43. I will maintain a healthy amount of skepticism when I capture the beautiful rebel and she claims she is attracted to my power and good looks and will gladly betray her companions if I just let her in on my plans.

44. I will only employ bounty hunters who work for money. Those who work for the pleasure of the hunt tend to do dumb things like even the odds to give the other guy a sporting chance.

45. I will make sure I have a clear understanding of who is responsible for what in my organization. For example, if my general screws up I will not draw my weapon, point it at him, say "And here is the price for failure," then suddenly turn and kill some random underling.

46. If an advisor says to me "My liege, he is but one man. What can one man possibly do?", I will reply "This." and kill the advisor.

47. If I learn that a callow youth has begun a quest to destroy me, I will slay him while he is still a callow youth instead of waiting for him to mature.

48. I will treat any beast which I control through magic or technology with respect and kindness. Thus if the control is ever broken, it will not immediately come after me for revenge.

49. If I learn the whereabouts of the one artifact which can destroy me, I will not send all my troops out to seize it. Instead I will send them out to seize something else and quietly put a Want-Ad in the local paper.

50. My main computers will have their own special operating system that will be completely incompatible with standard IBM and Macintosh powerbooks.

51. If one of my dungeon guards begins expressing concern over the conditions in the beautiful princess' cell, I will immediately transfer him to a less people-oriented position.

52. I will hire a team of board-certified architects and surveyors to examine my castle and inform me of any secret passages and abandoned tunnels that I might not know about.

53. If the beautiful princess that I capture says "I'll never marry you! Never, do you hear me, NEVER!!!", I will say "Oh well" and kill her.

54. I will not strike a bargain with a demonic being then attempt to double-cross it simply because I feel like being contrary.

55. The deformed mutants and odd-ball psychotics will have their place in my Legions of Terror. However before I send them out on important covert missions that require tact and subtlety, I will first see if there is anyone else equally qualified who would attract less attention.

56. My Legions of Terror will be trained in basic marksmanship. Any who cannot learn to hit a man-sized target at 10 meters will be used for target practice.

57. Before employing any captured artifacts or machinery, I will carefully read the owner's manual.

58. If it becomes necessary to escape, I will never stop to pose dramatically and toss off a one-liner.

59. I will never build a sentient computer smarter than I am.

60. My five-year-old child advisor will also be asked to decipher any code I am thinking of using. If he breaks the code in under 30 seconds, it will not be used. Note: this also applies to passwords.

61. If my advisors ask "Why are you risking everything on such a mad scheme?", I will not proceed until I have a response that satisfies them.

62. I will design fortress hallways with no alcoves or protruding structural supports which intruders could use for cover in a firefight.

63. Bulk trash will be disposed of in incinerators, not compactors. And they will be kept hot, with none of that nonsense about flames going through accessible tunnels at predictable intervals.

64. I will see a competent psychiatrist and get cured of all extremely unusual phobias and bizarre compulsive habits which could prove to be a disadvantage.

65. If I must have computer systems with publically available terminals, the maps they display of my complex will have a room clearly marked as the Main Control Room. That room will be the Execution Chamber. The actual main control room will be marked as Sewage Overflow Containment.

66. My security keypad will actually be a fingerprint scanner. Anyone who watches someone press a sequence of buttons or dusts the pad for fingerprints then subsequently tries to enter by repeating that sequence will trigger the alarm system.

67. No matter how many shorts we have in the system, my guards will be instructed to treat every surveillance camera malfunction as a full-scale emergency.

68. I will spare someone who saved my life sometime in the past. This is only reasonable as it encourages others to do so. However, the offer is good one time only. If they want me to spare them again, they'd better save my life again.

69. All midwives will be banned from the realm. All babies will be delivered at state-approved hospitals. Orphans will be placed in foster-homes, not abandoned in the woods to be raised by creatures of the wild.

70. When my guards split up to search for intruders, they will always travel in groups of at least two. They will be trained so that if one of them disappears mysteriously while on patrol, the other will immediately initiate an alert and call for backup, instead of quizzically peering around a corner.

71. If I decide to test a lieutenant's loyalty and see if he/she should be made a trusted lieutenant, I will have a crack squad of marksmen standing by in case the answer is no.

72. If all the heroes are standing together around a strange device and begin to taunt me, I will pull out a conventional weapon instead of using my unstoppable superweapon on them.

73. I will not agree to let the heroes go free if they win a rigged contest, even though my advisors assure me it is impossible for them to win.

74. When I create a multimedia presentation of my plan designed so that my five-year-old advisor can easily understand the details, I will not label the disk "Project Overlord" and leave it lying on top of my desk.

75. I will instruct my Legions of Terror to attack the hero en masse, instead of standing around waiting while members break off and attack one or two at a time.

76. If the hero runs up to my roof, I will not run up after him and struggle with him in an attempt to push him over the edge. I will also not engage him at the edge of a cliff. (In the middle of a rope-bridge over a river of molten lava is not even worth considering.)

77. If I have a fit of temporary insanity and decide to give the hero the chance to reject a job as my trusted lieutentant, I will retain enough sanity to wait until my current trusted lieutenant is out of earshot before making the offer.

78. I will not tell my Legions of Terror "And he must be taken alive!" The command will be "And try to take him alive if it is reasonably practical."

79. If my doomsday device happens to come with a reverse switch, as soon as it has been employed it will be melted down and made into limited-edition commemorative coins.

80. If my weakest troops fail to eliminate a hero, I will send out my best troops instead of wasting time with progressively stronger ones as he gets closer and closer to my fortress.

81. If I am fighting with the hero atop a moving platform, have disarmed him, and am about to finish him off and he glances behind me and drops flat, I too will drop flat instead of quizzically turning around to find out what he saw.

82. I will not shoot at any of my enemies if they are standing in front of the crucial support beam to a heavy, dangerous, unbalanced structure.

83. If I'm eating dinner with the hero, put poison in his goblet, then have to leave the table for any reason, I will order new drinks for both of us instead of trying to decide whether or not to switch with him.

84. I will not have captives of one sex guarded by members of the opposite sex.

85. I will not use any plan in which the final step is horribly complicated, e.g. "Align the 12 Stones of Power on the sacred altar then activate the medallion at the moment of total eclipse." Instead it will be more along the lines of "Push the button."

86. I will make sure that my doomsday device is up to code and properly grounded.

87. My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also, I will not construct walkways above them.

88. If a group of henchmen fail miserably at a task, I will not berate them for incompetence then send the same group out to try the task again.

89. After I captures the hero's superweapon, I will not immediately disband my legions and relax my guard because I believe whoever holds the weapon is unstoppable. After all, the hero held the weapon and I took it from him.

90. I will not design my Main Control Room so that every workstation is facing away from the door.

91. I will not ignore the messenger that stumbles in exhausted and obviously agitated until my personal grooming or current entertainment is finished. It might actually be important.

92. If I ever talk to the hero on the phone, I will not taunt him. Instead I will say this his dogged perseverance has given me new insight on the futility of my evil ways and that if he leaves me alone for a few months of quiet contemplation I will likely return to the path of righteousness. (Heroes are incredibly gullible in this regard.)

93. If I decide to hold a double execution of the hero and an underling who failed or betrayed me, I will see to it that the hero is scheduled to go first.

94. When arresting prisoners, my guards will not allow them to stop and grab a useless trinket of purely sentimental value.

95. My dungeon will have its own qualified medical staff complete with bodyguards. That way if a prisoner becomes sick and his cellmate tells the guard it's an emergency, the guard will fetch a trauma team instead of opening up the cell for a look.

96. My door mechanisms will be designed so that blasting the control panel on the outside seals the door and blasting the control panel on the inside opens the door, not vice versa.

97. My dungeon cells will not be furnished with objects that contain reflective surfaces or anything that can be unravelled.

98. If an attractive young couple enters my realm, I will carefully monitor their activities. If I find they are happy and affectionate, I will ignore them. However if circumstance have forced them together against their will and they spend all their time bickering and criticizing each other except during the intermittent occasions when they are saving each others' lives at which point there are hints of sexual tension, I will immediately order their execution.

99. Any data file of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45Mb in size.

100. Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free unlimited Internet access.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, here it is... MadMinister.com Version 2. Finally. After almost a year of waiting, the future of this website has arrived.

Well, it is almost 7:30 in the evening and I am plumb tired. I got here to the office over 12 hours ago and I'm just now wrapping up the last of the things on my "To Do" List for the day. But, I feel GREAT!

MadMinister.com Version 2 is up and running and has all the text-based content transferred over from the original format. The server has MovableType installed and it seems to be running smoothly. Hey, I even feel just a little bit trendy because I now have my own fully-functioning, interactive blog... albeit somewhat plain. (That will be fixed in the coming week as I devote some time to some minor graphics work).

I am increasingly excited about CityFest Houston coming in October of 2006. This should be a ground-breaking event in the life of this city and I can already see it uniting and bringing together many of the churches in the Greater Houston area. More and more, I am getting to see - on a daily basis - God's grand scheme for this huge city that I love so much. I truly desire to see revival break out in this city and see people recognize the awesome power of a living and active God who just wants to reconcile a relationship with His most prized creations living here in the 4th largest city in the nation.

SPAMARAMA 2006, a multi-church outreach I'm serving with, is also shaping up and I can feel the effects of CityFest on things like SPAMARAMA which is seeking to bring together churches for an outreach event on the Northside of Houston. It just feels like Houston has been gaining momentum towards a massive spiritual awakening since Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita hit. Praise God for being able to work through tragedy.

Alright, well, it's late and I'm tired... I'm going home. Peace out.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is intended to encompass any of the resources that are designed to teach the Bible as a complete whole, rather than in pieces or by topic. I'm not for or against either style, I simply needed a way to differentiate between all of the material that's available out there.

I've taken a sampling of the current Expository Bible study curriculum that's out there and I've given a couple of details about each, as well as the appropriate rating. Keep in mind that I am only posting resources that I have actually read through completely and/or taught from.

Here's the Rating Code:
+ "Throw it in File 13!" - avoid this resource at all costs.
+ "If it reaches just one teenager..." - somewhat below average; you might see something good out of it.
+ "I might've felt something supernatural" - could go either way honestly; average
+ "Jesus showed up" - done with excellence, aside from a few minor things here and there
+ "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!" - a sure-fire winner

Inquest Ministries
+ Beyond Belief - a study of the Semon on the Mount.
+ Jesus 101 - a study of the life of Christ
+ No Ordinary Joe - a study on the life of Joseph

Lifeway Church Resources
+ FUEL - a 2-year DVD-driven study of all the major Bible stories from Genesis through Revelation.
+ LXVI - a study of each of the 66 books of the Christian Bible, each section covering one, sometimes two books and each study containing 13 lessons.

Student Discipleship Ministries

NAMB (North American Mission Board)

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've taken a sampling of the current Topical Bible study curriculum that's out there and I've given a couple of details about each, as well as the appropriate rating. Keep in mind that I am only posting resources that I have actually read and/or taught from.

Here's the Rating Code:
+ "Throw it in File 13!" - avoid this resource at all costs.
+ "If it reaches just one teenager..." - somewhat below average; you might see something good out of it.
+ "I might've felt something supernatural" - could go either way honestly; average
+ "Jesus showed up" - done with excellence, aside from a few minor things here and there
+ "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!" - a sure-fire winner

Inquest Ministries

+ Diagnosis

+ Eikon

+ Tupos

+ Becoming an Eagle

+ LifeQuest

+ Salt & Light

+ Power Source

+ Vital Link

+ The War Within

+ Happily Ever After

+ Chiseled in Stone

Lifeway Church Resources

+

YLO (Youth Leaders Only) Music/Video-based Curriculum

+ MVL Bible studies

+ YLO Bible studies

Student Discipleship Ministries

+ Back to the Basics

+

NAMB (North American Mission Board)

+ It's Time

+ The 923 Call

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've taken a sampling of the current Youth Camps that are out there and I've given a couple of details about each, but this list is by no means completed... I just wanted to get it posted.

Here's the Rating Code:
+ "Throw it in File 13!" - avoid this resource at all costs.
+ "If it reaches just one teenager..." - somewhat below average; you might see something good out of it.
+ "I might've felt something supernatural" - could go either way honestly; average
+ "Jesus showed up" - done with excellence, aside from a few minor things here and there
+ "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!" - a sure-fire winner

"Come One, Come All" Summer Youth Camps

Trinity Pines Youth Camp - "I might've felt something supernatural"

Student Life - "Jesus showed up"

Wild Week - "Jesus showed up"

Quest Camp - "Jesus showed up"

PowerPlus Youth Camps -"Jesus showed up"

Teen Mania's Extreme Camps - "If it reaches just one teenager..."

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Originally Preached: Sunday; February 15, 2004

“IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICE”

The Choices of Ananias ( Acts 9:1-19 )

Opening Illustration: “A big choice from ‘The King of Torts”

For about two weeks last month, I had the opportunity to travel and work alongside several people from John Ward's company, doing the work they do... and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, before one of the flights, I picked up the latest John Grisham paperback… I needed some mindless reading material after some pretty intense stuff… preparing this sermon, preparing our two newest series' for FATHOM… our Sunday night Student Ministry times.

I started reading this book and came to page 92 and the main character came to a point where he was offered a whole bunch of money to represent some clients. He was offered $10 million... but he could never talk about the case or how the whole thing played out. All he had to do was keep a deep, dark secret. $10 million! That's a lot of money! I won't go into the decision he ended up making, partly because I don't want to ruin the book's ending for you, but mainly because the dilemma this character found himself in was the same many of us often come to face, at any given moment… the dilemma of choice.

This morning, we want to take a look at two men who had choices to make… and some essential truths about the human dilemma of choice that we can learn from their experiences. Because, after all… it's all about choice. I want us to specifically look at four truths about choice.

And here's the number 1 thing about choice…

#1: Everybody has choices to make.

David had choices to make. (2 Samuel 11:1-2) à David has a choice to make… we see a string of choices starting here for David. He had the choice about where to be during the spring and now, he's got a choice to make regarding his purity.

Ananias had choices to make. (Acts 9:10-12) à Right here, we see Ananias given a choice… how will he respond? How will he react? He's just been given an order to go and pray for a killer of Christians?

Illustration: “Morgan Freeman in ‘Lean on Me”

Each of us has choices to make. There's a line in a movie I love… Morgan Freeman says, “ The only things I have to do is stay black and die! ” when he's told that he has to help calm a mob of rioting students. And you know what? That's completely true. In this life, there are only two things that we must do… that we have no choice about – every person must leave this life for the next through the process of death. That's an essential truth. And every person in here must live with the ethnicity we have been given… the heritage we've been given. Another essential truth. Some people joke and say, “I have to pay taxes!” Actually, no you don't. You can not pay taxes and get arrested and sent to prison… but it's still your choice.

I love to hear people tell me, “I didn't have any choice!” Because the thing is, you do have a choice. That sport or academic activity? It's all a choice. Nobody makes you take up sports or band or do good or bad in your classes. Nobody makes you take that job or turn down an opportunity for ministry. Students, when you choose to take part in that sport, that choice will mean that other things like academics and church and family drop down one place on your list of priorities. And that brings us to our second point…

#2: The choices we make will reflect our priorities.

David's priority was lust and disobedience… his pride. (2 Samuel 11:3-5) David made choices… and they reflected his priorities. He flushed every ounce of his integrity down the toilet for those particular choices.

Ananias' priority was obedience. (Acts 9:15-17) à Ananias made a choice… he did what God said to do, when He said to do it. Didn't waste time, didn't hem and haw. He made the choice to be obedient.

Illustration: “My passing on Super Summer opportunity”

I've told the story to our students many times about when I was a senior and the choice I made between Super Summer and a writing camp for the top young writers in Texas and how now… I kinda' wish I had been at Super Summer instead. I made a choice and… I can look back now and tell you that it was the wrong one. We all have moments like that, don't we? When we make a choice that we want… or that we're put in the position to make because of previous wrong choices.

When we set up priorities in our lives, our choices will reflect those… they'll show those for the whole world to see. If we make the choice to make a sport the primary priority in our lives, then guess what? Our choices will reflect that… they'll show that. If we make God a priority in our lives, then the daily choices we make will reflect that… or if we don't, likewise.

I'm continually amazed by people who come to me and say, “Ohhh… my life is so bad! Ohhh… things stink right now!” Oh, okay. Well, did you read your Bible this week? Did you pray? They usually look at me like I just suggested something new and exotic.

I've heard athletes say “ My record speaks for itself! ” What that's referring to is that an athlete can point back at his/her scoreboard and not have to make explanations, excuses or make promises. Instead, their past choices of training, practicing and discipline have resulted in success on the playing field and that displays their priorities for all to see… success on the playing field is a priority for them.

Coming up, you have the choice about whether or not to participate in “40 Days of Purpose.” As we heard from Bother Clay, there are three levels of participation and in order for these 40 Days to be effective, we need to choose to take part in all three, personal, small group and church-wide. Doing just one or two of the three won't give you the full extent of the results you could see. Folks, let's be honest. It all boils down to choice. We do what's important to us… we make time for the things that are important to us.

Beloved, you have a stellar opportunity to grow closer to your church family, your family that attends church, your spouse and anyone else willing to go through “40 Days of Purpose” with us. Parents, you have the opportunity… the choice to grow closer to your children spiritually. They'll be following along through the book at the same pace as everyone else. On Sunday mornings I'll teach the students about it and then on Sunday nights, the student ministry will have it's small group time at my home. My roommate Josh and I have been painting, cleaning and more just to get it ready for the big day! I'll also be hosting the Young Singles at my home on Friday nights. And it's not just those age groups! Every age group and life situation of the church will be reading and studying the book, meeting in small groups and committing to attend on Sunday mornings to seek to answer this question… “What on Earth am I here for?”

As Christians, our lives serve as scoreboards for a world that needs and wants to see godly lives lived out. What does your scoreboard say? What choices have you made? What priorities do those choices reflect?

Here's the third thing about choices…

#3: Our choices affect other people.

David's choices didn't just hurt him. They also affected everyone who knew him and about the situation, Bathsheba, his army and it really affected poor Uriah.

Ananias' choices affected more people than we can count, because Saul became Paul and Paul became one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived.

Illustration: Scene from “Spider-Man”

In a scene from “Spider-Man,” we see Peter Parker, Spider-Man, making a choice and guess what? It's the wrong one. Now, granted, at the time, it was the choice that felt right… but did he know better? Probably. But the saddest fact of this scene is that Uncle Ben was affected by Peter Parker's choice. He was there, waiting for Peter, and the robber that Peter chose to allow to escape murdered him.

That's right. And that's probably the thing that makes the biggest impact, at least for me. A lot of choices I make will affect other people… if I choose not to prepare for a Bible Study, then chances are I won't be able to effectively communicate exactly what God wants me to. If someone makes the choice to commit murder or rape… you know what? Their choices will affect other people.

If we choose not to make godly choices at work or at school or even at home, that will affect other people and in turn, it may influence their decision about whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Now, keep in mind… everyone has to make that choice for themselves. And you're not responsible for the choice they ultimately make. But, your choices will influence their choices and that will, in turn, affect their lives. If you choose to participate in “40 Days of Purpose”… that will affect other people… the people you live with, work with, hang out with… it's not just about you.

And here's the last thing about choices…

#4: Ultimately, I am responsible for the choices I make.

Ultimately, David became accountable for the choices he made. All of his story was laid out and bare for people centuries later to see.

Ultimately, Ananias became accountable for the choices he made… and I believe God rewarded him greatly for it.

There will come a day when each and every one of us will be accountable for the choices we have made, are making and will make. Now, that time may come at different points for each of us.

Some will face consequences for their choices the very next day. Others will never see the outcome of choices they've made until we go home to be with Jesus.

What choices are you making right now, in your own life?

What priorities are those choices reflecting?

Who are those choices going to affect?

Are you prepared to accept responsibility for those choices?

And most importantly, are those the choices that are going to make the most out of the choice Jesus made for each and every one of us? If you're a Christian, then we now must make choices accordingly. Jesus says that He came to give us abundant life… but the choices we make can limit that sometimes.

We have the choice to follow after Christ and make choices that will glorify Him and please Him… the neat thing is that every day is a new beginning. Every day can be a new, different choice to follow after God and to please Him. We get to start over each day and make all new choices that could please God…

What choices will you make this morning?

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a message derived from the writings of CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity."

“The Great Sin”

2 nd Samuel 11

Over the course of the past few weeks, we've been taking a walk through the book of Phillipians with Pastor Clay. We've been examining this book and learning about living in joy and about how God wants us to live a joy-filled existence. It's what He wants for us… what he intended for us.

In the midst of this, I believe it is important to realize that there are certain factors that can inhibit our experiencing joy the way God intended. Sin is, of course, the primary thing that can stand between us and the joyful life God has for us. And of those sins, God's laid a particular one on my heart for me to share with you this morning… the one that CS Lewis calls “the great sin.”

And in order to share it with you, I want to tell you a story this morning… a story about a man and the one time in his life when he fell and his sin was eventually exposed to the entire city. Now, for this man, this dark period in his life was the exception and not the rule, but like many other Biblical personalities, his sins and his life were laid bare for the entire world to see throughout history.

The man I'm speaking about is a man you've probably heard of… David. David once killed a giant and proved that he had courage. David was called a man after God's own heart… but he was not perfect. He was still a man. And the one time when David was less than what God wanted Him to be, was the one time that we'll look at today.

Our story starts in the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel, Chapter 11. And this morning, we're going to learn three dangerous things about – once again - what CS Lewis calls the great sin and that is… the sin of PRIDE.

Read 2 Samuel 11: 1 – 3

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful , and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said ‘Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Now, here's the first of the three dangerous things about PRIDE… you ready for it? Here it is…

#1: PRIDE can make us think we DON'T need to be where we should be.

Now, David was a “ man after God's own heart .” He knew what he needed to be doing. And he knew where he needed to be. In this chapter we are specifically told that this entire chain of events occurred at the time when kings go off to war. And that is for a very specific reason… because David was not where he needed to be.

We know that David was a king, a leader, but yet here we find David back at his palace when his men are out on the battlefield. Now, we're not told why David is not with his men, but we know David is not where he needs to be. Immediately after this, we are given something of a CNN newsflash about what David's army has been up to without their king. The Bible says that “ they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah .” So, they'd been kind of busy. You know, just a little busy.

And then again, we come back to David… “ But David stayed in Jerusalem. ” To most of us, this point might seem like a sort of “common sense” point… If you're not where you're supposed to be, then of course things won't go your way! But beloved, there are so many ways we can rationalize, that we can convince ourselves why we shouldn't be where we need to be. And every one of them can be fueled by PRIDE.

David could have said, “Well, I've been beatin' on the Ammonites for a while now… I'm tired of it. I'm bored with it. I don't feel like it.” But you know what? The “I's” have it! Every one of those possible excuses begins with the letter I, as in me, myself and I. As in, not God. As in PRIDE.

Today, we have much of the same thing going… one can say, “I should be talking on the phone to my friend because they're having a hard time right now instead of studying for that test!” One can say, “Well, I should go to that bar with those people from work because I can witness to them by not getting plastered!” One can say, “I should stay home and meet the needs of my visiting family members instead of going to church!” ( Laugh ) That's probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard of, but I digress. All those are only somewhat convincing… because they once again place us in places where we aren't supposed to be and keep us from being where we're supposed to be.

What it boils down to is PRIDE starts festering when we start thinking we know what's best for us. Rick Warren says it best in the 1 st Chapter of “The Purpose-Driven Life”… it's not about you!

Let's continue… (Read 2 Samuel 11: 4 – 17)

Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David saying, “I am pregnant."

Alright, so here we have Sins #1, #2 and #3 – Lust, Adultery and now, dishonesty… lying.

So David sent this word to Joab: ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite.' And Joab sent him to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, ‘Go down to your house and wash your feet.'

Uriah said to David, ‘The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house and to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!'

At this point, confronted with the honor and humility of this soldier, I can't see how this king could have not thrown himself onto his knees and begged forgiveness and said, “Uriah, I have committed adultery with your wife… do with me what you will.” But, that's not quite what happened is it? Let's see…

Then David said to him, ‘Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.' So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. At David's invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master's servants; he did not go home.

So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David's army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.

And we have the culmination of David's many sins… Murder. Instead of being convicted of his sin and confessing and rewarding what was probably one his most loyal soldiers, Uriah, what does David do? He sleeps with his wife, gets her pregnant, tries to make Uriah sleep with her so it will appear to be his child, then gets him drunk and tries again and then finally has him murdered! Go figure!

And that brings us to our second point…

#2: PRIDE leads to other SINS.

As we see here, David started with PRIDE, but PRIDE was not content to be alone. PRIDE was soon joined by LYING, COVETING, LUSTING, ADULTERY and MURDER. Pride leads to other sins… it is the root for many other sins.

But, back to David… (Read 2 Samuel 11: 18 – 27)

Joab sent David a full account of the battle. He instructed the messenger; ‘When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, the king's anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn't you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? Who killed Abimelech, son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn't a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?' If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Also, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.'

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

@ Illustration: “My humbling experience at Encounter ‘98”

Should be noted that the experience was not humiliating, but rather humbling. God cared so much about me that He was willing to completely step away and allow me to fall flat on my face… simply so He could then lovingly lead me to where He wanted me to be. He left me because of this next point, because…

#3: Pride is the complete anti-God state of mind.

When I say this, many of you may feel a bit uncomfortable with that statement, however I would urge you to consider this… it was pride that made the devil the devil. It was pride that prompted Lucifer to attempt to ascend to equality with God. And it is pride that often fuels in humans a desire to be independent of God. Even moreso, PRIDE causes division amongst people… in fact, as CS Lewis points out, PRIDE is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man but between man and God.

You see, PRIDE in and of its nature is essentially competitive. PRIDE gets no pleasure our of having something, but rather out of having more than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich or clever or good-looking, but they are not. Instead, they are proud of being richer, or cleverer or more good-looking than someone else. It is comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.

For David, his pride made him believe that his wants were more important than Uriah's needs and that he was important enough and more than Uriah… so much so that he could murder a man because he had an affair with that man's wife and got her pregnant. David had everything… but PRIDE made him want more, including what he was never meant to have. And because he falsely believed he was important enough to warrant it, because he believed he

Now, as most of my sermons, this particular sermon began as a Bible study that we did during our Sunday night youth activity… FATHOM. FATHOM is a time of topical life-application Bible study where we see what God's Word has to say about the many issues that teenagers deal with and are curious about.

And the series on PRIDE prompted the most responses I have gotten on a series since we did a study on Spiritual gifts. Teenagers, college students and adults all had numerous questions for me after teaching that and I remember them asking about various things in their life and if those things would constitute PRIDE. And at first, I tried to evaluate each and every specific thing that I was told. And I found that it was consuming my thoughts… trying to avoid pride, to avoid being prideful was becoming my focus.

And then God spoke to me during the preparation of this message with a still, small voice. He told me exactly how we can defeat the pride that entangles us. He said, “Carlos, why focus on the sin? Why start with trying to not do something wrong rather than striving towards that which is holy?”

And you know what God's answer to PRIDE is? How to combat it?

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Humility. By embracing humility. And, how can we embrace humility? Here's three ways to start, keeping in mind that all these are done within the context of pursuing God and His holy will for your life… you ready? Here they are…

A. Learn to love.

And I don't mean just saying “I love you.” Talk is cheap… it's got to be backed up by actions. It means putting someone else's needs before your own.

B. Learn to serve.

Once again, putting others' needs before your own is a guaranteed pride-killer. It reminds us that we're not alone in the world and that the rest of the world doesn't exist just to serve us, which is something we often have the tendency to think. Jesus took on the mantle of servant when he wrapped a towl around his waist and washed the disciples' feet… can we do any less than follow his example?

C. Learn to be authentic.

Learning to be authentic, to be real and to be honest with yourself, with God and with others is another pride-killer. All it would have taken from David would have beena just a little bit of honesty, of authnticity. If he had just sat Uriah down and explained what he had done… things would have been drastically different.

And this brings us to our time of invitiation… it's about being real… about being authentic… about being honest. How many of us over the past week alone have shunned humility for the seeming glamour of PRIDE?

The challenge is simple… humility is required to fully enjoy the joyful existence God has for us… PRIDE can kill our joy. But we can kill PRIDE by seeking after humility.

For some of us, it could be a completely new thing. For some of us, something we've strayed just a bit from. Whatever your case, wherever you're at in your walk with Christ towards a joy-filled life… there's room at this altar, this morning for you to come and pray for humility… and to pray against PRIDE.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've always enjoyed great movies and I've always thought that the some of the best movies are those that have the best villains. What I consider a "best villain" might be different from what you consider equal to claiming that title. However, for me, I see a great movie villain as being realistic enough to believe, but fantastic enough to be in a movie. A great performance, plus great direction and screenwriting still do not a great villain make... it's that something that makes you shudder during their confrontations with the protagonist. So here they are, in no particular order.

Top 10 Movie Villains

1. Mr. Glass (Samuel L Jackson) in "Unbreakable." Yeah, Sam Jackson is cool. Add to that a complex, quirky character with an insanely horrible affliction and a cleverly concealed motivation and you've got one of the Top 10 movie villains of all time.

2. Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in "The Silence of the Lambs" - I mean, really. Do I need to say anything more? His name is a household word. That's an effective movie villain.

3. Magneto (Ian McKellan) in the "X-Men" series - His regal presence and bearing convey an authority and a sense of dangerous intelligence that is frightening... because it equals and/or surpasses that of the good guys and because we can't be entirely sure that he's one of the "bad guys."

4. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in "Psycho" - Alfred Hitchcock and Perkins' creation is intensely complex and that complexity is the most frightening thing about him. The presence of this movie villain and his "mother" are enough to keep you awake for days after watching it.

5. Darth Vader (David Prowse; James Earl Jones) in the "Star Wars" films - Once again, a villain who has become a household name? A movie villain classic.

6. King Kong (various incarnations) - Time and again, we see a 5-story tall ape becomse a relatable character that we find ourselves - in some weird way - caring about.

7. Calvera (Eli Wallach) in "The Magnificent Seven" - You just don't get cooler than a Mexican bandito who's cocky enough to take on Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn.

8. Phyllis Deitrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) in "Double Indemnity" - This femme fatale helped pave the way for countless others and became a noir classic. Her seduction and puppeteering of Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) was without peer and started an avalanche of femme fatale wanna'be's.

9. Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - The classic comic portrayal of a High School Dean bent on capturing Senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) in the act of skipping school was beyond hilarious... he was underappreciated and was at least half the reason the movie has become such a success and classic.

10. The Two Crazy Kids from "Elephant" - Yeah, they creep me out. I work with teenagers full-time and have seen everything under the sun... and these kids still creep me out. Yeeeech.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Top Ten Reasons Eve Was Created

10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.

9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.

8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.

7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor's, dentist, or haircut appointment for himself.

6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage on the curb.

5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.

4. As the Keeper of the Garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.

3. Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.

2. As the Bible says, It is not good for man to be alone!

And the #1 reason why God created Eve...

1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that!"

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Calm down, it's not true. It's just a cute little mock news article somebody sent me. Read and enjoy.

MICROSOFT Bids to Acquire Catholic Church
By Hank Vorjes

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- In a joint press conference in St. Peter's Square this morning, MICROSOFT Corp. and the Vatican announced that the Redmond software giant will acquire the Roman Catholic Church in exchange for an unspecified number of shares of MICROSOFT common stock.
If the deal goes through, it will be the first time a computer software company has acquired a major world religion. With the acquisition, Pope John Paul II will become the senior vice-president of the combined company's new Religious Software Division, while MICROSOFT senior vice-presidents Michael Maples and Steven Ballmer will be invested in the College of Cardinals, said MICROSOFT Chairman Bill Gates. "We expect a lot of growth in the religious market in the next five to ten years," said Gates. "The combined resources of MICROSOFT and the Catholic Church will allow us to make religion easier and more fun for a broader range of people."
Through the MICROSOFT Network, the company's new on-line service, "we will make the sacraments available on-line for the first time" and revive the popular pre-Counter-Reformation practice of selling indulgences, said Gates. "You can get Communion, confess your sins, receive absolution -- even reduce your time in Purgatory -- all without leaving your home." A new software application, MICROSOFT Church, will include a macro language which you can program to download heavenly graces automatically while you are away from your computer.
An estimated 17,000 people attended the announcement in St Peter's Square, watching on a 60-foot screen as comedian Don Novello -- in character as Father Guido Sarducci -- hosted the event, which was broadcast by satellite to 700 sites worldwide. Pope John Paul II said little during the announcement. When Novello chided Gates, "Now I guess you get to wear one of these pointy hats," the crowd roared, but the pontiff's smile seemed strained. The deal grants MICROSOFT exclusive electronic rights to the Bible and the Vatican's prized art collection, which includes works by such masters as Michelangelo and Da Vinci. But critics say MICROSOFT will face stiff challenges if it attempts to limit competitors' access to these key intellectual properties. "The Jewish people invented the look and feel of the holy scriptures," said Rabbi David Gottschalk of Philadelphia. "You take the parting of the Red Sea -- we had that thousands of years before the Catholics came on the scene."
But others argue that the Catholic and Jewish faiths both draw on a common Abrahamic heritage. "The Catholic Church has just been more successful in marketing it to a larger audience," notes Notre Dame theologian Father Kenneth Madigan. Over the last 2,000 years, the Catholic Church's market share has increased dramatically, while Judaism, which was the first to offer many of the concepts now touted by Christianity, lags behind. Historically, the Church has a reputation as an aggressive competitor, leading crusades to pressure people to upgrade to Catholicism, and entering into exclusive licensing arrangements in various kingdoms whereby all subjects were instilled with Catholicism, whether or not they planned to use it. Today Christianity is available from several denominations, but the Catholic version is still the most widely used. The Church's mission is to reach "the four corners of the earth," echoing MICROSOFT's vision of "a computer on every desktop and in every home". Gates described MICROSOFT's long-term strategy to develop a scalable religious architecture that will support all religions through emulation.
A single core religion will be offered with a choice of interfaces according to the religion desired -- "One religion, a couple of different implementations," said Gates. The MICROSOFT move could spark a wave of mergers and acquisitions, according to Herb Peters, a spokesman for the U.S. Southern Baptist Conference, as other churches scramble to strengthen their position in the increasingly competitive religious market.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yeah, these are all actual slogans used by churches on their billboards and signs. Some are cute, some are half-way witty and some are real groaners.

The following are actual signs found on church property:

"No God-No Peace. Know God-Know Peace."

"Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"

"Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins."

"Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!"

An ad for St. Joseph's Episcopal Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."

When the restaurant next to the Lutheran Church put out a big sign with red letters that said, "Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with its own message: "We are open on Sundays, too."

"Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons-come hear one!"

A singing group called "The Resurrection" was scheduled to sing at a church. When a big snowstorm postponed the performance, the pastor fixed the outside sign to read, "The Resurrection is postponed."

"People are like tea bags-you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."

"God so loved the world that He did not send a committee."

"Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!"

"When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out alright."

"Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday."

"Fight truth decay-study the Bible daily."

"How will you spend eternity-Smoking or Non-smoking?"

"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"

"Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."

"Our arms are the only ones God has to hug His children."

"It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."

"Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."

"If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."

"If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."

"Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."

"This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing?" ---> (U R)

"Forbidden fruit creates many jams."

"In the dark? Follow the Son."

"Running low on faith? Stop in for a fill-up."

"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd."

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's the answers!

JETS

REDSKINS

BROWNS

BUCCANEER

RAIDERS

VIKINGS

GIANTS

SAINTS

RAMS

COWBOYS

SEAHAWKS

PACKERS

49ERS

CHIEFS

CHARGERS

BILLS

OILERS

FALCONS

PATRIOTS

CARDINALS

DOLPHINS

COLTS

STEELERS

LIONS

BEARS

BENGALS

EAGLES

BRONCOS

PANTHERS

RAVENS

JAGUARS

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Try and figure out the actual names for these and then hit the Answers entry to find out if you got 'em!

How many NFL teams can you name?

747'S

STUPID SUNBATHERS

WISE SUNBATHERS

$1.00 FOR CORN

MIDNIGHT SNACKERS

SIX RULERS

UNCLE'S SPOUSE IN THE ARMY

PETER AND PAUL

EWE'S MATE

HALF BOVINE/HALF MAN

MARINE BIRD

LOADERS

SEVEN SQUARED

INDIAN'S LEADERS

CREDIT CARD USERS

IOU'S

LUBRICATORS

HENRY'S FIRST COMPACT

AMERICAN FOREFATHERS

FUNDAMENTAL LAWS

GIRL'S TOY/FISH'S ARM

SIX SHOOTERS

THIEVES

KING OF BEASTS

STREAKERS

TIGERS

U.S. BIRDS

EQUINE GOES WILD

BLACK CATS

EDGAR'S POEM

MICK'S SURNAME

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another one of the clever emails that everybody's received but nobody knows who to thank for.

You are 100% Texan if:

You use the phrase "fixin' to" daily.

Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

You've ever been excused from school because "the cows got out."

You can properly pronounce the towns "Mexia" and "Mesquite."

You think that people who complain about the wind in their states are sissies.

You know the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the
availability of shade.

You have owned at least one belt buckle bigger than your fist

When you hear a tornado siren, you go outside and look for a funnel. .

Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.

You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition and bait all in the same store.

Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol, but a Ford F350 4X4 is!

You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

You know that "y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.

You are 100% Texan if you have ever had this conversation:
"You wanna Coke?"
"Yeah."
"What kind?"
"Dr. Pepper."

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a poem I did in January of 2001. I think it pretty accurately describes my face... what do you think?

"My Face"

It's kind of like those questions
Like we used to have to write, you know,
The little one and a half paragraph essays
On back in middle school…
"Describe your face,"
They would say, as if it was so easy.

My eyes jump out, being the strongest feature,
Or so I've been told, and I'm also told that
"The eyes are the windows to the soul"
So gloriously put.
What do mine show, I wonder?
Are they the things I hope they show?
Compassion and warmth,
And an intensity tempered by playfulness?
Or does it show a sometimes headstrong
Little boy, often lost in a sea of grown-ups?

Some of the kids I used to work with used to say
My cheeks were like "Michaelangelo's,"
You know, the Ninja Turtle?
Or like the little Beanie Baby,
Simply called "Congo."
(He was a big ape.)

My nose is thick and round,
Almost a caricature of Ole' Saint Nick's.
My lips just as thick, also vying for
A position on Santa's face!
My ears stick out, two handles that
Can be gripped.

I'm told my face has my mother's softness,
Her tender touch,
And that it has my Father's gruffness,
The smile below the surface.
Would I trade it away?
Not a chance.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Also titled, "Youth Minister," this was another piece written during October of 2000. It's something I like to go back and re-read because - even though it's cheesier than a box of Velveeta - it still reminds me of some of the very first experiences I ever had with Student Ministry.

Like the others, this piece is being re-posted with no editing whatsoever, as it was originally posted to MadMinister.com.

Don't be surprised, no matter what they say… always be understanding; don't compound the problem by showing disdain or disappointment.
Don't be surprised when Mrs. Hanson tells you that Billy looks up to you… that he thinks the world of you and that she doesn't have to fight him to get him to go to Sunday School anymore. Just smile and nod humbly, remembering Billy's last outburst of "hero-worship;" and the twenty minutes it took you and him to clean up all the "Silly String."
Don't be surprised when you have to strain yourself to not throw Jeremy out of your "Sunday School" class. You can see that; #1 he's playing with those action figures during your lesson just to get a rise out of you, #2 he's getting away with it because he's one of your favorite kids, and #3 he's the Pastor's oldest son, so you don't want to have to throw him out anyway.
Don't be surprised when you put your arm around Suzanne's shoulder and give her a gentle hug of affirmation, but are careful to follow the "three-second rule" (to avoid any misunderstandings on the teenage girl's part - they tend to get "crushes" easily). You've been to more than enough camps, retreats and conferences where that has been taught and reviewed.
Don't be surprised when you answer your phone at 11:37 PM, only to find that it's Stephanie and her friends calling to wish you a Happy New Year… for the tenth time.
Don't be surprised to feel your heart racing because you arrived at the office to find that Jeremy was taken to the hospital with severely painful appendicitis the day before. Feel a tear come to your eye as the secretaries tell you that he has been asking for only you since he came out of the operation. Quickly find directions to the hospital on Yahoo.com and then race over there in your beat-up 1992 Ford Thunderbird. Arrive at his room to find the Pastor sitting at a chair next to the bed where Jeremy is laying. Smile as you see Jeremy's goofy grin spread across his face and watch the mischievous twinkle re-appear in his eyes. Walk over, shake hands with the Pastor and then sit down on the edge of the bed and hand over a small Beanie Baby (a gift from the kids because they said it looked like you) to keep him company. Stay a while and just sit with him, not needing to say anything.
Don't be surprised, as you watch the wind blow through the trees down by the lake, when John, while crying softly, tells you that his father hit him. Don't be surprised at the pain that this young man felt. Put your arm around him and just sit with him for a while… words are meaningless right now. Tell him that he is loved and then pray with him, all the while knowing that this is only the beginning of this problem.
Don't be surprised when you try to talk to Katherine about her attitude, only to have her turn and flounce away, not having heard a word that was said. Talk to her mother, knowing that the words are going in one ear and out the other but still, keep trying.
Don't be surprised when you have to argue, in vain, with the Church Finance Committee over the extra $500 that you need for a youth event. Go back to your office and begin reworking the budget to get the most out of what you do have to work with.
Don't be surprised when it feels like you heart is being ripped out because the time has come to move on to another church and another group of teenagers after investing two years of your life in this group. Smile for the kids and stay as long as possible, but still feel horrible when Eric, upset and crying, walks away and won't talk to you.
The next Sunday, in a barren church hallway, tell him to stop walking away and turn and face you. Tell him that this is not the last time he will ever see you and that you do love him. Take him to lunch after the service and tell him that you will still be around, sometimes, and that he will love the new Youth Minister even more than he does you.
Don't be surprised when you remember that week during the summer when his mother, crying and frustrated, called you and asked for your help in dealing with his rebelliousness. Don't be surprised when you can recall the various and creative dirty looks he gave you as you "cracked the whip" on him by making him scrub dirty walls in the nursery. Recall the laughter the two of you shared as you decorated a meeting room for the children's "Vacation Bible School."
Remember, with fondness, all the good times you had with this group as you pack your things, turn in your keys and pager and walk out the office door.
Don't be surprised when that single, solitary tear slips down your cheek and you miss them terribly.
Don't be surprised when you put your chin up and walk into the room full of new kids, your new kids… and the rush of eager, young faces brings a smile to your face. Don't be surprised.

Posted by Carlos M. Tovar at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's another piece written in October of 2000. As I am doing with a lot of these re-postings, I am presenting them as originally written with no editing, whatsoever, so please forgive the many stylistic and artistic shortcomings you'll encounter.

That being said, enjoy.

Your fingers tap impatiently against the steering wheel of the Ford 15-passenger van. Suzanne is running late again; the van should have been on the road 15 minutes ago, but Suzanne, or more appropriately, her mother, is usually always running "a little late." The rest of the teenagers chat noisily amidst Brandon's increasingly annoying farting noises as you silently go over the last of the details in your head.
Quickie