JasonPeck.net
ramblings about family, life, and ministry from a husband, dad, and youth pastor
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James Lankford a Competent New Voice
Please remember to vote tomorrow and if you need more information on James, please go to www.jameslankford.com.
Bob Smiley on the Perils of Parenting
This guy just makes me laugh!
Is Jesus Just Our Free Ticket To Heaven?
This past Saturday I was finally able to see Casting Crowns live in concert. I have been a fan of theirs for years, but it just hadn't worked out for me to go see them yet. It was looking like I wasn't going to be able see them again this time around even though they were going to be only fifteen minutes from my house. Then, I got a phone call from my friend John asking if I wanted to go to the concert for free! I didn't even have to think twice. The only catch was I had to help handout information for a local Christian radio station as people walked through the doors. I may not be good at a lot of things in life, but even I can give out business cards.
After I told John I would go and help promote the radio station, I had a second thought. While I knew of the station, I had really only listened to it a handful of times. It wasn't that I didn't like this station, it's just that I prefer another Christian station when I actually get to pick what I am listening too. Most of the time our van and home are filled with music my two little girls will enjoy more. Don't get me wrong, I think VBS music is great and all, but that usually isn't my first choice.
Right before they were going to open the doors to start seating people, I was told where to stand and given business cards to handout. As I stood there looking at the line forming outside of the church, I got a little worried. What if someone actually asked me a question about the station? I only knew the name of one of the DJs and I could probably guess at their website address. I glanced at the business card to cram any last-minute information into my head as possible. I ended up handing out well over a hundred cards and only had to answer one minor question.
As we were finishing up, they had me go help John because he still had people coming through his door. As I was walking up to help John, I could hear him aggressively go after anyone who would take a card. As he gave out his cards, he would also say that this was the best Christian radio station in the world. He said that almost every time and we all knew he meant it. For John, he knew several of the people who worked there and had even helped them at other events. This was clearly John's favorite radio station and he was proud to promote it.
During the first of the concert, I couldn't help but think how different my approach was from John's. While I wanted to give everyone a card, I really didn't have the same passion as John. I began to wonder if that is why so many Christians are pretty lousy at evangelism? I'll admit that I didn't really go to help promote the radio station; I went to hear Casting Crowns. And I bet John would have gone just to promote the station even if he didn't get to hear the concert.
How many people only view Jesus as their free ticket to heaven like my free ticket to the concert? Since they really don't know Jesus, they can't answer questions about Him or really even enthusiastically share Him with their friends and family. When Jesus is JUST our ticket to heaven, we are missing the point. There will be no passion or excitement when we are placed expected to help with evangelism. However, the more we know Jesus, the more we will want to tell others about Him because we know they must have what we have. I got to see my concert for free and I helped promote a radio station without causing any harm. But if I just try and fake my way through evangelism, people's souls are at stake. Jesus is NOT just our free ticket to heaven.
James Lankford for Congress
Unfortunately I live in the 4th district and not the 5th. I support James 100% and know that he is following the leading of God as he seeks to become an elected official. We need James in Washington if America is going to start getting back on track.
It's Finally Here!
This is the night I have been waiting for since last May. We finally get to start watching the final episodes of Lost. I'll be honest, it is going to be very hard to concentrate today at work. The best part about tonight is we get two hours of brand-new footage. If you are a Lost fan, enjoy tonight and all of the craziness that is coming our way in season six!
Apple iPad
Today Apple released the much-hyped iPad. This is the overview video from the Apple website that displays all of its features and functionality. Here are some of my initial reactions.
- I definitely want a future version of the iPad. When the iPhone first came out I knew that someday I would hopefully own one. This summer that became a reality when I was able to buy the iPhone 3G S. I will have to wait for a price reduction and I want some new features that are currently not available. The first generations of the iPhone were not equipped with the ability to record videos and I knew I wanted that on my phone.
- I really don't care for the name. Not that I have a better solution, I just don't care for this one. Oh well. When I first heard iPod I wasn't too sure and now it is a common word I say and hear all of the time.
- Just like my iPhone, I really want to see multitasking capability before I buy an iPad. Even though I am not the best at multitasking, I do like to listen to music while I surf the web and check e-mail. For me, this is a must-have before I would buy one.
- There really should be an built-in camera. Our culture has rapidly embraced the photo and video world. Plus, I can picture using your iPad to video chat with family and friends.
- I love the 3G support that will come with the models they ship starting in April. Having Wi-Fi and 3G on my iPhone has been so nice and I don't know how I could go back now. I am anxious to see how much these plans will cost since I am already paying $30 a month for my iPhone.
- Because I am frequently on my couch when I am using my MacBook at home, I can definitely see myself using an iPad while watching TV and just hanging out. However, I'm sure that if I would use it to do much typing or work with the iWork apps, I would need to purchase the attachable keyboard.
- I would also want to purchase a case to protect the screen and outside of the iPad. Call me crazy but I really like to protect my tech gear so I can use them as long as possible.
Here We Go Again?
Well, it looks like we are in for some more bad weather starting tomorrow. I have heard talks of this happening for the last week but for some reason didn't really believe it. Maybe I was hoping by not acknowledging this as a real possibility I somehow thought it wouldn't actually take place. I do know that I was getting more used to seeing the sun than thinking about ice and snow. Oh well. Here we go again!
Lost The Final Season
I have to admit that I am really getting excited about the final season of Lost. I know that to many, that sounds sill, but not for me. I can still remember sitting in our house in Artesia, NM and watching the first episode. From the very beginning I was hooked and now I'm ready for some closure. At first I was sad to hear that they had decided to only have six seasons, but now I'm ready for it to end so I can go back and watch for things I know that I missed the first time around. Here's to all of my Lost friends and let the adventure begin on February 2nd!
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