We have a relationship with a certain tribe of churches.  We love and appreciate them even though they many times don’t exactly understand what we are about.

So today I get a letter with a certificate saying we were 18th in ENTIRE state last year for what they call large churches in  baptisms.  I have to be honest and say that is SAD!!!!!!   I think it is awesome that a church that is 2 1/2 years old is dunking a ton of people, I think it is SAD for other churches that we are 18th.  Trust me, we should have baptized a LOT more people last year and I don’t understand how we should even be in top 100 if other churches are doing what they should be doing.  I kind of feel like we are the best of the worst if that makes sense.

I have been to a few different church websites in the last week and several of them have a place on their website for churches that would like to basically close down and merge with the church whose site I am on.

I’m not saying it is wrong but it just seems odd to me that they are openly recruiting other churches to merge with.

Very weird.

My little girl graduates kindergarten tonight!  I can’t believe she is already in school and I am very proud of her BUT I got to admit that I don’t really understand the whole “graduation” thing.

It is kindergarten for crying out loud!  What exactly is she graduating from?  Seems just like a reason I have to get dressed up for a photo opp.

As much as I don’t understand it, I will be there and I will be happy and proud to be there because even if it is a dumb thing, it will be a dumb thing I will look back on one day and remember and that is something I want to treasure because as fast as she is growing up, she will be gone soon.

That is an old saying that I have heard in the church for years. Sadly, I think most churches don’t live it out. As I was reading some of the things about Jerry Falwell passing away today I came across this quote from Larry Flynt, the owner of Hustler Magazine and probably Jerry’s most known target. I thought it was a great testimony to this old saying. There are a lot of people out who hate Jerry Falwell and I will admit he said a lot of dumb things but I honestly believe he cared about people and this quote from Larry Flynt proves it to me.

“The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor. My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling. The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in.” –Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler Magazine

I hope at the end of my life people will know that I hate sin with everything that is in me but I love people all that much more.

Just wanted all of you to know that this Friday’s Membership Class has been postponed.  I say we blame Malcolm!!!

We’ll announce the next class as soon as we decide on a date.

It is probably the cold medicine talking but I am watching the Country Music Awards and I got to admit I dig just about everything Rascal Flatts does.

I think I like them because the lead singer is fat like me but still dresses like a pimp.  I got to get rich where I can get custom made clothes like that.

Seriously, I am not a huge fan of country music but I really dig those guys.

I know it is super short notice but my good friend Greg Rohlinger is going to be in town next Wednesday (May 23rd) and we thought it would be a cool time to get some church planters together for lunch.

Greg is the pastor of Palm Valley Church in Arizona and they are running around 2,000 in attendance while still meeting in a school! The dude is sharp when it comes to church planting and this will be a fun time to hang out and pick his brain.

If you are interested in coming, email Taylor at taylor@ridgestonechurch.com or hit contact at the top of the page and let her know and she will give you the 411 on where we will be eating and what time.

Trust me, it will be worth your time.

Fox News is reporting that Jerry Falwell has passed away.  Like him, Love him, or Hate him, the guy was a HUGE visionary leader and won thousands to Jesus Christ.  I met him about 3 years ago when my pastor was teaching at Liberty and he was a very kind man.

Remember the family, Liberty U, and Thomas Road Baptist Church in your prayers.

You can read the story here. 

I’m still sick BUT I am not to sick to head up to Burlington, N.C. and beat the crap out of some pastors.  My boy Tadd is taking a ton of heat from pastors in the area because they can’t handle the fact that he is about to turn that town upside down for the cause of Christ.

I am so freaking sick of pastors, Christian leaders, and Christians who instead of telling people about Jesus would rather spend their time backstabbing and gossipping about other pastors.  It is insane.

Pray for Tadd.  Pray for me because I am about to go up there and bust some heads.

I am so stinking sick right now that I had decided as soon as this post is done, I am going to my room to die.

It was nice knowing all of you and thank you for reading this blog.  It has been cool but I doubt I will make it through the night.