I’ve often imagined dunking a basketball. I’ve watched the talented players in college games jump to unbelievable heights and slam the ball in the goal. In my mind’s eye, I can see myself doing the same thing. Now, at my age and physical condition, not to mention height to weight ratio, that’s just not going to happen. But it doesn’t stop me from dreaming. Someone summed it up by saying, “We’re all great in our dreams.”

via terren in Virginia @ flickr

Just because we may not reach our wildest dreams, doesn’t mean that we can’t be more than we are. The fact is that many of us fail to achieve the potential that lies within us. For various reasons, we are unable to “Be all we can be.” This is especially true in our relationship with God.

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:34-39

Why are we here? Is there some reason for my existence? Some purpose for being on this planet? This is one of the great mysteries of life. Fortunately for us, the answer is found in the pages of the Bible.

It is God’s ultimate purpose for me to bring glory to Himself by being all that He intended me to be: Loving Him. I can only achieve my potential by obeying this “great” command. It is the ultimate achievement.

“Being all you can be” means glorifying God by loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Anything else, no matter how applauded by the world, is not success. Nothing else is a greater success.

Let me begin by making one thing clear: Funerals are somber occasions which deserve the highest order of respect from those in attendance, and I would never, I repeat NEVER be disrespectful at a funeral. I might mentally entertain myself by creating humorous marketing slogans utilizing the unique names which funeral homes seem so prone to have, (You kill ‘em, we “Dunkum!” or Tired of long boring funerals?  Come to us for a “Shorter” funeral! or  you can fill in your own slogan for the “Butcher” funeral home!) but you’ll NEVER see me outwardly express mirth over the ridiculous things that happen at funerals.

That being established let me share a few observations about a proper organ prelude. These are inspired by the experience of a “friend” of mine (euphemism for “can’t admit it was me”) who recently survived a musical attrocity:

1) The organist should actually be able to complete a song.

2) The organist should realistically be expected to be able to play “The Old Rugged Cross”.

3) Upon reaching a point in the song he/she is unable to play, the organist should refrain from returning to the beginning of the song to try again. This musical technique should most certainly NOT be repeated multiple times on the same song.

4) The organist should refrain from launching into a raucously loud version of Amazing Grace as the officiating minister is beginning his opening remarks.

5) If the organist can’t successfully complete a verse of “How Great Thou Art” after two tries, he/she really shouldn’t play the third (or the fourth).

and finally,

6) While “Charge” is appropriate organ music for a baseball game, it is most assuredly inappropriate for funeral recessionals.

Ever had a funny experience at a serious moment? church service, funeral, wedding etc?

1. Jon Acuff proves Solomon invented Twitter. Well, maybe “proves” is a little strong, but see what you think . . .

Solomon invented Twitter

2. This bit of MLK history from Owen Strachan illustrates that spiritual and theological convictions can motivate great change.

Christopher Hitchens was Wrong: Martin Luther King Jr. on Cosmic Companionship

3. Ever wondered why dinosaurs don’t talk? Brian Regan’s son has the answer.

4. Weddings are a blessed part of pastoral ministry. They also raise questions and can provide headaches. Brian Croft helps with the questions.

What are the boundary lines to determine whether a pastor can/should conduct a wedding?

5. This is one of the most chilling, sobering things I’ve ever seen. Justin Taylor shares the trailer It’s a Girl! The Three Deadliest Words in the World.

The 200 Million Missing Girls.

6. Desiring God offers a free e-book on abortion and asks you to “Please feel free to download it, print it, copy it, and share it with as many people as you like.”

Exposing the Dark Work of Abortion

7. Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby has an extraordinary collection of Bible artifacts. Here he discusses a few items from the collection, including a recently recovered papyrus fragment of Romans – estimated to be the earliest (2nd century) extant manuscript of the book.

Hobby Lobby president’s rare collection.

8. Increased religious freedom in China? Christianity Today reports that increasingly the Chinese have legal access to Christian literature.

Discipling the Dragon: Christian Publishing Finds Success in China.

9. Abraham Piper has found his favorite Wal-Mart in the Dominican Republic. I think I agree.

HT: 22 Words.

There is no shortage of current books related to the “gospel” in some form or another. That fact in itself might have kept me from this excerpt that Nathan Finn shares from J. D. Greear’s new book Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary.

Recently, I talked with a little old lady who had been my Sunday school teacher at the very traditional church in which I grew up. She said, “You know, as I lose more and more friends to heaven, I often wonder what it is really like up there and what I should be looking forward to. I know they say there are streets of gold, but that doesn’t seem to excite me very much. The one thing I really want to do is see Jesus.” This lady has never heard of John Piper and has no idea what the Gospel Coalition is, but she has been changed by the gospel. She loves Jesus, and that is the whole point of gospel-centeredness.

There are many little old ladies serving in church nurseries who may not understand how to articulate the theories of gospel-centeredness or have the ingenuity to dazzle our minds with psychological insights, cultural observations, and Christocentric interpretations of obscure Old Testament passages. Their hearts, however, burn with love for Jesus and overflow with gratefulness for His grace.

Their humble, gospel-rich love for God is worth more than all the books you or I can write on this subject.

So don’t be quick to judge them. Be humbled by them. Mastering the theory of gospel-centeredness is not the point. Loving the God of the gospel is.

Glad I didn’t miss that! One of the things I fear is developing educational and theological snobbery – primarily because it can cause me to miss the point: loving the God of the Gospel!

You can read the entire excerpt here.

I recently heard an interview with one of his sons which challenged me as a dad. He remarked that he was once asked, “What is the difference between Borge on stage and Borge off-stage?” He thought, then answered with characteristic wit, “The lighting.”

What a testimony to consistency! That’s the dream of every parent . . . that our children find us the same in private as we are in public. Whether you and I are ever on stage, I pray that our family or friends can say the same of us.

Have you had someone in your life you could say that about?

1. Believing in Tim Tebow

I know everyone’s “Tebowed” out, but this article focuses on what’s important about him.

2. 13 Pictures of Crazy Goats on Cliffs

Mountain goats have to either be the craziest or most fearless creature on four legs. You decide.

3. Let Me Tell You How to Vote

Dr. Kevin Bauder addresses Christians and voting.

4. Slay Your Dragons Before Breakfast

Michael Hyatt faces the same morning dragon I do: Lethargy! This is how he defeats him early.

5. More Than Enough

A conversation between Phillip and Andrew as imagined by Jon Bloom.

6. President Obama and Same-sex Marriage: The Dance Continues

Will the President’s “evolving” views on gay rights and same-sex marriage affect this year’s election?

7.

For those of us who are still trying to figure out primaries, caucuses, conventions and super-delegates, this video clears it all up.

8. Church Sign of the Week

Some have wondered if God cares about football. These churches seem to think so.

9.

Warren Wiersbe

5th in the Knights of Arrethtrae Series, this is the engaging story of Sir Quinlan, a young man who leaves home to serve in the “Swords of Valor.” These knights serve the King, doing battle with the forces of the Dark Knight who plots to take the Kingdom.

Taking the blame for a tragic failure, Quinlan seeks to flee from his past. He finds redemption through the help of Taras the Silent Warrior and by facing up to a task that will challenge his courage and commitment to the King.

This is an engaging story that is obviously spiritual allegory. Written for older children and young teens, it is an enjoyable story that communicates important truths. Young boys would find this an engaging story of knights, battles, evil enemies and challenges. Parents will be glad for reading material that enforces the values the want to instill in their children.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

2. I love Jon Acuff’s warning about post-mission trip pretentiousness. I also enjoyed using the word “pretentiousness.” (Was that too pretentious?)

3. Greg Howlett’s application of Dave Ramsey’s formula is true for finances, music, and other areas of life as well.

4. If, like me, you use the E-Sword Bible program you will appreciate these links to commentary modules from A ‘Goula Blogger. If you are not using it, you should check it out – it’s free! I’ve used it for some years now and highly recommend it.

5. Those who are familiar with Southern Gospel will recognize the name Ken Turner. Aaron Swain reports that for the first time in some years Ken is singing full-time. The videos there demonstrate what I’ve always thought: Bass singers just get better with age!

6. Many are blogging about their resolution for Bible reading in 2012. Aaron Armstrong explains why he’s not using a Bible reading plan this year.

7. Iowan Shane Vander Hart shares his thoughts about Rick Santorum’s near-win in the Iowa Caucuses.

8. Are biographies good for the soul? Jason Helopoulus thinks so. Having just finished an excellent biography of Patrick Henry, and having enjoyed quite a few in my life, I concur!

9. This just speaks for itself. A new take on an old classic: