When this sentiment is expressed in regards to “living for God” it makes me want to vomit.  It is no harder or easier to live for God than it ever has been.  Young people like to take the position that their Pentecostal ancestors had it easier.  They say things like, “my parents didn’t have to deal with the sex, drugs and rock and roll”.  Youth pastors mistakenly enable their students by saying “I don’t know how you deal with it.”  Come on!  I have never had someone throw rotten tomatoes at me or consider me devil possessed because I speak in tongues.  Was it easier to live for God then?  Is it harder now?  The answer is no.  I may have some different, key word different, things that I have to deal with but they are not necessarily more difficult or easier than previous generations. 

On the other hand, I’m tired of being denigrated by people who say that their experience is harder than I have it.  Granted, I’ve always had air conditioning, nice clothes, a nice car, etc.  I’ve always attended a church that had a/c, was indoors, and on the “right side of the tracks”.  Does this make my experience with God less?  I’ve heard it suggested to be so.  It has been suggested that my relationship isn’t as deep because I didn’t “suffer” enough or sacrifice enough.  It’s insulting.  It’s offensive.  And I’m tired of it. 

I am incredibly thankful for the foundation that my ancestors laid.  I will always be grateful.  The things that we are doing now wouldn’t have ever been possible without the foundation that I mentioned earlier.  It is my intention to continue to build on that. 

It’s no easier.  It’s no harder.  Everyone has their own cross to bear.

But what really drives me nuts, I mean absolute bonkers, is the people who own the animal then go on all of the tv shows and say things like, “He was such a nice tiger.”  Or, “I could never imagine my chimp doing such a thing.”  And then of course they sob and boo hoo and get off with a light slap on the wrist.  It’s dumb.  I think they should be sued for all they are worth and then they should be slapped with something like criminal negligence. 

And please, all of you animal activists, don’t write and say something stupid.  Yes, if we go into their element then we deserve to be eaten.  This isn’t a discourse against the animals but the idiots that own them. 

Take the animals out to the jungle where they belong.

Now that the foolishness is out of the way….ah, who are we trying to kid here?  It’s all foolishness.  There have been somethings in the news that I haven’t commented on and some thoughts banging around in the old noggin that need to come out.  Let the games begin.

Sully, you’re the man.  Yeah, yeah, I know.  I’m way late in saying this but that dude can be my pilot anytime.  I’m going to NYC in a few weeks and I’d prefer him to be the pilot just in case an enormous flock of birds….BIRDS?? comes around my plane.  Since we all now know that a seagull can tear up an engine something fierce, I propose that we have a few gun toting rednecks sit on the wings with shotguns.  All we’ll have to tell them is that they can shoot all the birds their little redneck hearts desire and they’ll be building duck blinds on the end of the wings in no time.  

Welcome to the United Socialist States of America.  400 million for STD’s?  No problem!  8 billion to make federal buildings green?  Kermit, come on down.  7 million for fish migration?  Little fishies get to swim to their hearts content!  Come on!  Is there anybody else that realizes that this bill is simply the Democrats pet projects that have been laying around for the last 8 years that they couldn’t get passed.  Sure, I’m all for building up the infrastructure of this country.  Anyone who was on that bridge in Minnesota would agree with me too.  However, stop trying to tell us that you’re trying to stimulate the economy by doing all of this.  Yeah, there are going to be a few jobs created but we all know what this is.  It’s pork at it’s finest!  Anybody who has ever taken an economics class in high school or college knows that the only proven way to stimulate true and lasting growth is to cut taxes permanently.  How long until we start calling our President the Premier?  We couldn’t even join the E.U. because our debt to GDP ratio is so high.  And we call them Socialists?

For most people February is the slowest month of the year.  Not for me.  Whew,we are busy.  Ministry Fair next Wednesday night, revival this Sunday.  Lots of great things happening at TPC.  It is so exciting to see the growth that is happening around here. 

I’m going to New York City in just a few weeks.  Excited.

The no fun police has relented and allowed me access to the blog and FaceBook while still at work so I should be able to post more frequently now.  Work?  HA! 

Just read a fantastic article on cnn.com about the farce that is Valentines Day.  It’s a must read.   The author is a former minister by the name of Roland Martin.  Check it out when you get a chance.  Guys I must say that we get hammered on V Day. 

I’m annoyed about the inequity of being off for MLK day and not getting off of work for either Washington’s or Lincoln’s birthday.  And no, President’s day is not an acceptable compromise.  That is the day we celebrate all of our Presidents.  Surely Lincoln deserves his own day!?

I used way to many exclamation points during this post and for that I will censor myself. 

Loving the weather today.  Cold, rainy with snow on the mountain peaks.  Beautiful.  We are finally getting some snow in the Sierra’s which will mean a trip to ski soon.  Just gotta find the time.

Yesterday was a great day of victory at TPC.  I love watching new converts and seeing when the light “clicks” on.  We also had a lot of our bus kids stay over for church and come to the altar.  What a great experience to pray with them and watch the spirit of the Lord come over them!  Every where that I looked yesterday people were receiving blessings, being slain in the spirit and dancing before the Lord.  Awesome, awesome day.

I have been annoyed for a long while with the way that people name their children.  What ever happened to normal names?  Why do parents feel the need to saddle their children with these very unfortunate monikers?  I was reading a list earlier today of some of these travesties.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Girl Names: Tallula Bell, Moxie Crimefighter, Sailor Lee, Calico, Lark Song, Heavenly Hiranna Tiger Lily, Fushcia.

Boy Names: Banjo, Audio Science, Bamboo, Jermajesty, Pilot Inspektor, Messiah Ya’Majesty(hahahahahahahahaha), Indiana August.

Please, please, please!  When you name your child give them something that will stand the test of time and not subject them to massive mockery by the other children name John, Mark, Matthew and Lucy. 

A caveat to this post that will make me sound like a complete hypocrite:  I’ve always been partial to naming a girl Storm.  I know, I know.  Can’t you just imagine little Stormy Hurst!  Ah.  I love it.

I am finding myself more and more amazed at the Grace that God exhibits toward us.  I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately and have read many different authors perspectives on God’s amazing grace.  In the reading I have found that there are just no adequate words to describe the grace of God.  It is truly amazing, this gift of grace.  The grace of God is one of my favorite things to preach about, talk about and think about.   Where would I be without the grace of God??  I have no idea, nor do I want to think of where I would find myself.  To be seperated from God, which we all would be if not for his grace, has to be the most terrible thing and feeling in the world.  This is why I can not believe that people would voluntarily distance their self from God and his presence!

I am loving life.  I am loving living life.  That hasn’t always been the case but it is now. 

I don’t have anything funny.  I’m sorry if you came here for humour today.  I’m always ready to post something funny but I haven’t come up with anything lately. 

I hope you are all doing fantastic.

2.  There are an amazingly large amount of really stupid songs on the air lately.  I hear some song called “Garment of Praise” this morning and was astounded and the awesomely bad lyrics and theology.  Note to songwriters:  Three words and modulating seven times does not a good sound make. Thank you for discontinuing your assault on my ear drums. 

3. Gotta love winter in California.  Weather today:  Somewhere around 70, light breeze, no clouds.  Lovely. 

4. Great church yesterday.  I love to hear Bro. Ronnie Mullings preach.  He preached quite possibly the greatest message on giving that I have ever heard. 

I hope you all have a great week.  Enjoy the sun, go to the beach, or shovel snow (depending on where you find yourself during the brutal January.  haha).