Reflections of The Glory of God are Lined all up 3rd Street!

This morning the St. James Court Art Show kicked off right across the street from our humble abode. It is one of the largest Art Shows in the country (so they say). My crazy landlord asked me yesterday if I was going to work the beer booth. Oh, how did I miss signing up for that. Anyways, it is really cool how Old Louisville has been transformed as the Art Show has invaded. There are over 900 booths. Susan and I will post some pictures later this evening or in the morning of the festivities.

In the meantime, lets think about the grand artist himself. Our creative Father. No artist on earth can compare to His ability, creativity, or artistic mind. Every artist on earth themselves are a testimony to the greater artist. As I look out my front window, I see the glory of God lined up forever up 3rd Street. Thousands and thousands of people will flock to 3rd and 4th Streets and St. James Court this weekend to get a glimpse of the Glory of God. Most hardly know what they are groping for. They walk so slowly down the sidewalks gazing at magnificence yet not acknowledging the source, the Fountain. Every artist in every booth, is reflecting the glory of God in their artistic expressions. Even the unredeemed, though their expressions are marred and distorted with sin...they hint at their created purpose as they show their art. In their art, though their hearts suppress the truth, they declare something about whose image they were created in. He is the grand artist! My art does not compare to His! He is the Master creative genius! Of the thousands that will come and see, only a remnant will pause and give glory to the Master Artist as they see his reflection in hundreds of expressions. Most will walk right past reflections of the glory of God and in the hardness of their hearts continue to ignore the Beautiful One. Let us not ignore Him today. Let us enjoy artist expressions all around us as revere the Master Artist.

Share with us. While turning double plays, and skateboarding stunts have artistic tones in them - all of us have abilities in art, some of us are just more focused or accomplished than others.

Who are some artists you know personally?
What kind of art do thy do?
Why do you enjoy their stuff?
Do they have a website?

Lets share.

New Music from Daniel Doss!

One of my best friends, Daniel Doss has a couple of new websites up, but more important than that, has a new cd out. I have yet to receive a copy of it...but I am so looking forward to listening! You can hear little clips of it from his band's website. You can click here for his other website. Be sure to order your copy of his newest cd. One of the songs on it recently won first place in a couple of big contests and was privleged to be included on the latest volume of Song Discovery. They distribute the best new worship songs around...and have included the likes of Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and Tim Hughs in the past.

They saw his wee!

I just got a message on my voice mail from Kristi Cherry my sister...she and Bubba went to the Doctor today and found out they are having a boy! Yea!!! We are so excited! They are taking suggestions for names. His last name will be Cherry. So you fill in the blank by responding to the blog with your suggestion. I'll start us off.


Harry Cherry

Dancing Lessons Oh Yea!

Susan and I had our first experience in dancing lessons. A good buddy I met while preaching at Southeast Christian Church this past Summer was our brave teacher. We learned a little Waltz and a little Salsa. Susan was a much faster learner than I was. The occasion was Susan's 24th birthday. I think we'll go back for at least one more lesson.

We had a super time staying with Susan's Gran this past weekend in Clarksville too! I'm on fall break, trying to get caught up on reading and sermons outlined for the next several weeks.

Fashion Models, The Homeless, and Cocaine Part 3

What about Kate Moss personally? What about Kerry Bell personally?

Many people may think the way the editor of Allure magazine Linda Wells thinks. As the NY Times reported, “Because a model is in many ways just a beautiful image, the personal life has historically not been that important.” Not important? What is going on personally with Kate Moss is not important? She is just an image? How plastic! How lifeless! How degrading! Kate Moss is so much more than an image, contrary to what many medias or other segments of our culture may want us to believe. Kate Moss is a person with value, for she was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). She is not merchandise. She is not a random image but she is the image of the all supreme, unique, infinitely valuable and holy God. And so is Kerry Bell.

It is unhealthy to forget that fashion models, and the homeless alike are created in the image of God. We devalue them both for different reasons. We think the same way as Linda Wells thinks about fashion models and homeless. Fashion models are just beautiful images for us to enjoy. The Homeless are just nasty images we wish to avoid. Neither are true. Both are peoples, worthy to be treated with dignity and respect. Neither are to be ignored. Both are to be personally cared for, reached out to, and told the truth about who they are and can be. Fashion models and The homeless alike need to be loved and informed that they are created in the image of God and the purpose of their lives to relect the image of God.

What about their kids? Kate Moss’ daughter turns three next Thursday. Kerry Bell has a 16 year old son that desperately needs a dad. Thinking about the kids of those who use cocaine should break our hearts and move us to personal engagement in their lives. In the same way we have been graciously rescued out of our sin, we should graciously intervene in peoples lives with the gospel and efforts of rescue.

Fashion models and The Homeless are more than beautiful or nasty images. They are the image of God. And they have kids who need them. Let us not ignore these realities.

Let's talk about it...do you find yourself more inclinded to ignore or engage these people. How do you respond personally? How should we engage? What are some wise ways to do this?

Fashion Models, The Homeless, and Cocaine Part 2

Cocaine is certainly no respecter of persons. The Biblical reality is that there is a real devil who is prowling around looking for lives to destroy, whether it be the homeless or fashion models. (1 Peter 5:8)

H&M’s process of handling Kate Moss’ cocaine use is interesting and quite telling. You can read the article from the NY Times by clicking here. The Times quotes H&M’s spokeswoman Jennifer Uglialoro in what sounds to be a respectable position. “If someone is going to be the face of H&M, it is important they be healthy, wholesome and sound” in her describing why Moss’ next campaign with the company was canceled. However, this was not their first position. After hearing Moss’ side of the story they H&M initially decided to forgive her and continue to use her. There decision changed.
It changed as a result of the public reaction. The Times reports, “Customers called stores over the weekend, many complaining that the company, which markets to teenagers and young adults, would be associated with a model who admitted using drugs.” It was only after this feed back that Europe’s largest clothing chain chose not to continue using Moss.

There is a lesson to be learned.

We do not have to stand by and remain silent, unengaged with the culture at large, as we see it spin down the drain in sin and despair. We can have influence in places we may have never dreamed. We do not have to just shake our heads as though nothing can be changed for the better. No one at H&M or any of the clothing stores is likely going to get saved as a result of a complaining phone call. That’s not the point. The point is your young daughter, sister, niece or neighbor may now not be tempted to think cocaine is quite so cool, because this famous, beautiful model uses it at leisure. Their curiosity of cocaine may not be perked because they are so lured by this icon’s style. The point is we can engage and have a voice and presence of influence in the culture for Christ.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Matthew 5:13

What about Kate Moss personally? What about Kerry Bell personally? What about their kids? Next Blog...

Fashion Models, The Homeless, and Cocaine

What do the homeless in downtown Louisville have in common with the world traveling fashion models of today? More specifically, What does my homeless friend Kerry Bell have in common with fashion model elite Kate Moss? Most would assume absolutely nothing. Kerry has no car, he walks everywhere he goes. He is not well known. He does not eat extravagant meals. He does not have a wardrobe. Kate Moss on the other hand travels the world, is famous, dines in NYC’s best, and earns about $9 million a year working with companies such as Chanel, Burberry, Christian Dior, Goria Vanderbilt and H. Stern jewelers. At first glance, they have seemingly nothing in common. Kerry usually stinks when you see him, Kate Moss probably wears the choicest perfumes. They do however have something in common...cocaine. Kerry who hasn’t been able to keep a job because of his addiction, is currently in rehab. The NY Times published an article yesterday reporting that Kate Moss had been dismissed from a planned advertising campaign with Europe’s largest clothing chain, H&M. The reason – her recent use of cocaine. Further news today indicates that other companies are dropping Moss as well. The article from yesterday is insightful on a number of levels which will be the topic of my next few blogs.

Back up and blogging!

Great news....our little computer took a blazing fast trip to Memphis (dell fix it place) and came back all well. She is up and running and ready for more blogging...stay tuned...

Just back from Atlanta - Passion 06 around the corner!

I just flew back in from Atlanta this afternoon after wrapping up Passion06 planning. About 15 other pastors and lead worshippers from all over the country flew into Atlanta yesterday for planning and prayer as we look forward to Passion06 in January. Another 30 or so will be there next weekend for a meeting of the same. Why would so many in the midst of crazy schedules loaded with ministry responsibilities of all colors put on hold the urgent demands of the daily ministry and emerge in Atlanta together. One aim - the fame of Jesus Christ in the lives of millions of college students across the nation. Our expectant heart is that God will take 15,000 college students in His hands, spend them out for His glory, multiplying their anthems of praise in the lives of peoples across the world. If you know college students who have any kind of pulse for Jesus...help them get to Passion06 - January 2-5, Nashville, Tennessee.

If you are a regular at the passion website, be sure to check the link above...they have recently updated.

One Year Anniversary!

Susan and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary this past Sunday September 4th! It is hard to believe it has already been a full year. Time certainly flies when you are having fun! We have had a wonderful year of laughing, learning, and loving together and look forward to many, many, more. For useless trivia, Susan and I together have been employed in 5 different states during our first year. NY, NJ, KY, TN, and IN. Susan substitute taught in Indiana as well as a crazy telemarketing thing for a temp job back in the Spring...that would be the difficult one to figure out for folks. Sunday evening we went to Nashville for the night and enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Melting Pot. We slept in real good and eventually found our way back to Lville. We have had wonderful support and encouragement from so many during our first year!