Brothers/Sisters, we are not professionals...

I have been reading John Piper's: Brothers, We are Not Professionals. In this book, Piper calls all pastors/leaders to: "abandon the secularization of the pastorate and pursue the prophetic call of the Bible for radical ministry." It is a call that I plan to embrace, and encourage you to do so as well. But that is not the point of this post. In his work, Piper quotes C.H. Spurgeon on the devout prayer warrior Jerome. Spurgeon says:

That was a grand action by Jerome, one of the Roman fathers. He laid aside all the pressing engagements and went to fulfill the call God gave him, viz, to translate the Holy Scriptures. His congregation were larger than many preachers of today, but he said to his people, "Now it is necessary that the Scriptures be translated; you must find another minister: I am bound for the wilderness and shall not return until my task is finished." Away he went and labored and prayed until he produced the Latin Vulgate, which will last as long as the world stands. So we must say to our friends, " I must go away and have time for prayer and solitude." And though we did not write Latin Vulgates, yet our work will be immortal: Glory to God.

I want to encourage you, make time for prayer. It is the only power we have to effect the change of heart in other's lives which we wish to see. It is the only way that we can bring Christlikeness to our own hearts, and to the hearts of those in our congregations. And after all isn't that what people need, and deep inside want? Piper said it this way: Are not our people really yearning to be around a man who has been around God? From my experience, that is just what they are looking for, and just what they deserve in a pastor; a man who has been near God.

My new favorite show...

Hey Gang,
I have a new favorite show! This weekend, we (the McClendonhill's, Bonnie, & I) had veg-out day. We sat around and watched My Name is Earl. It is about this redneck and his life. Earl won $100 thousand dollars in the lottery, and then was hit by a car. While in traction from his injuries, Earl found Karma (from Carson Daly), and made a list of all the things he had done wrong in his life. He vowed then and there to use the money to right all of his wrongs. Earl has a sidekick, his brother Randy; who is a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Earl also has a foil, his former wife. Let me tell you, My Name is Earl, is hilarious. If you are looking for me on Thursday nights @ 7, just know that I will be watching: My Name is Earl.

Two Great Friends...

One of the great things that you get as an extra when you date the hottest little chica west of the Mississippi, is that her friends get to be your friends. Bonnie has some great friends, and I am glad to now call them mine, and I want to introduce them to you.

The young lady on the left is Lauren. She is a spunky Texan, full of life and love for the Lord. She is honest as the day is long, and funny as all get out. She is also very forgiving, seeing as how I have offended her many a time, but she still is nice to me.

This is Angela.(She is the second young lady on the left in the picture above.) Angela is a sweetheart, and whoa is she a hard worker. I think she has 20 jobs. Not to mention, she can put together a beautiful Christmas tree, and throws a wicked tailgate party. There is only one thing I see wrong with Angela. She love the Lord, but evidently the Lord has not opened her eyes to see that the University of Georgia is the best University in the WORLD. You see Angela roots for the bees from Atlanta. But let me tell you, she is the best Tech fan I have ever met. I just know that she will come to the light one day, after she finds and marries that Georgia Boy that God has set aside for her! (In this picture you can see Angela and I at the Georgia v. Georgia Tech game. By the way, Angela, who won that game?)

Ladies, thanks for accepting me, and I am happy to have you as friends.

What I have been up to...

Hey gang,

I had a wonderful Christmas, full of family, fun, friends, and a few broken fingers. I went home for the holidays, to see the family and celebrate Christmas. While I was there I saw this:














That's right friends, Big D is still good lookin', and funny. I stopped off to see Big D, and was even invited to be his guest on his weekly radio and tv show. We were especially pious here. All jest aside, Big D is sharing God's word with the Sequachie Valley 5 days a week with this 30 minute radio and tv spot. As always, D does a great job explaining God's word, and making you love the Lord the way he does.

I also saw this:



















This is my nephew kickin' hiney minush and taking names. You will notice that he is 4" shorter than the rest of the kids in the class, but he is a McKinney so his Irish(my sister would say Scottish, but this is my blog so I will tell like I want to.) gets up at times. Patrick is now a recommended Purple belt, which in the common vernacular means: Uncle Chris had better watch our when I get older! I sure hope that what my Dad told me about Old Age and trickery beating youth and inexperience is true. If not, I will be in big trouble one day.


After the long trip back to Texas, Bonnie and I went here:

That is right folks, this dyed in the wool, Red and Black By the grace of God, Georgia Bulldog Backer went to see the Auburn Tigers whoop up on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I have heard the rumors that the people are spreading, saying that I actually cheered for the Auburn Tigers. But I want you to know that there is no substantial proof of me committing this heresy. Now some have posted pictures of me in an Auburn hat. All I can say is slander, and Photoshop!

As you can tell, I had a wonderfully exciting, but not so restful Christmas. It is alright though, I enjoyed myself so much that I figure I will sleep during basketball season. (That's what everybody else does anyway!)