the reluctant leader

Top 7 in 2011: Victory Year-End Video Report

A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog called, "Church Growth: Are You Playing the Numbers Game?" Turns out some of my numbers were not accurate. Victory actually baptized 4613 people in 2011, not 4183 as reported in my blog. My apologies to the 430 new believers who were left off the original count.

Numbers do matter. To God and to us.

Here's Victory's 2011 Year-End video with some numbers that matter. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

My 2011 Top 10 Christmas Movies

Since Christmas movies have been playing all week, I thought it was time to update and post my annual Top 10 Must-See Christmas Movie List. Here's last year's list. And here's my 2011 list:

10. The Family Man (2000) - A modern version of the best Christmas movie ever (see my #1) starring Nicolas Cage, before he got in IRS trouble and started making lousy movies. Bonus: Don Cheadle is the best angel since Clarence. 

9. Joyeux Noel (2006) - Last Christmas our oldest son introduced us to this Oscar-nominated true story of German, French & Scottish troops in WWI who called a ceasefire on Christmas Eve. Peace on Earth, at least for a night. 

8. Bells of St Mary's (1945) - Bing Crosby as a priest. Ingrid Bergman as a nun. The movie is a bit slow at times, but the 5 minute 1st grade Christmas pageant is worth watching over and over. 

7. Elf (2003) - Opening scene with Sr Elf, Bob Newhart, reading the intro story about different types of elves is worth the price of the DVD.

6. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - Black and white classic that never gets old.

5. The Nativity Story (2006) - What The Passion of the Christ is to Holy Week, this movie is to Christmas.

4. Christmas Vacation (1989) - It doesn't really feel like Christmas until Cousin Eddie shows up.

3. Die Hard (1988) - Some doubt this is a Christmas movie, but the whole thing took place during an office Christmas party. Bonus: Hans Gruber is the best movie bad guy ever.

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - Wish they still made them like this. Bonus: one of my all-time fav soundtracks, real Jazz on a Christmas album.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - THE Christmas classic of all Christmas classics.

PS: Every year after I post my updated list, I get comments asking why A Christmas Story is not on my list. Here's the simple answer: because it's my list and I hate that movie.

The Story of My Life

I'm back in Nashville after a two week trip that included ministering to leaders at Every Nation Church in London, visiting my son in Oxford and training church planters in South Africa. It also included the usual flight delays and monstrous airport security lines.

One of my airplane books for this trip was Tim Keller's King's Cross, a study of the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. According to Keller, when Mark says Jesus spoke "with authority" it is like saying Jesus is speaking as the author. The New Testament word translated "authority" means "out of the original stuff" and comes from the same root word as the word "author."

Authors write as the final authority of their stories. They create the characters, the plot, the conflicts and they determine how the story ends.

I like the idea that Jesus is the author of my story. He is the one writing the script of my life, including the good times and the tough times. It is all his idea and as the author, he is completely in control of the outcome.

The writer of Hebrews calls him the "author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)

I am thankful that the Author of my story has included chapters that contain comedy, action, adventure, romance, mystery and even tragedy. (Thankfully no sci-fi or horror, yet.) And I can't wait to read and live the next few chapters.

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Here's my 2010 must-see top 10 Christmas movie list:

10. Christmas Vacation (1989) - Every family has a Cousin Eddie.

9. White Christmas (1954) - I'm still dreaming.

8. Elf (2003) - Opening scene with Sr Elf, Bob Newhart, reading the intro story is worth the price of the DVD.

7. Home Alone (1990)- The "Wet Bandits" are some of the best bad guys ever.

6. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - Black and white classic that never gets old.

5. The Nativity Story (2006) - The REAL story of Christmas.

4. Die Hard (1988) - Some doubt this is a C'mas movie, but the whole thing took place during an office Christmas party.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - another B&W classic. The color version does not make my top 20.

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - Wish they still made them like this. Special bonus: one of my fav soundtracks ever. Schroeder plays a mean piano.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - THE Christmas classic of all Christmas classics.

What's on your list?

Christmas Blog: Sometimes God's Will is Kinda Scary

To get in a Christmas state of mind, I watched The Nativity movie last night. Love the way Mary & Joseph seem like normal people - with questions, doubts & fears just like the rest of us.

Why are Jesus, Mary, Moses and other Bible characters usually depicted as hyper-spiritual glow-in-the-dark white-robed weirdos in Hollywood movies?

I don't think real spirituality looks anything like those movies. I think it's more like The Nativity. Here's one of my favorite scenes:

Mary: You've never really told me of your dream.
Joseph: My dream?
[pause, he is teasing her and also contemplating his response]
Joseph: No.
Mary: Please, tell me.
Joseph: An angel came to me. He told me the child within you had been conceived by the Holy Spirit and that I should not be afraid.
Mary:Are you afraid?
Joseph:Yes.
[laughing]
Joseph: Are you?
Mary:Yes. Do you ever wonder when we'll know?
Joseph: Know what?
Mary:When he is more than just a child. Will it be something he says? A look in his eyes?
Joseph: I wonder if I will even be able to teach him anything.

Sometimes, maybe all times, God's will is kinda scary. How about you, every been afraid of God's will?

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Getting in the Christmas spirit is easy in the Philippines, because we hear Christmas music and see Christmas decorations starting in September. So, for those of you not in the land of eternal Christmas, who need help getting into the spirit of the season, I suggest watching a Christmas classic. Here are my current top 10:

10. Jingle All the Way (1996) - Sinbad goes postal.

9. Die Hard (1988) - Some doubt this is a C'mas movie, but the whole thing took place during an office Christmas party.

8. White Christmas (1954) - I'm still dreaming.

7. Elf (2003) - Opening scene with Sr Elf, Bob Newhart, reading the intro story is worth the price of the DVD.

6. Home Alone (1990)- The "Wet Bandits" are some of the best bad guys ever.

5. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - Black and white classic that never gets old.
 
4. The Nativity Story (2006) - The REAL story of Christmas.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - A new addition to my list. Had not seen this one for about 30 yrs, until last year. Wish they still made them like this. Special bonus: one of my fav soundtracks ever. Schroeder plays a mean piano.

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - another B&W classic. The color version does not make my top 10.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - THE Christmas classic of all Christmas classics.

What's on your list?