Phil. 4:4-9 the Message

4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

read this today . . . thought it was cool

Happiness or Misery - You Choose
Dan Miller
There is a story of a ninety-two-year-old lady who was moving into a nursing home. As she was being wheeled down the corridor, the attendant began to describe the room. "I love it," the old women gushed. "But you haven't even seen the room yet," the attendant reminded her. "That doesn't have anything to do with it,"she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It's how I arrange my mind."
There's an important principle in that little story. Much of your success is decided in advance--or "arranged in your mind." Circumstances will never determine your amount of happiness. Circumstances only highlight who you already are. Many times a career path starts because of circumstances, rather than priorities. Family expectations, chance occurrences, a friendly teacher, or the desire for money can lead us down a career path that's ultimately unfulfilling. It's tough to make choices at eighteen that will be meaningful at forty-five. Just recently, I saw a forty-four-year-old client who opened with the comment "Dan, I'm tired of living my life based on the decisions made by an eighteen-year-old."

If your work life is not providing a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, draw that line in the sand. Decide what your ideal day would look like: How would you spend your time? What skills you would use? Money is ultimately never enough compensation for investing one's time and energy. There must be a sense of meaning and accomplishment. And yet a surprising thing frequently happens on the way to fulfillment and worthy contribution: rather than learning to live on "beans and rice" there is often the release of a financial flood. It's a myth that if you do what you love, then you'll have to be content to never make any money.

I have had the pleasure over the years of working with many people in this process of refocused and authentic direction, where ultimately the flow of money surprised them.

We walk by faith.

and that's a good thing

Trying to get out of San Diego

I tried to get out of San Diego today! I was held hostage by American Airlines as I talked to customer service, looked at AA.com, and starred at the departure screen in Terminal 2 at the San Diego airport. They cancelled over 200 flights today and I think mine were about 5 of them!!!!!

I really want to go home. I miss Kelli and the girls. I hate missing large chunks of their lives like this.

Filipinos warned on crucifixions

Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in Easter crucifixion rituals.

They have urged them to get tetanus vaccinations before they flagellate themselves and are nailed to crosses, and to practise good hygiene.

On Good Friday dozens of very devout Catholics in the Philippines re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

It is something that has become a huge tourist attraction, although the Church frowns on the practice.

Disinfect

The health department has strongly advised penitents to check the condition of the whips they plan to use to lash their backs, the Manila Times newspaper reports.

A Filipino is nailed to a cross on Good Friday in 2002
Real nails are used in the re-enactments

They want people to have what they call "well-maintained" whips.

In the hot and dusty atmosphere, officials warn, using unhygienic whips to make deep cuts in the body could lead to tetanus and other infections.

And they advise that the nails used to fix people to crosses must be properly disinfected first. Often people soak the nails in alcohol throughout the year.

Every Good Friday, in towns across the Philippines, people atone for sins or give thanks for an answered prayer by re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Giving thanks

In the northern city of San Fernando alone there will be three separate improvised Golgothas - the biblical name for the hill where Jesus was crucified.

Four people there have pledged to have their feet and hands nailed to wooden crosses, while others will flog themselves while walking barefoot through villages.

Sometimes people repeat the penance year after year, like the fish vendor who will be nailed to the cross for the 15th and last time on Friday to give thanks for his mother's recovery from tuberculosis.

With long hair and a beard, wearing sandals and a crown of thorns, he is tied with cloth to the cross but also has nails driven through the flesh of his hands and feet, avoiding the bones.

Called to Love

What are we really supposed to do as believers? How are we supposed to act? How are supposed to treat the people around us? The more I think about these questions, the more I feel God telling me to love!!!! I know its God. I can tell. I hear Him tell me to love when I read His Word. I know its His desire for me to love when I pray. The Holy Spirit urges me daily to love the people I encounter everywhere I go.

I'm going to love today!!

getting my jeep tomorrow

before you decide i'm all materialistic and all . . . it's 11 years old!
i love it.

Spring time is so cool

Check out the little bug on the flower . . . God is so creative.




I took this picture a few weeks off the coast of Southern California.

Disturbing News Story

I found this today as I was doing a little research . . . Would love to know what you are doing about this in your ministry . . . PLEASE COMMENT SO WE CAN ALL HELP EACH OTHER.

Story
Teens' Naked Photo Sharing Worries Prosecutor
FARMINGTON, Utah — Teenagers using cell phones, Web cams and the Internet to share naked images of themselves have prompted a Utah attorney general to revisit how such cases should be handled.

A group of 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls at Farmington Junior High School traded headless nude self-portraits with each other on cell phones in January, but there are several other similar unrelated cases.

"The conduct involved here runs the spectrum from being less severe to some shocking-type behavior," said Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings.

"Some were engaged in producing and distributing, some were engaged in just taking pictures of themselves and showing."

Rawlings said law enforcement expects to see more of this, so his office has been working on a blueprint of fair legal options that take into consideration such variables as the age of the person who sends the photo and the one who receives it.

Teens have been carrying cell phones with cameras for several years. Rawlings said he isn't sure why there's been a surge in this kind of image sharing. Many of the cases under review occurred before the Farmington Junior High case was made public.

"Why these things weren't called to our attention before this, I don't know," Rawlings said.

Rawlings said his intention is to provide the teens with help if they need it and deter others from similar activities.

"We're hoping that kids get the message that this is wrong," Rawlings said. "We also want parents to get the message that their youngsters are engaging in this behavior, and make sure they're aware of it."

behind the scenes in the life of scott burks

check out the snow on those mountains!



























i spend a lot of time on a plane . . . thought you might want to know what it looks like . . . planes are cool

what to do

i don't know about you but there are moments in life when i find more questions than i do answers. and, at moments like that when questions seem to flood my mind, all i want is for them to go away. they drive me crazy!!!!!

but . . . just like yours, they don't. they hang around. they hang around. they nag away, and at least for me, they only get louder until i stop and listen to that still small voice that is God's. until i hurry up and stop, they nag. until i sit down and really list to God, they will drive me crazy!!!!!!

why does it take me so long to stop and listen? i am so stubborn.

anyway . . .tonight is a question filled night. so . . . what will i do? gripe. complain. call a friend. bug my wife. be short with my kids. all options . . . bad options

i'll try to go sit and listen!!

"call to me" . . . God says . . . "call to me and i will tell you great and might things you do not know."

maybe i will go call on God . . . i know . . . not maybe. i will go call on God!

peace

Compelled

Tonight I am getting ready to go down to Houston and interview a few students for ymnow. I can't wait!!

I can't wait for many reasons, but the biggest is I want to help people understand students so they can help those students know God!! My student pastor introduced God to me when I was 16 and my life was changed forever. The course of my entire existence throughout all of eternity was changed largely due to a youth pastors love and knowledge of me.

So, if you read this tonight, I would appreciate your prayers for the filming tomorrow . . . If you get this after tonight, look for our videos on ymnow soon!!!!!!

I pray you are compelled to know students — and that you can effectively play your part in getting their attention!

sb

PASSION 08

WOW. Not really sure how else to say it.

6000 mostly college students, they brought thousands and thousands of socks and towels for the dfw shelters to pass out, the students filled up a ryder truck with clothes (clothes they brought with them for the weekend) to give to the students at union university, they gave thousands of dollars to bloodwater mission and several other causes . . . the night was absolutely incredible. filled with great teaching, worship and prayer!!!! simple church.

this is the kind of church i want to be a part of. i want to be a part of a movement like this more than i ever have before. i have longed for it . . . tasted it a couple of times in my life . . . but this is what i want my girls and my family to be around.

it was a worship gathering focused on GOD. imagine that. please hear my heart in this. but i think churches should be known for what they say about GOD and nothing more.

Friends

I had the incredible chance to stop in and see some of my old friends from Muskogee last weekend. It was so much fun. We talked about how God packed in so much life into just a short period of time. I love you guys!

Bill and Steve! Its great to see the Pig champion runner-up. Thanks for stopping by! Bill, your kids are so cool. Steve, I can't wait to see where God takes you and your fam. Stacy, as always, you are fantastic! I am amazed at your kids and it was so much fun hanging out with you again. Andy — you are the best. I really want to buy your jeep and I want you to come see us in Arlington real soon! Shirley. What can I say? You are truly one of my favorite people. Hang in there, you look great. Betty, no doubt, one of the coolest people I know! Mark, I am so glad things are going so well for you right now.

I can't believe I got to teach in the Jefferson building again.

As I reflect, it makes me a little sad on one hand and excited on the other. God is in control!

Hope to see you guys again soon.

A new day and not so new dream

I dream about a day when God is first in my life. I long for the life that makes Him so far above every little petty thing that seems to consume so much of my time and energy. I long for a day when I am so far below Him . . . more often than not, I put myself first. I also long for a day when large groups of people run after God. I seek, often desire to see huge groups of people sprinting after God with everything they have. I want that for me. I want to run after Him.

He is so worthy! His glory is greater than anything, anywhere. He is truly the one who started everything in motion and he has no equal! May I praise Him and only HIm. He is the beginning. He has no no end. He is eternal!

Run after God. Lets run after God. Lets really run after God. I mean lets give it all we have and chase Him like He is life, because, He is the only life. He is the only life!

As Paul, the great lover of God once said, "He is the creator of all things. In Him all things hold together."

I pray its a new day for me. The dream is old. Realizing the dream will be new.

A great verse for the new year

“And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” Galatians 6:9 Living Bible

Happy New Year

I love new beginnings. I've already made goals, started a new workout, organized the house, balanced the bank accounts, set a new direction for the year and started making plans for the Burks family trip this summer. I love new beginnings.

For some reason I find myself a little more excited about this new beginning than normal. I believe 2008 is going to be the beginning of a very exciting time in mine and my family's life. I pray we are much closer to God and each other as 2008 ends.

A Prayer :: Lord, let your will be done in my life this year. May you open my eyes to your great plan and may you please lead me through this year. I want, really more than anything, to be yours and only yours this year. You are so good to me. I love you.

GOD . . . not impact

The impact God has planned for us does not come when we are pursuing impact . . . it occurs when we are pursuing God.

The most important is not the work I can do for God . . .
The most important thing I can do to make God the most important thing.

I want to start each day on my knees and in His Word. I want to fear Him more than I fear man. I want to live a life that is focused on Him and not focused on the next ministry project I'm going to take on.

A Christmas to Remember

Its December and the Christmas pressure is here in full force! What do we do with all our lists, parties, and family trips? How do we stop long enough to get it? How do we really get what this time of year is all about? I want to. I want this year to be a Christmas to remember.

I want this year to rank up there with those year's where wonder filled my life. I clearly remember being told a story when I was a kid that at midnight all the animals around the world would bow before God in worship. I believed it. I wanted so bad to see it. I wanted go to a farm and see horses and cows on their knees!

I remember driving around the neighborhood looking for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Seeing Rudolph fly through the North Texas Sky was routine to me as I grew up.

I long for wonder! . . . I'll start with God and His Word.

So . . . with that simple little confession . . . I'm off. Not sure where I'm going, but the trip is to find what's worth remembering.

One more thing, feel free to jump in and help. A guide on this little trip would be great.

THINK

Click the picture if you have trouble reading it.