Sticks or Bricks?

I ride the metro into DC Tuesday through Friday.

45 minutes if there's not a delay.

Joy.

It can be especially when I read or listen to the Word of God as I pass through the valleys, dash over the hills, and slam through the dark tunnels.

I also like to watch the video podcasts of Kerry Shook - a pastor in Houston, Texas.

He's an amazing preacher and I like his style. He illustrates his messages. Those of you who know me now understand why I like the guy.

The one I watched yesterday and today was one of the 'Stairway To Heaven' messages. Go to iTunes and check it out because it's FREE.

I'm not going to cover everything that Kerry spoke about but I will mention the main theme:

Sticks or bricks - what will you have to present to God when you stand before Him?

Are we more focused on the wood, hay, and stubble - the sticks - of our lives?

You know what I'm talking about - the things that are temporary that we devote our entire lives to.

Money

Homes

Cars

50 inch plasma TV's

Money

Careers

Money (yeah, I mentioned it 3 times and we both know why...don't we?)

Is there anything wrong with these? No, but do we keep it all in proper perspective? Do we remember that the 'sticks' are temporary or do we treat them like they're eternal?

Do we realize that we are only stewards and not sole owners of our STUFF?

On the day of of judgment (Bema Seat judgement for the Christian - not the Great White Throne - don't plan on being there for that one) our lives will contain some sticks and some gold bricks (eternal treasures)? The question is - what will we have more of when they pass through God's fire of testing?

Now, do we know what, 'eternal treasures' are?

Eternal treasures - precious stones - are the investments that we have made in people without a hidden agenda. Acts of love with pure motives and right attitudes that have been performed for the Lord.

Someone else may have a different definition but that's mine for now.

Eternal treasures:

Giving generous amounts of your precious hard earned resources of TIME and MONEY to help other people. Giving it to the, 'least of these.' Giving it to Jesus without expecting anything in return.

Now, I could take this a hundred different directions but I'm only going to choose one. So, here it goes...

I've known people who think that they fulfill the command to return their tithe by volunteering their time to the church.

Nope. Wrong.

I've known people who think that they can give money in the offering and then be exempt from acts of service for Jesus.

Nope. Wrong.

Do you know that I could determine what is priority in your life by examining 2 things that belong to you:

Your checkbook. Your calendar.

What would we find?

She loves eating out at nice restaurants. Dropping $25, $45, $55, $65, even $75 is nothing to her...

He loves hunting equipment. Spending anywhere from $150 to $350 every other month is fine for him...

They love going to all the sporting events - 32 hours a month when you figure it all up - it's cake to this couple. But compare it to the 2 1/2 hours they spent investing in the Lord the last 30 days...

Sticks or gold bricks?

And by the way. I'm not trying to be mean. But don't try to tell me how much you love Jesus when you know the above mentioned is out of whack in your life. We see you cry buckets of tears during worship but come on.....seriously? It's rather simple, your heart doesn't line up with your mouth. I'm sorry but 'religious white noise' just isn't on my play list. And for the record I'm not perfect in this area either...but I just admitted it. Love ya - just keeping it real...

Now, we need some sticks in our lives - God knows that.

Stick homes.

Stick cars.

Stick money.

Stick horses?

Stick play time.

But I need to treat all of that stuff like STICKS.

Temporary resources that are here one day and gone the next.

So today my goal is to be deliberate in my actions.

Spend time with Jesus because He is so awesome.

Spend time with my little girls and enjoy them being little.

Spend time making my wife laugh and smile - and that means helping her with the girls and the chores...

Spend time investing in a stranger that I will only come in contact with once.

Prepare to give money on Sunday in order to invest into the Kingdom of God.

Sticks or bricks.

It's my choice...and yours.

Connected. Disconnected?

Wow.  Another post just a few days after the previous one instead of a month later.  

Improvement!

Well, we're still waiting on the Lord to send the right person to take over the lease of the house on Capitol Hill.  I hope they pray.  Maybe they don't pray - maybe they do - but in the mean time all of us will pray for them!  Sound good to you?

We're still trusting Him.  His plans are way more complex and detailed than mine so I'll just let Him be God.

Since we moved to Virginia I've been riding the metro into DC Tuesday through Friday - that's about 45 minutes.  I want to use my time wisely so I've been listening to some different podcasts.  So far I've tuned into Andy Stanley and Kerry Shook (Pastor Mark is on my list as well - I just haven't downloaded anything yet :)

Kerry Shook was speaking about living passionately.  The first step in doing this is connecting to God or in some instances that all of us can relate to - RECONNECTING to God.  I've had to do that last one quite often.

Jesus makes it clear in John 15 - I can't do anything without Him.  It's impossible.

This is where 'real living' begins.  How connected am I?  How connected are you?

Am I consumed with God or consumed with _________________?  (Fill it in yourself :)

I know many people who want to be connected but they're to busy being consumed by money.  Possessions.  Lifestyles.  Image.  Careers.  Unhealthy and sinful relationships.  Etc.  Everyone is consumed with something.  I knew one guy that lost his family because he was consumed with an online video game.  He played for 10 - 12 - 15 plus hours a day.  He turned on the computer and tuned out his wife and children.  Fantasy instead of family.  Staring at the glow of a monitor screen instead of the grins of his kids.  I like to play a video game every now and then but my wife and kids are precious to me.  Priceless.  Nothing can replace them.  Lord help me to never be consumed with anything that keeps me from seeing You, my family, and others.  This story scares me.  Sometimes it's good to be scared.

I knew an individual who wanted to become like someone that they adored.  They wore their hair like them - dressed like them - made themselves up to resemble them.  Tried to take on their personality.  This person was completely consumed with their outward image so they began to spend money.  Lots of money.  Money that this young couple didn't have. How did they do it?  Plastic.  Being overly image conscious cost them over $25,000....plus their marriage.  Think about it. The clothes got old.  The makeup was used up.  The hairstyle went out of style.  Was it really worth it?  We can connect with the wrong stuff real fast, can't we? Sometimes somethings end up costing us more than we thought we'd ever pay. Throws a whole new slant on the word 'expense' doesn't it?  

You've heard of the same stories.

You know someone.

Maybe you are the someone - maybe the story is your story.

It's a good thing that Jesus is into the reconnecting/restoration business.  It's a good thing that He doesn't condemn us.  When we come to Him, admit that we've sinned, confess that we've been wrong - He reconnects us and restores us.

Don't misunderstand me - I'm not condemning the people that I've mentioned - I just want to learn from their costly mistakes - pay attention to the warning signs - be accountable to someone.  We only live this life once.  I sure don't want to look back over my life and say, "Lord, I wish I wouldn't have become disconnected from you - it cost me everything."

So I end today with a prayer that David prayed a long time ago.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

                                                    Psalm 51:10

       Amplified Bible

Connection.  Impossible by myself - made possible through God.  

I believe I'll plug into Him today.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 

John 15:5-7

Trust

Trust.

Small word.  Huge meaning.

Trust: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.  One in which confidence is placed.

Right now - at this very moment - the Lord is teaching me about trust....real trust...not just a Sunday School level lesson about trust but 'Red Sea' trust, 'water in the desert' trust, 'the battle is the Lord's' kind of trust.

Our life change from pastoring to becoming an NCC protege has been all about trust from the beginning.  Leaving family, a church family, and friends who are family was very difficult to do.  Leaving the security of a paycheck was hard to do - but all of it was necessary.  My time in Huntsville was up.  My time in Washington DC had arrived.  We jumped.

Trust.

Well, to summarize - We moved to Capitol Hill and we we're content until the Lord directed us to move...again...to Alexandria, Virginia.  In order to do this we need to sub lease the house on Capitol Hill.  We've shown the house several times - people send emails - they call and set up appointments to tour the place - 90% of them fail to show up.

Trust. 

Glenda spends all day Saturday showing the house - people act interested, excited, pumped and then we hear that.......they.......passed on the chance.

Trust.

The last one was the hardest because the lady contacts the lease agency and says that she wants the place but they can't process her application because their server is down so they have to wait until Monday.  Great! we're home-free.....really?  No.  She changes her mind over the weekend.

Changes her mind?  She can't do that.  She did.

Trust.

So here we are - paying for two places - unable to do so - things are looking scary - I'm upset - Glenda is very upset.  We're weary.  We try to begin second guessing ourselves only to be slapped with the reality that we know that we know that we're supposed to be here.

Trust.

In the middle of all this God keeps dropping comforting words to me - just like a father encourages his discouraged child.  For instance:  Glenda has this daily rolodex devotional that she keeps near the kitchen sink.  One particular day it gave this advice:

"Patience is not learning how to wait.  Patience is learning how to wait and have a good attitude during the process."  Hmmmmmm. 

One of my scripture verses immediately following that tid bit of timely advice was this:

"Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong.  Wait for the Lord."  (Psalm 27:14)

Then this morning, January 13, 2009, on the Metro some where in between Franconia-Springfiled and Metro Center my daily scripture reading directed me to Genesis 22.  God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son - his only son.

His pride and joy.  

The son he loved and cherished.  

His heir.  

His promise.

So they travel for three days - plenty of time to turn back - but they kept on walking.  Plenty of time to figure out a new plan and present it to God - argue with Him - but that didn't happen - father and son just kept on walking.

Finally they arrived at the mountain - started to climb the mountain - and Isaac breaks the silence and says, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

Abraham's heart must have been crushed when he heard that sweet voice say 'Father' and then follow it with that innocent question.

...where's the lamb?

"Abraham answered, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."  Then the two of them walked on together."  (emphasis mine.)

Trust.

It's not by chance that these verses have been in my reading plan the past couple of days.  I don't believe in chance.  I believe that God wants to speak to us.  He's got my attention.

So, I sit here at my desk - typing - no answer in sight but I'm going to make a prediction - He's going to show.  I don't know how.  I wish I did.  I don't know when He's going to work it out but there's one thing that I do know, 

He will.

So, during this frustrated, uncomfortable, and downright scary time in my life - I'll keep my ears tuned, my eyes open, and my feet moving forward up the mountain. 

Where's the offering?  God will provide.  He's my only hope.

Trust. 


UPDATE....


He showed up.  All is well.


Told ya.....


Psalm 6:9

Black Friday

I stayed at home.  I watched TV.  I ran around the house with the girls. I watched a movie.  I ate turkey. I avoided Black Friday like the Black Plague. If you ventured out into all the commercial chaos - more power to you (come on - Kohl's opened at 4:00 a.m.)!  I've begin to notice something over the last ten years or so - as soon as Halloween is over the malls and department stores plunge head first into Christmas and pretty much ignore Thanksgiving. Oh they may run a few commercials for 20 pound turkeys and pumpkin pie but I see something else competing against pro football and glutton induced napping -  it's another full contact sport - Black Friday - and the crowd goes wild!!! Newspapers are larger due to the advertisements and coupons - you sit down to watch Clark Griswold go Christmas light crazy on Christmas Vacation and you are BOMBARDED by Target commercials every five minutes.  As my father-in-law would say, "this drives me whacko!"  What is it?  Black Friday wants only one thing - all the stinking money in your account - and we fall for it every year don't we?  

Now, don't get me wrong - Christmas is awesome - the tradition of gift giving to symbolize the Gift of Jesus Christ to this hell bent world is glorious indeed - I never ever get tired of it.  I'm tired of the commercialization. In fact I think I hate it. Why?  Because it's taken priority in peoples lives.  It's a known fact - research it yourself - more people go into debt during Christmas season - more debt means more stress, more fighting, more alcohol consumption, more depression, more anger, more divorce, more suicide - all in the name of 'gift giving and gift getting.'  What?  How could gifts get such a bum wrap? (pun intended) Gifts are supposed to be happy-love filled-joyous-things aren't they?  Yep - you'd think - but everything falls apart when we miss the point and over extend ourselves.  I don't have a problem with giving and getting but I do have a problem with going overboard - and that's what's happened to America and many American Christians - it's not that we forget about Jesus we just bury Him under all the commercial clutter.  This year, I want to step back and consider what I can do to keep Christ first and commemorate His birthday without losing my mind...and a ton of cash.

So here goes:

1.  Sell what you don't need right now. Craigslist or eBay - check it out.  It's simple to do.

2.  Use this cash for gifts - you can look at it like recycled funds.

3.  Keep it simple.  Give each child a few gifts instead of forty gifts each. How many times has some parent cried out in exasperation over discarded toys all over the floor - you hear them scream 3 blocks away, "they don't appreciate what they've got!"  How can they when they have 36 different games, action figures, dolls, and remote controlled cats? It's sensory overload.  Now if you run on to some awesome deals and you're financially able to purchase 20, 30 , or 100 different items (yikes!) - who says you have to give it all to them on Christmas morning?  Why not give some of the gifts that day and then wait and give some of them a month or two down the road?  Freak your family out some Saturday morning in March. Scream - wake up the whole house - beat pots and pans together as they all stumble into the living room and discover the gifts circled around a potted plant or something!  Explain your psychotic weirdness by telling them that this is what Jesus does - when we least expect it and when we least deserve it He blesses us with grace, mercy, and all out goodness (minus the pots and pans). I know, I know, silly stuff but I guarantee you they will remember that year and that lesson for the rest of their lives!  Now back to business - some items could even be stored away until next year - you might be saying, "wow now that's discipline" - I just think it's making good sense out of our cents. I think it's better to do it this way then live in regret when the credit card bill shows up.

4.  Participate in trustworthy charitable organizations.  

Samaritans Purse, The Salvation Army, Toys For Tots, etc.  Many churches have a toy drive every year - check into it.  Give 10, 15, or 20% of what you're going to spend on your family. It's called sharing. Last time I checked it was a Biblical principle.

5.  Keep it simple.  It's worth repeating twice.  It needs to be repeated twice. We need to read it twice. This is why.  Today, December 1, 2008, I was horrified when I read how a man lost his life last Friday. Did he get shot in the head by a mugger? No.  Did he get stabbed by an assailant trying to get his Playstation 3?  No.  Did he get ran over by a truck in a shopping center parking lot?  Close. He got ran over by a mob of people at a Wal Mart in New York.  Let me say it again.  A man was trampled to death by people trying to get into Wal Mart on Black Friday to get a good deal. Lord Jesus help us (The damaged doors can be seen in the pic above). 

Ellie Berhun went shopping there the day after the tragedy.  She said, "Some man lost his life because a VCR was on sale?  Please. It's just to sad for words." It's more than sad Ms. Ellie, it's shameful.  How do you think his family is going to feel this Christmas day?  

The man that died that morning was 34 year old Jdimytai Damour - a part time employee for Wal Mart.  It is even reported that other workers were knocked to the ground as they tried to rescue Damour.  Some customers simply stepped over him and kept shopping even after the store announced it was closing because of the death.  What in the world were those people thinking? Here is what they were thinking about: A 50 inch Samsung plasma HDTV for $798.  A Bissel Compact Upright Vacuum for $28. The Incredible Hulk DVD for $9.  Hmmmm, a movie on sale that depicts an out of control 'green' giant that obliterates and destroys everything in it's path - fitting after what happened in New York last Friday.  I pray that Wal Mart does the right thing and gives this mans family some financial security until they can get their lives back in order. No, this tragedy is not Wal Mart's fault but there should've been an appropriate plan of action when the crowd began to swell and surge.  Knowing Wal Mart, they probably do have a plan to avoid these kinds of accidents but something went terribly wrong on their parking lot.

I believe that story sums it all up and sadly illustrates how out of control this nation is when it comes to materialism.  Christmas. What has it become?  The capitalization of Christ's birthday.  I don't believe Jesus is very happy about it.  I know I'm not. Therefore, I think I'll stick to my 5 simple steps and stay away from Black Friday.  Sadly that name is more fitting now then it ever has been.

Merry Christmas.

(My apologies - what an eternal post - I'll keep them shorter in the future.  1.27.10)

Thankful

So much for trying to stay consistent on this blogging thing. Oh well, I hope that everyone is having a great Thanksgiving week. Time to reflect on all of God's goodness to us - past and present. I could fill this blog up with a thankful list so I'll do my best to limit it for the sake of time and space. Almost everyone knows we live in DC now - what an amazing place to live! I'm thankful we have a roof over our heads. I've seen many, many homeless individuals along the streets of DC - several in the shadow of our nations Capitol building. Sunday afternoon NCC served the homeless a Thanksgiving dinner on the lower level of Ebenezers (NCC's coffee house located a block from Union Station). It's easy to focus only on ourselves and our families during the holidays and forget about those who don't have a house or a family to make that house a home. Speaking of family - I'm thankful for mine. We took Macy and Mia to the National Museum of American History the past couple of days. Macy had her own little camera with her - taking pictures of things she thought were cool - the first Washington Monument which is a statue of George Washington - a very large stuffed buffalo and the real C3PO suit they used in Return of the Jedi. We also saw the actual Star Spangled banner - the same flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Macy was so amazed by it that we went through that exhibit twice. We saw a lot of other amazing things while we there - the top hat that Abraham Lincoln was wearing the night he was at Ford's Theater - the chairs the Gen. Lee and Gen Grant sat in when Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court house - and badly damaged steel columns from the 70th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center. When Macy saw this and the large photos of the towers in flames - she looked at me and asked, 'why?' I stood there wondering that myself.
I wonder what the victims families are feeling during Thanksgiving and Christmas time? I believe that's something that every American needs to think about on a regular basis and while we're thinking we need to pray for those families. I can't even imagine what they've had to go through.
Well, theres lots to get done in the next couple of days - this Thanksgiving celebration can get out of hand so my goal is to keep it simple and simply be thankful.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.
1 Chron. 16:34

***

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

Psalm 103:1-3

November 5th - The Day After

Well - it's a done deal - we have a new president and vice president - congratulations to President Barack Obama and VP Joe Biden on their historical win. I also want to congratulate Senator John McCain and Governor Sara Palin on a hard fought campaign - I'm sure they're ready for some downtime. So.....as a nation - where are we headed? How does this presidential election affect all of us? Let me talk about perspective here. I don't have all the answers - you don't have all the answers - and President Obama won't have all the answers. There is only One who has all the answers because He is and has always been the answer - yeah I know - that's a cliche answer if I ever heard one but let me give you some scripture:

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

***

10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

John 19:10-11

***

To all of the Americans who didn't get their way last night - let these verses sink in. To all the Americans who got their way last night - let these verses sink in. One man and a political party will never be the answer because they are not the overall governing authority in this world. The first verse is a prophecy that Isaiah gave of the future Messiah - He finally arrived - His name is Jesus and the government is and will be upon His shoulders. Hey, let's not forget - there's another day coming. The second verse is when Jesus makes it clear that Pilate's power was nothing to boast about - it was simply allowed for him to possess for a season. Like I said - we can gain a mile of perspective from these short passages.

I never will forget working at Wood Specialities in Rogers, Arkansas when Bill Clinton became our 42 president. One man working near my drill press walked by - smiled a toothless grin and said, "Bill Clinton is gonna turn this nation around!" Did that happen? I guess the answer to that one depends on who you're talking to. I don't think he did. Did Bill Clinton lead us to an American Utopia? No. Did any president before Pres. Clinton or after him lead us there? No. Will a man or political party ever lead us there? The answer will always be no. Can we grasp this? Will we ever? Now - I realize that presidents and political parties have powerful influence and are to be held responsible for their decisions and actions. BUT, will we ever understand that the success and security of any nation depends upon the peoples response to the one Isaiah is talking about? Let me bring it closer to home. The success and security of this nation does not depend upon the White House - it depends upon two places - the Church House and Your House. Period. In other words, I believe that everything hinges on the Christians who are really following Christ and just how much we allow Christ to influence our entire lives. That includes our decisions and actions being based on love, Christ likeness, adherence to the Word of God, morality, justice, etc. And then take all of that (plus more) and allow the Holy Spirit to permeate our entire being - every day in every way imaginable in order to change us from the inside out. But...we don't always do that...do we? So, what should we do? Christians need to grow up and begin experiencing spiritual maturity - learn to be patient with God - with others - and with ourselves during this painful but productive process. The flip side of the spiritual maturity coin isn't pretty - it's ugly and its known for it's apathy, laziness, materialism, and self absorption. All of the a fore mentioned can describe what many American Christian's allowed to slip into their lives and churches when they saw a conservative Christian named George W. Bush elected for two terms. Can the term 'spiritual coasting' apply here? I believe so. Christians in 'kick back mode' - yep, you bet. I saw it first hand - and I even participated. Yeah - I admit it. How about you?

So to answer the question - where are we headed as a nation? I believe it depends on the Christians - bottom line. We can't pass the buck anymore. Take care of the issues that matter most to God - people issues like taking care of the poor, the sick, the weak, the oppressed, give the hopeless some hope, etc. We must stop trying to abandon these issues and others like it on the governments door step. It's not their responsibility - it's the Churches. Don't believe me? Go read John 6:15 - Jesus cared about people - not politics - His ministry required a towel - not a title (Jn. 13). I've heard this before and so have you - if EVERY Christian TITHED - we could solve the issue of world hunger. I know, I know, we can't afford to do that - how silly of me to suggest such a thing. Christians have credit card bills, two maybe three car payments, Harley payment's, boat payment's, condo dues to worry about,......... Embarrassment should be sitting in about now. Let's do something together - let's re-visit our spending and entertainment philosophies and compare them to helping out on causes like ending the prostitution of little girls in Thailand. Provide for orphans in this nation and in other parts of the world who have lost their parents due to the AIDS virus - enable them to get an education - give so they won't be hungry and naked. God has blessed you and he's blessed me - why not try blessing someone else even if it means we can't go purchase a brand new iPod. So, how do we get started with this? Allow the Spirit of God to open your eyes - ask Him and then watch out - because He will. Go to the Assemblies of God website and do some research, contact your local DHS agency, do a Google search on something that breaks your heart, contact Glenda or me - perhaps we can plug you into someone or at least give you some ideas (go to www.adventconspiracy.org and watch the video. I signed up immediately).

One more thing. I know that I will not agree with our new president 100% of the time. In fact, there are some issues that we're diametrically opposed on but I can't allow that to hinder my spiritual responsibility to President Obama and his administration. I've made up my mind that I'm going to pray for him and his family. I'm going to pray for the Lord to soften his heart, give him wisdom, protect him from harm. I believe that's what the Lord wants me to do. Now, if your man lost last night you may be screaming, "WHY WOULD YOU PRAY IN SUCH A MANNER FOR....HIM?" This is why:

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

1 Timothy 2:1-3

***

"Don't curse God; and don't damn your leaders."

Exodus 22:28 (The Message)

Amen.

Election Day

The day has arrived. New leadership will be elected for our country. I'm not going to say much on the subject at the moment - perhaps I'll say more throughout the day. BUT I'm going to do my best to get more consistent in my 'blogging' so I hope you enjoy it. I will tell you this - if you want to watch a great message about POLITICS AND THE CHURCH go to www.theaterchurch.com - click the 'resources' tab and then hit the 'media' button. The title of the message is, 'The Political Elephant.' The speaker is Pastor Mark Batterson. This is message #5 in 'The Elephant In The Church' series - I encourage you to watch it plus all the other messages - they were excellent!
Not only will you get to see my pastor in action but you will also see some of my work - I'm the one holding the boom mic :) I loved it. Just a side note - this video was played in all 4 NCC locations - Ebenezers Coffee House - and the 3 movie theaters at Balston, Union Station, and Georgetown. The response was amazing.

Peace.