Hey Gang,
The reason that I haven’t been writing is as you can see we’ve been undergoing some revamps here at, well…
RHYSIEPOO.com
You will find the same stuff here but just under two names for a while.
ImperfectlyComplete.com is still up and running but just bringing you here.
Stay Tuned as we aren’t 100% done here.
A few more changes.
This past week finished busy and for that I’m sorry for missing a few days of writing. But my sister and her hubby rolled in later Friday to spend some time with us.
Since Han and I have been moving around from NH, PA, TN, to DE these past few years it’s been hard to see family. But now that we’re closer to both sides its been awesome. Her folks, my folks and our siblings have all been hitting us up and spending time together. We absolutely have been loving it.
This weekend though, we did some sight seeing with T & B. Headed to the beach, then had dinner and followed that all up with some Historical sight seeing in Dover. Which all ended with me running like a fool to get the car as we were caught in a downpour.
I absolutely loved having them here and well lets just say, small apartment or not, we want them back soon. 
Here are some pics for y’all to enjoy from our adventure.
Have a good Monday.
Lately, theres been some interesting conversations around Facebook.
Lot’s didn’t like their latest acquisition of Instagram, and all their latest UI changes, but mainly the conversations stem around the content of the information highway.
Not many who post to Facebook realize the content that they are posting. This may be a status, relationship change, photo, or just link to their timeline. There are usually direct consequences around what they post. I read an article today about a youth trip gone bad and how the leaders on the trip put the main youth guy, Matthew McNutt, in the hot seat.
Now, those are leaders. What about the students and children on Facebook?
We have some serious issues at hand. I remember coaching a student through a rant with a student at his school where he posted a threat to beat him up if he continued to bash an individual at school. Now I commend him for caring but however, one fighting is NOT the answer but the verbage he used and making the threat could have landed him in some hot water.
That was just an example. There are countless other ones that could be used here. But what is it going to take to get parents to become more involved or better yet, set the example from what they post.
I challenge all of us, lets watch what we post.
Then parents, keep up with your children.
Have the conversation with them.
This information highway isn’t going away and will get worse.
How will you help keep the younger generation from tearing themselves down?
Is Heaven for real?
Colton Burpo would have you think yes.
As for many of us here on earth though, what do we think?
How would we answer that question?
This past week I picked up Time Magazine’s latest edition due to the cover. [Pictured in this post] I thought this could be interesting seeing as though during my 6th & 7th grade small group all the boys wanted to know more about Heaven. So my immediate thought when seeing this was, “how on earth would this worldly magazine put the idea of Heaven?”
After reading it, the author , Jon Meacham, discloses in the article that he is a Christian. But yet, and probably due to Time’s restriction he really never takes a direct stance on the two paradigms he is talking about. He hints toward one but never, in my opinions come out to take a stance biblically.
But what is your take?
In all of my schooling at Geneva college, I was taught boths pieces and I lean toward the one that N.T. Wright would stand on and that is that Heaven and Earth will intersect one day. I don’t agree with the cartoon golden gates and the clouds and what we’ve all classified as Heaven. I really feel that in a sense Heaven, now, is a holding pattern of sorts until one day God sends his Son back to Earth to redeem all of creation and humanity and then will we begin to realize what Heaven really is.
Now, please hear me out, this is my current position. By me writing this, am I in anyway trying to declare this as 100% truth, because I also would argue that NO ONE truly knows what Heaven and the end times will really be. We have biblical accounts to begin looking into but no definitive “proof” of what it will be.
But I write this post to hear your thoughts…
Is heaven for real?
Here are some cool resources from Crosspoint.tv [Love Pete and the team there, check'em out]
Glimpse Series: Heaven
Last week I skipped a Hot or Not. But last night my wife and I decided to be cheap (as always) and splurge on a RedBox movie using our free code.
We picked up the new “Footloose” after seeing many people talk about it or the countless previews for it being out on DVD.
Let me begin with, I’ve never seen the old (original) Kevin Bacon version of the movie but I knew the storyline going into the movie. This film, rated PG-13, was full of sensual dancing and mid-drift showing outfits. But putting that aside for a younger teen or older this could be a great movie to watch as a family and begin having a family discussion over the moral reasons behind rules, boundries, relationships, and outcome of your decisions.
There are definitely cuss words throughout the movie, and some violence as far as fighting, and a fiery car wreck at the very beginning leading up to the strict laws that ruled this small town in Ga. But for a Hollywood modern day remake I will say it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Most remakes are aweful and you want to gouge your eyes out. (I must see if Netflix has the original so I can laugh at Mr. Bacon)
Something you will realize as I continue to do these Hot or Not segments, I love to encourage family times. You, the parent, if you are one, or you the youth, please get with your family. These are great things to discuss and begin the open conversation about life/choices/relationships/etc.
My family and I watched movies all the time together and had a blast discussing most of them. Then there were others that my folks flat out said, “NO”. So if you can get past some sensual dancing, short shorts and mid-drifts, and some foul language to get to the life lesson portion of the film then I would say, the hype of the movie is worth the watch. But, be ready for some conversation when finished.
Hope this helps.
[Would love to hear your thoughts]
I have the privilege of speaking tomorrow night to our student ministry here in DE as we continue in our NEXT series. This series began Good Friday with Salvation. We’re taking the students through a journey, determining their “NEXT” step. This week happens to be Baptism.
At first I was like, man this is going to be the most difficult message I have ever had to share. I was praying, “Lord how do I even begin”. Even had a chat with my parents as they were here visiting a week ago asking them, “where on earth do you even start?” Thankfully after seeking their input and then doing my own research, prayer, and just resting on Him. I think we’re ready.
Many of us have different background as to whether you’ve been baptized or not. Dunked or Sprinkled. But really we’re going to be hunkering down on the heart issue. We’re commanded to own our faith after accepting Christ and baptism becomes that heart proclamation of “Here I am Lord, publicly dying to self, my old life is fully gone and my new life is fully yours.” I know many of these students have been baptized before, some were even sharing that with me last night, but they didn’t get why. They were too young to truly “own their faith”.
So today I’m sharing this with you and asking that you would join with us here at UNI+ED student ministries and pray with us during this month as we walk these students through their “NEXT” step, Salvation, Baptism, Discipleship, & Evangelism. That they would begin to desire owning their walk/faith in Jesus Christ.
If you follow me on twitter you may have seen an amazing quote that I plan on using tomorrow evening. But I hope that where ever you are today, God will work in you and through you. Maybe you haven’t understood what it means to truly be baptized, go seek out a church, find a home where you can grow in community with other believers and proclaim your life for Him. Wash away the old and start new today.
God wants you.
All of you.
Let Him have it.
“Baptism is only significant when accompanied by trust in Christ and a commitment to follow Him as Lord of their life.”
- Ron Kastens
Today I want to give some Simple Suggestions for you all.
This is something that has come out of my planning the Hot or Not series. Today will just be some simple ideas of music, tv shows, books, movies, etc. Start saving up some pennies, load up those tablets to your kindle app, charge your iPods. Let’s get ready.
MUSIC:
[Both just released Yesterday]
Trip Lee’s – The Good Life - Christian Rap Album
Desperation Band – Center of it All - Worship Album
BOOKS:
Pete Wilson’s – Empty Promises
Ketric Newell – Liar, Liar, Mullet on Fire [Release May 12]
MOVIEs & TV SHOWs will come another “Simple Suggestions”.
I hope that some of these will help you in the days to come. I met Desperation Band at Starbucks in the mall of Georgia back in March and they are a cool group of guys and just want to worship God to the fullest. I know Pete and Ketric personally and let me tell you those guys are super! God has molded them into incredible men that will impact this earth for the Kingdom and that’s why you need to read their stuff, listen to Pete’s podcast, messages, and read his blog. Ketric has his book, twitter, and blog. Trip, well trip lee is just awesome. Get his newest album and bump it on your way to work or the mall.
Blessings.
I have noticed recently that I stink HORRIBLY at pulling my weight as a hubby. (My wife, if reading this, is probably shaking her head in agreement with a loud AMEN resonating in her soul)
SO…I am going to call myself out and confess to you all.
The past two years I’ve grown to just let Hannah do most of everything around the house. Now part of that was due to my job(s) at those times and not really being home much to help. (doesn’t mean that I couldn’t, I get that) We always just tried to relax together when we could, usually only having 40 minutes together before crashing and starting the tiring routine back over again. But see there was a problem.
I wanted a clean, organized home and expected it without pulling my weight.
I wanted good, healthy food and expected it without pulling my weight.
I wanted washed, folded clothes and expected it without pulling my weight.
I could continue with that list but I’m done.
I’m done with being a selfish brat that can’t be a husband who is madly in love with his wife and can’t help but want to help her and pamper her. (That women deserves a month vacation without me to bug her) 
So with that being said, MEN lets do this. Help our spouses out…get that apron on, dust rag out, lysol cleaner in hand and get at it.
Speaking about getting at it….dryer just sounded…
Get your MAN CHORES done.
Love on your spouse today. (all the time really)
