Keep the CHANGE…

A few years back some friends and I went out to a restaurant to eat – it was one of those “middle of the road” price places.  Not fast food by any means but not a real expensive dinner either – so the time came for the bill and mine was about $12.  I handed the waitress a $20 bill along with the ticket for her to head off to ring it all up and bring back my change.  Now to the best of my memory she had been a good waitress and was going to get a decent tip – but the craziness of the situation was happened next from my friend John.

As the waitress whisked away my bill to the cash register – my friend John, thinking she was out of earshot – spoke up and said “You can just keep it, I don’t need any change” (remember I had given her a $20 on a $12 bill – that would have been an $8 tip – now I am not cheap necessarily but I am also not stupid!) The girl must have had supersonic ears cause she said – “What was that?  What did you say?” – after being elbowed and reprimanded by his future wife – John sheepishly replied that it was nothing he had not really said anything to her.  To which I am sure she was ticked thinking she was gonna get a fat tip!  I guess it’s a good thing we had already eaten – that food may have ended up with a lil something extra in it.

But that is not exactly what I am talking about right now – I’m talking about how I think it does each of us a lot of good to “Keep the Change” in our lives.  Change can be a tough thing and many of us (myself included at times) really DO NOT LIKE CHANGE.  We like the predictable – we like the routine – we like to know we will get what we expect.  But during this season of my life I am really beginning to grasp a lot of the good (notice I didn’t say easy or painless or fun) aspects of change.

I am reading a book right now by Dallas Willard called “Renovation of the Heart”.  This is all about how much CHANGE needs to take place in our lives to truly (as the tagline of the book says) “Put on the Character of Christ”.  This book is EXTREMELY challenging – simply the reading itself (Willard is a very DEEP writer) but also the challenge of the CHANGES that need to be made to really renovate our hearts into a place were God desires us to live.

I have really felt challenged lately by some of the reading that I have been doing to really work harder to “KEEP THE CHANGE” in my life and especially in my heart and mind.  As much as on the outside it may often seem that there is much good in my life – I am troubled to be reminded of all that is not so good.  For every bit or act of genuine goodness or Christ-like behavior, there is often a layer of what the Bible so clearly calls the “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (paraphrase).  So the needed reminders are not pleasant or easy, but they are good – good to realize and keep myself, my heart, my mind IN CHECK to truly KEEP THE CHANGE!

So how about you?  Do you do a good job of KEEPING THE CHANGE – in regards to changing out parts of your own life and changing into the Character of Christ each new day?

33 Things @ 33

Today I bring to you a gift – that’s right a gift for each one of you on this day – May 29th, 2009 – My Birthday – but for each of you a gift.  This gift is a list of 33 random things about me @ 33 years of age.  (Obviously this isn’t original to me – I have some other friends that have done this sort of thing and I thought it was cool).  So bear with me on the length of this post – but if you dig through it all I am ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN you will find some things you might have never known about me.  And just a heads up – I didn’t even throw in the most obvious fact about my “Shakyhands Syndrome” of which I have no answer for!

So here they are – in no real particular order – well except for the first few, which are about the most important things to me!

1) I believe that Jesus IS the Christ (Messiah, Annointed One) and He IS the Son of the living God and I have taken Him as my Lord (leader & guide of my life) and Savior (the only one that can forgive my sins and save me to spend FOREVER with Him in Heaven)!!!

I don’t always do a good job of living as though He is Lord in my life, and definitely am more willing to accept the Savior part – but I’m gonna keep striving to do better in the first area.

2) I LOVE my parents – (Phil Alligood & Ora Jane Alligood) and I know that I don’t do a very good job of showing/telling them that as I probably should.  I am very grateful for their influence and guidance in my life and being tremendous examples of godly people, parents, and ministers to others.  They are by no means perfect, but are true role models of truth & love as well as diligence in work and being sacrificial servants and great stewards of God’s resources.  I could never thank them enough for all they have blessed my life and upbringing with – first above and beyond all others in showing me the Love of Christ and introducing me into that saving relationship with Jesus.

3) I love my sister and her family and feel very fortunate to spend this season of my life with them ministering alongside of them in this area outside of Atlanta.  We were not always that close growing up (not that we didn’t get along – typical brother – sister stuff), but we do get closer I think as the years go on.

4) My cousin Tara and I probably have a closer relationship than most siblings.  We have always been “joined at the hip” since we were little and will probably always share a special connection.  Many people believe we are the male/female version of one another.  I would and will always be willing to do anything for her.

5) I feel extremely fortunate to have grown up with the rest of the “RBC STAFF KIDS” – now known as Mid Atlantic Christian University Staff Kids I guess!  Neal, Lisa, Tara, Eric, Kevin, Travis, Stephanie, Chris, Michael, Marcus, and Megan were quite the CREW!   Tara, Eric, Kevin, and Travis will forever be like extra brothers & sister to me.

6) I am not married, but contrary to popular belief, I can say that I desire at some point (now more than any other time up till now) to be married – the jury is still out on whether or not to have a family, but if I am being TOTALLY honest, I think I would make a great dad (not perfect – but ready to do a really good job)  — Maybe I can start an online video version of the Bachelor starring “yours truly” – I bet that would get CRAZY RATINGS!

7) I have been an usher or groomsman in 13 weddings (I’m actually gunning for the opportunity to star in my own movie called “27 Tuxedos” ha ha ha) and I have performed 7 weddings – even actually done pre-marital counseling for some couples – how crazy is that right??

8] Kim Moulden is one of my all-time GREATEST friends – she has always been someone I enjoy hanging out with and taking “road trips” with – she is a real encourager to me and I know we will always be friends no matter how much time/distance separates us.  Oh for the memories of the NC State Fair!

9) Connie Gibbs and I will FOREVER be “in a relationship” (HA HA HA HA HA – all my CCF facebook friends may know what that is about!) and yes I do LOVE her!!!

10) I will always have a special place in my heart for Campus Ministry – no matter what ministry doors God opens for me in other arenas – and I will always cherish those 7 years I spent in Raleigh!  Working with Campus Christian Fellowship @ NCSU was a tremendous experience and blessing in my life!

11) I will always have a special place in my heart for Mid-Atlantic Christian University – (Formerly known as Roanoke Bible College) – it was a VITAL part of shaping who I have become and am becoming.  I look forward to the exciting days ahead and a partnership for future years.

12) I have worked in Summer Church camps since I was just a teenager – for a few summers I worked 3 different High School weeks in 3 different camps.  I have done everything from camp nurse, to mail call guy, to evening worship speaker, to dorm dad, to team leader, to activities director, to dean, to rec director, to campfire speaker, to kitchen staff, to missions speaker – I think about the only 2 things I have NOT done is lifeguard and done Worship band leading (we are ALL thankful for that)

13) I really love to travel – I have been able to travel to a good number of places all over the United States and some international travel as well to Haiti, Venezuela (4 times), and India – and do expect that list to continue to grow.

14) I LOVE sports in general but my favorite to watch would be basketball, more specifically college basketball – my favorite to play would be volleyball – indoor or outdoor, but indoor is my preference.

15) I LOVE the North Carolina Tar Heels – most especially men’s basketball, but pretty much all things Tar Heels!  I have a goal to one year spend my Thanksgiving out in Hawaii watching my beloved UNC Tar Heels play in the Maui Classic.

16) I have another sports goal; to go out west at some point and spend a week in California visiting every Major League Baseball stadium and watching as many games in one week as possible!

17) I LOVE to preach/speak at events – and feel like it is a Gift that God has given me to use to bring him Honor & Glory and to challenge people.  It is something I get really passionate about and feel like I do a pretty good job of doing well when I get the opportunity.

18) It is one of my goals this year to enroll in a “Stand Up Comedy” class and learn some finer details of comedy, and hopefully open some doors – this is something I’ve always had an interest in attempting.

19) I was on and episode of “The Price Is Right” back in 1999 and actually got called down to “Contestants Row” to bid on an item – I didn’t win.

20) A few years ago I randomly signed up for the show “Survivor” just sort of goofing around with a  friend – then ended up getting called back and making it to the final 800 people.  The next round would have been for 48 to be chosen to try out in CALIFORNIA – man that would have been awesome, but I didn’t make it.

21) In middle school I played basketball for a small private Christian school – on a high school team – the first 3 pointer I ever hit was at the buzzer against our arch rivals to send the game into overtime – we ended up losing in triple overtime, but was still a pretty cool moment.

22) I coached a basketball team for the small Christian College that I graduated from (Mid Atlantic Christian University) and during my first year we played in a tournament in Philadelphia, PA against some “way out of our league” competition – we lost the first game by 75 points and the game the next day by 97 points – not one of my more enjoyable weekends.

23) I blew out my knee back in 1999 playing pick-up basketball and finished tearing it up playing volleyball a couple months later.  Never had surgery but the doctor feels pretty certain at some point I will need to do that – ending my streak of never having any sort of surgery to this point in my life.

24) The friends of mine back in Raleigh – will always remain very near and dear to me as the first group of people I really got to know as I branched out in life and moved away from where I had been for 25 years – it was my first venture into being totally “on my own” and I will always be thankful for God placing them in my life!

25) I really do miss my Orange Xterra (not so much the car payment or lower gas mileage) and would one day like to be back in some sort of an SUV.  I really like the color Orange, but will probably tell you my favorite color is Blue

26) In my freshman year of college on Fall Break I ended up in the hospital with a  Kidney Stone – the only bout I’ve ever had with them (and hopefully the only one I EVER have)

27) I definitely would much prefer living at the beach than living in the mountains – would prefer living in the big city as opposed to living in the country – am pretty certain I will always be content at wherever God leads me to live, but these would definitely be my preferences.  I enjoy warmer weather way more than colder weather.

28) Growing up I had a best friend named J.J. – I always thought it was cool to have “Initials” for a name and wanted to have that too.  Guess I sort of got my wish when working at RBC/MACU and President Griffin referred to me as NOA (pronounced Noah) – J.J.’s birthday was on May 27^th so it was cool that we were born 2 days apart and celebrated some birthdays together.

29) For someone that has not had any type of Math class since High School – have a great mind for math and numbers – I can do lots of math in my head and figure numbers quickly (not like Rain Man counting toothpicks on the floor type stuff – but some pretty goofy stuff)  I enjoy numbers and statistic type stuff.

30) I have NEVER taken any course whatsoever in any sort of foreign language (had a study hall during a French class in High School but that doesn’t count) but have always thought I should probably learn a foreign language – maybe I should give those “Rosetta Stone” videos a shot??

31) I would say I have “Loved and Lost” and am not so certain that it really is better than “to have never loved at all” – well I guess it is, but sometimes I’m not so sure, but it’s a catchy saying so I’ll stick with it!

32) #34 was one of my favorite numbers for sports – it is the # I wore in college for basketball – I loved Nolan Ryan and he wore #34, George Lynch @ UNC wore #34 and was one of my all-time favorites.

33) Larry Bird is one of the most famous Athletes to ever wear the # 33 – but I hated Larry Bird – I do admit he was a TREMENDOUS player, but was one of those I loved to hate, no real explanation but that’s the great thing about sports – there doesn’t have to be a legit reason!

And that’s it people – hope you enjoyed your lovely gift – now it’s OVER & OUT from the DIRTY SOUTH!

Remembering Kay Yow – Coach & Christ-follower!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today the campus and community of NC State University, as well as women’s basketball, basketball in general, the sports world and the country has lost a rare gem.

The powerful opponent known as cancer has claimed another battle against a LEGEND within the community of NC State University Athletics.  Just as Jim Valvano succombed to the horrific disease back in 1993, the terrible disease has struck again by taking the “physical life” of Coach Kay Yow.

(I am reminded of the words of Jim Valvano in his famous ESPY’s Speech – “Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God bless you all.”)

Please see the following articles that tell a great deal more about her wonderful life!  Kay Yow on Wikipedia; Kay Yow on the NCSU Athletics Site; ESPN’s breaking news of her death; A Tremendous Article on ESPN by Mechelle Voepel “Yow’s Considerable Efforts Will Live On”.

Much will be written and spoken about the LEGACY and CAREER of this incredible woman and COACH.  She will be forever known as “COACH YOW”, but I would like to also share another aspect.  She would be the first to let you know that she was first and foremost a CHRIST-FOLLWER and then a COACH.  

Let me also inform you I have never been a big “Wolfpack” fan – I was born and bred a DIE-HARD Tarheel, growing up near the coast of wonderful North Carolina.  I did have the privilege of working @ NC State University in a campus ministry setting for 7 years.  It was always exciting being a big Tarheel fan, while living in the land of the rivals of WolfPack Country.  I also had the EXTREME pleasure and privilege of meeting Coach Yow, and after that meeting it made it a great deal tougher to EVER pull against the Lady WolfPack.

A couple years ago she was planning to come meet with our campus ministry organization one morning.  I had heard a good bit about her and her LEGENDARY status as a GREAT COACH, but was also aware of her “touted” fame as a solid Christian as well.  Sometimes when I hear about “high-profile” people having a strong-faith, I tend to get a little skeptical.  Not because I do not believe these people love the Lord or would serve His purpose in their lives, but because I know how we as Christians sometimes tend to work.  We often times are looking for some “hero” or person to hold in high esteem that has an awesome faith, so that we feel better about believing in something that gets so much criticism in this world.  

We often times can “over-inflate” the actual strength of faith or depth of belief in these “high-profile” Christians.  So to be completely honest there was a part of me that wanted to meet Coach Yow to see what the hype was all about.  Let me say in short that I was GREATLY ENCOURAGED.  This was a true woman of faith and love for the Lord.  Her witness and testimony was so strong and authentic.  She was a very REAL and GENUINE person.  She loves the Lord and loves people and left a path of people that saw something VITALLY different in her life.  I sat and listened to her share about her battle with cancer and how God was using her through these tough times to be an encouragement and a strength to others.

She did not back down from the tough days ahead of her and she was truly grateful for the days she had already come through.  She was living life to the fullest.  She took hold of so many opportunities to give God the Glory and Honor that He so RIGHTLY deserves.  She was truly an inspiration.

So even as a Die-Hard Tarheel – I wanted to take a moment of Pause and Reflection for this FINE, UPSTANDING WOMAN – who truly has impacted the lives of hundreds and thousands in the WolfPack community – and there are SO MANY countless lives who are better for having known her and having come in contact with her.

Let us take some time to honor her tireless efforts to be a teacher and a friend to so many young ladies through basketball and the university setting, for her integrity and authenticity as she lived out her Faith in her everyday life and for the impact she made in raising funds and awareness for CANCER RESEARCH.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and the NC State Campus community – and my Praises and Thanks go out to God our Creator & Sustainer for allowing us to have spent time getting to know such a wonderful woman!

I just came across this video of Coach Yow sharing her faith and decided to add it to this post – it runs about 9 minutes long but I invite you to watch it – it is from back in 2007 when her cancer had just returned.  Some really good stuff!

Please feel free to leave any thoughts/comments/stories about this outstanding woman known as a Christ-follower & Coach!

Convertible Theology????

So I have some good friends from back in NC – Doug & Bonnie.  This couple has always been a huge encouragement & help in my life and ministry (more than they will probably ever know).  I love hanging out with them cause they both have an extreme love for the Lord, each other, their family & friends, God’s Church, and just life in general.  

If you have ever met Doug & Bonnie you also know that they are unique individuals (especially Doug, not sure if there is anyone else like him ha ha ha – may be good may be bad – you can decide)  They are exactly who they claim to be and just enjoy life to the fullest.  I bring all this up because I started thinking about this idea of “convertible theology” because of Bonnie’s love for driving her convertible.  She LOVES that thing, so much so that when she was devastated after wrecking one she found another almost exactly like it – it was great.  Doug & I always pick on her cause I fully believe she feels like driving around with the top down can make ANY DAY better.  I think she would (and has done so) drive that thing with top down in about any weather.  Just to feel the wind blowing through her hair (Doug loves the feeling of the wind chapping his scalp ha ha sorry Doug) and smiling and loving life.

Now as much fun and as great as that mindset is for cars and the enjoyment of life.  My fear is that too many of us that claim to be “Christians” and way too many that take up residence in the church live in a detrimental state of “convertible theology” – we feel as though life IS BETTER lived with “top-down” decisions being made for us.  Let me explain.

I think there are too many of us out there relying on SOMEONE else to raise us up, challenge us, teach us, change us in our Faith.  We try to rely on decisions about morality and what we “should” or “should not” do to be made by someone else and handed down to us.  While I believe firmly that God has given some more of an ability to lead and shepherd and guide, I also believe that we are EACH as INDIVIDUALS responsible for being in a close relationship with Him through Jesus, and through that will bring growth and knowledge and a deeper understanding and love of Him.  It is time we EACH take it upon ourselves (granted this is best done in community where we interact WITH others and DO LIFE together, but not allowing our growth to HAVE TO ATTEMPT to come from someone else) to experience that growth with God.

I liken this to the political term that seemed to be thrown around a lot during the Reagan years of “Trickle-Down Economics” where financial & economic decisions and plans were put in place at the top and then it eventually trickled down to affect people on lower levels.  My fear is that often times we do the same thing in church – we wait for someone else to introduce a “trickle-down spiritual economics”.

Some of this has been brought on also by a recent study through the book of Daniel (our church is doing a series on it during the month of November).  I have watched how both King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius each had moments after doubting the power of the TRUE God and getting people to worship themselves only, to see the one TRUE GOD show up – they then would declare “decrees” for people to only worship this TRUE GOD of Daniel and his fellow friends.  (See Daniel 2:46-49; 3:28-30; 4:33-37; 6:25-28 )  Each time though, this “DECREE” (from Top-Down decision making) did not last long and we find another episode of these kings turning away back to their old, power-struggle pride-filled lives.  Then something big happens and they return and then make another decree, it was this vicious cycle.

I see this playing out in our lives, so often we just want so bad to have “Christian Leaders” take over our nation.  We see battles waging and venomous arguments between Christians over which candidate is a “man or woman of God” and will restore all things to where they need to be.  Now please understand that I do feel it is very important for leaders to be Christians, but as much as I feel it is important to understand that everyone has a soul that God loves, and has redeemed through His Son Jesus.  God desires that NO ONE SHOULD PERISH.  So sometimes I believe we have “bought into” this same “convertible theology” of life being better with the TOP DOWN decisions being made for us in the spiritual realm.  When instead I believe that God wants us to help promote the change of this world from the bottom up.  I think that is why we see it say in 2 Chronicles 7:14

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

It doesn’t say – well if we can ONLY get a Godly King, President, House, Senate, etc then the land will be healed.  No I believe it is up to each of us, to start from the bottom up – from getting face-down, humbled, ready to seek HIS FACE, turning from our wicked ways – then God brings the healing.

I think we can look at some of the countries today that are experiencing the greatest movements of God in His church – places like India and China, places that are also experiencing government and leaders that have NO DESIRE for the things of God.  These people in these places are not relying on a “convertible theology” to make decisions from the top that will “trickle-down” and allow them to be “better Christ-followers” – they are humbled, broken, sold-out, servants of the MOST HIGH GOD – committed to Him and to His WILL – whatever it takes and whatever may come.  It is through that mentality that God is doing a great work and is growing His Church and moving HIs people to do mighty things.

So yeah – maybe riding around in life in a convertible does make your physical day a better one and brings a lil more joy to this life, let me beg you, challenge you, encourage you to not fall into the trap of “CONVERTIBLE THEOLOGY” as we look to live our lives for the ONE TRUE LORD!