Dan O’Deens Blogspot

Just finished reading through my friend Craig Groeschel’s blog on Top Tens.   I love them!  Why?  They are short, sweet, concise and cut to the chase!   You can agree or disagree.  They are from the heart.  They are not meant to be statements of faith.  The are just THOTS from the Heart on a subject matter.  You should read Craigs Blog.  (You should also read his new book “IT”.   

Well my next few blogs will be an attempt to work through my struggle with balancing Grace and Truth in the context of working and serving with people in the local church.  Top 10 Things I Like About Truth;  Top 10 Things I Like About Grace;  Top Ten Things I Like About the Church When It Balances Grace and Truth!

Are you waiting?  I will start that tomorrow!  See you then!

Really getting excited about this upcoming series of talks on being Marked by God…TATTOO.  Check out this bumper.  Hope you will invite all of your friends and make sure you come as well!   How have you been marked by God?  Why not post a paragraph and share it OUT LOUD!   Let’s roll up our sleeves and show off the mark of Jesus on our lives!

When is there a better time than NOW?   This year I have been reading through the Bible.  I just finished the book of Esther.  This is not only one hot babe of a lady.  The Bible tells us that she was a head turner for those of you that did not appreciate my remark of a ‘hot babe.”   But this classy lady was much more than her looks.  She used her looks but she also used her brain and then added a HUGE dose of ‘intestinal fortitude.’  (GUTS).  She leveraged everything that she was and everything that her God gave her to literally save her people from total destruction.   Is God asking you to step up this coming school year?  There is no time better than NOW.  Tomorrow NEVER comes.  Yesterday is HISTORY.  TODAY is the only day that matters!   Now is your time.  STEP UP.  For Such A Time As This!

Did you watch the last 2 swim relays in the Olympics?   OK…Michael Phelps has now made history and we see his commitment to win in the individual events.  How does anyone come close?  That has to be so frustrating for his opponents.  He is setting world records every time he jumps in the pool.   

So…I am thinking!   Wouldn’t it be nice to be on his team?  To swim in a race that has already been won.  The announcer actually said at the end of the last leg when the American team obliterated the world record not by the normal tenth of a second, but by almost 5 full seconds.   He said, Even my grandmother could swim the last leg and bring home the gold.   

That is what it’s like to be on Team JESUS!   We are in a race that has already been won!   The only thing we have to do is finish the race.   I am so glad Phelps’ team mates did not take it easy.   They swam their hearts out all the way to the finish.  They made sure they swam by the rules.  We just have to give our best and we have the confidence of knowing that we will stand before the judge and win the gold medal…the winner’s wreath.  The prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus.  We will hear the words, “Well done, my faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord!”  

Are you on Jesus’ team?   It’s not too late.

I am getting excited for college football to start.  All of you buckeye haters or naysayers!  Just ’shut-up.’  They made it to 2 straight National Championship games.  No small feat.  They have been very good.  But good doesn’t win championships.   This year they are looking GREAT.   20 Returning Starters!   2 1st round NFL draft picks who gave up the BIG money to lead this team to a Championship!  And the Character of a Coach who sets the standard high.   Watch out!  Go BUCKS!

I have a friend…name…not mentioned…but he is a great friend.  We meet every Friday.  He is a Pastor and Church planter.   He is always razzing me about not being faithful to my Blog, my E-Mail, my Facebook, my MySpace;  my Twitter.   (Some of you are clueless to what Twitter is…as I was until my good friend turned me on to it!)   

So here goes.  I am updating.   Are you reading it.   You see I got very few responses…So is it worth it?  Are you reading this?  PROVE IT!  :)  

Is is possible to be overconnected?   Well…actually I am so impressed with new technology and our ability to connect with anyone, anywhere at anytime.  Pretty Cool huh?

Hmmmm…did you know that from that moment you gave your life to Jesus.  You had 24/7 access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?   Are you online with Him?   

Gotta Run.  My Twitter needs updated!