going to visit the other side…

Ok well being a registered Independent maybe not the other side, but tonight I’m going to hear Bill Clinton speak at the Arizona State Campus. I plan on giving a full report on the event later tonight upon my return home.

peace!

Me and Grant Hill

So today I’m in a small Mexican Cafe’ in Phoenix. My Mom, Dad and I were out and about. Checking out the some of the Super Bowl festivities and such. At this Cafe’ i was ordering coffee when who should I see standing next to me but one of my favorite Basketball players of all time. The one, the only Grant Hill.

I chatted with him a bit about his past injuries, and talked to him about his faith in God.

I then asked him if I could take a picture with him. I felt kinda dumb asking, (as you can tell by the expression on my face) But hey I’ve followed Grant since he and Jason Kidd split the Rookie of the year award. I kind of turned into a kid adoring one of his heros. Either way I got the pic!

Grant is a good man, great basketball player, and a really nice guy. His site here: www.granthill.com

I pray God blesses him in all he does, not just in basketball, but in life.

Here are some highlights of his killer basketball career:

Proverb of the moment

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears –Proverbs 26:17 

There are times in life when it is necessary to get involved in conversations, and controversies for the point of helping people find clarity. Then there are times avoid controversy like the plague.

I’ve done both over the years and come to the conclusion that the above proverb always seems to ring true.

Controversy will inevitably come, but jump into it I will not.

Word of the Week: Enorlossmous

Welcome to my word: Enorlossmous

Definition: adj. Huge; enormous; colossal.

I’m sure many of you are stumped right now. How did he come up with a word I’ve never heard of? Man he’s smart. Well for your information I made the word up. That’s right peeps and people, I took the word “colossal” and “enormous” and slammed them together with all the force of gravity. The result of the mergance was the word you see above.

I the late 60’s early 70’s a bunch of hippies did something similar when coming up with the word “humongous”. They took “huge” and “monstrous” and came out with: “Hey man that peace sign is humongous dude!” So I took a cue from the hippies. Thanks Dead Heads!

Enorlossmous I would use to describe myself. I’m 6′5″ 275 pounds. I walk in some houses and the floor boards bend. However I’d like to point out the advantages of being huge:

1. Fly first with Southwest. That’s right all you shorter suckers, my monstrous frame gets bumped ahead of all the other passengers because legally being over 6′4″ is considered a disability. Emergency exit rows all day long! Though it is a bit humbling boarding with the elderly ladies in wheel chairs, and breathing machines.
2. Strangers fear me. Not sure if this is a perk, or a good thing. But if you know me, you know that I’m all heart. I’ve never been in a fight where I fought back, and hurting people makes me want to cry. (wow I sounded so wussy just now.) But either way there is this phenomenon that happens often where I’ll be in a store and ask some one a question: “Excuse me, where do I find the mops?” They recoil back and say, “uh uh um down that way sir… thanks” The thanks is said like “thanks for not pumling me”
3. Carrie is safe. I’ve never been in a fight because most people assume it to be a bad idea. If guys try anything when I’m out with Carrie, I just glare at them. My ominous size sends them in search for someone closer to the ground.
4. I cross streets when I feel like it. Being that I’m larger than a 6 point buck, people are very hesitant to hit me with their cars. I simply step into the gutter, and they slow down and stop. I don’t do it on purpose, it usually just happens. One time I dropped something in the gutter, bent down to pick it up, stood up and both cars on the street slammed on their brakes. I couldn’t help but laugh.
5. No one forgets my face. When you are this size people always recognize you. because I’m so hard to miss. This comes in handy in leadership. However is a detriment when you do something stupid… you never live it down.

So that’s it I’m Enorlossmous! Don’t forget to make it apart of you daily vocabulary!

thanks for reading

oh the distance!

I sit down tonight, the 3 posts half way finished. I intended on finishing them all. All week I’ve been meeting with people, talking about IHOP, and talking about what God is doing in my life. The meetings have been good. The conversations have inspired me. I have 15 things I’m excited to write about…But instead my mind isn’t functioning. I try to type, but nothing. I try to get a little inspiration, go through some of my notes, read through some of my books. My brain, and heart have only got one thing going… I miss Carrie!

Yeah before you roll your eyes and say, “It’s only been 5 days!”…um ok roll your eyes I don’t care because you’re right it’s only been five days. I think it’s just that I know I have 11 days left!

So anyway because  of the current lack of caring to write about anything else here is a post.

I got nothing else to say… aren’t we cute though?

The need for true Bereans

In addendum to the last post I offer this”

We desperately need people in the church who study the Word of God, and offer their thoughts when a ministry is off from the direction of scripture.

However I believe that  the way that should be done is different from how I and many have done it. If biblical correction is needed it should be brought to that ministry not to the public for scrutiny.

Again for those of you who have no idea where this is coming from, thank you for letting me digress a bit.

What Bereans are not

Just a quick note concerning something that I’ve come across often on my blog and other places around the web. If you have no idea where this post is coming from, others do. Bless all that read.

Acts 17: 11 “Now these Jews (The Bereans ) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

I would like to point out that the Bereans of Acts First accepted the spoken word with eagerness. In other words were veracious to accept what was spoken. Then they searched the scriptures to see if it lined up.

W hat Bereans were not:

• Judgmental and opposed to the word spoken.
• They did not take ministers of the word after hearing small tid bits and rumors, and call them out in other public forums as heretics.
• They did not make judgments on whether or not those ministering the word were deceptive first. No first they received the word with gladness, then searched out the scriptures

There are many who are quick to make judgments about ministries and organizations based on:

• hear say
• rumors

Hear say and rumors fall under the category of slander. Biblically defined in the same category as sexual immorality. Something not to be found among those in the Knigdom.

The Bereans were not slanderers.

Also Paul warned Timothy:

I Timothy 1:4-7: “Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”

We are called to be wary of false teaching. Which Jesus points out to us in Matthew 7 “By their fruits you will recognize them”

However we are not to be skeptical of other brothers and sisters in the faith. Instead if a brother is in the wrong we encourage them, edify them. We don’t make blatant accusations amongst others with out dealing with the person in private and in the grace of Christ.

The Internet and blogs are public forums where thousands read. discussions in these places are not private discussions but public stated arenas. Not to be taken lightly.

The Bereans were not skeptics. They were lovers of the word.
That’s my peace.

For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about thank you for letting me take the time to discuss this.

.::zack

Random Rantings Friday live from AZ

Greetings readers, surfers, and the like! It’s random rantings Friday, I’m on a normal day time schedule, and the sun is jacking with my brain! In the words of my best friend Blippideblow! Let the Randomness begin!

I realize I haven’t written anything of deep substance in a dog’s age, but I promise it’s coming soon. I’m not done writing about the Bridal paradigm, plus have some posts on intercession coming as well.

Have you ever tried Ligonberry preserves?  They are actually quite good on toast.

It’s official folks, I’m throwing my hat into the John McCain camp. He’s been my favorite politician for years, and I’ve decided he gets my vote. Coming soon, believe it or not, should be a Forever Nocturnal exclusive interview with the candidate.

Antarctica’s ice loss is rapidly speeding up. Whether we are the reason for global warming or not, the jury is still out. However I stand by the fact that it’s real.

I’m reviving my drumming career as I join Sean Downs’ worship team.

“In Christ Alone” is one of my favorite hymns. However I disagree with one line: “On the Cross when Jesus died/ the wrath of God was satisfied.” My reason being is that God’s wrath wasn’t directed toward humanity and therefore needed to be satisfied. (not written anywhere in scripture) Because God doesn’t do things out of wrath but out of love.  We were sons and daughters of disobedience and in our total depravity, were objects of his wrath because of our sin. Therefore out of his great love he sent his Son. To say that Jesus came to satisfy God’s wrath would be to say that God is a God of wrath first. When instead God is a God of love first, who works his wrath, which is his justice, towards sin. Those who bare sin our indeed objects of wrath (Eph 2:3) however his wrath didn’t need to be satisfied, but the greatness of his kindness to deliver us from his wrath instead is what he intended to show. (Eph2:7)Anyway I think the line in the hymn creates a slightly skewed view of God. But I still cry every time I sing it!

Sarkozy apparently is loosing clout, so he is going use French clout in Arab nations such as the U.A.E.? Really? I didn’t know the French had much clout in the Arab world. If by clout the mean indecision then I guess I understand.

Well someone finally slapped Mahmoud! That’s right the speaker of Iran’s parliament Ayatollah Ali Khamenehei slapped the power hungry Ahmadinejad publicly, and told him to start respecting the laws of the Iranian constitution. Put that in your Huka and smoke it Mahmoud! 

John Rambo is back in Rambo 4? really?  What’s next? Kirk Douglas doing Spartacus II? Is Stallone’s career really to the point where he wants to be the first action hero to need Gold Bond powder to fight pain free?

I’m excited to be in Phoenix during the Super Bowl. I plan on going to the NFL experience this weekend.  I also have the ambition to try to find sports players and interview for the blog. For no purpose really other than to look cool… but hey at least I’m honest.

I miss my woman! it’s only been 2 days without Carrie and already I feel as though I’m wilting away! I got 13 more Carrie-less days to go! I may possibly go into a depression, if so just remind me of the Kingdom to come. (for the record no depression will occur it was a joke.) 

I want to give my Super Bowl prediction. This my sound crazy but I’m picking the Giants! That’s right The Giants 24-21 over the Pats by the last minute leg of the much improved Lawrence Tynes. My deciding factor is the cast Brady has been sporting this week on his leg. Plus I’m a “go-against-the-grain” type of guy.

Favorite Justin Rizzo Chorus as I listen to the IHOP prayer room right now: “The second Adam, The man from heaven, through whom all men have redemption.”  

Being on days is so strange. I have a meeting at 11am. Which is usually during my first R.E.M. cycle but now I’m awake. I feel like I have massive jet lag with out traveling through many time zones.

I’m a big fan of Jack in the Box. Since they don’t have any in the midwest. Coming home I always first spring for a Jumbo Jack. Good times.

I haven’t played Chutes and Ladders in about 13 years but could go for some Chutes and Ladders action these days.

Well peace to all, as I get back to my support raising ways. If you still want to help donate toward the “Zack Needs a Laptop” fund simply click here … and donate! If you have a nice Lap top to donate, e-mail me at zhensley@gmail.com

I’m out like Sarkosy’s clout!

Landed

welcome to my thoughts right now…

Landed in Phoenix with minor drama. The pilot brought the plan down hard. There was some jostling in the cabin, one lady began screaming. But we were safe.

Got into the main terminal forgetting that fans over the super bowl are making thier way here for the big game. Some crazed Pats fan is blocking the escalator… I take the stairs.

I’m standing at the carousel waiting for my bags. The guy next to me says he’s transfering to Orange County. He’s a nice guy. We exchange pleasentries. Though he smells a bit like gin and B.O.. I smile and take a step to the left.

I’m listening to Lecrae on my I-Pod.

Heath Dead because of role in new Batman

Greetings folks!

I write this post from my handy smart phone as I wait in-line to board a plane back to the home land. That’s right peeps I’m going back to Phoenix for and unprecidented 2+ weeks. I’ve never been home for that long before, but I hope to raise funds and talk to people about what God is doing in the Earth.

Upon waiting I coulnd’t help but notice that actor Heath Ledger died of a sleeping pill over dose. Normally something like this wouldn’t strike me as something to post about but there is some erie-ness that surrounds his death.

Being that I’m writing this from my phone I haven’t yet figured out how to post a link to cite the source, so I’ll post it later.

Apparently Heath said to an interviewer last week that he was so distrubed by the character (Joker) he played in the fliming of the new Batman, that he wasn’t able to sleep at night. He said he was on all kinds of pills to help him sleep because of the moniacle version of Joker he was supposed to play.

Now there are two sides to every story, and reasons people kill them selves that are so personal you can never really know. But that said, I have now made my decision as to whether or not I will see the new Batman. The preveiws left me feeling a little uneasy. But now that I know that the disterbedness (spelled wrong) of the character of The Joker helped drive the actor playing him to his death, I think my mind is made up. I will not be seeing the movie. No matter how much I have been fond of Batman through out my life.

I am saded by Heath’s death. I enjoyed him as an actor(The Patriot), and I hate to see young men take their own lives. I pray that those around him find Jesus, and if they do know him, that He would grant them peace.

the plane is taking off….