The Rev Theory

From Barney To “Bad Girl”

January 28, 2010

Ok, so she’s not really a “bad girl” but a few people will remember Erica Rhodes from her days playing with a purple dinosaur on Barney & Friends.

Many more people will remember Erica from her Dallas, Texas audition during season 9 of American Idol which aired Wednesday night on FOX.

Erica first “wowed” the judges with her leather outfit, complete with whip and then won them over with her incredible vocals.

I thought for sure that the judges would send Erica on to Hollywood after Randy Jackson had her sing the “Barney Song” in her leather attire; however Simon Cowell wanted to hear a song that was less nauseating so Erica sang “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue and truly made it her own.

Her days on Barney & Friends aside; Erica truly has the “it” factor that is needed not only to compete on the American Idol stage, but also to advance in the competition and win.

I’ve said since the first audition that Season 9 of American Idol is a “girl’s year” and after her audition, I am convinced that Erica Rhodes will win American Idol.

Erica possesses both a natural and trained ability to perform which will serve her well on Idol. She began on Barney & Friends, grew up, is presently a grad student having studied broadcast journalism at Dallas Southern Methodist University. In addition to receiving professional dance training Erica was also a cheerleader for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League and stared in the 2009 independent film “Going Home.”

I liked that Erica chose to be edgy with her leather dominatrix attire and whip, showing that she is not afraid to take risks. When asked about her audition Erica said she wants people to know that Barney kids grow up.

Check out Erica’s Audition For Season 9 of American Idol

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Another Thought For Today

January 21, 2010

Matthew 16:23 is such a great reminder for us all. Jesus warning Peter “Get away from me, satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” When we look at life from a human point of view it becomes dangerous! We must look at life from God’s perspective!

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Thought For Today

January 21, 2010

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philipians 2:3

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Haiti Tragedy

January 13, 2010

As I am sure most everyone knows by now, the island nation of Haiti was hit with a disastrous 7.0 earthquake on Tuesday, January 12th.

There is, as you can imagine, a great loss of life in Haiti. Even more so, many people and many families are homeless and have lost everything.

The people in Haiti desperately need the people of God to step up and give generously. There have been many Christian missionaries in Haiti, some of whom have lost their lives. Those who remain, not only have the task of bringing the love of God to the people of Haiti, but now more than ever before need our help to bring God’s love in a very real and tangible way.

If you would like to donate and know for sure that every single penny of your donation is going to Haiti Relief Efforts here’s how:

Make Checks Payable To: First Baptist Church Canton – In The Memo Line write “Haiti Relief”

Mail your check to Rev. Kevin Slyh c/o First Baptist Church – 4110 38th Street NW – Canton, OH 44718-2926

You may also mark “Haiti Relief” on your envelope. Thank you so much for your generosity. May God richly bless you!

Posted in Haiti, Haiti Earthquake | 1 Comment »

It’s Back!

January 13, 2010

American Idol is back. The 9th season of the Fox reality series made it’s debut on Tuesday night as the auditions began in Boston.

Simon, Randy, Kara and, well, no Paula this year. Abdul could not reach an agreement to return for the show’s ninth season and has been replaced in the early auditions by guest judges and permanently replaced February 9th by Ellen DeGeneres when Hollywood week begins.

Tuesday night’s audition had a couple of people that showed some real promise and interestingly enough, a couple of 16 year old girls blew most of the competition out of the water.

Victoria Beckham did a great job serving as the first Idol guest host. “Posh Spice” appeared to have a real rapport with Simon, Randy and Kara and would have made a fantastic permanent judge for the ninth season.

It is no secret that I am not high on Ellen as the new judge. Ellen lacks the experience and knowledge of the music industry to bring any relevance to the judge’s table. She claims to represent America, but I have to pass. I will represent myself by voting when the live performances begin. Ellen is too much of a comedian to be taken serious on Idol and I suppose, or rather hope it’s just a matter of time until Simon Cowell puts Ellen in her place and she runs home crying. Well, I can dream can’t I?

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Perfecting Timing

January 7, 2010

I turned on the GMAC Bowl Wednesday night just in time to see Central Michigan’s Antonio Brown return a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. This was not just your average kickoff return for a touchdown, this was a game changing, momentum shifting kickoff return for a touchdown.

A little more than midway through the 4th quarter, Central Michigan trailed Troy 31-19. That is until Brown’s touchdown return.

Central Michigan’s defense held Troy on their next possession allowing the offense to take over and for senior quarterback Dan LeFevour to lead the Chippewas down the field for yet another touchdown, this time giving Central Michigan a 34-31 lead after a successful two point conversion.

With less than two minutes to play in regulation, Troy’s quarterback Levi Brown marched the Trojans down the field and set up a game tying 46 yard field goal.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime. It was in the second overtime where a blocked field goal by Central Michigan’s special teams set the Chippewas up for a 37 yard field goal of their own to win the game in double overtime 44-41.

Central Michigan’s senior quarterback Dan LeFevour finished his last college game going 33 of 55 for 394 yards, one interception and one passing touchdown. He also carried the ball 9 times for 12 yards and a touchdown.

LeFevour now holds the NCAA Division I record for most touchdowns with 150.

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Happy New Year

January 1, 2010

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Trust God

December 31, 2009

When we trust God, we let Him lead us.
When we trust God, we believe He wants the best for us.
When we trust God, we will not be tempted to go astray.
When we trust God, fear and doubt have no place in us.
When we trust God, our troubles and worries fade away.
When we trust God, joy, happiness, and contentment belong to us.
When we trust God, we praise and worship Him freely.
When we trust God, we feel His wondrous grace, mercy, and love toward us, and so much more.

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‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve 2009 – WOW! What an exciting time of year. A few years ago I wasn’t saying that at this time of year, but I am so thankful for the grace that has been shown me and for the work God has done in my life that I am both able to be excited about Christmas the holiday as well as celebrating the Advent of my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ and also anticipating His second Advent!

This is the first year, that I can think of where all the cards have been sent, the presents are bought and wrapped, the house has been decorated for a while now and we are simply waiting and anticipating Christmas morning.

I have so much to be thankful for and I am blessed far more than what I deserve.

If you know me, then you know that I am not about the “stuff” of Christmas. I’ve seen more people this year excited about the “stuff” of Christmas than ever before.

If the presents and the parties and the bragging on the 4.0 really make you happy, then good for you. Quite frankly, does nothing for me. Never has, never will.

For me, it’s all about Jesus and second to that is spending time with people I love and care about.

Christmas is a time for sharing the presence of Christ with others.

This is my second Christmas without my dad and oddly enough, this one is far more difficult than was the first. So many times this year I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and call him, a few times, waking out of a dream, I have actually picked up my cell phone and dialed the number.

I don’t mourn for my dad, he’s been in Heaven with Jesus since September 2008, going on hunts that he could only dream about in this lifetime and experiencing amazing fellowship with His Savior and Lord and no doubt with my mom. I hope in the 22 years she’s been there that by now, she has learned to cut him some slack.

What I’ve learned in the past year, more than ever before, is how much I am just like my dad. To those who truly knew my dad, they may wonder if that’s good or bad, but it is by far a very good thing.

My dad was a man of principle who maintained high ethical and moral standards, not to mention the highest of Spiritual standards. I was the only one of my dad’s children to ever spend time talking to him about matters of faith, and oddly enough he would bring them up.

My dad loved the Lord and that was evident in his life. I loved those moments when I would hear my dad praying and he didn’t even know I was there. I loved hearing him express his faith in and love for God. So many times I would come home late at night and Dad always slept in his chair and he’d be sleeping and in his sleep talking to God and telling God how much he loved him. That was just awesome!

My dad would say “Don’t ever be afraid to pray” and that is so very true. He often confessed that God was the best friend he ever had and I knew my dad’s best friends in life and they were some fine people to say the least.

My dad would not back down when it came to standing for what was honorable and right and I am the same way. I refuse to compromise on my principles and especially my faith and God’s word.

My dad left me a rich spiritual heritage and also a heritage of what kind of man to be and did so by example.

What more could I have asked for in a dad?

I’ve been so very blessed this year to be back in full-time pastoral ministry. God brought us to a really great church with some really great people who love Him and while there are challenging times, and while there are sad times, like watching a family spend Christmas in the ICU waiting room while their loved one is dying….God is good and He reigns on high and the Bible says all these things happen for our benefit and I truly believe that. God uses all these things to grow us and shape us and make us into the people He wants us to be for His glory and praise.

Being a pastor is my life. It’s not a job, it’s not a vocation, it is a life to be lived out in the presence of and for the glory of God and how blessed I am that God allows me the amazing opportunity to not just be a Shepherd leader, but to just hang out with folks and build relationships and eat cookies and drink coffee.

Indeed we are preparing for our eternity in Heaven!

To all of my family, friends, those I love and care for, Merry Christmas! God loves you and so do I!

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A Christmas Carol

December 15, 2009

This past Saturday my wife and I saw Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” in the IMAX 3D Experience and all I can say is “WOW.”

I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a movie in 3D, but the technology today is amazing. Add to that the IMAX factor and it was indeed a wonderful, magnificent experience that propelled the viewer into the movie, not only appearing to get snowed on during the movie, but flying at high rates of speed through the streets of London in the 1800’s as Charles Dickens immortal classic came to life on the really big screen!

Jim Carey did a masterful job throughout the movie, as did the entire cast and I enjoyed that Disney stayed as close as possible to the original story.

What began as a Christmas present for my wife, turned into the best movie going experience I’ve ever had. I’ve been to IMAX movies before, but never in 3D.

I was impressed with Disney’s willingness to accurately portray not just the original story but also the Christmas and Christian elements of the story.

There is a string of theological concepts in this movie, mainly as we approach the final sequence when Scrooge is in the cemetery with the Ghost of Christmas Future and he realizes that in order to be a new man he must first die to his old self which is a profoundly dramatic scene of him falling into the grace and then waking up as a new person.

The same is true for all of us who would come to Christ. We must die to ourselves. To our own ways, our own lifestyle, our own opinions and attitudes and wants and desires and we must be willing to put on Christ.

The Bible says if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation and that all the old things have passed away.

Scrooge’s transformation from a selfish life and a life of sin, to a life “in the light” is a remarkable example of what must take place for all of us who would come into Christ as their personal Lord & Savior.

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