Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

APEX CDs

I know some people who enjoy going for a drive. I'm not one of them. I don't drive for enjoyment. I drive to get from point A to point B in as little time as possible. But today was an exception. The weather today was unbelievable. I was lovin' life as I drove through the country with my windows down and my radio cranked up. I was rocking out to our brand new APEX CD.

This CD features a live recording of an APEX worship event from earlier this year. Gotta be honest…this thing just flat rocks! It begs you to crank up the volume!

ACCers, you can get your CD beginning this Sunday. And check this out…each CD only costs $3! Want two CDs? We'll hook you up with two for $5. So for less than a value meal at McDonalds, you can snag a CD that you can worship with for years to come. Sweet!

As we prepare to re-launch APEX this fall, we'd love for you to pick up a CD or two to give to your friends. The CD could be serve as a great invitation to APEX.

Can't wait for APEX to make its comeback after our summer break! You won't want to miss it!

The Price of Integrity

I taught on integrity this past Sunday. Really seemed like the message got some traction.

In my message, I mentioned some glaring examples of lacking integrity in our culture. From the world of sports, we've just received another less-than-great example. The New England Patriots have been accused of spying on opposing coaches via videotape.

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, "NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory Sunday" against the New York Jets. "The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players." This is expressly prohibited in the NFL.

This same Patriots employee was questioned and removed from the field when his team played the Green Bay Packers in 2006 for engaging in this same illegal behavior.

What is the price tag on our integrity? Obviously if these allegations are true, the Patriots' price tag is winning a football game. At what point do you or I sell out? What is your price?

It reminds me of the old story about a man who asked a woman if she'd sleep with him for one million dollars. She blushed, but said that she would. He then asked if she'd sleep with him for one hundred dollars. Offended, she said, "Of course not! What kind of woman do you think I am?"

He replied, "My dear, we've already established what kind of woman you are. Now we are just haggling over the price."

Remembering

I made a hospital call this morning. As I was walking through the parking lot, I noticed the American flag was flying at half-staff to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

As I was walking through the halls of the hospital, a lady's voice came over the PA system. Turns out that this was the exact time when one of the planes hit the World Trade Center six years ago today. She requested a moment of silence and then she offered a prayer.

I stopped in the hallway and peered out a window as she prayed. I reflected on her words. I remembered the events of September 11, 2001. The only other person around me was a custodian. He went about quietly sweeping the floor. I couldn't help but think that he may have been sweeping that very floor six years ago when the history of our country was forever altered.

Before I arrived at the hospital, I stopped at the post office. As I was waiting in line, I listened to two ladies talk about the events of this day in 2001. They remembered exactly where they were, what they were doing, and how they were feeling. I silently reflected on the memories of my day six years ago.

There is something inborn in us that draws us to remember. To commemorate. To memorialize. I'm convinced that God has planted that within us. In the Bible, God is constantly calling us to remember. The word "remember" appears over 230 times in the Bible.

Sometimes memories bring joy and peace. Sometimes remembering is painful, as it is on days like today. But remembering is necessary. It's necessary to learn from mistakes in our past. It's necessary to recall blessings that God has given us. It's necessary to remember how God has worked in your past.

Many of the "remember" references in the Bible are calls for us to remember what God has done in the past. God is unchanging, so remembering what he has done in the past gives us hope of what he'll do in the future.

And on days like today, we can remember what we've learned from God's Word. This world is temporary. The pain and hurt and evil of this world won't last forever. God will set things straight when Jesus returns. And as long as we stick with Him, we win.

That's worth remembering.

Following our Senior Pastor

Things are happening in rapid fire mode in our church family right now. We've got so much important stuff coming and so many great things happening that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Seems like I'm just trying to keep up with everything that God is doing. He's driving the bus and I'm just happy to have a seat.

Mark Driscoll preaches at a large church in Seattle. Every once in a while, he'll ask the members of that church, "Who is the senior minister at Mars Hill?"

The people who have been around that church a while know the answer. In unison, they answer, "Jesus!"

Mark is one of the most well-known ministers in America, and yet he is always reminding members of Mars Hill that Jesus is their senior pastor. I love his humility and his perspective.

Mark's thoughts have really resonated with me. In recent weeks, I've had a lot of people give me a lot of credit (or blame!) for all the stuff that is moving and shaking at ACC. All I'm doing is following our senior pastor. He's got bigger dreams for our church than I ever could, so I'm just trying to hang on as he takes us on this incredible adventure.

Buckle up, ACC! Following our senior pastor can be a wild ride!

Persecution

I talked with a young couple in our church this evening. They're not only new to our church, they're new to the Christian faith. And they're experiencing some pain because of it.

Several of their friends have walked away from them because of their new faith. They've listened to some pretty hurtful things. They've lost some close friends, all because of their faith in Jesus.

Jesus promised that people would turn against us if we have faith in him. Just check out his words from Luke 15.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (Luke 15:18-19)

We shouldn't be surprised when people don't understand us. We shouldn't be surprised when that say hurtful things about us. We shouldn't be surprised when people hate us. Jesus promised it would be that way.

But it's worth it. Whatever you have lost because of Jesus, it's worth it. What you have lost cannot begin to compare to what you have gained.

I know what I'm talking about. I lost a job because of my faith. There were other reasons given, but it basically boils down to the fact that I was a Christian and my boss wanted nothing to do with that. Did that stink at the time? Yeah, it did. But what I lost does not compare to what I've gained. I wouldn't be in ministry if that didn't happen. I wouldn't be part of the ACC family if that didn't happen.

I'm saying saying that it's pleasant or fun. But whenever you lose something because of Jesus, hang in there. It's worth it.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

In about 25 minutes, my Colts will open the NFL season against the Saints. I'm looking forward to taking in the game.

I have this problem every season. I can't really decide who my team is. Being a Cincinnati boy, I'm all about the Bengals. But at the same time, I grew to love the Colts when I lived in Indy. They're not scheduled to play each other in the regular season this year, so my loyalties can remain divided.

Who Dey! Go Bengals!

Believe in Blue! Go Colts!

One More Last Chance

Attention all procrastinators! We've been able to extend the registration deadline for the Dave Ramsey Live event in Cincinnati.

You can still register this Sunday with the 40% discount offered through our church.

But this Sunday is it! There will be no more extensions! Get off your duff and get signed up!

Seniors Brunch

Had brunch today with some of the seniors from our church. What an encouraging group to spend time with!

One of our ladies recently returned from a trip across the western U.S. In the span of 31 days, Joyce visited 17 states and logged 10,500 miles.

Another one of our ladies is preparing to leave on an excursion to Alaska. I'm trying not to be jealous of Mary Lou. Alaska is my dream vacation. It took her 70 years to get there. It might take me just as long, but I will get there! (Unless God has other plans, of course.)

Some of our seniors were leaving Bob Evans today and heading to the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati to do some baking for the residents of the house. How awesome is that?

If God allows me to live a long life, I hope I'm as vibrant and active as these seniors. I hope that I'm able to travel. I want to stay focused on ministering to the needs of others instead of going into spiritual retirement.

Getting older is inevitable. Getting old is a choice.

Brandon Phillips

Haven't written a Reds post in a while. I like to keep my blog positive and…well..that'd be tough to do if I wrote about the Reds this year.

But even in an abysmal season like this one, there have been a few bright spots. Brandon Phillips is at the top of that list in my mind.
He set a new franchise record for home runs by a second basement today. He hit his 28th bomb of the year, eclipsing a record previously set by Joe Morgan during the Big Red Machine era.

He's got a legitimate shot to have a 30-30 season (30 home runs, 30 stolen bases). He would be only the third Red to ever accomplish that feat, following in the footsteps of Eric Davis and Barry Larkin.

Not only has he crushed the ball this year, but he's been money in the field. Last week he made what was possibly the best defensive play I have EVER seen on a baseball field. He has the best fielding percentage of any second baseman in the Majors. Bring on the Gold Glove.

Paul Daughtery said last week that if the Reds marketing people don't make Brandon Phillips the new face of the franchise, then they're crazy. He goes all out everyday. He's always smiling. He signs autographs. He's electric on the field. He's quite possibly the future of this franchise.

Attention Reds PR department: Don't just market your past. Give us some hope for the future.

Controversial

Got a chance to talk with some first-time guests at church Sunday. I really enjoyed getting to know them. In the course of our conversation, they said that a friend recommended that they check out my messages on our website. Speaking of my messages, their friend said, "He talks about controversial issues."

Been thinking about that ever since. If I had to choose a word to describe me, I don't know that "controversial" would even enter my mind.

But the more I've pondered this, the more I think that this is how Jesus taught. He was definitely a controversial guy–at least with the religious people of his day. It was controversial to butcher sacred cows. It was controversial to tell religious people that they don't have it all together. It was controversial to invite "sinners" into God's family. It was controversial to hang out with con men and hookers. Jesus did all of that and then some.

I don't stir things up just for fun. I've known some people who get their kicks by stirring up controversy. That's not me. But I will preach the Bible, and sometimes the Bible can be more controversial than anything else you can imagine. And when that's the case, I'll stir it up. I'll take the risk of offending someone…especially when that someone is a Christian who needs to be stretched and challenged.

I guess you can call that controversial.