If you read this blog regularly, especially if you subscribe to the blog via email and/or an rss feed, you need to change your subscription. This blog will dissapear in the next couple of days and be replaced with a webportal instead. The new location for the blog is http://blog.micahfries.com. It’s still in a bit of the development stage, but you can now access my blog, audio files and video files. You can connect via Facebook, Twitter or email. Take a look and let me know what you think.

The legend has left the building. Brett Favre is no longer a Green Bay Packer. Oh he’ll still be playing in green this year, only it will be green and white instead of green and gold. Last night Favre was traded to the New York Jets for a conditional draft pick. If the NFL Network is accurate, it could possibly become a 1st round pick if the Jets make it to the Super Bowl. Count me among those who just became big fans of the Jets, hoping they make the big game.

As a life-long fan of the Packers, who grew up watching Favre, this is a strange moment for me. I still regularly wear my Favre jersey that I bought in Richland Center, WI along with a Reggie White jersey, when I was 13 or 14 years old. I am sitting in my den right now, beside my bookshelf which is covered, on top, with Brett Favre MacFarlane figurines and I’m also next to my entertainment center which is covered with 2 cheesheads, 2 Green Bay helmets and a green and gold football. All that to say I love the Packers and I love Brett Favre.

So, this saga that has played out over the last few months has caused me to be torn. I hate seeing my favorite team distracted with my favorite player who cannot make up his mind. Just as in his playing days, when Favre consistently played on emotion, threw impulsively off his back foot and had to live with a number of bad decisions - even in this moment his m.o. hasn’t changed and now he has to live with his decision to finish his career away from Green Bay.

At the same time, I’m still a Favre fan. Oh, I’m a Packer fan first and foremost - and probably always will be - but I have too many memories of growing up watching my Packers rake the competition with Favre dealing in the backfield. I can’t just stop liking the guy and so I’m now going to root for the Jets as well as the Packers. At least while Favre plays for them….. and until they make it to the Super Bowl against the Packers….. at that point I’ll throw them under the bus and cheer for Green Bay.

All things considered, this is a sad day for Favre and Packers fans. I think it’s safe to say that the pressure Aaron Rodgers was feeling, just got driven up a notch or two.

Go Packers!

The Presidential election is coming up and once again Americans have a difficult decision to make. Do we vote for Barack Obama? Do we vote for John McCain? Do we vote for a third party candidate? Do we write in a candidate? Finally, do we simply sit by and not vote at all? From a biblical perspective I am convinced that it is our obligation to vote and to vote for someone who reflects biblical values. Recently in a conversation with my dad, we were discussing the church’s obligation to vote for someone who reflects godly values. The refrain that I consistently hear from believers is that they may not love any candidate, but they will vote for the “lesser of two evils” in order to not “waste their vote”. This is an interesting thought process, and honestly, is one that I embraced for a while. The problem arises when it is pointed out, as my father lovingly did, that to do so is to admit that you are voting for evil, albeit “less” evil than you might otherwise vote for.

As believers we need to think and pray deeply about the upcoming election. We need to evaluate each candidate, not against each other, but against God’s Word. If a candidate is found that is suitable to consider voting for, do so. At the same time, if you are convinced that none of the candidates are viable, biblicallly, than write a candidate in. You might argue that to do so is to waste your vote. I would strongly disagree. Remember America is not our home, our allegiance is ultimately to the Kingdom of God and not to an earthly political process. To vote in amanner that would reflect the most politically expedient option is to unfortunately believe that pragmatism, rather than holiness, is our highest aim.

Our goal is to please God, and not man. It’s often difficult, in our political climate, to remember that. I’ll be honest with you that I have not decided, at this point, how I am going to vote. I am convinced, however, that I will study and pray and I will vote this year for the candidate that most reflects my commitment to God and His word, even if that means writing in the name that I think be represents those characteristics.

What do you think?

I have previously made my commitment to Avery Wills for 2008 SBC President clear. I believe he is the man who is best suited to lead our convention forward at this place in convention life.

One of the men in the IMB that I highly admire is Dr. Rodney Hammer. I first met Rodney while in training to go overseas with the IMB. Tracy and I lived side by side with Rodney, his wife and son. I learned then, while listening to Rodney teach during our training, to value his opinions significantly. Today Rodney briefly commented on SBCOutpost and offered his opinion about the upcoming SBC Presidential election. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would reproduce it here in hopes that even more people might consider his words.

SBC Friends,

I believe that Avery Willis is the one SBC presidential candidate that can bring what the SBC needs now…focus and leadership in spiritual renewal. Repentance and Revival will bring the fruit, the spiritual health, and the evangelism and mission results we so desparately desire. Beholdened to none except Christ, focused on the Kingdom, an Irenic conservative known and beloved throughout the Convention for his focus on spiritual health, revival, discipleship, evangelims and missions. It’s not his platform…it’s his entire life and ministry. The appointments and practical leadership will also see greater involvement of younger, more diverse, gospel and Kingdom focused Southern Baptists as well.
Bill Wagner is a good man. But Avery Willis is, I believe, God’s man for the hour and the model of what we need.

Amen Rodney, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Well, exactly one week from today my lovely wife Tracy and I will jump in our minivan (I know, I’m getting old) and make the 8 hour drive to Indianapolis, Indiana. Normally I prefer to fly, and it’s become cheaper than paying mileage, but since we are leaving after the convention to head to Wilmington, NC for my brother’s wedding, this year we’ll make the drive.

I’m excited about this year’s convention for a number of reasons. One of the chief reasons I’m excited is that I will have the privilege of serving this year on the Committee on Committees. This will be my first experience serving on the national level. I’m one of those strange individuals who gets a kick out of serving on committees so this should be an enjoyable and educational experience.

I’m also very excited this year as I watch what happens with the Presidential election. Two years ago I was thrilled to watch as Frank Page won the election on a first ballot to become the President of the SBC. This year I am convinced that it will take a second ballot for a candidate to to receive the necessary 51% approval. Nonetheless I am very encouraged to see a number of qualified Southern Baptists all placing their name into nomination to serve as our President. It’s indicative of an increased level of involvement from people who previously would not have been engaged in the process, and for that I’m grateful. I’ve had the privilege of meeting 4 of the 6 candidates but have not yet met Frank Cox or William Wagner. I count one of the candidates, Les Puryear, to be a very good friend and I could be satisfied with a number of the candidates being elected.

That being said, my vote will be cast for Avery Willis. I mentioned earlier that I had the privilege of building his website that conveys his desire for the SBC as well as his track record of success to this point. I would encourage you to run over and take a look at it. Beyond that, Avery has recently responded to a written interview request from Baptist Press that is very enlightening. I would strongly encourage you to read that interview as well as the interviews with each of the other candidates. I am convinced that Avery’s passion, track record, humility and plan is in line with what our convention needs to become an effective, Kingdom growing organization again.

Finally, I’m looking forward to Indy as I will get the privilege of spending a week with my wife without any children. I love my children more than my own life, but as anyone who has toddlers can tell you, they can be a bit draining at times when it comes to quality time with your spouse. Although the convention is a very, very busy time for me, I’m looking forward to enjoying it together with Tracy. This should be the longest amount of time we’ve had together, without children, since Grace was born almost 5 years ago. We’ve got our reservations set for the University Place Conference Center and Hotel and we’re excited about getting there.

Oh, and one more thing, one of the more enjoyable experiences of SBC gatherings since I started this blog 3 or 4 years ago now, has been meeting many of you who read this. Since you can see my picture at the top of the blog (I’m sorry about that, it’s not really nice of me to subject you to it, I know), if you see me introduce yourself. I’ve already received correspondence from a number of you who will be there and I’m looking forward to getting together in person. So, please take a moment to stop us and introduce yourself to Tracy and me. It would be a privilege to meet many of you.

8 years ago today I stood at an altar and exchanged vows with the woman of my dreams. Today we get to celebrate 8 years of marriage together. When we stood at the altar and said “I do” at Beulah Baptist Church in Dothan, AL I am positive that Tracy had no idea what she was getting into. All I knew was that I was the most blessed guy in the world. As today is a celebration day, I spent a bit of time reflecting on the past 8 years and I have come to the conclusion that I would be a wreck if it was not for my godly wife. She has been my encourager and helpmate on occasions when I deserved neither. She has been my critic and has provided accountability when I did not want, but certainly needed, both. She continues to amaze me with her love for the Lord, her passion for being a Mommy and her incredible love for me. I was the most blessed guy in the world 8 years ago today and I am even more blessed today than I was then.

Tracy, I love you and I am so thankful for 8 years with you and I cannot wait for another 50 or 60 more.

I have not blogged nearly as much lately as I would like to. To be honest with you, I haven’t had time. I have been swamped with work and school and as the semester ends next week, I’m going to stay swamped for another week or two.

This coming week, however, promises to be an exciting one! If you are from Frederick Boulevard I hope you are planning to be with us at some point over the next 4 days as we meet our candidate to lead our Student Ministry, Brad Durham. Brad is a very exciting guy with a passion for students and I hope that you learn to appreciate him as much as we have. If you haven’t seen the schedule of events yet, please plan to at least be with us on Friday night for dinner with Brad as well as a Q&A time. It will be held in the new atrium and starts at 7pm.

Speaking of the new atrium, I’m also really excited that the last few pieces of work were finished this week and our new coffee shop is almost ready to open. Once we get the ok from the health inspector, we’ll be up and running for business. I was by there this evening smelling the fresh coffee beans and I’ll have to admit that even though I don’t drink coffee, I was really enjoying the aroma!

Also, we start a new sermon series this Sunday that should be very exciting and challenging. We begin “Letters of Change” as we’ll take a look at the 7 churches in the book of the Revelation. We’ll begin this week by looking at the verses immediately preceding the first church and we’ll describe what a God centered church looks like.

Finally, if you have some time, please pray for my youngest daughter Kessed. She’s been sick for 4 days and her fever keeps running close to 103-104. We’ve been to see the doctor, and we’re going back again tomorrow, but she is worn out. Please pray that the doctor would prescribe the right medication and that she can be restored to health soon! I really appreciate it.