1.  Sad that the Red Sox went out without a whimper.  Here’s hoping the Angels put the Yankees in a world of hurt and that the Phillies win it all.  It’s amazing that Charlie Manual was on the hot seat for so long in Philly, and now his job is as safe as anyone’s whether they win or lose.  He’s a perfect fit for that team and they are coming together at just the right time.  I haven’t bought my train ticket for the victory parade yet, but I told Karen this morning that I’m going when they win it all again.  So, to all you Chi United folks, anyone got room on the couch for me?

2.  If President Obama really wants to put the rest all the hubbub over his winning the Nobel Peace Prize then he’ll do an intervention with Jon and Kate and help them patch up their marriage so all of America can get on with our lives and see new faces on magazine covers.

3.  Finally, it’s Pastor Appreciation month.  It is NOT the thought that counts when no thought is put into a gift.  To help you in your search for the perfect gift I’ve compiled some suggestions and options over at Chase Your Lion dot com.

In 24 hours, a dream becomes reality. What started out as an unsure yearning has now become bits, bytes, html, php, and 1.0.1.020.  I am in car today with some dear friends on our way to see U2 in Atlanta.  That’s a five hour drive for us…one way.  Along the way, we will be picking up a Roady name Palmer who will be joining us for this 20 hour Epic.  I am excited to experience my second U2 show, but I’m more excited to announce that at 9 am tomorrow….It has been a whirlwind the last few weeks and the next few even more so.  Please be in prayer for the following.

1.  That Chase Your Lion dot com will help people discover and pursue their purpose, passion, and possibiliites.

2.  For Revival Services at Liberty Wesleyan Church(NC West Edition) on October 18-21 that I will be speaking at.  Pray for a Revolution of hearts and minds.

3.  Pray for widsom and strength as I have some amazing opportunities at the NC East Fall Rally and Love/Mercy.  I’m really excited about some Love/Mercy doors that have opened up.

4.  Pray for Denton Wesleyan.  God is moving and it is causing people to squirm and feel uncomfortable.

5.  Pray for my wife, Karen, and our 3 kids, Milena, Charis, and Drake.  I have spent many late nights recently working on the new site.  I haven’t been this passionate about a project in a long time.  It feels good, but pray that, now that the site is up, the laptop won’t be a fixture on the kitchen table anymore.

Here’s a hilarious vid of Perry Noble and Dabo Swinney.  I hope I don’t have to explain the joke to you.

Now, yesterday I told you I would give you my preview for this year’s Tiger team.  I think Tommy Bowden’s legacy can be summed up in two words:  unfulfilled potential.  Not only in his coaching, but in the program’s failure to turn blue chip recruits into NFL studs.  Guys like Todd McClinton, Wily Korn, Roscoe Crosby-guys who came in highly touted but never reached their full potential.  15 Bowden coached Tigers are in the NFL.  By comparison, over 20 Gamecocks are on NFL rosters.  The full blame doesn’t fall on Bowden or the program, but they must share some responsibility.  Sadly, will we add CJ Spiller’s name to the list?  He is a great player, but has he improved since his freshman year?  He was fast and elusive when he got here.  Think he regrets not playing 4 years with Tim Tebow at Florida?  For new coach Dabo, this year is a wash.  Unless the Tigers go 2-11 or something crazy like that his job is not on the line.  I see 7-8 wins for them(sound familiar) and a mid range bowl bid.  Dabo either takes the program places Bowden could not or he is gone after three to four 6-8 win seasons.  If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results then…

There are big things happening around the Mullikin household.  God has been stirring in our hearts this summer to “chase our lions.” It has been a learning and growing process.  Right now, I’ve got something big and challenging in the works.  I can’t got into details just yet, but I’m hoping to launch everything on September 23rd, my twins’ birthday.  Here’s what I need from you.  Txt, twitter, comment, Facebook, Digg, etc. any websites, books, music, blogs, or other resources that have helped you in your Christian journey.  Also, if you have site like this or this that gives people a practical way to serve and want some link love and promo then let me know.  Anything that helps people discover their purpose, passion, and possibilities:  that’s what I’m looking for.  By the way, you will be hearing those 3 P’s a lot.  What do you do when you catch a lion?  I think I’m about to find out.  Much love to all, my friends.

The past few days I have sorting through some stuff in my mind.  I’m trying to discern what’s from me and what’s from God as it pertains to my passion and purpose.  I’m trying to see how this all fits in with me trying to make some money on the side without taking a part-time job on third shift.  I guess I’m trying to double triple check that it’s okay if pursuing my passion and purpose results in making some money.  I don’t want to do anything that seems shady or unethical.  I know it’s my passion and purpose to help others find and pursue their passion and purpose.  I want to know if it’s okay for my business to be helping others find and pursue their passion and purpose.  I’m at a point where I’m not quite sure how all of this is going to look.  There are some costs involved and I want to be a good steward.  If this isn’t God’s will then I don’t want to put any money into it.  I’m hesitant because I’ve already misunderstood God once this year on a matter like this, but God used that experience and what I learned from it to bring me to this point.  I realize now that the experience and education could have been mine for me if I had exercised some restraint and patience.  Don’t worry, the details of this story will be post number 1 if and when the new venture/blog is up and running.  I guess it’s not really a question of know God’s will for my life, but rather, discovering how He wants me to accomplish it.  He has been doing an amazing internal work in me this summer.  Has it always shown through?  Nope.  Do I still lose my temper too quickly with my kids?  Yes.  Has having a two year boy been a challenge to my patience?  Affirmative.  I can’t read James Dobson’s “Bringing Up Boys” fast enough.  What I’ve been trying to say in these first 300 words is that God has me on an amazing journey and it’s about to get even better.  Consider this your invitation to the next chapter.  Now, go check out this great post from Dr. Labar on his take on what it means to become and be a Christian.  It will get you thinking.  Go ahead and add him to your google reader.  His blog, Sun and Shield, is a great read.  Check out this post from Dean Herman, pastor of 5 Points Fellowship in Easley, SC.  Would love to hear your thoughts on his post.  Dean and I used meet with other youth pastors in Liberty when he was on staff at Liberty First Baptist.  I have always found him to be a man of great vision and passion.  Major changes coming to heathmullikin.com so get ready for a bright future!

Posts here have been few and far between recently. I can’t tell you how many posts I’ve started that never got finished. I’m not sure what it is. I don’t know if I’ve lost the joy for blogging or if I started questioning if what I said even meant anything. I’ve started posts on the SLD Road trip, my 10th wedding anniversary, church thoughts, and other stuff, but haven’t been able to finish my thoughts on any of them. Somewhere they’re saved as drafts. I think part of it is having a hard time putting into words where I’m at in life right now. I have met so many amazing people this summer who are dropping everything and chasing their lions. They are doing head scratching things for the kingdom of God. I met a guy named Dave Bever who pastors New City Church in Cleveland.  He is putting everything on the line to reach the people of Cleveland.  As I heard him share his story, I sensed a courage in him that I don’t sense in myself.  This summer has been a journey of discovery.  I saw and experienced new things that I will never forget.  I find myself waiting, uncomfortably, for the voice and direction of the Lord.  Whether that means doing stand up comedy, being an itinerant speaker, starting a non-profit, becoming a senior pastor, staying right here in Denton, or doing most of the above at the same time remains to be seen.  In the mean time, God is going to use our church and Soul Glo ministries to reach our town.  He’s going to break the bonds of generational poverty, divorce, and sin.  He is going to restore marriages, families, and finances.  He’s going to provide for those who are not able to provide for themselves right now.  He’s going to use the 642 to energize the youth of Denton into a life changing army.  We are going to see lives transformed in miraculous ways.  Drug addicts will get clean, alcoholics will dry out, and the promiscuous will learn to keep their pants on.  We will see the school drop out rate and out of wedlock pregnancy rate go down while the number of church and community volunteers go up.  We are never called to be in a holding pattern.  There is always a life near us that needs to be influenced, a hungry person that needs to be feed, and a great commission to be fulfilled.  Just because you don’t know what specific lion you’re supposed to chase doesn’t mean that you stop chasing the dream of a better life for yourself and those around you through the power of Christ.  It’s time to stop worrying about the future…I already read the ending anyway.

SLD Road Trip

Take some good girls and some good boys too
Some Adults and an Aussie too
We gathered in Indiana
Excited bout starting something new

SLD Road trip
SLD Road trip

It’s a long way to the North Country
Arrived in Sterling, Michigan
Played Survivor then we got rained on
He saved us that Wild Man Dan

Chorus

6 hours to get to Toronto
Helped people then watched the Blue Jays
Theres an odd smell coming down the hallway
Theres a fire get out of my way

Chorus

It’s a long day hanging in Niagara
Heading west toward the US of A
Somethings missing I think it’s your visa
Mark’s got some plutonium in his veins

Chorus

Cleared customs onto Buffalo
Burritos at the Super 8
Built a Habitat house with Chuck and Bob
Folded clothes and put them in their crates

Chorus

Cleveland rocks and we met Dave Bever
Packed cereal at the Cleveland foodbank
Handing flyers to the church’s neighbors
Too many people we should thank

Chorus

When summer started, Karen and I decided to have our internet, phone, and TV turned off since we would be spending much of the summer away from home. It seemed to be the practical thing to do. I haven’t watched TV all summer. I’ve seen bits of pieces of shows when I’ve been at other people’s homes, but nothing like,”it’s 9 pm Monday night I’ve got to watch RAW.” For our Super Bowl party at church I had gotten a digital converter box and expensive antennae. I figured I would just hook this up at home. No luck. It says I get 14 channels, but none of them shows for more than 5 seconds before I get blocks of color. It shows that my antennae strength is only 38% and this is with Wal-Mart’s most expensive don’t have to climb on your roof antennae. So, we’ve been watching lots of movies and sometimes we just shut the thing off and play. I’ve spoken with dozens of people, including my grandparents, who are less than pleased with the digital TV revolution. This was a government mandated thing. Billions were spent to print the rebate cards(many of which are still sitting in a warehouse somewhere) and actually pay for the rebates. I got my $50 box for $10 using my $40 off coupon and I want a refund! To say this whole operation has been a mess from the beginning(they changed the date more than George and Susan) would be an understatement. Spoiler Warning-dig at big government coming! Now these same people want to run our health care system. To say that I am less than enthused would be an understatement. Ever mailed a letter that didn’t make it? Ever waited 6 hours to get your driver’s license? More often than not, when government seeks to solve a problem it involves committees and paid bureaucrats who create confusing systems that almost never result in solving the problem. Time to switch gears: how often have we done the same in our churches? We see a problem and form a committee to study it and table the issue until the next meeting. That means that the problem won’t be solved at least for another month! Most of the time the committee reports and then questions are answered that they don’t have the answers to. See you next month! We laugh about putting anyone who missed the meeting on whatever committee happens to be formed that month. When the government and the church try to do too many things, things they aren’t called to do, or things they’re not good at then everyone suffers. As far as TV goes, I’ll be fine until football season…then I’ll start wearing out my welcome at various people’s home who have TV’s that actually pick up the NFL. Hey, don’t blame me, it’s the government’s fault. At least that’s what the Mullikin committee said.

I think this summer stands as one of the most significant in my life.  So many amazing things have happened with me and my family that I feel like I’m about to bust to get it all out.  It has been really special.  God has even used the worst moments to bear great fruit and that’s kinda why He’s God.  I know you’re sitting there like Costanza saying, “Jerry, I need details!”  Here’s what I can tell you.

1.  Our gong show skit “High School Camp Musical” got gonged.  I got my days mixed up so we lost a day of practice.  Is it just me or has the gong show gotten too high tech?  Anyway, it was a great gong show.

2.  Tried to preach completely without notes for the first time at the East Michigan Family Camp.  It was a remarkable week.  I met so many great young people who shared their amazing stories with me.  Met two great college ministry teams from SWU and BBC.  Got to hang out with Matt and Emily Miller who are starting an amazing adventure of their own.  I can’t wait to hear how God moves in their lives and the people who are changed because of their faithfulness.  Steve DeNeff spoke the first 3 nights and well, he’s Steve Deneff.  Enuff said.  Saw some incredible chalk drawings and the worship leader, Mark from Cypress Wesleyan in Ohio, was awesome.  Great times of worship.  I loved meeting in the tent with the youth.  No lights or special effects-just 3 acoustic guitars and the presence of God.  It was really cool.

3.  As many of you know, I got to do some stand up comedy in Michigan.  I had a blast and I’m pretty sure at least of my lines was funny. Been writing a lot more material.  I wanna have about 1 hour 15 minutes worth of good stuff for the fall.

4.  Can I just say that the Transformers have sadly transformed from kid friendly to gratuitous smut?  Spoiler Alert!  If I want to see dogs humping then I will go to…wait a minute-I DON’T WANT TO SEE DOGS HUMPING!

5.  The ordination service at District Conference was very moving(full story sometime down the road).  Only in America could a couple from Cuba, a country boy from Chesnee, a farmer’s son from Indiana, a Mountaineer from WV, and a man from a town called Silk Hope get ordained in the same place on the same night.  newhope’s facility is awesome.  Didn’t get to try the coffee.

6.  In the same day, I got refused entry to the NC House Chamber, saw the Governor, went into the ladies’ bathroom at the Mudcats game, and then got reprimanded once I was allowed into the House Chamber for putting the agenda on the ledge.

7.  Spent a day at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL which is the home of space camp.  If anyone wants to give me the $1000 scholarship to do the week long adult space camp then I am ready and willing to go.  We’ll be back there next summer to see Karen’s family in Grant, AL and the Star Wars exhibit.  I am saving my NASA ice cream sandwich for a special occasion.  Hopefully, Smitty won’t nab it from me.

8.  I may have missed the 4 weeks of news coverage for Michael Jackson, but I didn’t miss it.

9.  More to come.  Thanks for all the Twitter/Facebook status encouragement.  I do it for the people.  Anybody know how to change whose listed on the following part of my twitter home page, get DM’s and @replies on my phone, and give me your thoughts on the Blackberry Storm?

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…