Sitting Around

Well, our annual conference convention is over. It went better than usual (I think).

The low points were:
- Still didn't get any information beforehand. I didn't even know they had chosen someone new to be president (congrats to Tom Toner - at least he's a blogger).
- Nothing was explained very well (it's like everyone assumes everyone knows who everyone else is and what we're supposed to do).
- The worship time sucked (Lance, I put good things in the evaluation too). They had an okay singing group, but it wasn't participatory AT ALL. I didn't like that.
- There were some other not-as-significant things... so, all in all, it was a good convention as far as conventions go.

What was good:
- The people there. It's always nice to see Lance and his dad; Drapers; had lunch with Mike Clawson; Brian, Eddie, Fran, Gil; and I'm probably forgetting a bunch of people.
- Good break-out sessions. I sat in on Fran Leeman's and Jeff Rockey's. I learned much from both.
- The Church Doctor (Kent Hunter) was pretty good as a keynote speaker.
- The food was EXCELLENT! The best food we've ever had, or probably ever will have.
- Maybe the best part of the whole event was... after it was over, the people from my church (Scott, Linda, Robin, Jane) and John & Jennifer and Jane's brother Mark all came over for a "de-breifing." We sat around for a couple of hours and discussed the things we learned, questioned, etc. THAT was the best part - being able to sit around and TALK/SHARE.

I think that is maybe something we could really improve at our conventions. We need to find a way to allow people to talk, but in groups of people they "want" to talk with. And to somehow make it so they will WANT to stay for that time, rather than think that just means they can go home or back to their hotel.

It still irks me how some people feel they are too good to sit in on the sessions with everyone else. It especially irritates me to see a table full of the "leaders" off by themselves while the "regular" people are doing... whatever. We have a real exclusivistic group. For some I think that makes them feel more important. But, I am trying to not worry about that anymore.

At any rate, maybe the best part of the whole thing was the group of people that went from my church. I feel this is an invaluable experience for us. And I'm always glad when Jane gets to go. Makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Well, Scott is here to work the dirt around our shelter.

Peace, friends. Revolution!

Is it really that bad?

I attended a pastor's gathering last night. We had a GREAT meal. Then a h.s. football coach sang. I never would have guessed him a football coach. Then we had a speaker (who shall remain nameless).

Granted, this speaker was addressing mostly pastor's and their spouses... so I'm sure he was trying to connect with us. And, like so many other speakers-to-pastors I hear, he started out by telling us how tough it is to be a pastor. How we're never thanked, never appreciated; how hard it is to be Christian; how un-Christian the world is, etc., etc., etc.

I can appreciate the man's concern, but... is it really that bad? Sure, I have had my share of bad days. But I had bad days when I was a gas station attendant. I had bad days working in a factory. The truth is... I have plenty of great days being a paid ministry person. I am thanked plenty; I feel appreciated by many; and I don't know that it's any harder being a Christian now than ever. It might be different, but I don't think harder. Overall, I love my job. Like I've said before... I actually get paid to live out my faith! What could be better than that?

There have been times I thought it sucked being a pastor. I think the difference came when I quit worrying about whether or not I was "successful." When I quit trying to live up to someone else's expectations. Am I a much-sought-after speaker? No. Do I have a best-selling book? No. But do I enjoy the journey of faith God has called me into with these particular people? Yes.

1 Peter 5:10-11
"But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he had Christ Jesus choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. God will be in control forever! Amen."

If you are a pastor... please don't buy into the lie that you have it so much harder than anyone else. Enjoy God's activity in your life (and those around you), and be encouraged that you are being made 'complete, steady, strong, and firm.' If you are not a pastor... enjoy what God has called you to also. God's undeserved kindness is for EVERYONE.

Life is good. God is great. Peace. Live the revolution!

Party Planning

I wanted to write down some ideas for how to use the shelter this summer. Please feel free to give your input.

BACKGROUND
Our church built a 40'x60' open-sided pavilion on our grounds. We felt it was something we could offer to the surrounding community - for picnics, family reunions, parties, etc. We also have some playground equipment, several acres of grass, a nicely blacktopped parking lot, and two basketball goals. We want the people around here to use it as a park (because there isn't a public park anywhere in our area).

MY THINKING
I hope to have some sort of a "dedication service" for the people of our church. We would have worship outside that day, and a big picnic afterwards. I believe churches should celebrate more, and I hope we have our Sunday gatherings outside often this summer.

But... for the people who live around us... I'm not sure that is the proper way to introduce them to the shelter. I almost wonder if we should have some kind of party on a Saturday night or something. Maybe even have a secular band instead of a Christian band. You know, I want people to know that it is "theirs" - it isn't just for church use; it's for PEOPLE use.

But the other side of me thinks, 'well, maybe a Christian concert that isn't overtly Christian.' I mean, I hope my son's band plays there several times, and some of the bands he knows. They are mostly Christians, but don't really play Christian songs. I want to do stuff like that often - but that's more for a younger crowd. I'm struggling to come up with something for older people.

I've already had several people recommend southern gospel groups, or area church worship teams. Yeah, yeah... we can do that for church people. Although I am hesitant to have southern gospel because - not only do I not necessarily care for it, but I don't want people thinking that is what our church is into. I just can't come up with anything that is non-threatening, but inviting...

Well, they are here with our voting machines.

Peace. Revolution.

Living parables

On p. 102 of McLaren's THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS he says:

"...the secret message of Jesus is meant not just to be heard or read but to be seen in human lives, in radically incluse reconciling communities, written not on pages in a book but in the lives and hearts of friends. Can you see how the kingdom, originally hidden in parables, began to be hidden in new places -- in the stories of real people and real communities across the Roman Empire and, eventually, around the world? Can you imagine yourself and your community of faith as a living parable where the secret message of Jesus could be hidden today?"

That reminds me of the Michael Card cd "poiema" (actually, I only had it on cassette)... "the poem of your life." This is such a cool thought to me. WE are the message! The message is for us, in us, about what happens to us, and how we live it out. Hmm.

I read this after reading from 1 Peter 3... "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it..."

I think most people want to "love life and see good"... but don't you think we believe that comes by something we think someone else should do? Instead, Peter says it comes by watching what we say; guarding what is in our minds; the things we do; how we react to others. It's an internal thing. Ultimately... it comes by doing life in the way of Jesus. Being a living parable. A living story of how life in his way can transform US, which in turn can change the world.

Live, friends. Seek peace (in your soul; your relationships; the world). That's the revolution.

11 characteristics of the emerging church movement

This is a great list of '11 characteristics of the emerging church movement and a post-modern spirituality' made by Doug Pagitt. I came across it on Andrew Jones' blog this morning. I thought it was so cool that I wanted to post it here too. Thanks Andrew and Doug.

1. A Kingdom of God focus - join the Kingdom of God wherever it finds it.
2. Pursue faithfulness to God through new practices, structures and understandings.
3. Tend to have a hopeful and positive view of God's engagement in the world - we should find the activity of God in the world and join it.
4. Committed to loving God and loving neighbor and loving enemy in real ways in this world.
5. Deeply connected to the story of God and the Bible.
6. Living with the guidance of the Holy Spirit - not culture or understandings
7. Theologically active - thinking deeply about these practices
8. Openness to the "other" - outsider, foreigner, doesn't get freaked out
9. Want the good news of God to change the world and be the good news for all creation.
10. We understand community to be an essential part of the Christian life.
11. We are interested in the future more than fighting the battles of the past - we are people who are trying to live the story of Jesus in our world in ways consistent to where we have come from.

I especially like #9. I may steal it and use it in my title. :)

Peace. Revolution!

Things to do (and how to do them)

This is a busy time of year for many people. I'm no different. We can look at the busy-ness with dread, or, we can look for the positive. I hope to face the next week (and more) with anticipation and hope. The choice is ours, you know.

CONFERENCE CONVENTION
This week our region of our church's denomination has their annual gathering-of-leaders. I usually look forward to this time, but I always end up disappointed. So many people seem to despise getting together, or they allow their insecurity or bitterness or hurtness get the best of them - and it hurts the fellowship. I want to go to conference with a hopeful attitude again anyway.

Shouldn't this be a great time? I mean, we should be looking forward to seeing old friends, to making new friends, to spending time with people who should have the same goals and desires as us. It should be relaxing and invigorating at the same time. But, I'm probably as bad as anyone at letting my insecurities get the best of me. I don't want to do that this year. I don't want people to just come and go and run off at night by themselves or go sit in their room alone. I want people to want to be together; to hang out; to laugh; to share stories. I wish I knew how to help make that happen.

The one real negative - other than the fact that no one seems to like anyone else - is the business aspect. I don't mind that we "do" business (it has to be done); I just don't like "how" it's done. Regular people like me aren't informed of anything all year long, and then we are expected to come to conference and look through a year's worth of minutes, and be able to make an informed decision. I have asked and asked if we couldn't have access to information beforehand by posting it online or something, but... well, let's just say I have problems not only with the system, but the responses I get too. So... I will just ignore the business, as usual. :)

POLLING PLACE
I just found out last night that our church is going to be a polling place for the election in May! Jane noticed it on our card that came in the mail. I knew the county had asked me about it, and I said I didn't mind, but I don't recall being told it was going to happen. Oh well. As much as I don't care for politics, I see this as a real positive. It's a chance for our church to serve our community. We have an excellent facility and great parking for just such a thing. And I hope some people might even provide refreshments and things as well. I'm excited (but, do people really vote in May?).

GUESTS & MISSIONARIES
This week/weekend we will get to see our long-time friends John & Jennifer Young. They have been serving as missionaries in the UK for the last several years, and will be heading to the Philippines in May. They are good friends from Illinois and it will be great to visit. They are also speaking in our church on Sunday.

Jane's brother will also be here. He's coming to conference, and staying the weekend. Always good to visit with him. Plus, he's bringing our car back from Illinois. It broke down on Jane last month when she visited her mom. We've been driving the truck for too long.

MISC.
Too much other stuff to mention. The visit to Anderson U. went great though. Isaac is registered for classes this coming fall. Majoring in Bible & Religion or Christian Ministries (I think). And Scott did a great job preaching yesterday. I look forward to watching him grow.

Peace, friends. Revolution. Now.

In-house guest speaker

I won't be preaching this Sunday. Someone from our church is giving his first sermon. I met Scott 3 weeks after arriving here. I had just become a pastor, and Scott and Linda's 13-year-old son was killed in an ultra-light crash. They didn't go to church, but Scott's sister did. She asked me to go see them. All I remember is that I didn't have any idea what to say. That was my first funeral.

Several weeks later Scott & Linda were in church. And they've basically been there ever since. At first, Scott was quiet. Then he got real bold. He used to challenge me on just about everything. Now, 7 years later, he is chairman of our board. It is so awesome to watch Jesus transform someone. Scott & Linda (and Katie & Megan) mean the world to me. They are special people.

Anyway, I hope to have more in-house speakers. My wife has spoken several times - and everyone always appreciates it - she has such good insights. Someday I'm sure my son will preach for us. Isaac seems to have it in his blood (sorry, pal). He is great. And I wish I could get Carrie to speak too. She loves to talk in front of people. I don't know where that came from - because I used to HATE to speak in public. There are a couple of other people in our group that I envision sharing some day too.

Thanks for being so active in the life of our church, Lord. I pray that it doesn't stop. And I pray that it goes well for Scott this weekend. It will be much different than his normal heavy-equipment-operator job.

Peace. Revolution.

Anderson University

Tonight we take Isaac to AU to register and spend the night. Wow, this will be weird. Come this fall Jane and I will be empty-nesters. But, we have been incredibly blessed. I never could have imagined our kids would turn out this good. Definately divine intervention. At any rate, I pray Anderson will be a good place for Isaac. I think it will be. It just sort of had that "feel" to it. And I think Huntington U. has been good for Carrie - even though she might disagree. My kids are so awesome (not that I'm partial or anything). :)

Peace. Revolution.

Healing

I went back to the doctor today. And I'm a little relieved. For those of you who might remember, I've had a "problem" in my groin/thigh area for about 5-6 weeks. I haven't been able to run; I wasn't supposed to be walking or doing any kind of lifting or physical activity. Plus... I have been pretty tensed up from the pain.

At any rate, I have some thoughts about healing - and maybe it's the same for physical, emotional, spiritual... I dunno.

1. We need friends. I had to find a doctor. My previous doctor died, and I've been seeing a nurse practitioner for about two years. And she is a woman. Nothing against women, but I feel better about a guy doctor (since I'm a guy). Anyway, it was hard to find a doctor - so I asked my friends. One was highly recommended, but he wasn't accepting new patients. But... one of my friends intervened; talked to his nurse; and they got me in. :) Healing almost always requires friends. Reaching out. Asking for help. Friends are good.

2. Follow advice. I went to a clinic 3 weeks ago and the person there told me I needed to rest - as in don't run, walk, work, or anything. Well, you know how it goes. I thought I could go ahead and do a little. After all, I had stuff to do. And that's why, 3 weeks later, I'm having to get another prescription and I'm still in pain. Doctors don't tell us things just to make us miserable. It's the same with most counselors and pastors and anyone who is seriously trying to help someone. Why are we so resistent to following orders?

3. Be patient. Yeah, this is easier said than done. I wanted better NOW. And when I wasn't, I started to freak out - thinking I had cancer or some kind of strange, deadly disease. The way we react to things has so much to do with healing. I used to be an over-reacter (worse than I am now). I reacted IMMEDIATELY to every incident, everything anybody said to or about me, etc., etc. Life is so stressful like that. The more I've learned to be patient, the better my relationships have been; the better my own mental outlook has been; the better I have been (and therefore everyone else around me).

Well, now I should probably go get my meds. I liked my new doctor - he is a runner too, so he understood my anxiety over not being able to run. The power company came while I was gone and wired our pavilion from the pole to the meter. That was cool. (it's about time). Maybe now that my mind is a little more at ease, I can start blogging a bit more.

Take care all. Peace. Revolution.

Pride: selfish or holy

The note in my Life Application Study Bible for Romans 15:17 says:

"If you are not sure whether your pride is selfish or holy, ask yourself this question: Are you just as proud of what God is doing through other people as of what he is doing through you?"

Hmm. Or am I sometimes so self-centered that I don't even notice (or care) what God is doing through other people?

Lord, give me eyes to see; ears to hear.

Peace. Revolution. Now.

Help

This is RieAnn Krinn. One of the sweetest little girls there is. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 1 day old. Each day she has to literally have the mucus beat out of her. Yesterday she found out she has pseudomonas as well. All I know is it is some kind of infection, and it is not good.

I don't know what to do other than to ask for help. I don't even know how anyone can help, but I know my heart breaks for this little girl and her parents and family. If you're a praying person - please pray for healing and/or a cure. If you are wealthy - please donate to the cystic fibrosis foundation (www.cff.org). If you can work miracles (that would be you, God) - please do.

RieAnn was so happy Easter Sunday. I held her for a long time while her mom and dad helped clean up after breakfast. I don't really hold a lot of babies. For some reason this one is special to me. Please help.

Peace. Revolution. REVOLUTION!

Back to normal; understanding parables; and a gardener

It's Monday. Easter is over. I am t-i-r-e-d. We had a great Easter day. At church we have breakfast instead of Sunday School at 9 am. 77 people for that. Then we had 118 for worship at 10. That's a good sized crowd for us. The music was good; people were in a good mood; the sun was shining (most of the time). And I took a longggg nap in the afternoon.

Now... hmm, what do I do now that Easter is over? And, for the next two Sundays I will be at our church, but won't be preaching. That will be wierd.

UNDERSTANDING PARABLES
In my reading this morning (The Secret Message of Jesus), McLaren talked about why Jesus spoke in parables. I thought it was pretty good. On p. 46 he says:

"Why did Jesus speak in parables? Why was he subtle, indirect, and secretive? Because his message wasn't merely aimed at conveying information. It sought to precipitate something more important: the spiritual transformation of the hearers. The form of a parable helps to shape a heart that is willing to enter an ongoing, interactive, persistent relationship of trust in the teacher. It beckons the hearer to explore new territory. It helps form a heart that is humble enough to admit it doesn't already understand and is thirsty enough to ask questions. In other words, a parable renders its hearers not as experts, not as know-it-alls, not as scholars... but as children."

On p. 49: "Human kingdoms advance by force and violence with falling bombs and flying bullets, but God's kingdom advances by stories, fictions, tales that are easily ignored and easily misunderstood. Perhaps that's the only way it can be." Need I say... peace revolution?

THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Jane and I watched this movie Sunday evening. Isaac recommended it to us. Wow... what a sad movie. It was funny though, he came home later and asked how we liked it; and he said something about disliking the woman all the way through - until the end. And that was just what I thought. I was so mad at the woman throughout the whole movie... only to find out how incredibly good and loving she was in the end. It makes me wonder... how often do I do that with real people, and never get to the end to find out how loving they really are?

This was a sad movie, but a really good movie. I hope it's not true, but I need to give a damn about more things. I would discuss it more, but don't want to spoil it if you have yet to see it.

Good day, mates. Peace. The revolution continues.

Happy Easter

What a nice day (even though it's raining). I just couldn't resist the pic of this Easter Puppy.

Jane and I went to the movie "Lucky Number Sleven" last night. Not a good choice for Easter Eve. It was a good movie - suspense-wise; but the concept is bad. Revenge is so over-rated. What happens after you get it?

That's the beauty of Christianity: not revenge, but grace. Not hate, but love. Not bitterness, but forgiveness. It's so much easier on the constitution; so much less stress; so much in everyone's best interest.

Hey... got a day to do. Peace, friends. Revolution of revolutions!

The Easter Hunt

The Goodness of Children
This morning we had our Easter Egg Hunt on the church grounds. It poured rain all night, so we had it inside. Nice turnout. A funny thing happened though... we had two kids show up about 15 minutes late, and the eggs had already been fairly well mauled over. As the adults stood around trying to decide what to do... several of the kids just started putting their eggs back in the spots they found them - so the new kids could have some. It was... one of those moments, you know. No wonder Jesus said we needed to be more like them.

Maundy Thursday
Our Maundy Thursday service went really well. We didn't have a huge turnout, but the people that were here are people that wanted to be here. We took communion with our meal, then those who wished to participate in feetwashing did that, while those who passed began to walk the Stations of the Cross. We listened to Chanticleer: Sound & Spirit during the meal.

I had the Stations set up in the sanctuary. It was dark, with the Passion of the Christ soundtrack playing. At each stations was a candle, description of the station, and a prayer. It took quite awhile for everyone to go through, and several people got pretty emotional. Afterward most of us gathered back downstairs and reflected. That was maybe the best part. People wondering out loud where they would have been along the route to the crucifixion site. Sharing their feelings and insights from the evening. I think some of the older ladies were especially moved.

Rushing Good Friday
Maybe the sad part of the the week was the Good Friday community service. We get together with 5 other churches. Even from the start - a few of the pastors gathered to pray before the service - and everyone's prayers were about Easter Sunday, and the hope that more people would come to church on Easter, etc. And the service itself was very "eastery."

I think we have a hard time dwelling on the events that happend BEFORE the resurrection. We're on a "hunt" for Easter; but we don't want to go through Good Friday. And I think that is to our detriment. It's kind of a sign of the times.

Think about it... what is Easter without death? It can't happen. Why do we want to rush past the death part? It's sad to see so many people with so many things in their life that they're afraid to "put to death." We want to ignore our sins and bad habits; we want to gloss over them; "let's just forget about that," we think. And that's why we miss the New Life. You can't rise again if you haven't put the old to death.

I hope you went through Passion Week slowly... one day at a time. Easter is great. But maybe only because of all that happened before it. A new life with Christ is great too. But maybe only after the death of our old.

Have a happy Easter... all of it.

Peace. Revolution.

Maundy Thursday Revolutionary

Today is Maundy Thursday. It is set on Thursday in remembrance of the night before Jesus was crucified on the cross (which is known as Good Friday). On this night, Jesus had gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Passover. It was to be his last night alone with them; a night he perhaps tried to show them the full-extent of what he was about. They ate together, and he washed their feet. Everyone's. Including Judas.

I think it's interesting... in my reading today, I read ch. 4 of McLaren's THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS. He says on p.32:

"Jesus says again and again, [his] kingdom advances with neither violence nor bloodshed, with neither hatred nor revenge. It is not just another one of the kingdoms of this world. No, this kingdom advances slowly, quietly, under the surface -- like yeast in dough, like a seed in soil. It advances with faith: when people believe it is true, it becomes true. And it advances with reconciling, forgiving love: when people love strangers and enemies, the kingdom gains ground."

"Violent revolutions, in this sense, aren't revolutionary. Noisy regime changes are utterly predictable - brought about by displays of power and hollow promises and indomitable wealth. In contrast, the message of Jesus may well be called the most revolutionary of all time..." Absolutely!

McLaren says on p.33: "Beleive this good news so you can learn to live by it and be part of the revolution." It's almost like he wrote this just for my blog. :)

And to finish off... on p.34 he ends the chapter with:

"Is it possible that the message of Jesus was less like an advertising slogan - obvious and loud - and more like a poem whose meaning only comes subtly and quietly to those who read slowly, think long and deeply, and refuse to give up?"

Wow... great chapter on a great day. I don't know why I like Maundy Thursday. It is a day filled with darkness and doubt; confusion and confession. At most services I've been a part of on this day, people generally aren't sure what to do: is it okay to talk; to laugh; do I really have to wash someone's feet - that sort of thing. But really, I think it's THE NIGHT when we are maybe most aware of the mystery of God. We realize we don't really know what He's doing... but we're here. We're ready. And we follow Jesus.

I look forward to taking communion tonight; eating a meal with some of the important people in my life; walking the stations of the cross; bending down and washing someone's feet, and hopefully submitting to a request to wash my feet.

This is what the revolution is about (to me). Peace, my friends.

Regrets

I've been thinking about regrets all morning. You know how some people say they have "no regrets"; they're glad for the mistakes they've made... things like that? I don't feel that way. I'm not saying they are wrong; I am saying that I have many regrets though. They seem to mostly be about things I've said to my kids that I wish I hadn't; things I wish I could take back; times I wish I had spent more time with them, or said or did something different. I have other regrets too. Anyway... that's what I'm thinking about.

I wish I could live without making mistakes again. But I think that's impossible. So I will have more regrets. What I wish is... I were better able to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Mistakes are inevitable; but we don't have to let them define us. Hmm.

Peace. Revolution.

The Real Story

Andrew Jones posted notes from Darryl Dash on an Evolving Church Conference he attended. You can see Darryl's notes
HERE.

In his notes from Chris Seay's talk he wrote:

"We need to tell stories that are real. All of us are capable of telling these stories. All of us have a story to tell, and our story connects with God's story.

I have a metaphor from WALK THE LINE: Cash auditions with old Gospel songs. Sam Nash, the producer tells him he doesn't buy it. He is regurgitating someone else's story and it's not real. The world is changed because Sam Phillips tells him to start telling real stories. He says, "We've already heard that song a hundred times, just like that... If you could sing one song, would you sing that song or would you sing something different, something real." Seay says, what happened to Johnny Cash is that he became a truth teller.

[Darryl continues] I hope I can be a Sam Phillips to tell you. Whatever sermon you're working on, or song you're writing, if it's not the sermon you would teach or the song you would write if you were about to die and only had one message left, then tear it up and say something real."

[Me again]
Wow. That really convicted me. I have to admit, I often go through the motions anymore. I could argue that I've already told that "one message" too many times and I feel like I've died one too many times. It is hard after awhile. But it's just an excuse. I need to get real-er. I need help deciding what is important and what is not. And this is something I can't do on my own.

So, I guess the revolution starts with me today.

I was just thinking yesterday... my blogging has kind of changed. I started doing this as a personal sorta thing. A place for me to share my thoughts; a place for me to "speak" to God. But I must admit, I started doing things differently - adding more links, trying to share info, etc. - and I suppose it was to try to please readers; or maybe to try to incite comments, or gain readership. I don't know. At any rate... if you do read this, please don't be offended if this blog becomes much more personal. You can still comment if you like - that would be welcomed, in fact - but I think I need to use this as a springboard for sommething else. Sort of my 'reality board' maybe.

Okay... peace, friends. Revolution (I have some comments about this for later - maybe).

Passion Monday

Well, this is it. The week of Easter. The Church's 'March Madness'; 'finals week'; 'World Series'; 'Super Bowl'; the all-in-all. For small-church pastors like me, this week can be a real drain; or it can be incredibly uplifting. I am shooting for the latter.

Wednesday we stuff easter eggs; Thursday we have Maundy Thursday service (maybe my favorite service of the year) - soup and bread meal, communion, feetwashing, walk the Stations of the Cross; Friday is a community service with five other churches; Saturday we have an Easter egg hunt; and SUNDAY... breakfast at 9 am/ worship at 10!!! Our philosophy on Easter Sunday is... simplify and enjoy.

There is much to do though, and I have no idea what I'm even going to preach yet... but I want to look at this week with much passion - rather than dread. I forget which chapter in Don Miller's TO OWN A DRAGON, but he talked about work being a blessing; a privilege. Yeah... I want to look at it more like that. It was a really good chapter. And work is really good. Especially the "work" I get to do. What a job I have... I am actually paid money to live out my faith. Thanks, God.

So... to work I go. If I don't write much this week... have a good one. Live passionately. Much peace. Revolution - now!

To Own A Dragon

I finished this book today - To Own A Dragon: Reflections On Growing Up Without A Father. I have to say, this was an odd book in that it started slow (I didn't think I was going to like it), but it ended well.

I wish Don Miller was a friend of mine. Reading his books is kind of like sitting down and talking with him. I wouldn't rank this as "up there" with BLUE LIKE JAZZ or SEARCHING FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT, but in the right hands, this could be a really influential piece. A good book for young people; well, and old.

It is full of some really good stories, but one paragraph that is kind of stuck in my head is:

"Sometimes a human life can seem no more meaningful than a fish flopping on a shore. Writhing. Out of its element. And I would love to tell you my spirituality battles this perspective, that the real problem in life is we 'believe' we are writhing when we aren't, but it isn't true. My spirutuality, that is Christian spirituality, does not tell me to close my eyes and pretend life is beautiful and there are no problems to confront. I am told, instead, I am out of water, and finding water again will require a different kind of water. I am told something happened a long time ago and you and I and John and everybody else were washed up on the shore. We will have issues, we will have brokenness."

You kind of need to read the book for it to make full sense, maybe. If you haven't read BLUE LIKE JAZZ though - you should read it.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Guess what? Jane made it to her mom's in Illinois and our stinking car broke down. Arghh. They towed it to a dealership on Saturday. She is now on her way back home in my dad's pick-up truck. 5 1/2 hours with no cruise control!

Yesterday we had a work day on our pavilion. Got a lot of the wiring done; some dirt work; frames for the lights. Pretty good day's work for seven people. And I couldn't really do anything except make coffee and hobble around.

Well, going to wait for Jane to arrive. Peace, my friends. Revolution is at hand. Beginning THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS tomorrow.

The art of worship

Just read a great post from Dave Fitch about using too much technology in worship. You can read and comment
HERE

I also posted this quote in a comment yesterday - thought it would be good to have on the front page:

"It is my opinion that art lost its basic creative drive the moment it was separated from worship. It severed an umbilical cord... In former days the artist remained unknown and his work was to the glory of God... Today the individual has become the highest form and the greatest bane of artistic creation."
... Ingmar Bergman (b.1918), The Seventh Seal, introduction

I think there is a tie here to church marketing. What is it we're really trying to "sell" when we market church? I believe most of it is the man-made aspect, rather than the God-who-can-save/transform. I just don't know if marketing should ever be more than "go and tell..."; or even "go and live...".

Just some thoughts. I think that's largely what the Revolution is about - it's a revolution of the soul - and I'm not sure you can "sell" that. But you can certainly 'tell' it; and it should, at some point, be evident in your day-to-day life. Anyway...

peace. live the revolution.

Odds and Ends - home alone

My wife just left for the weekend - to visit her mother in Illinois. I'm still hobbled with pain in my leg area. Just when it starts to feel better, I do something like put a load of laundry in, and it starts to hurt again. It's getting to be a real drag. So, I guess I'll be reading Donald Millers "To Own A Dragon" on this day off.

I feel so bad for my daughter. She called yesterday and a friend of hers from IU was found dead by my daughters roomate her freshman year. You can read the story HERE. Carrie has known way too many people who have died too young. I feel bad for Tara, the girl who found her too. I can't imagine what it's like to be 21 and so aware of your mortality.

Well, sorry this is a boring post. I'm just a little pre-occupied at the moment. Maybe something later.

Peace, friends. Revolution.

Old Love - New Hope

Old Love - Unplugged
One of my favorite Eric Clapton songs is "Old Love" off his UNPLUGGED cd. It's a blues/jazz sorta song about trying to get over an... old love. I don't really know what it's trying to say lyrically, but the music is what I like.

So do you have any 'old loves' in your life? I kinda dated a lot of girls before I started dating my wife. Drinda Staples is the one that I couldn’t get over. And, you know, I don’t know if it was so much that I was in love with her as it was that she dumped me.

And how much of life is like that? How much time and energy do we put into trying to rekindle or recapture or hold onto something or someone… and it may not even be because of love, but just because we’re afraid of how it will look, or make us feel, or whatever. And so we ‘hold on’… and how much do we miss out on?

What if the Levites were too afraid to step into the Jordan? What if the Israelites were afraid to go through the parted waters? What if Peter had never gotten out of the boat? What if Jesus had never risen from the grave?

Ah, but we talk about those occasions... because they DID. They left their ‘old loves’ behind. And what did God have in store… even better things. New hope.

Does God only create one love?
What if there isn't just "one" love. What if love is something God can create any number of times? What if "love" itself is a creation, and it's something WE can create over and over? I have known several people who lost the love of their life, only to find another. I myself have felt the sting of being dumped, only to find a better love.

God didn't just create everything and go back into the sky. God C-R-E-A-T-E-S. He MAKES things new. But we have to put the old to death. Isn't that what Easter is all about. He didn't just make Christ new, He had to die first. He had to be put away. And a new Love was born. Baptism is creating new life from death. Old love can’t hold us down anymore than the grave.

If there is an 'old love' you're holding onto... let it die. And let God put a new song in your heart. Love itself never fails. Quit looking in the grave for something to come back. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

ADDED LATER: In case you are wondering, I am NOT saying that it is okay to 'fall in love' with someone else while you are married. But if you're trying to get over an old fling, broken relationship, even an addiction, or loss of your favorite pair of tennis shoes... move on. Okay? Does that make sense? Just wanted to clarify. :)

Peace, friends. A Revolution is at hand. Join. Smile. Don't just keep the faith... GRAB it!

New Accountability Questions

At my Wednesday morning coffee & bagel meetup we began using new questions today. Stolen straight from the Brian McLaren book THE LAST WORD AND THE WORD AFTER THAT. They are:
THE FIVE QUERIES:
1. How is your soul?
2. How have you seen God at work in and through your life since we last met?
3. What are you struggling with?
4. What are you grateful for?
5. What God-given dream are you nurturing?

Anyone care to participate???

I've been wrestling with querie #5. I'm not sure what my dream is. Or if it's something other than what I'm doing. Is that a bad sign if I want to avoid thinking about it?

I always wanted to be a song-writer, and maybe a performer; but more a writer (I don't remember the last time I wrote anything though). I've also always thought it would be neat to run a small coffee shop. Or operate a youth center - someplace where bands could play, kids could hang out, stuff like that. My real dream when I was a youngster was to work on a garbage truck. Think of all the cool stuff you could get! But... I really do like pastoring a small church. I like the freedom; I like the discipline (I am a fairly self-disciplined person); I like the feeling of community. I just wish it wasn't so lonely, you know. I wish I had a place where I could go to interact with people. Anyway, I need to pick out songs for Sunday.

Peace. Revolution. And hey... don't be bashful. Feel free to comment if you like. :)

I have a dream...

It was on this date - April 4, 1968 - that Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, the eldest son of Martin Luther King, Sr., a Baptist minister, and Alberta Williams King. His father served as pastor of a large Atlanta church, Ebenezer Baptist, which had been founded by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, maternal grandfather. King, Jr., was ordained as a Baptist minister at age 18.

King attended local segregated public schools, where he excelled. He entered nearby Morehouse College at age 15 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1948. After graduating with honors from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania in 1951, he went to Boston University where he earned a doctoral degree in systematic theology in 1955.

King’s public-speaking abilities—which would become renowned as his stature grew in the civil rights movement—developed slowly during his collegiate years. He won a second-place prize in a speech contest while an undergraduate at Morehouse, but received Cs in two public-speaking courses in his first year at Crozer. By the end of his third year at Crozer, however, professors were praising King for the powerful impression he made in public speeches and discussions. Read more HERE.

I feel a little odd signing off with the usual "peace", "revolution." A little unworthy.

My friends

Not sure why I was thinking of these guys this morning. I've been kind of pokey lately; and I'm still kinda walking like Gumby. Ahh, the memories though...

Revolutionaries

I'm not sure if I can mention Mark Driscoll and Brian McLaren in the same sentence and associate it with peace (I hope I'm just kidding). At any rate they are both included in the latest issue of the Criswell Theological Review. Driscoll has a free copy of his article and McLaren's interview on his blog HERE.

There is also some good discussion on Scot McKnights blog, under the posts "McLaren in Criswell Theological Review 1" and "Driscoll in Criswell Theological Review 2". Scot has a really good blog, for those of you interested in that sort of thing. All of them are considered a part of my movement (well, it's not just mine; but I consider them peace revolutionaries - Driscoll is borderline, but I'll count him anyway).

Peace, friends. Revolution.

brain block

Just a meaningless ramble here. I'm trying to decide whether to continue my sermon series through the book of Galatians this week, or talk about Easter for the next two Sundays. I simply can't decide. It's like my mind is completely dead. I can't think. What should I do?

I hate it when this happens. Sometimes the writing of a sermon every week is just too overwhelming. I read or listen to other peoples sermons; I hear others talk about sermons they've heard... and I just can't compete. I feel like giving up. I don't think there's any way I can come up with anything at all worthwhile or able to hold people's interest - let alone able to help someone grow in their walk with God.

Yet there has only been one time when I wasn't able to pull through. I ended up showing a video. Can't even remember what now. It was after attending a preaching seminar at Willowcreek. I was so overwhelmed, and convinced I was the world's worst preacher, that I just couldn't get myself to even try.

Of course I know I'm not the world's worst preacher. And I know that it is usually the HOly Spirit who speaks through me, or inspires my preaching/writing. I'm just hoping that if I write enough here, something will come to me. Perhaps I should pray instead. Yeah, that's the ticket. That's what I'll do. Pray. Good idea!

Later. Peace. Revolution. Go.

New questions

Finished reading McLaren's THE LAST WORD AND THE WORD AFTER THAT. I really like the two questions on p.171.

The two key quesions for the Western, evangelical modern thinker have traditionally been:
1. If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain that you'd go to be with God in heaven?
2. If Jesus returned today, would you be ready to meet God?

He brings up two alternative questions instead:
1. If you were to live for another fifty years, what kind of person would you like to become - and how will you become that kind of person?
2. If Jesus doesn't return for ten thousand or ten million years, what kind of world do we want to create?

Good stuff. Much more pertinent to life now (for me anyhow). Still trying to digest the book as a whole. Definately thought-provoking.

Peace, my friends. Revolution. Go.