Church thinkings

Some things that began to run through my head as our recent vacation was coming to a close:

When we attended Willowcreek (have I told you how much I love attending their worship gatherings?) I liked how they just started out with music, running different Scriptures across the screens, and they did announcements and stuff while the offering was being taken. Generally I start out with the announcements and whatnot, we pass the peace, then kick in with the music. And during the offering I will either play a contemplative song (cd) or I'll have Jane play something. Or sometimes we'll share praises/blessings during that time. I am torn though, because I like having a time for contemplation, but... I don't know... I would really just like to have all the resources Willowcreek has and their team of people to do the planning and leading. Yeah, that's the ticket.

When we went to Fran's church there were a couple of things I liked:

1. I liked how they did communion. They had two stations and partook by intinction (you dip the bread in the cup), and the bread guy said, "The body of Christ was given for you," and the cup lady said, "The blood of Christ was shed for you." We used to do that at seminary a lot. I like that. But I would have to find people willing to do that. This was all a part of their closing set of worship songs. I also liked that when people came up to take communion, they brought their offering and placed it on the table at that time. It was more an "act" of worship, rather than a "collection."

2. I also liked how they did just a couple of songs up front, then had the sermon, and then did several songs at the end - more contemplative during communion, and then ended more upbeat. I have actually been thinking of doing that this summer when we will have Jr. Worship for the whole hour instead of having them leave halfway through. I have always thought there should be more singing and prayer AFTER the message than before. At least the way I plan things there should be. I almost always start planning the service with the message first, and then try to incorporate all the songs and readings and whatnot around the main Scripture lesson for the day.

3. While sitting in the cafeteria where this church met, it occurred to me that their space isn't really any bigger than our worship space, yet they were able to fit so many more people in. I think it's not only because they had chairs instead of pews, but also how the chairs were spaced, and the kind of chairs they had. Let's face it - pews are stupid. And the way our worship space is set up, we have these long-ass pews up in front, and nobody wants to sit in them. I wouldn't want to sit in them either. What I would like to do is get rid of the long pews up front, get some chairs - and not those chairs that lock together that are basically then pews - but something small, but still comfortable. I think it's important to leave enough room between chairs and in front and back that people will feel comfortable sitting right next to someone. At Fran's church almost every chair was taken, but they were far enough apart that you didn't feel your space was being infringed upon. The problem at our place, though, is that we have wood under the pews, but carpet in the aisle and in front. And the floor isn't the same level where the wood and carpet are. I don't know why that is, but it would almost certainly need to be leveled, and it would be nice if it was all carpeted. I'm thinking this might be a battle though. But maybe it's time for something like this to take place. Either that or get a new building. I believe our space is what limits us (and not just in numbers), and it actually turns people away. We have never had trouble getting people to attend our services, but we can't keep them. And it's not all because of seating, but I think that's a big part of it.

So... just some things on my mind.

[Note: the picture is one I took of a random girl on the beach in Punta Cana as the sun was coming up. Click on the pic to enlarge it.]

Testing 1-2

I couldn't get my blood test yesterday because I forgot that you're supposed to fast for a lipid profile (cholesterol check). So I fasted today and went to this little doctors office in Waynedale between the library and the radio station. I didn't even know it existed, but they are affiliated with PA Labs, which I'm hoping is as cheap as they advertise. And I was just thinking, but out of the probably 8 people that were there, I was the only white person who was born in the US. I didn't even notice. Everyone was very nice. Even the guy next to me who smelled like Vicks. I like that smell.

So, after a nice lady took my blood and we chatted about the tornadoes in Virginia, I stopped at McDonalds to end my morning fast. I got my favorite - a sausage, egg, and cheese mcgriddle. Mmm. I always feel like crap AFTER I eat those things, but they taste sooooo good. Daughter Carrie got me hooked on them. I don't eat McDonalds very often anymore - not since, you know, I have a CHOLESTEROL PROBLEM. It is actually amazing how eating different foods can make you feel so much different too.

Last night my wonderful wife made me lima beans. I LOVE lima beans. I actually like all kinds of beans (especially green ones), and peas, brussel sprouts, cauliflour, and stuff like that. Not spinach though. Part of what makes me-lady so wonderful is because she makes me things like lima beans and she DOES NOT LIKE THEM. She's like that though. :) Chicken sandwich with tomato and lettuce, lima beans, and mac & cheese. And a tall, smooth glass o water.

Speaking of stuff I like... for some reason I have developed this hankerin' for the tv shows 'Deal or No Deal' and 'Medium.' I don't know why, because Deal or No Deal seems so stupid, but I almost always watch it if I see it's on. And Medium is one of those shows that I just can't quit watching once I start. Those are really about the only current shows we even watch though. Just never got into Dancing With The Stars or American Idol and all that. I often wonder about fasting from tv entirely. I don't think it would be that bad. I would miss the 3 or so episodes of Seinfeld everyday (though I think I would be better for it - and I don't watch it every day anyway); oh, and I guess I do watch Around The Horn and PTI several days a week. I dunno.

You know, and I really think I need to quit thinking of my job so much in terms of "office hours." I am a creature of habit, and I also have a real "blue collar" mindset when it comes to work. Like, if I'm not in my office I'm not working. And that's not the way it is. Plus, I think I need more people-interaction for my emotional well-being too. As long as I have a certain amount of alone time too. I wish our church was located in more of a community. Instead we're in the middle of several communities, with no real identity in any of them. I also wish I lived in town. I'm not a country-livin' kind of person. But I do like our house - as small as it is even. Oh well.

I guess I need to brush my teeth now and get to work. Someone told me you shouldn't brush your teeth before a cholesterol check. Which is cool by me. I don't know why I have never liked brushing my teeth. I only did it 4 times on vacation. I mean, I usually do it most days. But often on my day off I will "forget." One of those things, I guess.

Peace peeps. Out and in.

Earful of somethin'

Well now that my readership has pretty much dwindled down to nothin' I figure I can just ramble again. I've never done well with lots of pressure or livin' up to someone else's expectations an' all that. This morning I'm thinkin' 'bout ears.

I was planning to start doing the treadmill in the mornings, but my danged ear is still giving me fits. I have a regularly scheduled doctors appointment Friday so I hope I can hold out until then. Somethin' wrong in there, and it's makin' the rest of me feel weird. Funny thing though... it doesn't bother me all the time. For some strange reason I think it's tied to my allergies. Right now I'd like to stick a drill bit in my right ear hole.

And everything echoes in our house right now (which is technically the church's house, you know). We took the carpet out of the kitchen on Friday. It was half carpet and half linoleum. We're planning to have it all carpeted, but before we can do that we have to even up the floor. Where the carpet was is lower than where the linoleum is, so now that the carpet's gone we need to get some 1/4 inch underlayment and put down. I don't know anything about this stuff, so hopefully it will go well. Oh, anyway, so while half the kitchen only has underlayment, everything really echoes in there, and it's like it magnifies the tiniest sounds. Who'da thought.

And speaking of music... I took a gander at Tommy Womack's site and see he has us down on his touring schedule for June 15 (it's a dad's day party). I never did receive the contract back - hope that wasn't in the pile of mail I pitched. Anyway, I am psyched for Tommy to be here. Suppose I oughta start working on planning and advertising and such; and lining up an opener (any ideas?).

Speaking of openers... son Isaac told us last night that Joel Levi had a gig in Muncie the other night (Joel opened for Jason Ringenberg when he was here last summer, and is in HMA with the boy), and none other than Charlie freakin' Peacock opened for Joel (Charlie's wiki). Afterwards Charlie went out to eat at Steak n' Shake with the whole group of them, and he bought everybody's food! How cool is that?

Well, it's a busy week this week. And I actually forgot I had the doctor appointment for Friday and haven't had my cholesterol check done yet (which needs done before going to the doc because that's the reason for the appointment - to see if niacin helped my good cholesterol), so today I've gotta find somewhere to get a blood test done. Somewhere cheaper than the last place I used! I think I'll try one of those PA Labs.

Peace out; peace in.

Random #667

Last night we took our date night to a Bandito's that we've never eaten at before. We went to the newer one on Rt. 14. We sat in the "adults only" section (as they called it). Man, it was noisy. I think I prefer the one in Waynedale.

Afterward we went to the dollar theater and saw Juno. I had wanted to see this movie for a long time because so many people were raving about how good it was. Um... apparently I don't get it. I mean, it was worth a dollar and all, but... hmm. I think it was a bit too *cutesy* for me. I guess I should have read son Isaac's review of it first. He managed to put a somewhat positive spin on what I pretty much thought.

Today is the NFL draft. I love draft day. Apparently they changed it and they're only having two rounds today though. I don't think I care much for that. Anyway, I'm hoping to watch part of it whilst running on the treadmill. I didn't run at all while on vacation, and it's been slow going getting back in the routine.

Speaking of which... I'm thinking of making some changes in my life. For starters, I would like to try going back to running first thing in the morning. Instead of getting up at 6 and reading blogs, email and news, I think I will run then. And I may just give up blog reading. I dunno. I will still read some, but I think I need a break from a lot of it. And this will likely just be the start of some changes taking place. We'll see.

Peace out; peace in.

Pitch it

So I was gone for two weeks. This is only the second time I've actually been gone for two weeks at one time since I've been pastoring. Anyway, I took a box with me to pick up the mail when I got back... and it almost wouldn't fit in the box. I spent just about all day Monday going through mail and email (just church stuff).

Yesterday I had a few minutes where I was starting to nod off, so I decided maybe I should go through the mail pile that had amassed before I left on vacation. Then I looked at the box under my desk - which is where I transfer mail from my mail pile when the mail pile gets too high and I don't have time to sort through it yet. Under-desk-box was spilling onto the floor. So... I filled 3 garbage bags with mail and pitched it.

I usually go through the mail when I get it each day and take out the bills and stuff I can immediately tell is junk. But there's always tons of other stuff that I'm not quite sure what to do with, and it gets thrown into a pile. And now it's gone. I mean... it probably doesn't matter, does it? If you sent me something and were waiting on a reply, or an opinion from me, and I haven't given it to you yet... oops. Sorry.

I think sometimes we need to do stuff like this. I believe *purge* is the word.

First mowing

Yesterday I mowed the yard for the first time this year. The Simplicity (on right) started right up. I used the old gas that had been stored in the can all winter. I need to fill up both gas cans now, as I am out, but I dread doing it because gas is like $3.66 a gallon. It probably takes 4-5 gallons a mowing. I'm thinking about getting some wheel weights so it's not quite so bumpy mowing in high gear.

Also, I think I'm going to sell the old riding mower (on left). It is a good mower, but it needs a new battery, and probably new front tires. I will get a new battery, but not sure about the tires. I don't know how much to sell it for.

Last night I started reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

DR vacation

We are back from the Dominican Republic, and vacation is over. I have to say... this was the best vacation we've ever had. I journaled about 30 pages in a notebook, but here's a brief summary for memory's sake:

• Spent the night before and after in Detroit, MI. The flights were good, and only 4 hours between Detroit and the D. R.
• We spent perhaps the best 8 days of our lives at the Dreams Resort in Punta Cana, DR. It was strange though, as this was the most luxurious place we've ever been, yet we saw the greatest poverty we've ever been exposed to. I wasn't prepared for the hour-long ride from the airport to the resort. It took me a while to get over. But the resort and the all-inclusive experience were incredible. I don't know that words can describe it. I haven't been that relaxed in a long, long time. I read Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men and Kerouac's On The Road while there.
  
• Afterwards we spent a couple days at my parents house in our old hometown of Buda, IL. We attended a Bible Study that we apparently started about 15 years ago and is still going on. It was nice to actually sit around with some people and pray and chat about things. This was also when Illinois had the earthquake, but we slept right through it.
  
• We spent our last night away in Joliet, IL. We attended the main Willowcreek Campus on Saturday night, and then went to a friends church in Plainfield on Sunday morning. It cost $4.50 in toll money just to drive from our hotel to Willow and back. But man I LOVE Willowcreek. This was my fourth or fifth time there. Nancy Beach gave a great message, but it's just the way they do their services that really captivates me. Understated excellence. I tried to sing, but I was choked up from the get-go.
  
• Both Sundays we were gone son Isaac took care of the music, and it was nice knowing daughter Carrie was around to look after things too. We were also happy that "the boyfriend" Drew was able to stay at the house and look after Bogey. It all made for a very relaxing, stress-free vacation.
• We did have internet access and our cell phones worked while in the D.R., but I resisted and didn't log on once.
  

Here are a couple more of the many pics we each took. The first one is the view we woke up to every day. This was taken from our patio. We had our own private lounge chairs and a table and chairs too.

Below is the lovely lady Jane with the sun rising behind her. We got up at 5:30 one morning to watch the sunrise, but it was a bit cloudy. It was still pretty darn cool though - even when the two guys with machine guns walked by. I have pictures of that too.

Running to stand still

(Group & album?)

I'm runnin' behind so I'll maybe respond to the comments on the previous post later. It's not likely I'll have computer or phone access for awhile - so no blog, email or calls.

later folks. Peace.

Sunday morning routine

So I don't forget... here is what happens on Sunday mornings:

• Set two alarms for 4:52 am, and get up when they go off.
• Potty
• Make coffee, and shower, shave, or just wash hair (if necessary).
• Get first cup of coffee and check emails, blogs and news.
• When getting second cup of coffee - make oatmeal; continue reading blogs and news.
• Take meds, brush teeth and get dressed.
• Go to church sometime between 6 and 6:30 am.
• Turn on hallway lights, get computer, take it upstairs, connect to projector and sound board, turn on sanctuary lights.
• Go to basement and prepare six pots of coffee, but don't start yet.
• Fill coffee dispensers with hot water.
• Turn on heat in ladies restroom, rr hallway, stairway heater and entryway heater.
• Check heat in Sunday School rooms (which should have been turned on Saturday), turn on lights, and turn on heat in back of sanctuary.
• Unlock copy room.
• Start powerpoint and projector and make sure everything works.
• Take guitar(s) from office to sanctuary and tune.
• Turn on lights in front area of sanctuary.
  
• Run through order of service and message and make any necessary adjustments.
• Program music for between S.S. and worship gathering, and play through to check sound levels and timing.
• Start coffee pots around 7:30 am.
• Pray.
• Put coffee into dispensers and take upstairs.
• Clean and rinse coffee pots.
• Clean my eyeglasses.
• Make sure bulletins, candy dish, and Gems are out where they should be.
• Turn off entryway heater.
• When other music people arrive: pray, run through songs together.
• Time's up. Start.

After we're done:

• Turn off heat and lights in all S.S. rooms, rr hallway, restrooms, back part of sanctuary, and stair heater.
• Power down projector and computer.
• Gather up all 'order of services' and my sermon and my music, and take computer and guitar back to office.
• Turn off all lights.
• Write down anything I need to remember - stuff that people asked or told me.
• Make note of "situations" or people I might want to contact next week.
• File sermon and bulletin.
• Put my music away and Harry's large print sheets.
• Make sure coffee pots are all off.
• Check box outside my office for notes.
• Check place over, walk across parking lot, go somewhere for lunch.
• Drop in a heap for awhile.
• Go back to church in afternoon and put anything away that wasn't already put away (sermon, music, bulletins, Gems, Jane's music, etc.).
• Put offering envelopes out.
• Anything else needed to put this week to rest so Monday everything can start anew.
  

Obama your mama

Yep, I made it to see Senator Barack Obama yesterday at daughter Carrie's alma mater (and MR's) in Fort Wayne. I was glad I went. Here's some rambled thoughts.

Doors opened at 9 and he was to arrive at 11. I left the house around 10:30, and when I got to Wayne High School the parking lot was full, and cars were parked in just about every available nook and cranny. I went in the exit and there was about 10 yards of open space. First I parked on the baseball field side, but it was really wet, so I backed out and parked on the little hill on the other side. I was really glad, because when I went to leave almost everybody was stuck in the mud. Since I didn't have a ticket - which everyone said you were supposed to have to get in - I went dressed to stand outside. I wore a hooded sweatshirt and my big winter coat with a hood (remembering how stinking cold I got at Hillary's shindig - plus it was raining). But when I got close to the building the only people outside were Seth's youth groupers holding their "Abortion Kills Children" signs. [NOTE: I did get to talk to Seth afterwards. He left some comments on my Supper With Hillary post. I asked one of the sign holders if he was there, and after graciously being pointed to him, I introduced myself. He seems like a great guy.]

Anyway, I walked in the main doors, went through the metal detector, and a guy told me to sign in and I could go on in. I told him I didn't have a ticket and another guy said since I was so good lookin' I could go in anyway. Well... once I fit my head through the gymnasium door I realized they were letting everyone in. :) The tickets got you in the front part of the chairs on the floor. I think I actually had a better view being in the first row of the top tier of bleachers. I sat beside a nice young lady about my daughters age - and she is "supposed" to be emailing me a picture from her camera. I never even thought about bringing one. So I sat their holding my big coats and wearing my long underwear shirt and dirty UF cap. Oh well.

As far as the event goes, it was wayyyy different than Hillary's. For one thing it was bigger, so more people could attend. The crowd was also a lot more diverse. Hillary's was almost all white people. This was a pretty even split. And Obama started only about 15 minutes late, instead of an HOUR for Hillary. I also thought it interesting that they started with a prayer from a pastor in a w-i-l-d striped suit. The prayer might have been the most inspiring thing of the day. The crowd was also much rowdier and excited for this. Lots of chants and cheers and standing ovations.

Finally some white-haired guy came out and talked for a bit. Then Barack came out, and it reminded me of a basketball player being introduced or a rock star taking the stage. The first 20 minutes or so were wisely laced with lots of Martin Luther King quotes and gestures, since this was the 40th anniversary of MLK's death. Quite an honor for BO to choose to be in the Fort on this day instead of with the other candidates in Alabam.

As far as what he had to say...at first I just kept thinking, "This is it? People think this guy's a great motivational speaker?" I was pretty disappointed. But... once he put the notes away, he grabbed a microphone and started walking about the stage. THAT is when he came to life. Then he took random questions from people in the audience. They had people running around with microphones and we went boy-girl. He was much, much better speaking off the top of his head. He's very easy to listen to (IMHO).

I am not a real good judge of political content. Most of what he talked about dealt with economics. But he also really seemed to stress personal responsibility. The fact that government can only do so much, but to address a lot of our moral and educational dilemma's we need to take some responsibility as human beings to do the right thing and to look out for one another.

Again, I was really glad I got to be there. I don't know that Barack won my vote, but he didn't lose it either (if I even vote). He is just a politician. But the whole time I was there - even before he started talking - I just kept looking around at all the people. I wondered what it was they were looking for; what it was they really cared about. I wondered what Obama really cared about - not just what he said, but what would he say if he wasn't running for office. And all the while I was still thinking about son Isaac's post from the day before. It was another barn-burner (and it's about time he blogged again). Barack talked a lot about wanting to make the country safer and better for the American people. And that's probably what he should be doing as a politician. But there seems to be so much more at stake, and I'm glad there are people who are concerned about the bigger picture.

Interestingly enough, on the way home I turned on the radio. The first song I heard was a new Eagles song called Frail Grasp On The Big Picture. Click on the title for the lyrics, or click HERE for a youtube of some kid playing drums to it. That seemed to put everything I was thinking into perspective. While it's true that some people need more money, some people need better jobs, or "a" job, some need healthcare, and on and on and on. I believe the real problem has more to do with our skewed since of reality. This feeling of entitlement that we all seem to have. Our inability to see life from the 'big picture.' All we're concerned about is getting a nice house, a new car, saving for retirement, and hoping to have a nice easy life. And I think THAT is what's wrong with our world. [ADDED LATER: Not that it's wrong to get a good job, house, and save for retirement. But if that's ALL we think it's about, and if we do those things at the expense of others, THEN it is a problem]. It's a spiritual problem. It's a lack of understanding how we all fit together as a society; how we all fit together as God's Creation; and the role of love and responsibility and grace and forgiveness and patience and peace and all that stuff Jesus talked about.

So... I don't know if Barack Obama will make a good President or not. He might. He might be no better than Hillary or John or Ron. But none of them can solve all our problems. We need Jesus. We need to be transformed from the inside out; to have our thinking and our perspective changed; we need to recognize our guilt, take responsibility for our messed-up-ness, repent, ask God to forgive us and show us the way; and then follow. And the thing is... it may or may not mean a better life for us in the short term. But we've got to forget this notion that that's what's important.

So... I dunno. That's what I was thinking. Peace out, folks. And peace in too.

Just thinking ramble

BARACK OBAMA IS IN TOWN
I can't decide if I should go see Obama while he's in town today or not. He's going to be at the high school daughter Carrie graduated from, and I think it would be especially interesting to hear if he says anything about the slew of murders we've had lately - what, like 6 in 2 days, plus a couple of other shootings. Many of them right around that neck o' the woods. I was all hyped to go, but then saw you needed tickets. By the time I found that out they were all gone. I did give my email and phone number in case anymore became available. I'm not thinking that's likely. So, I thought I might just go stand outside - maybe take a sign of some sort. But it's raining. Do I really care that much? I dunno. We'll see what happens after the coffee kicks in.

I did read this interesting tidbit about the difference between the Obama's charitable giving and the Cheney's. It seems between 2000-2004 Barack and Michelle gave less than 1% of their income to charity; 5% in 2005; and 6% in 2006. In 2006 Dick and Lynn Cheney reportedly gave 78% of their income to charity. I'm not sure what you can make from that exactly, but it's certain that things are not always what they appear. And I'm not defending or chiding either one. I just thought it was innaresting. I wonder why they only reported the one year for the Cheney's though.

BOOKS
Last night while Jane was at class (and after another 4 mile run) I spent an eon in Barnes and Noble. I was looking for a novel to read. Something classic, ya know. I thought about Catcher In The Rye, or The Grapes of Wrath, or The Idiot, or something along those lines. I mean, there are some classics that I read in high school that I can't even remember. I didn't care about too much of anything in high school. And there are others that I've always thought would sound cool to say I've read them, but... some of them are so big! The only big book I've ever read was Don Quiote. And that was actually what kinda turned me on to reading, but... man, big books are so intimidating. So anyway, I bought John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men. I've never read anything by him - don't know anything about him, or this book - but I've heard of him. And it was a small book. I love small books. Nothing should be allowed to be over 200 pages (in my book). I dunno... I didn't want to spend a ton of money, in case it's another one where I read the intro and set it on the shelf with the other gazillion books I have. Plus I have Kerouac's On The Road that I'd still like to read. I also got a hankering for Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies. Daughter Carrie has that - though I think it's loaned out at the moment. I probably should have just asked one of my kids for a book - they are both VERY well read. Hmm.

AND...
Well, I guess that's about it. I also hoped to get some new running shoes today. Mine are a couple years old, and even though I only run on the treadmill and they still look brand new, they've got a lot of miles on them. Plus I have no casual tennis shoes to wear since I gave my other ones to the boy, so my current running shoes would become my everyday shoes.

I used to wear almost nothing but tennis shoes for a long time. Then I started wearing what I always called "hard" shoes - even though some of them weren't really hard-soled, but they weren't tennis shoes. This winter I've mostly been wearing my work boots every day. But in the summer I almost always wear tennis shoes. They look better with shorts - which I almost always wear in the summer. And I don't wear sandals too much. Never cared for sandals. And my tennis shoes have to be loose enough that you can just slip them on and off. I can't stand having a tight shoe on. In fact, I usually buy wide shoes, and I don't have that wide of a foot. That's just the way it is. And there's your song reference... so I'll stop.

Goin' electric

Yesterday I probably spent a good hour and a half messing with son Isaac's guitar and amp. I didn't mean to, it just sorta happened. He left them here after playing Easter Sunday, and it finally occurred to me, "Hey, I should maybe give that there thing a shwing." Of course this is only one of several guitars he has - and this one his newest. It's an Epiphone DOT (just like the pic). I really like it. It's got that deep smooth semi-hollow body sound. Plus played through his Marshall amp and a gazillion or so effects... I could have spent days messing around in the sanctuary.

So, I think I'm going to play it this Sunday. I'll probably start out with a grunge sort of sound on 'Ev'ry Move I Make', then switch to a clean channel with a really deep, echoey "hall" and "delay" effect for 'The Power of Your Love.' Not sure about 'Take My Life And Let It Be' - I may just do a straight clean sound; then for the hymn 'Holy, Holy' I may either use an acoustic sound or go back to the combo I used on 'Power of Your Love' or maybe change up on different stanzas.

Any ol' way... I may just have to invest in one of them there eelectric geetars. Pretty fun. My only problem is I'm used to banging on an acoustic/electric, and subtlety has never really been my forte. But an electric just may be the relief my fingers and hand have been needing. So it would actually be a health investment! :) I dunno... I would never be able to decide what to buy - a strat, tele, flying v, les paul, semi-hollow; and do you go fender, gibson, etc., or an off-brand? Argh. I also fell in love with his in-line tuner. I could definitely use one of those.

Like a child

I've started reading a Children's Bible for my devotions. Each morning I read one story, and there are a couple of simple questions at the end of each story. Usually I can answer them. I'm not recommending this as a way to do devotions or anything, but... to be perfectly honest, I have been in a real rut in regards to reading lately. I just haven't felt like it. I don't know how many books I've started and only made it through the introduction. I haven't even felt like reading the Bible - only doing it for sermon preparation. Certainly this is not a scholastic achievement of any kind, and I really wish I would develop a hunger for books again - there are so many good ones out there. But this is where I'm at. I think perhaps the very first song I ever played and sang in church was "I Want To Be A Child Again." And I really do want to read. Just not right now.

Two good quotes

While perusing the blogosphere for some positive stuff on church (sorry, but I just can't take anymore negative right now. I am deconstructed out) I found these two gems:

1. From Dying Church...

From a book review by Katie Galli in the April 2008 issue of Christianity Today:

Yes, we're Americans. We multitask all day long. Efficiency is one of our top cultural values. I, too, am pragmatic. I'd like to use Sunday morning to worship God, to get a few pointers on how to improve my relationship with Jesus, and to reconnect with community. But every Sunday, the first words I hear are, "Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." And I'm reminded that we gather weekly not to hear a practical talk on how to better live out our faith or to provide a venue to tell our friends about Jesus. We gather to corporately worship God, to celebrate the redeeming work of Christ on the cross, and to remember that our lives are not about us.

2. The NEW ShaunGroves.com - Shlog reminds us that God does not keep count, with this quote by Nouwen...

It is hard for me to forgive someone who has really offended me, especially when it happens more than once. I begin to doubt the sincerity of the one who asks forgiveness for a second, third, or fourth time. But God does not keep count. God just waits for our return, without resentment or desire for revenge.

- Henri Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak

April fools' day

So, today is April Fools' Day. I was aware of it when I woke up. Actually, I've been aware of it for several days now (I have a calendar, you know). I used to always pull pranks on Jane on this day. It was usually good fun. For some reason I just can't get into it this year. Seems every time I try to be funny anymore it turns out poorly. Hmm... that probably means something.

The wind is loud today. But the voices are relatively quiet. I've been taking antihistamines and my bones are weary. There is a church board meeting tonight. My powerpoint has been being a bugger. Whenever I open the slide design it like locks my computer up. Takes forever to load. I don't remember it being like that before. A couple of weeks ago I got a friend request from Dan Baird on my myspace. He used to front The Georgia Satellites. He sang and played guitar on that song 'Keep Your Hands to Yourself.' I have no idea why he friend-requested me. I mean, he's like famous and stuff, and I'm... me. I've seen him play - he's real good. I just thought it was cool that Jane and I walked down the street behind him and a girl the last time we were in Nashville. He has really long hair. They got in an SUV parked along Elliston. I wish I had really long hair. I saw a movie last week on IFC with one of the Bridges boys - I can't remember the name of it now... American something - and he had really long hair. It made me long for long hair again. Mine was sometimes somewhat long, but not as long as his, but it just wouldn't look real good now that it's thinning. Last time I tried to let it grow someone said I reminded them of Albert Einstein. Hehe. Yeah, it gets kinda wild. I really wouldn't mind gray hair at all. Honestly, I don't really even care. But if I had my druthers it would be about halfway down my back. I don't know what druthers are though.

Wow. What was that all about? Semi-conscious blogging. I think my butt's asleep. I should go.

Hope for dying churches... faith...

Remind self: read William Willimon's blog more often. He has a great post on The Practical, Organizational Relevance of Resurrection. I love the story at the end about the dead church, and the quote:

"To tell him a pastor or a church is dead means nothing to him. He just sees death as an opportunity to see what Jesus can do.”

Yep... Need to get me some o' that.

I think this is why we need leadership in the church, and even organizational structure. I believe God is a God of order. That's why he gives people certain spiritual gifts. Sometimes we need someone to remind us what it's all about and why we do what we do and stuff like that. To me that's the value of denominational leaders and pastors and elders and whatever you wanna call your church leaders. That's what I appreciate about Will. Someone to say simple things like:

We serve a God who lives to raise the dead--even us. Therefore, we work with hope--not hope in ourselves and our efforts, but with hope in Christ.

Amen.

ht to Milton Stanley