Happy Birthday to Jane

Jane... his wife. (anybody remember the Jetson's?)... "Get me off of this crazy thing!!!!...

This is my lovely wife Jane. She's "over 29" today. :) We started dating 25 years ago this week; will have been married 23 years in May. The love of my life and my best friend.

It's a little windy out, otherwise you could see more of her pretty face. And... she just came home with dark hair. Not too bad.

Isaac

My son Isaac at state ensemble contest in Indy (lugging his tuba). They won a "Gold"!

He played trombone freshman year, baritone sophomore, tuba junior & senior - though he was drum major for marching band senior year too - played guitar 4 years in pep band, and guitar 2 years in drumline & jazz band. What a stud. And... band isn't even the best thing about him!

Funny... a representative from Anderson U. was at this contest, and he didn't want to talk to them. :( I think he's sick of band. Just hope he doesn't give up on rock 'n' roll! :)

Walk the Line

Jane and I went to "Walk The Line" last night at the $1.50 theater. It was well worth the price of tickets (although we had to sit in the very front row - wow - I don't remember the last time I did that).

I thought the two stars did an excellent job. The line that stuck out to me was when JC wanted to play at the prison and his company people didn't want him to. They said something like, "John, good Christian people don't want you encouraging and entertaining criminals." And JC says, "Then they aren't Christian." (I will need to rent this to get the wording correct - but that's close).

But isn't that the truth? We have such a screwed up idea of what "good" is. I don't know much about the band "Disturbed" - but I heard an interview with the lead singer yesterday, and judging from where they're playing, they might be rather heavy and dark. But... in this interview (done by local dj), he tried to get this guy to say nasty things about other people he's worked with... and he wouldn't do it. He only had good, positive comments to say about anybody and everybody (including Scott Stapp!). Man, that sounded so "good" to me. I wish I didn't have to resort to negative comments to build my self-esteem.

Well, heading to Indianapolis in a couple hours. Taking Isaac down so he can blow his tuba for one song. It'll be fun. Oh... and yesterday... my daughter called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch with her! I had other things to do, but they were quickly forgotten. When the most beautiful/intelligent/alive person on the earth invites me for lunch... even I'm not THAT stupid as to turn her down. :) Sometimes the planets do line up. I love my kids.

later. peace. revolution. onward.
d.

A New Day

The sun is shining; the air is crisp; I found a bunch of new friends (well, blogs at least); and it's my DAY OFF! I feel good (insert mental soundtrack).

NAME CHANGE
If you're a regular you noticed a new title here. That's actually the title of a song written by a good friend of mine many years ago (jasonringenberg.com). I'm kind of doing an experiment, so the name will probably change several more times in the coming weeks. I'll let you know the results as they come in.

THE CONCRETE IS DOWN
Yesterday we poured the concrete floor for our shelter. It was an almost perfect day to do it. The trucks started rolling in at 9 am - and it was still cold enough that they didn't tear up the ground too bad. We had to bring them in through our field instead of across the parking lot, because a field is easier to repair than asphalt. At any rate, then it warmed up to around 40 in the afternoon, so, hopefully it will set well. And this morning the sun is warming it nicely as I sit and look out the window.

NEW FRIENDS
I stumbled onto some great blogs today. Jim Martin, Scot McNight, and several links from theirs. Very good reading.

I'm sure my designation of these guys as "friends" seems a bit odd to some. And it's really probably pretty sad that I even refer to them as friends, because I can almost guarantee I will never speak to them or visit with them. But I will read them. I guess the sad thing is that that's what friendship seems to amount to anymore.

And, speaking of this, I was thinking about... lurkers. I don't necessarily mind lurkers, because I lurk quite a bit. Meaning - I read people's blogs and am involved in some online communities, and I don't always pitch in/write/communicate. But sometimes it is frustrating - especially in group blogs - because it's no fun when nobody participates. And I don't know why people don't. It's kind of like when you email someone and they don't respond; or someone in a small group who never speaks... you're always wondering what's going on in their mind. I wish we lived in a world where nobody was afraid to speak their mind. But... I guess I know how much trouble that's gotten me into. :( Anyway, if you're lurking here... that's okay. I appreciate that you even read. But you don't have to be afraid to contribute (I suppose it would help if I ever wrote something worth contributing to, huh?) :)

JANE'S BIRTHDAY
I should probably get going today because, first I have to clean the house (the usual friday routine); I would like to get on the treadmill again - I've only run once in the last week and a half due to sickness and injury; I also need to pick up trash on the church grounds; but... the main thing I need to do today is find something for Jane's birthday (it's Monday - 42 and getting better). But I have no idea what to get her, and she won't give me any hints either. Argh. So... I should probably put my mind to that.

Good day. Much peace. Grand revolution. Head up.
d.

Can't Sleep

It is 1:26 am and I can't get to sleep. Not sure why.

I'm kind of sad because tonight was my son's last night of playing with his high school pep band. He's a senior and this was the last home game. He plays guitar. He's done the solo on 'The Bull's Theme' when they do introductions and start the game all four years. This year he sang some too. And most games he, Graham & Aaron (The AGI Experience; or Sundays Off) usually play a song or two afterwards. Tonight they did 3 songs. It was great. A ton of people just hang around afterward and listen/watch them. I am going to miss seeing him play. I hope he keeps playing, and singing, when he goes to college. He's actually become a fairly decent singer, and he's always been a good electric guitarist.

All around, today was a decent day even though I didn't do anything I planned to do. Some days are like that, I guess. I'm trying to force myself to "go with the flow" more. And I spontaneously took someone to lunch too. That was a big step for me - both because I don't usually "do" lunch, and because it's a stretch for me to invite someone to go out. It's a temptation for me to be a bit reclusive.

I don't want to be a recluse. Honestly though, it's just easier. You know, I'm naturally shy. Plus I have a fairly low self-esteem. So it takes quite a bit for me to r-e-a-c-h o-u-t there. And, many times, when I try, I end up making a fool out of myself. Or I end up doing or saying something I regret later. I'm not what you would call a 'people person.' It's not that I don't like people. It just takes so much effort for me to interact. That's why I'm so amazed by my kids... because they're both so outgoing. I wish I were more like them.

By the way, they both had a GREAT time at the Sigur Ros show last night. I wish I'd gone. They took a kid who had never been to a concert before and told him he can never attend another one. SR was just too good. I see John Prine is coming to the Murat Centre in a month or so. I wouldn't mind attending that. He's one of those songwriter's that can make you laugh and cry at the same time.

Well, this is probably a much too long post already. And surely boring. I should probably check to see if the fighting illini won tonight. Good night.

Our Great God

"Grace is not God's reward for the faithful, it's His gift for the empty and the feeble and the failing."

"That's where Jesus gets His glory; not in the number of good Christians He pats on the back, but in the failures He restores."

Those two quotes come from Roy Hession's book, THE CALVARY ROAD. It's a great little book that our church council just got done using for devotions. It was very beneficial even though it's an old book and it uses olde english. I'm glad we did it, and would recommend it to anyone. There is a study guide that goes along with it.

Thank You, Lord, for your gift of grace. I am one of the failures being restored, and there is no better place to be than in that place where I realize my great need... and the even greater grace God is waiting to give.

Peace. Revolution. Go.

Giving To God

Many people mistakenly think Sunday Worship is about “getting” something. People leave and say, “I didn’t get anything out of church today”; or maybe they say they got a lot out of it. Either way, it's the wrong way of looking at it.

Sunday worship is about GIVING. In singing we give praise to God. In tithes & offerings we give acknowledgement that He is the source of all we have, by returning a portion of the blessings He has given to us. In the sermon we give our attention to God’s Word and we give the Spirit permission to work in our heart and mind. In prayer we give our trust and hope that God will lead, provide, deliver, and redeem us in living His way.

Worship is all about giving ourselves to God: expressing our love to him through singing, offering, sermon, and prayer, and finally leaving so we can give to others as he Himself has given to us.

IMHO

The Daily Office

I don't really know what 'The Daily Office' is. It's a term I picked up reading THE SACRED WAY by Tony Jones. It sounds so much holier than sitting in my office usually feels.

I read today about 'The Jesus Prayer' ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"). I think I will try that today during my lunchtime prayer/fast. It's something we started doing awhile back - our church council; and we invited as many in the church as would participate - to not eat lunch on the day of council meetings, and use that time to pray for God's leading for our church. The Shelter Project is a direct result of this.

Monastic Man
I think I feel a leading to go on a prayer retreat of some kind. I've never felt led to do this before. Maybe even just a day/night away in a tent or something. But I kinda feel like a week alone to do nothing but pray, read Scripture, listen, and write sounds more along the lines of it. This is not a good summer to take a week to do that - what with Isaac graduating from high school, a niece and nephew (in 2 different states) graduating, Carrie maybe moving away to do an internship, and the usual summer busi-ness. But... we'll see. Speak to me, Lord.

The Weekend
Had a pretty decent weekend. My parents were here. It went well. They came to watch Isaac play guitar in pep band for the last time in h.s., as well as to see Carrie and take her shopping. Jane and I slept on the couches. Which I don't mind because the "old" couch is actually more comfortable than our bed, I think.

Tonight the kids are both going to see Sigur Ros in Indy. I wish I was going; but I'm glad they are. I hope it goes well.

The Week
I have some serious issues to deal with this week. I would really rather sit in my office; or go to a music store; or have a root canal, even. Give me strength, Lord. Give me an aura of peace. Remind me over and over the meaning of grace. May I be a servant to the Good News. As Brian Larson wrote this morning, "We are servants of the message. We don't serve ourselves, our "careers," our liking. We serve the message, whether we see results or not, whether we are known or unknown, celebrated or castigated. We don't worry about what the message does or does not do for us because the message does not serve us. The noble preacher is a servant."

Peace, friends. Peaceful revolution. I belong to that branch of the service.
d.

Helping Hand

Galatians 6:1-3
"...if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path... You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand. If you think you are better than others... you are wrong."

Those words really struck me this morning. I think it's hard for people to offer a helping hand from a lowlier position. We're so used to "grading" people, and if we feel we are "less than" someone, don't we usually think they should do something for us? And those we think we are "better than" are the ones we can "help." Don't you think we think we can only help someone who is worse off than us?

I guess when I read the above verse this morning, I caught this mental picture of two addicts crouching in a corner together. Both with this look of hopeful desperation, like... "I'm really messed up, but I'm here for ya'."

There are always at least two sides to every story. And it's so easy to jump to conclusions and think one is right and the other wrong. We're all wrong to a certain extent. But we can be there for one another. Because there is One who is right.

Last night I asked our group, "Do you think God is rooting for you?" Everybody right away said, "Well, yes." Then, when we fall into sin... why do we so often try to hide it from him? Why do so many people look so defeated? Why aren't we more joyful?

Some people look at God as though he is just waiting for us to mess up. But what if he's just waiting to offer us a helping hand?

Satan is the 'accuser'. God is an advocate.

I hope today I can be an advocate for some fellow strugglers. One addict doing what I can to "be there" for another. I know some people who seriously need a friend right now. I hope I can be one.

Peace. Revolution. REVOLUTION! Yeah.

Blowin' in the wind

Man, sittin here in my office it sounds like the walls are going to cave in. It is one windy thursday. In fact, our shelter contractor came and left his Bobcat underneath and tied the roof down to it. Hmm. Wonder what THAT means?!?

Anyway, just got off the phone with a seminary student who is going to speak at my church in a few weeks. He said he doesn't have much experience (none, actually). That's kind of exciting to me! It brought back memories of my first sermon - in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Home of Arnold Palmer. I recall there's a brewery there too. At any rate, I hope our church sees this as an opportunity to minister "to" someone - rather than sitting and hoping to be ministered to. And I think we will, because we have a great church. They want to do good; they want to bless others; they like to see others do well. I hope it is a grand day. :)

Speaking of which, I was just thinking last night about people who had a huge influence on me becoming a preacher. Denise Royce was one of the first to come to mind. She worked at the factory I worked at; drank at the bars I drank at. She rode a Harley and I witnessed her beating up guys - even though she was maybe 5'4" 110 lbs. This was one tough woman though. But... when I decided to quit my job and attend seminary, she was one of the first people to come and tell me that she thought I would make a great preacher. I never forgot that. Denise was killed in a car accident several years ago.

Larry White was another. He was one of my profs. There were some who didn't think I had what it took, but one day Larry told me, "Dan, you're going to make a great pastor." And it was like being blessed by the Pope. Larry passed away not long after speaking at my ordination service.

Marvin Rich was a guy instrumental in hiring me at this church. Whenever things would get tough - and that was quite often in the early years - he would say, "Dan, you've just gotta trust God. We'll get through this." Man do I miss him. He passed away two years ago from cancer.

There is great power in words of encouragement. There is much power in discouraging words too... but encouraging words, spoken at just the right time, in just the right way... man, they can change the course of the universe. SEEEEEK those words, my friends. LOOOOOK for the opportunity to use them. Change the stinking world.

Well, it's another day. Things need to be done. Who will do them?
Peace. Revolution.

Devastating

I just read about a young couple at our seminary - the husband is a student and the wife works there - who lost their infant child. He was less than 1 year old. I cannot imagine the grief.

I don't even know these people, though I have talked to Tress on several occasions. But it just tears my heart out. Why do babies have to die? Why do parents have to go through things like this? It makes no sense. None at all.

And I think of all the things I spend so much time doing, or worrying about, or thinking about...arguing about, and I just can't imagine any of it mattering at a time like this.

God, it's not that I don't trust you... I just don't understand. Please... comfort Ray & Tress. Somehow speak peace into their souls. Cover the entire community with your love and grace... however that is possible.

I don't much feel like doing anything at the moment.

A shelter from the storm

This is the picnic shelter/pavilion that our church is building on our property. It's not done yet - still needs the concrete floor poured, electricity, water, some additional trim work, and landscaping.

Some people don't understand why we're building this. It just seemed that everytime I opened the local paper another church was doing a fundraiser for this or fundraiser for that... and I think that's wrong (for a variety of reasons). Anyway, we wanted to show people that the church wasn't here just to ask for money. We actually wanted to GIVE something to those who live around us. We hope the surrounding community will use this shelter for picnics, reunions, parties, etc. - with no strings attached. Someday we hope to upgrade our playground area as well. God gave us this nice hunk of land, and we want to share it with those who live around us. That's all.

Bogie

This is our dog 'Bogie.' He looks like he doesn't have any legs. And he doesn't have very long ones - maybe 6 inches. He's a Pembroke Welsh Corgie - so he's supposed to look that way. But he's a bit overweight.

We named him Bogie because when we got him we were living in an apartment next to a golf course. We actually had holes in our siding from where golf balls would hit our building. But, as you may know, a bogie is one over par. And, since I didn't really want to get a dog, that was part of the agreement - I got to name him... he was "one too many" for our family. But I like him now. He took care of me when I was sick.

Resurrected

Wow, yesterday I either died and came back to life... or at the least I had a major out-of-body experience. Everything that had been inside my body came OUT! I haven't been sick like that in a long, long time. I don't even remember the last time I threw up. But I made up for it yesterday. Stumbled across the parking lot at 4:30 and didn't get up the rest of the night except to puke. (aren't you glad I'm telling you this?)

But... I feel much better right now. Well, maybe not "much better", but better anyhow. Took a shower, shaved, and drank 1 cup of coffee. Thought I might head to the office, but have since decided to sit and rest some more. Maybe later. I should probably eat something. The half piece of toast since my cereal yesterday noon might not be cutting it. Speaking of which, that's all I tasted last night: honey oats & bunches cereal and diet vanilla pepsi. I don't think I'll have either for a while.

So... since it's Valentine's Day, I read 1 Corinthians 13. I had a card and small box of candy for Jane, but forgot all about that it was V-day whilst puking my guts out. I guess she'll get them when she gets home from work today. At any rate... I could add to 1 Cor. 13 "...love is cleaning up your spouses puke; and not complaining about it." It is nice to be loved. I am such a wimp when it comes to getting sick.

Not much else to say today. I'm fighting the urge to work... to 'get things done.' You know what... it will all still be there when I feel better. (Right?)

Oh yeah, and I see I did finally get my picture on my profile. What a ROTTEN picture! But... that's me. I do look a little pale. Must have been sick when I took it.

Think I'll go lay down. My jaw is still sore from when I woke up with my head leaning against the toilet seat. Yuk!

Peace, my friends. Revolution... slowly.

Silence

Tony Jones quotes Richard Foster on p. 40 of THE SACRED WAY:

Without silence there is no solitude. Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening. Simply to refrain from talking, without a heart listening to God, is not silence.

Then Jones says, "Ultimately, we keep silence and solitude so we can listen better - so we can hear what God is saying to us and to our world."

It's funny, but I sit in silence almost every day - for most of the day. Yet I'm not sure how much of it is really 'silence.' 'Cause I don't know that I ever really thought about the "listening" aspect of it. I often sit in silence trying to "think". And I don't know that thinking is the same thing as listening to God. The times that I do actually try to listen to God - like when I pray that He will help me with a talk or something - it's amazing how He really does come through. And yet...

CHANGE SUBJECT
Got a call this morning from a young girl who attends my church. Maybe 24 - she is in Oklahoma to do her mother's funeral. Not just to attend it... but to actually do the memorial service! I feel so bad. She called Saturday requesting prayer because her sisters, aunts & uncles are all fighting. Half won't attend the funeral. And they don't want to use a minister that didn't know her mom. So Krystle asked what I usually do at funerals. I gave her some Scriptures I usually use; told her how I kinda do things. Wow. I can't imagine being 24, single mother of 2, drove all night to Ok., and having to deal with all that. God, bless her.

'Nother Change
Finally bought a digital camera this weekend. Just a cheapy Kodak. Very cool. But I tried and tried to get my picture on my profile - AND I CAN'T DO IT! I hate it when that happens. I hate it worse that stupid stuff like that makes me mad. :)

Jones quoted a child on p. 44: "Silence reminds me to take my soul with me wherever I go." Yeah... I need to do that. Today.

Later. Peace & revolution.

This and that

Picnic Tables & Playground Equipment
I've been researching this stuff, trying to find a good deal. Many thanks to Shelly W. who works for Do-It-Best. Arghh... there is a lot of stuff to look at. And it ain't cheap! But we need stuff for our park.

A great Brennan Manning quote:

"Get this if you don't get anything else: The spiritual life begins with accepting God's wholehearted love for our wounded, broken, surly, frightened, sorry selves. There is no other starting point."

That is soooo awesome. Yet so hard for people to wrap their minds around (I think). Don't you think that people have a hard time accepting that God loves us, and/or LIKES us? One of my all-time favorite lines - from BLUE LIKE JAZZ -- "I can't explain how freeing that was, to realize that if I met Jesus, He would like me." YES, YES, YES!!!

Clothing the homeless
A group from my church went on another "Sharing the warmth of God's love" trip this morning (including my son, Isaac). Once every couple months we collect coats, hats, gloves, blankets, whatever and take to the streets of Fort Wayne. Today we had nine (good sized group), and I was happy that we had more new stuff today than ever before. Sometimes people donate crap. But this time a lot bought new items.

Before they left, Scott K. (the leader) shared from the Beatittudes. I then shared a quote I got off of Mike Clawson's site yesterday. It's from Shane Claiborne's new book THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION:

"I remember hearing about an old comic strip... Two guys are talking to each other, and one of them says he has a question for God. He wants to ask why God allows all of this poverty and war and suffering to exist in the world. And his friends says,"Well, why don't you ask?" The fellow shakes his head and says he is scared. When his friend asks why, he mutters, "I'm scared God will ask me the same question.""

Wow. Yeah. That cuts, doesn't it?

This weekend my daughter is at Calvin College with a group of Huntington University students for some kind of conference. I think it has to do with poverty or something. And my son is spreading warmth to the homeless of Fort Wayne this morning. That makes me feel pretty good. I have GREAT kids. Carrie is absolutely the most dynamic young woman I know. She could sell snow to an eskimo - beautiful, talented, smart, classy. She really does have it all. I just can't figure out why she's so insecure. And my son is similar, but completely different too. He is handsome, incredibly gifted at speaking, guitar, singing, writing, and he has a great big heart. I think he will be a world-changer... if he will not try so hard. I think it will naturally come to him. Though it's kind of scary becasue I can see myself in both my kids. Hopefully they will overcome those parts. Both are voracious readers, good public speakers, handle themselves well in front of people, and not afraid to ask questions. I love them. Deeply. God, you have blessed me beyond measure. Thank you.

Well... I have rambled on today, haven't I. Went to the theater and watched THE MATADOR last night. It was very, very funny... in a sick sort of way. I really liked it, but probably wouldn't recommend it to too many people because of graphic sex scenes and language. But it was funny as heck.

Hey... so long. Peace. Revolution. Mix, stir, add lotsa heart and guts. Go!

The Sacred Way

Yeah, I finally started reading this book. On p.32 he quoted Henri Nouwen:

"In the spiritual life, the word 'discipline' means 'the effort to create some space in which God can act.' Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline menas to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on."

Hmm. I think I'm rather preoccupied with blogging lately. And feeling a tad rejected by it. Maybe I need some space.

One thing... I contacted a person from the f.w. atheist group yesterday, and they actually emailed me right back. Invited me to their meeting, and even to their house for their monthly "video night" too. I was pretty excited. I hope I can make it to the next meeting. It's terrible how excited one can get by the mere fact that someone responds to you though.

I am soooo stinking tired today. And the construction crew is outside hammering away. Yesterday they got the posts up and trusses secured. So it actually LOOKS likes something now. But I need to get a sermon written. Argh.

peace. revolution. go.

Name that building

I am wayyyyy too excited to do any work right now. Elmer and his construction crew have the posts up and are framing up our new pavilion/picnic shelter AS I WRITE!!! And it's snowing, and oh-so-beautiful outside!

Just some background info: Our church is putting up a 40'x60' open-sided pavilion with lights, water,and concrete floor. We are going to offer it to the community to use for picnics, family reunions, parties; plus we plan to host concerts and use it for picnics, parties, vbs, and hopefully have Sunday worship out there as well. Our long term goal is to have a complete "park area" for the surrounding community. We have been blessed to be a blessing, and this is one way we want to be a blessing to those we live among.

One question that is bugging me is -- what to call it? Should we call it a pavilion or picnic shelter? And what should we name it: Yoder Area Pavilion, Yoder Community Pavilion, The Spot, The Shelter, or what??? I would appreciate any input from anyone.

I have too much to do, but just can't seem to do it. Keep looking out the window. [smiling sooo big]

Rock on, folks. Let the revolution continue (peacefully)!

d.

No Perfect People Allowed

I finally finished this book (see title). It was okay. A little long for me. They do lead you to their online assessment center at the end. And... guess what... I actually went there - to be assessed as a church planter. That is, until I saw the $20 pricetag. But I'm thinking about it still.

It's not that I don't like where I'm at now. But I kinda "feel" a change coming on. I don't know if I could actually go through a church planting "program" though. And to be honest, I kinda feel old (at 43). Like, maybe I should just get on board with somebody else who is trying to start a church. I don't know. Maybe I'm just depressed and questioning my own skills. At any rate, I don't think I'll go anywhere. Not for a few more years anyway.

I was thinking last night how I am just such a simpleton. I mean, I'm not that smart; I'm not outgoing; I'm not really 'good' at anything in particular. Perhaps my biggest attribute is that I'm "here." Probalby the only thing that saves me is the people I read.

My biggest influencers right now are probably: Andrew Jones (blog), Dan Kimball (blog), Mike Clawson (blog), Brian Miller (blog), Tom Datema (real live person), and still probably Brian McLaren and Donald Miller (books). I am grateful for each of these people - even though most of them have no idea who I even am. Probably best that way.

Well, this post is really going nowhere, isn't it? Sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself. Not really. Just in one of those moods. I feel kinda rejected. Alone. And I am alone most of the time. I guess all those years working at the exit 45 Sunoco on I-80 paid off. Really got me used to being alone and thinking about how to impact the world. Hmm. Impact?

I really think the church I pastor is a 'come as you are' church - just like the book (NPPA). I just wish we could have the same impact. What would it take to do that? I have no clue. Some leadership, probably. I wish I had just a couple key people even. First I could use someone to lead worship - besides me. Looking for a guitar player/singer/leader. Then, I could use a real people person, but someone who could organize our outreach stuff. Man... I think that could really change things (for the better). But... well... you know.

I have mail, so I will put an end to this drivel. I hope no one is reading today. 'Cause I'm just rambling mostly. If you are, I hope you have a great day! TAke the tiger by the tail. Save the world.

peace. revolution. together. "go". now.

Brian McLaren Quotes

In glancing through McLaren's book A GENEROUS ORTHODOXY for some sermon info these two quotes struck me today as worth remembering:

"One can solve a math problem. One can contain a chemical reaction in an equation. But one never 'gets' beauty - one stands (or falls) in front of it astonished, amazed, open-mouthed, speechless, and humbled."

"In the upper world, hell once rebelled against heaven. But in this world heaven is rebelling against hell. For the orthodox there can always be a revolution: for a revolution is a restoration."
[actually that's a quote from Chesterton's ORTHODOXY, p.117]

peace and revolution, friends. peaceful revolution. go.

Time to build

The construction crew is here - 9 am - and they're actually starting to build our pavilion! Yipee! Although the only thing they can do today is drill the holes for the posts, and then the county commissioner has to come and inspect them. :( Like... what all is involved with inspecting post holes??

Kinda like... in one of our Bible studies last week an 'older' person was complaining that we don't have altar calls anymore. She said, "How are we supposed to know who becomes a Christian?" And her intent was good - because she said then we can know who needs discipled, encouraged, etc.

The thing is, I think we (the church) should be discipling/encouraging EVERYONE - Not just people who go forward to an altar. I think we perhaps think we need to wait for an "inspection" before we know if we can "build" (disciple).

I think it was Leonard Sweet who said something to the effect "when Jesus told us to make disciples, was he talking about teaching already-Christians?" No. We are to be discipling those who are not-yet Christians. So why do we need to wait until someone goes to an altar to disciple/encourage in the faith? We don't. No inspection required.

Wouldn't it be great if we could build without waiting on inspections? And by "building" I mean "blessing", "encouraging in the faith", "drawing to Christ"; "teaching without teachiness"; "preaching without preachiness"; that sort of thing.

It's time to build. For me. I need to be a better builder. Taking every opportunity.

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On another note... we had a super bowl party last night. Invited the entire church. 8 people came (four from one family). It was still a really good party. One guy got his wife to attend - which was huge - because she won't have anything to do with church. And she is a great person from what I can tell. I think she must have just had a really bad experience at some point. So I'm glad it went well.

I was rooting for the SEahawks though. But I'm okay with Steelers win.

Actually, (I think) my daughters first boyfriend was the back-up quarterback to Ben Rothleisberger during his senior year of high school -- at Findlay High School. Kyle something. Can't remember his last name now. Sort of my claim-to-fame for the day. :)

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Well, this long post needs to close. One more chapter in NO PERFECT PEOPLE ALLOWED. Need to take my taxes to our tax lady today so we can file a new fafsa. Lots on my mind. God is good.

peace and revolution. start.

Destruction of the church

I saw this quote from Max Lucado taken from his book ON THE ANVIL:

"Satan's best tools of destruction are not from outside the church, they are from within the church. A church will never die from the immorality in Hollywood or the corruption in Washington. But it will die from corrosion within - from those who bear the name of Jesus but have never met him, and from those who have religion, but no relationship."

That makes sense to some degree. I agree that the church will not and probably cannot be destroyed by those outside it. And, while I agree with the assertion that it is usually those within who cause the greatest turmoil (at least in the North American church), I'm not so sure that even they can DESTROY the church.

But that got me to thinking... if the church IS the body of Christ... maybe we are supposed to "destroy" ourselves. I mean, that's kind of what Christ did - not that he destroyed himself, but he caused-his-own-demise so-to-speak. And if we, the church, were to give ourselves for others the way he did... that very well could lead to our demise as well - right?

I've always thought the church was indestructible. But maybe that's not what we are made for. Hmm. I don't know. This is a new thought to me.

Anyway, it's snowing. And they're supposed to start on our community pavilion Monday. As always... peace and revolution.

Eight Recovery Principles based on the BEATITUDES

I was reading about 12-step recovery programs, and remembered this piece by Rick Warren.

1. Realize I'm not God;
I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor." Matthew 5:3

2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
"Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
"Happy are the meek." Matthew 5:5

4. Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself and to another person whom I trust.
"Happy are the pure in heart." Matthew 5:8

5. Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life.
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." Matthew 5:6

6. Evaluate all my relationships; offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others when possible, without expecting any reward.
"Happy are the peacemakers." Matthew 5:9

7. Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His work for my life and gain the power to do it.

8. Yield myself to be used by God to bring this good news to others, both by my example and by my words.
"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires." Matthew 5:10

Peaceful revolution, my friends.

I am an idiot

I am an idiot, and yet, here I am again. I just posted another "personal" blog on a group blog (emergingcggc). Like that's not embarrasing enough, I used the Axle Rose quote "I used to be an asshole, now I'm a rich asshole." I HATE that that other blog gets sent off to who-knows-how-many-people's emails. I was able to delete it right away, but I'm sure it's already been shipped off to their emails. I am an idiot. An American idiot, and un-american idiot, a world-class idiot, a universal idiot!

Anyway, the Axle Rose quote was in reference to some of the posts on the leadership blog. I just think some pastors are too full of themselves. But, as soon as I say that, I am probably fuller of myself than any of them. Forgive me, Father.

I also posted a revised quote from Bruce Thielemann, former dean of the chapel at Grove City College. He used the words "pulpit" and "preach" instead of "blog":

The blog calls those anointed to it as the sea calls its sailors. And like the sea it batters and bruises and does not rest. To blog, to really blog, is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do it that you are going to do it again."

Man, was that ever a relevant quote to post. I am an idiot. A naked one. I think I even said something in the post I deleted about not wanting to blog anymore - because it's hard not know if anyone is reading; what they're thinking; etc.

Well... maybe I should quit. peace. no revolution today. I need peace. sorry.