worldliness

They are at it again. The folks at  Saddleback Church have once again demonstrated that the concept of community extends beyond the idea of meeting for Bible study by hosting a night of Hollywood "Glitz & Glam". And of course, the usual suspects [here for a sampling] are criticizing this as compromising the Gospel by becoming worldly.

 

We must remain Christ centered but I continue to be amazed by those that criticize when someone demonstrates a level of excellence in an area not mentioned explicitly in the Bible. I wonder if the critics ever held a birthday party, a "potluck" (this is one that certainly should be in every Bible), attended a camp (retreat), etc.? And if so, consider it right only when someone is reading directly from the King James throughout the event? I wonder if they noticed that Christ didn't use a blog?

 

I've seen the kinds of events hosted by people spewing these criticisms (ok - reading from the KJV is an exageration) and they look like something my grandparents might have enjoyed. The idea that everything a Christian community does must happen in a sterile environment designed for two generations prior seems quite arbitrary. I can imagine the critic's grandparents criticizing their own generation for the same.

 

Let's enbrace Christ's warning to be  fruit inspectors. Let's keep our focus on Him. But come on, let's live His life in today's world, not that of our grandparents.

 

Technorati Tags : Saddleback, worldliness

rejoice with others

Here is a test for purity of heart.

 

"Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

 

Are you able to rejoice with others? For me this is a place of spiritual challenge. I find bitterness in my heart when I have instructed people in an area, they seem to reject it, and then later God blesses them in that particular area and they act like it's new. A sad person I am when I get like that. The good news is that I recognize it and gradually I am seeing victory over it. Continue to pray for me.

 

Technorati Tags : Goethe, quotes, purity

vineyard columbus

The guys at  Vineyard Church of Columbus tricked me. They do their podcasts by the year so I just now realized why I haven't received any new downloads. Go to  Vineyard Church of Columbus -2006.

 

Technorati Tags : vineyard, columbus

god's power

Again God showed up in power. The message was excellent but what I appreciated was that the manifest presence of God was clear even during the time of singing. He inhabits the praise of His people and began to bring healing as Marlin and his team fromVineyard Heidelberg (along with Kai fromVineyard Mainz) led us in song. Praise God!

 

Technorati Tags : kingdom+of+god, worship

the kingdom of god is not new

I know I'm slow but I'm finally getting to Dallas Willard's, The Divine Conspiracy. I like his spin on the timing of the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom did not come into existence at the time of Christ. Rather Jesus announced a "new accessibility of the kingdom to humanity through himself."

 

Willard points out that the Gospel of the Old Testament is that "Our God Reigns!" (Isa 52.7, Psa 96-97, 99; Isa 63.12, Exo 15.18). Instead, Willard explains that when Jesus directs us to pray, "Thy Kingdom come," it is not a come into existence thing, it is come "take over at all points in the personal, social, and political order where it is now excluded 'on earth as it is in heaven.'"

 

Even better...

 

Within his overarching dominion God has created us and has given each of us, like him, a range of will - beginning from our minds and bodies and extending outward, ultimately to a point not wholly predetermined but open to the measure of our faith. His intent is for us to learn to mesh our kingdom with the kingdoms of others. Love of neighbor, rightly understood, will make this happen. But we can only love adequately by taking as our primary aim the integration of our rule with God's. That is why love of neighbor is the second, not the first, commandment and why we are told to seek first the kingdom, or rule of God.

 

Only as we find that kingdom and settle into it can we human beings all reign, or rule, together with God. We will then enjoy individualized "reigns" with neither isolation nor conflict. This is the ideal of human existence for which secular idealism vainly strives. Small wonder that, as Paul says, "Creation eagerly awaits the revealing of God's children" (Rom. 8:19).

 

Lord - let your Kingdom come!

 

Technorati Tags : Dallas+Willard, Kingdom+of+God

the difference

Last night Richard Maybery spoke on an "Open Heaven". There was a lot in there but the key I found was the message of what makes the church different than the world. As a preacher, how am I different than the motivational speaker? As a community of believers, how are we different than a business? As a believer, how am I different than an unbeliever?

 

The answer is the presence of God. That's not to take away from God's omnipresence but He clearly comes in a special way in certain times, on certain people, in certain places. In the end we need His presence to make a real difference in our lives. Do I see the Kingdom of God in my life and the lives of those He has put me in contact with? And of course this is not limited to the believer because it is the presence of God that redeems a person from darkness.

 

It is only by His power that we can have true love, unity, righteousness, peace, joy, emotional healing, physical healing, mental healing, prosperity, and on goes the list...let's not argue the list but rather let's seek His presence and see what He will do.

 

Technorati Tags : Richard+Maybery, Kingdom+of+God, charismata

open hearts

Alan Creech just posted an open hand about a series he's watching from Walking The Bible. The guide went on to the traditional place where it is believed Moses received the 10 Commandments where he spoke briefly with a priest. He asked, as he said he was now going to the summit of the mountain, "what should I listen for?" The priest answered, "the revelation of God is not something that can be predicted, but it is in holy places that we open our hand and it is in the open hand that we receive the gift."

 

As we are experiencing a wonderful time of "signs and wonders" right now, my observation of the difference between those that receive and those that do not, is simply whether or not they have an open hand. Many hearts are laid bare before the Lord and open to all that He wants to give. Others are locked in tradition, false teaching, fear, or simple hardness - and they continue to standby and wonder why the fuss. I pray that our hearts would be open to the fullness of God's grace toward us.

 

Technorati Tags : Alan+Creech, Walking+The+Bible, charismata, prophecy

prophecy?

John MacArthur states in  Our Sufficiency in Christ p87, "Contrary to what many are teaching today, there is no need for additional revelations, visions, or words of prophecy. In contrast to the theories of men, God’s Word is true and absolutely comprehensive. Rather than seeking something more than God’s glorious revelation, Christians need only to study and obey what they already have!"

 

In contrast, Paul writes, in 1 Co 14.1, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."

 

Wayne Grudem, in an interview with  Challies.com, was asked why most Reformed teachers seem to be cessationists, responded with, "The most basic reason, and one which I think everyone can agree on, is a desire to protect the unique authority of the Bible and to protect the closed canon and not to have anything compete with Scripture in authority in our lives. That's a fundamental, deep concern among cessationists and I affirm that concern and I think it's very important to maintain it in the church."

 

I like this. Because of this, I would like to spend more time with cessationists. My dilemma is I have found only a small number who believe that I can also hold to the same view of the authority of Scripture and still conclude that the gifts of the Spirit operate today.

 

It's a shame. I believe we could all benefit and in the meantime, still demonstrate the unity the Word commands.

 

Technorati Tags : prophecy, John+MacArthur, Wayne+Grudem, cessationist, charismata

cessationists

I eventually gave in and subscribed to  Phil Johnson's blog. I found his "You're Probably Cessationist Too" post just too irresistible. I'm amazed at the genius and logic of Phil Johnson, JohnMacArthur, and others - equaled only by their inability to see clearly once they have made up their mind. I thought this post said it all.

I was with him until the end where he concludes that Scripture itself obviously states that the frequency of miracles was on the decline.  I missed that obvious part. He should have ended one paragraph earlier and then he would have demonstrated genius. I found this more interesting because in a later post he said that he hadn't made any actual claims requiring exegesis.

Of course the other flaw is the one not stated. While the assertion that there probably is not anyone (reputable anyway) that is a pure continuationist is true, I suspect that the reason many say they are not Cessationist is in reaction to those that are proud to be cessationist. In practice, those (at least the ones I know) claiming to be cessationist hold to the "all gifts ceased" thinking or arbitrarily choose which gifts continue and which ones do not. And and in the case of the latter, the definition typically goes like this, if someone of our ilk does it, it is ok and if someone we label charismatic does it, it is not.

This has been the source of my frustration. I am happy to say some points are closed, e.g., the canon of Scripture, but I'm not willing to say all has ceased and I refuse to be placed in a category of people that contain guys like these that voice their opinion with so much "venom" (for lack of a better word).

When I read books, listen to podcasts, etc. of guys on both sides of the issue, what I find is those that call themselves "non-cessationists" are using either scripture or their opinion (not so good) to promote their perspective.  When I attempt the same from the cessationist camp what I find is little support for their position, mostly just attacks directed at those outside their group.

 

So, I will continue to read and listen to them. They are brilliant and I think they could actually offer some help. I pray they would find a way of grace and teach on this topic with the same level of attention to Scripture as they do others.

 

Technorati Tags : cessationist, charismatic, continuationist, Phil+Johnson, John+MacArthur

influential christians

The Church Report brings us its list of the Top 50 Most Influential Christians in America. The list doesn't quite match my list but I guess the key words are "influential". The Evangelical Outpost provides use their analysis  here.

 

Personally I missed seeing Dallas Willard, RC Sproul, NT Wright and Francis Schaeffer.

 

Technorati Tags : christians, society

how to read the bible

I feel compelled to jump on the Martin Luther King bandwagon. So let's start with Martin Luther who said, "The Bible is the cradle in which Christ is laid." Christians should approach the Bible in the way that a mother approaches the cradle. It is not the cradle that is the object of their affection or attention but the child found within - for us, this is the living Christ.

 

John Wimber said that there is the menu and there is the meal. You can study and memorize the menu all you want, but the good part is the meal, the knowing God and doing the stuff part. He would caution not to spend all of our time studying the menu without ever eating the meal.

 

Instead, we should practice and obey it Encounter God in and through it and thereby be transformed by it. The menu describers the meal. The Bible is the menu that describes the meal. That is a relationship - real life with Jesus. We shouldn't eat the menu - we should eat the meal. Nourishment and strength come as you enjoy the meal, not as you eat the menu.

 

In order to be a biblical Christian, it is not enough to read / study / and memorize the Bible / and have right doctrine. Those are important, but we must learn to handle the word of truth responsibly and correctly and become and do what the Bible really says.

 

Which leads to Martin Luther King, Jr. - "There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But they went on with the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," and had to obey God rather than man. They were small in number but big in commitment."

 

We need to know the menu but because we read through "Christocentric" eyes, that must lead to transformation. And that transformation should result in something like a thermostat rather than a thermometer. Are you increasing your knowledge or are you increasing your impact? How are we, the body of Christ, affecting the community around us?

 

Technorati Tags : Martin+Luther, Martin+Luther+King, John+Wimber, Bible

rick ianniello trivia

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Rick ianniello!

1. The canonical hours of the Christian church are matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, rick ianniello and compline!
2. Without rick ianniello, we would have to pollinate apple trees by hand.
3. Rick ianniello is picked, sorted and packed entirely in the field!
4. Neil Armstrong first stepped on rick ianniello with his left foot!
5. The average human spends about 30 days during their life in rick ianniello.
6. It takes forty minutes to hard-boil rick ianniello!
7. It can take rick ianniello several days to move just through one tree.
8. To check whether rick ianniello is safe to eat, drop him in a bowl of water; rotten rick ianniello will sink, and fresh rick ianniello will float.
9. The porpoise is second to rick ianniello as the most intelligent animal on the planet.
10. Every day in the UK, four people die putting rick ianniello on!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

sex and tv

This just in...

ROME (Reuters) - Thinking of buying a TV for the bedroom? Think again -- it could ruin your sex life. A study by an Italian sexologist has found that couples who have a TV set in their bedroom have sex half as often as those who don't.

"If there's no television in the bedroom, the frequency (of sexual intercourse) doubles," said Serenella Salomoni whose team of psychologists questioned 523 Italian couples to see what effect television had on their sex lives.

On average, Italians who live without TV in the bedroom have sex twice a week, or eight times a month. This drops to an average of four times a month for those with a TV, the study found.

For the over-50s the effect is even more marked, with the average of seven couplings a month falling to just 1.5 times.

The study found certain programs are far more likely to impede passion than others. Violent films will put a stop to sexual relations for half of all couples, while reality shows stem passion for a third of couples.

I wasn't sure if I should post this but in an effort to be "wholistic".

Technorati Tags : sex, tv

obedience

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."   —  John 14:21

The call to Christ is the call to obedience. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "Only those who obey can believe, and only those who believe can obey."

Technorati Tags : Bonhoeffer, obedience

giving sermon

I spoke at ICF  yesterday about giving and it went well. My intent was not so much that they would buy into my message but that this message would stir their hearts; causing them to go to God's Word to search for themselves what they should be doing in the area of financial giving. The feedback I received was just that. I had several comments that included the word "challenging". Thanks be to God for working through me.

 

I especially liked the words of one of the songs that the band did, "I Give You My Heart" by Reuben Morgan. I repeated it as a closing prayer and asked that we consider what the words really mean when we say that we give God our all.

 

This is my desire
To honor You
Lord with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You

 

Chorus:
Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have Your way in me

 

Technorati Tags : giving

iPod jeans

Press Release -The Levi’s® brand, the denim authority, is launching a wearable technology revolution with the introduction of new Levi’s® RedWire™ DLX Jeans available worldwide in fall 2006. Designed for both men and women, the jeans seamlessly integrate iPod plug and play technology giving music enthusiasts the most innovative and fashionable way to enjoy music on the go. The jean is designed to be compatible with most iPod systems and features include a special joystick incorporated into the jeans watch pocket to enable easy operation of the iPod.

 

Easy Pocket Storage – An iPod docking cradle is built into the jeans and is “invisibly” housed within a side pocket. The Levi’s® design team took special care to ensure the iPod unit remains neatly and securely stored in the jean, while the iPod “bump” in the pocket is virtually eliminated. The cradle is equipped with sophisticated technology housed in a red conductive ribbon that allows users to quickly and easily remove their iPod from the pocket to view its screen while staying connected. The jean is machine washable once the iPod is removed.

“Hip” Controls – A special joystick remote control is externally designed into the jeans watch pocket to enable operation of the iPod. Four-way controls allow the wearer to easily play/pause, track forward, track back and adjust the volume control without ever removing the iPod from the pocket.

Handy Wire Retractor – A handy retractable headphone unit has been built directly into the jean to help prevent tangles and efficiently manage the iPod earphone wires.

 

Wow! Wonder if they will be in my size and loose fit? Doubt it...

 

Technorati Tags : Levi's, iPod

middle school

Barb and I spent time with ICF's middle schoolers. The group calls themselves 180 (the "repentance" thing). Sixteen young people (4 boys and 12 girls) between 12 and 14 years old. I want to say a special thanks to those of you (Julia, Jamie, Chris, Bill, Lilli) that have a gift to work with this group on a regular basis - it must be God that gives you the strength.

Lilli led us through a discussion relative to sharing Christ; why we witness, what we witness, how we witness, and why we don't always feel free to witness.

Technorati Tags : 180, youth

isaiah

I have a godly, wonderful son. At 16, he is already a great man - full of compassion, tenderness, and love. I give God thanks for this special young man.

 

Technorati Tags : isaiah

throwing off cloaks

As I think more about "throwing off our cloaks" to press in toward Jesus (referencing Bartimaeus,  Mk 10.46-52), I am reminded of how much we struggle in our "churches" because we have so much built around tradition. I love what I read about in the "emergent" world yet I still cling so strongly to my tradition. On one hand, I pray God would help to free my mind and my spirit. On the other, I pray He would guard my heart from developing a spirit of contempt toward tradition.

 

I love quoting Francis Schaeffer, "we must say all that the Bible says, and we must not say what it does not say."

 

I pray that God would help church leaders understand the difference.

 

Technorati Tags : Schaeffer, emergent, cloaks, tradition

nooma

Dan Wilt has reminded me (via his blog) that Nooma has got some great material available. I have used the videos with success as small group and youth group discussion starters. These video pieces are less than 15 minutes each and present thought provoking, Biblical topics in an easy to listen to friendly manner.

I’m pleased to introduce here Rob Bell and NOOMA .

Their DVDs are great, and they cast a vote toward a kinder, gentler, more humane approach to the Christianity and culture interface. Rob is the main guy at the Mars Hill community .

I’m for them and their success. Watch some of the clips at their site. Innovative and fresh ways of communicating.

His new book, Velvet Elvis: Repainting The Christian Faith , is available at Amazon. Promises to be a good read.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags : Nooma, Wilt, Small+Groups, Youth, DVD

sinners?

This morning I'm pondering why so many preachers and teachers work to convince believers that they are sinners or have sin. I see clearly that we do sin but reminding us of that doesn't seem to be the goal of the NT writers. I see Jesus saying that when we sin we have an avenue for forgiveness (Mt 6.12) and John clearly stating that we lie if we say we do not sin (1 Jn 1.5-8).  But John's  statement is couched in a passage (as was Jesus') about  forgiveness. More so, John stressed that if we "walk in darkness" we do not have fellowship with him.

Net, I see Scripture teaching that we are new creations and have the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5.16-21).It seems the direct teaching of Scripture is that we need to put off the old ways since we are made new (Romans). I just don't track with the teaching point that believers are sinners. It seems Satan does enough of that and our role as teachers is to teach propitiation and justification. And then, when we do sin, we have an advocate from whom we receive forgiveness.

So I say, just as I used to offer my body to sin, I now offer my body to holiness (Ro 6.19). Please let me know your thoughts - especially if you see from Scripture the need to teach the sinfulness of a believer - I'm missing it.

 

Technorati Tags : righteousness, propitiation, justification

taut romania

This year, 7-16 April, theYouth Compass gang are returning toTaut, Romania to continue work on the kid's camp for the ghetto children in Aran. Both Angela and Isaiah are able to go. I am proud that both of my children desire to serve others. I pray this would be a pattern for their entire lives.

Technorati Tags : YouthCompass, Project+Compassion

the holidays are over

The holidays are really over now. I got up early this morning because Barb is in bed sick. I had to get the kids up (more than once) for their first day back to school, cleaned some dishes, let the dog out, etc.. I made myself some coffee (LavAzza), tried to make it up the stairs quietly in the dark, spilled the coffee, ended up making a lot of noise and turning on the lights anyway...some days it's tough to sound spiritual.

Now I start work on the sermon for this weekend. As mentioned before, it's about giving. I do not share the popular view on tithing and I am finding it easy to communicate what I see as the right new testament teaching. My struggle is that because so many believe in tithing, I wanted to paint a clear picture of what that looks like from an old testament perspective. Wow - the Law is quite a maze. I have spent days reading and rereading the tithing passages and it isn't easy to untangle. That alone makes me wonder why so many are bent on teaching it. I can capture the heart of it but the details ... fahgeddaboutit!

Technorati Tags: giving, LavAzza,

mayonnaise and coffee

An old one but still good...

Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the liquid into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

So…Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Right now I feel I need to have some coffee with some small group leaders and some nearby church-planters.

Technorati Tags : mayonnaise, coffee, time+management

bartimaeus

Gayle Claxton of Voice In The City (and formerly of Christ For All Nations) did a excellent job of leading us (International Christian Fellowship) through 4 hours of prayer. This began with an exposition of the healing of Bartimaeus (Mark 10.46-52); relating it to prayer.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us! (Isa 61) The question we have to ask now is if we, as both individuals and as a community, will do as Bartimaeus, i.e., cry out to Jesus, throw off our cloaks, rise up, and go to Him? The "cloak" piece really spoke to me. It was his coat in cold weather, his bedding at night, perhaps even he even used it to sit on as he begged. It is even suggested that this was a special cloak identifying him as blind - that is it was his identity. So whether this was something he depended on or whether it represented who/what he was, he cast it aside to come to Jesus. I want to live my life with more abandon and press through the crowd to Christ.

I pray that the community heard both that His Spirit is upon us and also that we need to make a move toward Christ. I think the cloak can symbolize our tradition and programs. Clearly we are too often found sitting. And so on goes the analogy. As a community, we must also abandon the things that trip us up as we try to press through to Christ.

Technorati Tags : Bartimaeus, Claxton, prayer, CFAN, VoiceInTheCity

apgar

The very first test given a newborn, the Apgar score, occurs right after the baby is born.

 

As Christians, we exist to give life, i.e., life to life. Healthy Christians give birth to healthy Christians, healthy small groups give birth to healthy small groups, and healthy churches give birth to healthy churches. Perhaps we should immediately apply the Apgar test...

• Activity (muscle tone) - active, spontaneous movement. Rather than forced command, it is the power of love that moves us. We do not have to be conviced to move.
• Pulse - heart rate is normal. Our heart beats with God's heart. We love what He loves and hate what He hates. Our pulse is a symptom that our heart is beating with; it is in sync with His.
• Grimmace (reflex irritability) - reflexive response of sneezing, coughing, pulling away. When we come to life in Christ we reflexively grimmace from sin and the snare of the enemy to entangle us. Our life now is naturally different than our life before being born again
• Appearance (skin color) - normal color over the entire body. When are connected to God our countenance changes. We reflect joy and peace in all situations. We are content.
• Respiration - breathing. We breathe deeply the very breath of God and only with that life us, we have something to give away.

These thoughts prompted by Erwin McManus.

Technorati Tags : birth, apgar, McManus

jazz

"Music is the language that everyone can understand" - Russ Spiegel last night at the Jazz Keller in Hanau. Wow! Great jazz!

 

Technorati Tags : jazz, Spiegel

communicating today

"It is much more comfortable, of course, to go on speaking the gospel only in familiar phrases to the middle classes. But that would be as wrong as, for example, if Hudson Taylor had sent missionaries to China and then told them to learn only one of three separate dialects that the people spoke. In such a case, only one group out of three could hear the gospel. We cannot imagine Hudson Taylor being so hard-hearted. Of course he knew men do not believe without a work of the Holy Spirit, and his life was a life of prayer for this to happen; but he also knew that men cannot believe without hearing the gospel. Each generation of the Church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting.

In a parallel way we are being as overwhelmingly unfair, even selfish, towards our own generation...The reason often we cannot speak to our children, let alone other people's, is because we have not taken the time to understand how different their thought-forms are from ours...So what is said in this book is not merely a matter of intellectual debate. It is not of interest only to academics. It is utterly crucial for those of us who are serious about communicating the Christian gospel in the twentieth century."

-Francis Schaeffer, Escape from Reason

Technorati Tags: Schaeffer, communication

isaiah's music

My son Isaiah is a talented musician. I've posted some of his work in the left column. He has written (or co-written) and produced the following:

• unnamed
• new song of doom
• emancipated trepidation
• slow dance
• jam session

Under the links in the left column you will find these plus some video of Free Parking (his band) and some other pieces he has played/recorded/produced.

Technorati Tags : isaiah, music, video

countries visited

I've been to the countries in red - still a lot of the world to experience. So far only 31 countries (or 13% of the total possible).



create your own visited countries map

god's keynote speech

From the CatholicInsider

Technorati Tags : keynote+speech

more giving

From the guys at liquidthinking:

Paying Taxes to Caesar
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this?And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's--exactly 10% of your income."

And they were amazed at him and wondered if he meant 10% of the gross income or after taxes.

 

Technorati Tags : giving

kentuckyfriedcruelty.com

I just received this story and then made the huge mistake of following up on it...this led me to pray for the Lord's quick return...

 

PETA Staffer Changes Name to Protest KFC
Dec 30, 1:52 PM (ET)

NEW YORK (AP) - A 19-year-old PETA staffer has legally changed his name to KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.

Chris Garnett, youth outreach coordinator for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said he changed his name in support of the group's anti-KFC campaign.

"People don't believe me at first when I tell them my name, but it never fails to spark a discussion," Garnett, er, KentuckyFriedCruelty.com, said in a statement. "Many vow to boycott KFC after I explain the company's indifference to cruelty to animals."

Norfolk, Va.-based PETA's complaints against KFC stem from video footage shot last year recording alleged mistreatment of birds at a Pilgrim's Pride Corp. plant in Moorefield, W.Va. The plant is a KFC supplier.

Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, has disputed the claims of mistreatment. In June, a grand jury refused to indict former workers at the West Virginia chicken plant.

"Stacked" star Pamela Anderson, who has narrated a PETA video showing the alleged abuse, supports Garnett's name change.

"I'm sure Chris can't wait 'till KFC stops torturing chickens so he can change his name back," the actress said in a statement, adding that the chicken abuse "is awful and has to stop."

http://www.KentuckyFriedCruelty.com

 

Technorati Tags : humor, chicken, PETA

personal funny

Barb was finishing her shopping today and as she was putting her cart back to get her deposit, another women approahed her. The lady gave Barb her cart and said Barb could keep the coin. Barb's question, "am I dressed that badly?"

 

Technorati Tags : humor, Barb

why iraq

Why Iraq? "A Teens Response to a Moonbat Cartoonist" by Michelle Malkin.

Technocracy Tags : Iraq, Malkin

church mission

Today I spoke at International Baptist Church of Düsseldorf. We looked at the mission of the church from Eph 3.10, i.e., to make known the wisdom of God to rulers and authorities in heavenly realms.

• "rulers & authorities" are supernatural beings, in league with Satan, having an influence on the course of this age, its people, inventions, and institutions. They are bent on man's destruction.
• "the wisdom of God" is that in Christ's death on the cross, He purchased not just eternal life for individuals who trust Him; He purchased and formed a new people, the church, to pour out the riches of His blessings. He is knitting us together as His Holy Temple (Eph 2.20-21). The cross of Christ to not only reconcile man to God but to reconcile man to each other is the wisdom and mystery of God (1 Co 1.23-24).
• "to make known" this wisdom is to demonstrate that God's plan works. To show a plan to be wise, it should work. Therefore we must live in community. We must show that not only has Christ redeemed us individually from darkness, but also that He has broken the dividing wall that once separated man from man. We are now one body, united under the headship of Christ. We love each other even when others hurt or are hurting us.

Artist, teacher, and theologian Francis Schaeffer (more) once wrote, "I am convinced that in the 20th century people all over the world will not listen if we have the right doctrine, the right polity, but are not exhibiting community. There is no use saying you have community or love for each other if it does not get down into the tough stuff of life."

"Church" is about people from many different backgrounds and cultures coming together in real life situations day in and day out to pursue God. Will we demonstrate by the way we live that God's plan is wise and is not failing?

Technorati Tags : church+mission, Schaeffer

new year

From Dan Wilt:

On the precipice of the New Year, I’d like to pose a question, for you, for me and for the emerging generations:

“Who, in the past year, has been bettered, encouraged, strengthened, healed – by the life that you live?”

Technorati Tags : Wilt, New+Year

horace

Quotes by Horace (Ancient Roman Poet 65 - 8 BC)

 

“Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.”

 

“No man ever reached to excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation”

 

“Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.”

 

“Cease to inquire what the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.”

 

“Nothing's beautiful from every point of view.”

 

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans; it's lovely to be silly at the right moment”

 

“Rule your mind or it will rule you”

 

“Anger is a momentary madness, so control your passion or it will control you.”

 

“Your own safety is at stake when your neighbor's house is ablaze”

 

“The one who cannot restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do.”

 

Technorati Tags : Horace, quotes

god around us

Selective sensory perceptive is the thing that keeps our brain from overloading. There's an over abundance of information coming at us. This built in "filter" is what let's us focus and not become overwhelmed. It is what allows you to read this text and not be bothered by all of the other distractions on your screen. It is what allows us to say, "he came out of nowhere" after being in a car crash. It is how we are able to be hit in the face by a ball when we simply need to duck - we just don't see it coming. SSP can be good and bad, helpful and not so helpful.

 

So it is not that something is not there - it is often simply that we don't notice it or it doesn't fit our thinking (i.e., worldview). In science, data can be ignored or misinterpreted if they do not fit our paradigm. As we relate that to God, this is how the lost can wonder where He is while the redeemed can see Him in everything. The famous "slip of the tongue" by experimental social psychologist Thane Pittman sums it up,“I’ll see it when I believe it.”

 

This is how we can honestly state the paradox that God's invisible qualities can be clearly seen (Ro 1.20). No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit (John 3.1-21). To see the King we must believe differently. To believe differently, we most be made alive by His effectual grace.

 

For more, read Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul (or read the Bible - any version will do).

 

Technorati Tags : selective+sensory+perception, Pittman, Kingdom+of+God, Sproul

qumana trick

My biggest frustration with Qumana was relative to making my blog links open in new windows (or tabs). I typed the text and then inserted the link using the "link" icon. Then I posted the blog and went to the blogger editor. In addition to it being a two step process, the font(or whatever) was a mess and I couldn't type target= "_blank" . I typed this on a notepad and then had to copy and paste to the blogger editor.

But I just found that when I drag the original link into the Qumana drop content box (not the editor), it will be set to open in a new window. Then I simply type the text I want over the link and it works fine.

 

Technorati Tags : qumana

not photoblog

Sorry for the confusion - I started thinking this was a photoblog...it's not. It will not happen again.

 

:-)

weihnachtsmarkt

Photos taken from our trip to Nuremberg and Rothenburg.

Technorati Tags : photography, Nuremberg, Rothenburg

html school

W3 schools - they're right, the best things in life are free.

 

Now all I need is to learn how to get Qumana to allow me to set (or better yet default) with links opening to a new window.

 

Technorati Tags : html, Qumana

just passing through

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. — Psalm 33:11

Did you realize that in the next ten minutes, some 1,200 people will die? But, you won’t hear any special news reports about these deaths. You see, the CIA’s world fact book (2003) estimates that in the world, two people die every second. We hear, read or see a lot about deaths due to violence, war, disease and accidents. Yet, it amazes me to consider just how many people die of all causes. Approximately 56.7 million people die every year! There’s just no escaping the fact that everyone dies sooner or later from one cause or another. These statistics bring to the forefront of our thoughts just how temporary we all are.

At this writing, I’m currently in my mid-40s. For me, time seems to be moving faster and faster and it is strange to think that based on an average lifespan, I have fewer ticks of the clock left than those that have already gone by. I’m also reminded, however, that our time on earth is not the entire story. God’s story – His plan for the world, if you will – is continually unfolding. And, everyone – believers and unbelievers alike – have a role to play. Make no mistake about it: You are part of God’s story! God has chosen that people be given temporary charge of the planet. Further, Christ-followers are given temporary charge as God’s ambassadors – His personal representatives to be His messengers to enlarge His place in the hearts and minds of people. With these “charges” also come responsibility and accountability.

According to the Scriptures, there really will be a judgment day where we will have to give an account for our stewardship. In a world of 6.4 billion people, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that in God’s story, every person matters. You may feel sometimes like just another lemming in the crowd on the way to the end of the cliff! But, I believe that what God said to Jeremiah applies to each person, “before you were born, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).

In God’s story, you matter! We may not be able to see beyond the current chapter of how our lives play out in His story. But as Christ-followers, I do know this: Our most important tasks involve doing the necessary things that lead to growth in our relationship with Jesus so that we may – in ever-increasing fashion – reflect Jesus in all we do. In this way, we pass-on this unfolding story of what God has done and what He is doing in the world. Then, at the end of our days, we can rest assured that we have kept the plot moving along.

Technorati Tags : devotional

empowering leadership

From Wolfgang Simson, Houses that Change the World,

Technorati Tags : leadership

christmas or god's days

I waited until after christmas for this post. There is much written against the practice of christmas (and easter); here is a sampling:

• Rick Miesel
• Charles Halff
• Word of God Christian Bible Studies
• I'll leave off the case against Easter for now...

I have found much ugliness and contradiction in this season. I was recently confronted for use of an image in an advertisement for a church event. The image contained a photo of the astrological clock in Prague - a site visited by many without a thought of it's "evil" origins. Yet on Sunday I God's people worship in the presence of a larger than life tree with all of the traditional trimmings and practices. The speaker even asks the children what they got for Christmas. I wonder how the kids of those that do not celebrate Christmas feel.

Some years ago my family and I made an agreement that we would "celebrate" the season, i.e., we would have traditional decorations, etc., but we would do it only to invite someone that was alone or in need into our home. We would use the season to reach out and touch other lives. This year we failed. We did it all simply for ourselves. And so I write this post not to convince you to stop celebrating christmas but to encourage you to ask yourself why. Be careful when you answer that you are honest with yourself and God. And then, be aware how easily sin ensnares us so that even when we start with good intentions we do not always end that way. I am more determined than ever to not have this happen to me again. In addition, I will begin a study of the Biblical festivals. We've learned the way of the world but have lost sight of the feasts that God commanded. I look forward to bringing these into our family tradition.

Technorati Tags : Christmas

merry christmas

The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. (The Message)

Jesus said "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near." and then he went around "preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Co 4.20)

Merry Christmas - experience the presence and the power of the King!

 

 

Technorati Tags : photography, Christmas

café

Earlier in the week I hid out in a warm café with Angela and Isaiah as Barb ran store to store shopping in Nuremberg.

Technorati Tags : photography, Nuremberg

more kingdom of god

In the Wikipedia link for the Kingdom of God, it was noted that this theology was “popularized” in the 1950’s. Whenever talking Scripture, I love things that are refreshing but get nervous if I hear something that is new. I found comfort in Ac 28.23, 30-31.

We also find the Kingdom of God mentioned 43 times in Matthew, 14 times in Mark, and 32 times in Luke. But it seems John's focus is on eternal life and Paul's is on salvation in Christ. We can however find an interpretive key in Lk 18.18-29 that helps. Here we see that Jesus saw eternal life and salvation as synonymous to the Kingdom of God. Eternal life is literally life in the age to come and that life begins right here and now. We have a foretaste of what is coming (He 6.5) which is why Jesus tells us to pray that His Kingdom would come to us here just as it already is in heaven (Mt 6.10). So good news - it's not new, just refreshing!

Technorati Tags : Kingdom+of+God

more web 2.0

Marlin commented that with web 2.0, “it is only leaders / self-starters that mingle there. Most people still prefer f2f. But for lonely leaders that strive for like-mindedness that they often don't find in church, web 2.0 is a great place to connect.” I agree yet there’s more.

For me, I like the web community more and more (google, gmail, del.icio.us, firefox, blogs - especially photoblogs - etc. - not myspace). I think Marlin’s statement regarding who will value web 2.0 will always be true but less so if the technical knowledge gap many of us have could be closed a little. For example, I typically do not read my own blog so I do not always notice comments. Is there a notifier? How do I reply and how would the commenter know I replied? Other examples are simple composition items such as; I cannot figure out how to post my picture. I've added a jpg url in settings but I suspect that I have previously modified the template source code so that now the picture does not show. Plus simple things like indenting, bullets, etc.. Lack of easy control of these things hinder the desire to use this form of community. Yet as Marlin notes, the determined will press on – and I’m determined.

In the end, I suppose that's why so many Christians prefer the public space, i.e., going to "church" on Sunday rather than small group or things of that nature. The public space allows connecting yet maintains a sense of safety through anonymity with the added bonus of requiring the least amount of effort. As a church leader, the challenge for me is to value that but also work to (1) break down barriers in the other spaces and (2) affect the culture in a way that passion for these spaces increases. So I guess it is good that I am struggling with technology; it reminds me daily of what others feel as they attempt to connect through forms that seem foreign to them.

Technorati Tags : web+2.0, community

tv quotes

I'm scraping the bottom today...these are from some recent unhealthy television watching...

Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Winslow Crane on men, "How can we possibly use sex to get what we want? Sex is what we want!"

And just in time for the seasion, Bart Simpson, “Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ” and “Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa.”

web 2.0 community

I picked this up from emergent-us. It’s from Kester Brewin, author of The Complex Christ."It's my hunch that the reason most people go to church is not because of a theological foundation of belief, but because of an emotional need to connect and belong. And I also don't believe that this is wrong. Our message should be one of 'God says you belong', and if they then work out the theology of why they belong, that's great. But if they don't, they should still be allowed to be loved and enjoy belonging."Joseph Myers, in The Search to Belong, developed sociologist Edward Hall’s theories that link physical space and culture. He defines four “spaces” in terms of distance to others in that space. Myers adds the social aspect.

• Public (12 feet+); people may want anonymity but they do not want to be strangers.
  
• Social (4 – 12 feet); I want to know you but at a safe distance. Here we share snapshots of who we are. It provides a safe place for the selection process if I want to become more intimate with someone. In this space I can share a little of who I am as well as the process which got me here – but I do not have move to full disclosure. I could choose to create an illusion.
  
• Personal (18 inches – 4 feet); this is friendship but not full naked disclosure.
  
• Intimate (0 – 18 inches); one-on-one relationships that involve full disclosure of much of life. Relative to church ministry, I don’t think there is a ministry equivalent of this. I think it is a healthy product of the above.

In all four spaces:

• we connect
  
• we are committed and participate
  
• we find the connection significant

Building community entails allowing people to grow significant relationships in all for spaces. As we help people with their lives, we need to allow them to live in the spaces they choose. We can encourage them to belong in the space that is comfortable for them at the time, treating them as a significant part of the “family” in whichever space they choose. It is about giving people the room to decide how they want to belong.In light of Brewin’s work, I wonder if Web 2.0 needs to be added as a fifth space.Regardless, the summary is well put by Brewin. “As our thoughts and opinions buzz around the blogal village, as news and views from very strange and different places are piped into our consciousness, as we log off and turn to our neighbors, it’s this truth that we must hold dearest…you are the Body of Christ (1 Co 12.12-30)!”

2 days off...

I'm overdue for time with my family. Tomorrow we drive to Nürnberg to enjoy the Weihnachtsmarkt. It is the oldest in Germany dating back to 1628. We plan to spend the night there and then drive back through Rothenburg ob der Tauber via the Romantisches Strasse (Romantic Road). My goal is to enjoy the sites, enjoy my wife, and attempt not to use these two days as time to lecture them on my expectations for their lives...pray for me. For you, if you are not listening to Erwin McManus for inspiration and Rich Nathan for theology, you are missing out.I am looking forward to getting my iTrip (black of course) so that I can listen via FM in the car. My only hurdle now is that I cannot sort out how to play at higher speed. The iPod plays audio books at fast speed but I cannot see how to play podcasts that way - oh well, still an improvement from pre-iPod days.

Technorati Tags : McManus, Nathan, iPod

lego versus play-doh

Erwin McManus of Mosiac, teaches us to think of our lives as "Play-doh" rather than "Lego". When we approach God as Lego we ask him to add more pieces, i.e., to continue to build us up. When we come to Him as Play-doh we are yielded and moldable in His hands. As Christian’s our desire is to become like Christ.Phil 2.5-11; Christ, who was the very nature of God, did not consider that something to be used but rather humbled Himself to the point of death. I doubt very much that most of us have considered that this is what we should be desiring as we say that we desire to be like Christ.

Technorati Tags : McManus, Play-doh, Lego

reformed humor

Just enough time tonight for a little reformed humor...

Technorati Tags : reformed+theology, humor

giving

Reinforcing the definite link between our spiritual conversion and our relationship to money, I read a hard saying this morning from Mt 25.14-30. In this parable, the servant didn't misuse the resources given by the master. He didn't use these for sinful or selfish purposes. But by simply not using the resources for good, he had them taken away. Somehow our hearts allow us this much. But the hard saying is this, the servant is referred to as "wicked and lazy". Moreover, the master instructs, "throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This is everlasting separation from our God and Father. To be truly born again means to have the spirit of God radically change us. If this change is not manifested in outward behavior, we must discern if there was any real inner change. Our relationship to money is one of the greatest challenges we face and an excellent plumb line by which to gage our spiritual health.

Technorati Tags : giving

kingom of god

In preparation for our upcoming conference with Richard Maybery, I submit this link for orientation to Kingdom theology.Or for a more complete understanding, read "The Kingdom and the Power" by Greig, Packer, and Springer. And if one really wants to understand it, there is always the Bible.

Technorati Tags : Maybery, Kingdom+of+God

giving

Rich Nathan, VCF –Columbus, OH, teaches two kinds of Christianity; grapefruit versus chocolate milk. In grapefruit Christianity we have our lives in sections. Perhaps we have completely given over one part to Christ but there are other areas where He is not invited or has little impact. With chocolate milk Christianity, Christ is mixed in and affects the whole of life…it is radically changed. This is the message I want to communicate as I preach in January regarding our relationship to money. Our relationship with Christ must result in a radical change in our relationship to money. We cannot separate the two. Billy Graham said, "Every person's checkbook is a theological document. It tells you who and what they worship." Hundreds of years ago Martin Luther said, "People go through three conversions: their heads, their hearts, and their pocketbook. Unfortunately, they do not go through these three conversions at the same time."

Technorati Tags : giving

old versus new

My sermon will be on the topic of giving. There’s constantly the tension between the popular tithing message, the principle of sowing and reaping, and the concept of cheerful and generous giving. I think I may use St. Augustine’s help, “The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed. The New is in the Old contained, the Old is in the New explained. The New is in the Old enfolded, the Old Testament is in the New unfolded.”

Technorati Tags : Augustine, giving

sermon podcasts

A friend recently asked what podcasts I like. Here’s who I’m listening to (or considering listening to):

Vineyard Church – Columbus, OH – a lot of scripture and often unique insight. Rich Nathan is solid. I’ve met him several times and he has truly made an impact for the Kingdom.

Vineyard Church – Cambridge, MA – Dave Schmelzer is contemporary and well organized. I haven’t listened to much of his stuff yet but I suspect I will continue. A downside is this is not available via podcast – must manually download from site.

Vineyard Church – Champaign, IL – I used to know Hap Lehman and back then he was very motivational and spiritually challenging. I have not had a chance to listen to him recently.

Mosiac – Los Angeles – Erwin McManus, like Schmelzer, is contemporary and presents the message well. I haven’t listened to much yet but expect that I will like him more and more over time.

Desiring God Radio – I haven’t checked this out yet. I also have never listened to Piper live but I covet his written material. He is the best reformed theology preacher (at least in written form) today. Desiring God Sermons (Audio) (Resource) (email subscription) – same as above; I haven’t listened to the audio of his sermons but use his resource library regularly and receive his emails.

Grace To You – Ah, John MacArthur, the paradox…brilliant teacher but hater of anything that comes close to charisma. His detest for charismatics (and similar streams) color his teaching so much that it is often hard to keep tuned in. But if you can manage, there’s some gold in there.

Vineyard Church – Cincinnati, OH – probably my home fellowship starting in August. Dave Workman is contemporary and challenging. A downside is this is not available via podcast – must manually download from site. Net – the best theological speaker is Rich Nathan at Columbus (but his speaking mannerisms are tough for me). If his spoken message is well delivered, then I expect John Piper to become tops in that category. In terms of speaking style, Nathan and Piper are not at the top but the jury is still out on who is.

Technorati Tags : podcasts, sermons

preaching prep

I preach in a few weeks and in preparation I am reminded of Karl Barth’s (not recommended) words, “As theologians, we ought to speak of God. We are, however, human beings and as such cannot speak of God. We ought to recognize both our obligation and our inability – and precisely in that recognition give God the glory. This is our affliction [Bedrängnis]. Everything else is mere child’s play.” Scott Black Johnston builds on that in Theology for Preaching; Authority, Truth and Knowledge of God in a Postmodern Ethos, (also not recommended) by saying, “The preacher’s predicament ... requires that an attitude of humility infuse faithful proclamation. For ultimately, the truth of our preaching is not dependent on our rational ability to uncover and dispense the gospel, but on the promise and activity of God.” I am trying a new approach as I prepare. I am spending less time developing the material and more time asking God to simply show up and manifest His power.

Technorati Tags : Johnston, preaching

living life together

Last night we studied 1 Thessalonians 2. The more I read Scripture the more clearly I see the role of small groups in the life of the body. I’m amazed by proponents of various other ministries in place of small groups. While I value these expressions of service, none of them can compare to the value of small group participation nor find their root as clearly in Scripture.

In Thessalonians we looked at how Paul “delighted to share with [them] not only the gospel of God but [his life] as well.” I love the principle. My amazement with Paul (and my struggle with myself) is that Paul is able to share life, showing up at the appropriate time as mother, brother, and even father. My “toolkit” is not as diverse. I pray to put on the fullness of Christ, to be able to be all things to all people, and to be useful for the Kingdom in every way God places before me.

Technorati Tags : community, small+groups

missional

Today in a meeting I used the word “missional”. Not only did Microsoft not like the word, but it also felt a little foreign to the group. Interestingly, I later read “Becoming God’s Missional People” in Cutting Edge. Here are a couple of quotes from that article:

“As a missional people, we are not commissioned to go out and do what we think God wants done, but we are to do what He is doing.”

Isaiah 49.6, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."

“When talking about what God is doing in our lives and what the purpose of our life is, we have to remember that we are on a mission with God. He’s on a mission; therefore, as his people, we are on his mission.”

I’m praying for ways to reach those outside the community. I seem to have allowed work within the body to consume me and limit my exposure outside of the body. This is not healthy.

Technorati Tags : community, missional

learning

“The problem with being self-taught is often the teacher.” The Photoshop Guys

Technorati Tags : philoshophy