This Easter we are going to serve breakfast!
We did this a few weeks ago and it was so good, and so fun, we decided to do it on Easter Sunday. It is free. There is a sign up in the foyer so that we can know how many people to expect for breakfast. This is a great chance to invite a friend.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Day Off Adventure
Next week I will be out of town all week. So, I took Monday off to spend with my kids and wife. We went to Planet Fun and used some gift cards from Christmas. We were all exhausted from the trip and from crawling through the tunnels.
Stinky Place
On Sunday I began a short series of messages on Jonah. I think that his story is particularly applicable to believers today because he is an example of a believer who was unwilling to speak for God outside his religious sub-culture. He was a prophet to the people of Israel. But, when God asked him to prophecy outside the confines of his religious group he ran from the task.
We preach hard when we are in a board meeing, small group lesson, Sunday school class, or Christian retreat setting. But, put the typical believer in another setting and suddenly they hide who they are and what they believe.
Running from God gets us in stinky places. Jonah was in the stomach of a fish. It is not pretty to talk about, but it was a bio-bladder filled with seafood vomit. That is a stinky place to be.
Here is something encouraging if you are in a stinky place. God lifts people out of stinky places. In John 11 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead over the objections of Lazarus' sister who said, "By now he stinks!" God lifted Joseph and Jeremiah out of pits. I wonder what the lions den smelled like? When tossed in the fiery furnace the God fearing survivors did not even smell like smoke.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 uses the idea of smelling good to illustrate the way we can effect the world. God wants to help you smell good. God saves people from stinky places through Jesus Christ.
We preach hard when we are in a board meeing, small group lesson, Sunday school class, or Christian retreat setting. But, put the typical believer in another setting and suddenly they hide who they are and what they believe.
Running from God gets us in stinky places. Jonah was in the stomach of a fish. It is not pretty to talk about, but it was a bio-bladder filled with seafood vomit. That is a stinky place to be.
Here is something encouraging if you are in a stinky place. God lifts people out of stinky places. In John 11 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead over the objections of Lazarus' sister who said, "By now he stinks!" God lifted Joseph and Jeremiah out of pits. I wonder what the lions den smelled like? When tossed in the fiery furnace the God fearing survivors did not even smell like smoke.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 uses the idea of smelling good to illustrate the way we can effect the world. God wants to help you smell good. God saves people from stinky places through Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Pregnant
I am pregnant with posts!!!
I have a ton of posts in my mind and several on paper notes from the weekend. But it is 5:45 and I got to go.
I have a ton of posts in my mind and several on paper notes from the weekend. But it is 5:45 and I got to go.
Weekend Rewind
It is Tuesday and I am just getting around to the Weekend Rewind!
Sunday was a snowy day. I love snowy Sundays when we don't cancel church. There is an extra sense of effort and passion in my heart because those who are present really are showing a sense of faithfulness and tenacity that many believers lack today. It is also a chance for me to shovel snow and spread salt away from home. Fun.
I mentioned a problem with worship in the first service that was really weird for everyone there because they obviously did not notice the problem. But, everyone on the worship team noticed and were distracted. Well, we were right. Someone had changed the settings on the sound board and we found out who it was. We love him very much and so he is forgiven. Since everyon worshiped with the same passion as always, it is also forgotten. (For you First AG insiders, the clue to who did it was in the chair that we found on the roof. I bought a padlock today.)
Second service worship was much more smooth.
We had several great Small Group experiences this weekend too. Thanks to all who are so passionate about their group.
Sunday was a snowy day. I love snowy Sundays when we don't cancel church. There is an extra sense of effort and passion in my heart because those who are present really are showing a sense of faithfulness and tenacity that many believers lack today. It is also a chance for me to shovel snow and spread salt away from home. Fun.
I mentioned a problem with worship in the first service that was really weird for everyone there because they obviously did not notice the problem. But, everyone on the worship team noticed and were distracted. Well, we were right. Someone had changed the settings on the sound board and we found out who it was. We love him very much and so he is forgiven. Since everyon worshiped with the same passion as always, it is also forgotten. (For you First AG insiders, the clue to who did it was in the chair that we found on the roof. I bought a padlock today.)
Second service worship was much more smooth.
We had several great Small Group experiences this weekend too. Thanks to all who are so passionate about their group.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
God is Watching
In Job seven, Job has lost everything and is being accused by his friend Eliphaz of wrongdoing. Eliphaz is looking for the answer to the age-old question, “Why did these bad things happen to Job?” Eliphaz believes that Job is being punished by God for some sin that Job is unwilling to confess.
Job begs, that if he did sin, that God would show him what it was, and restates his innocence and good standing before God. Then Job asks this question.
Job 7:17-20 says,
17“What is man that you make so much of him,
that you give him so much attention,
18 that you examine him every morning
and test him every moment?
19 Will you never look away from me,
or let me alone even for an instant?
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of men?
Job is in anguish but his question points out a truth that is comforting as well as fearful.
God is watching you all the time.
This truth is fearful because God is keeping us accountable. One of my favorite scriptures is Leviticus 19:14 which says, “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.” Why not curse the deaf? They won’t hear. Why not trip the blind, you won’t be pointed out in a police line by the victim. Why not trip? Why not curse? Because, God is watching and listening when no one else can.
The truth is comforting because God is watching you, the individual all the time. Why does God make so much of me? Of you? Why does God give you so much attention? Why does he examine you every morning? Why does he test you, or me, every moment? He is always looking at us. He never leaves any person alone for a moment!
Yes, you are being watched, but not like a camera at an intersection waiting for you to mess up and give you a ticket! He is also watching to bless, protect, love, and forgive. You are immensely loved by God. You are eternally interesting to him. He never gets tired of watching you. You may be closer to perfection, or you may be filled with error, he still watches you all the time.
Job begs, that if he did sin, that God would show him what it was, and restates his innocence and good standing before God. Then Job asks this question.
Job 7:17-20 says,
17“What is man that you make so much of him,
that you give him so much attention,
18 that you examine him every morning
and test him every moment?
19 Will you never look away from me,
or let me alone even for an instant?
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of men?
Job is in anguish but his question points out a truth that is comforting as well as fearful.
God is watching you all the time.
This truth is fearful because God is keeping us accountable. One of my favorite scriptures is Leviticus 19:14 which says, “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.” Why not curse the deaf? They won’t hear. Why not trip the blind, you won’t be pointed out in a police line by the victim. Why not trip? Why not curse? Because, God is watching and listening when no one else can.
The truth is comforting because God is watching you, the individual all the time. Why does God make so much of me? Of you? Why does God give you so much attention? Why does he examine you every morning? Why does he test you, or me, every moment? He is always looking at us. He never leaves any person alone for a moment!
Yes, you are being watched, but not like a camera at an intersection waiting for you to mess up and give you a ticket! He is also watching to bless, protect, love, and forgive. You are immensely loved by God. You are eternally interesting to him. He never gets tired of watching you. You may be closer to perfection, or you may be filled with error, he still watches you all the time.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Encouragement Methods
This morning I read the last part of Nehemiah. In chapter 13:25 he uses some unusual forms of pastoral encouragemnt.
25I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. 26Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women.
I guess that this would reduce the counseling load for the pastor, huh? He may need a membership at the gym to help him keep up his stamina for the ministry!
This weekend I was talking to a good friend about the book Wild At Heart. It is a book for men. It asserts that American Christianity has tried to tame the aggressive male spirit in a way that is not good for men. Men need adventure, challenge, work, and victory to be fullfilled. If being like Jesus means being a whimp then we will never have fulfilled Christian men.
Often, Christian men think that the mark of secure manhood is the ability to be tough. I think the mark of secure manhood is to be sweet in the midst of turbulance and the battle! Often our men think that spirituality is marked by the ability to accurately critique others lives and ministries. No way! The mark of spirituality is the ability to fix problems, not point them out. To fix problems you have to be willing to get dirty. When it comes to doing God's work it means being willing to get involved in other peoples problems. It takes the tanacity of Nehemiah to get involved and the meekness of Jesus to do the fixing.
Anywho, I though my devotional time related to the weekend conversation a little bit.
25I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. 26Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women.
I guess that this would reduce the counseling load for the pastor, huh? He may need a membership at the gym to help him keep up his stamina for the ministry!
This weekend I was talking to a good friend about the book Wild At Heart. It is a book for men. It asserts that American Christianity has tried to tame the aggressive male spirit in a way that is not good for men. Men need adventure, challenge, work, and victory to be fullfilled. If being like Jesus means being a whimp then we will never have fulfilled Christian men.
Often, Christian men think that the mark of secure manhood is the ability to be tough. I think the mark of secure manhood is to be sweet in the midst of turbulance and the battle! Often our men think that spirituality is marked by the ability to accurately critique others lives and ministries. No way! The mark of spirituality is the ability to fix problems, not point them out. To fix problems you have to be willing to get dirty. When it comes to doing God's work it means being willing to get involved in other peoples problems. It takes the tanacity of Nehemiah to get involved and the meekness of Jesus to do the fixing.
Anywho, I though my devotional time related to the weekend conversation a little bit.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Weekend Reflection
Sunday was the last day of our missions convention. We had a good offering and our guest, Missionary Doug Corbett did a great job. His message was very timely for several people who have responded to me in the last 24 hours about it. Since he is an AG World Missionary with Convoy of Hope he talked about compassion ministries a lot before he got into the Word.
At the end of the service a woman came into the church and looked very distressed. I sat down with her and found out that she needed food for her three children. I had to break away to answer a question about the missionary offeirng and in the process a man gave me $100 to go and get her some food. We prayed with her before they left for the store. I sent Zelda and Sylvia with her and they filled a cart ful of food at Wal-Mart.
God is good. He provides in amazing ways. The young woamn said she would like ot come to church on Wednesday night and I am looking forward to it!
At the end of the service a woman came into the church and looked very distressed. I sat down with her and found out that she needed food for her three children. I had to break away to answer a question about the missionary offeirng and in the process a man gave me $100 to go and get her some food. We prayed with her before they left for the store. I sent Zelda and Sylvia with her and they filled a cart ful of food at Wal-Mart.
God is good. He provides in amazing ways. The young woamn said she would like ot come to church on Wednesday night and I am looking forward to it!
Early Easter
I got this in an e-mail today. Interesting stuff. I hope it is accurate!
Easter is early this year. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.
Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) that is rare.
Here's the interesting information. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:
1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).
2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
Interesting!
Easter is early this year. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.
Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) that is rare.
Here's the interesting information. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:
1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).
2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
Interesting!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Who Are You?
In Nehemiah we find the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem to re-settle what they still consider their promised land, even after having lost it. I say still consider because the Jews had been through a lot in the last 70 years.
God had warned over and over that their decision to follow other God’s would result in their losing their national identity and their land. But somehow, in the process of being dislodged from their place they found an identity that was greater than the land.
In Nehemiah 9 the people gather together to commit themselves to God and they re-count all the things that God has done for the Jews. After being destroyed 70 years earlier they still found their identity as God’s people and it is shown in a specific way.
In chapter 9 verse 9 through 15 they recount the exodus and how God brought them out of Egypt. Those days of deliverance were defining moments in the spiritual life of the people.
What spiritual experiences with Jesus Christ define you?
Remember, not all “spiritual” experiences are good. Going to a palm reader, séance, or witch doctor can all be spiritual experiences. People today have all types of spiritual experiences that seem miraculous. But, not all miraculous power is God’s power. Satan and his demons have power too and we must distinguish between God’s power, human psychological power, and evil powers at work in our world.
I am asking is what spiritual experiences with Jesus Christ define you? I am not talking about your identification with a denomination or as a minister with credentials. I am not talking about your identity as a person with a position or title in a church (choir member, deacon, elder, teaacher). I am talking about who you are when all the outward identifiers are stripped away and it is just you and God. I encourage you to take a moment and think about that today. Don’t just look back and remember the, “good old days.” Look back so you can move forward in confidence, knowing who you are and knowing who will help you today.
God had warned over and over that their decision to follow other God’s would result in their losing their national identity and their land. But somehow, in the process of being dislodged from their place they found an identity that was greater than the land.
In Nehemiah 9 the people gather together to commit themselves to God and they re-count all the things that God has done for the Jews. After being destroyed 70 years earlier they still found their identity as God’s people and it is shown in a specific way.
In chapter 9 verse 9 through 15 they recount the exodus and how God brought them out of Egypt. Those days of deliverance were defining moments in the spiritual life of the people.
What spiritual experiences with Jesus Christ define you?
Remember, not all “spiritual” experiences are good. Going to a palm reader, séance, or witch doctor can all be spiritual experiences. People today have all types of spiritual experiences that seem miraculous. But, not all miraculous power is God’s power. Satan and his demons have power too and we must distinguish between God’s power, human psychological power, and evil powers at work in our world.
I am asking is what spiritual experiences with Jesus Christ define you? I am not talking about your identification with a denomination or as a minister with credentials. I am not talking about your identity as a person with a position or title in a church (choir member, deacon, elder, teaacher). I am talking about who you are when all the outward identifiers are stripped away and it is just you and God. I encourage you to take a moment and think about that today. Don’t just look back and remember the, “good old days.” Look back so you can move forward in confidence, knowing who you are and knowing who will help you today.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Incredible Journey
Last night we visited with Laura and Kaler Carpenter and Charles Lewis. They had met last week Tuesday for dinner together and then decided to walk to the ice cream shop (Dairy Delight) for desert. That ice ceram shop was closed and so they walked to the next which was also closed (Fritz's Custard) and finally decided to walk to the next one and finally got their ice crream (Dairy Queen). It turned into a two hour walk. They are crazy.
Try this MAP from Mapquest. To track this fantastic journey.
Try this MAP from Mapquest. To track this fantastic journey.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
WWJP
What Would Jesus Preach?
If Jesus were here today rather than 2,000 years ago there are some things that would have to be the same in his message. Jesus had a specific mission from his Heavenly father while he was on earth and that mission would be the same.
1. The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. Repent of sin and turn to God.
3. Love the Lord and love your neighbor.
4. The beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5.
5. Jesus would still end up unjustly murdered and beating the grave.
But, if Jesus was walking the earth today what particulars would he preach?
Would he still throw out the money changers in the temple? Well, there is no temple worship right now so what would his economic message be? Cut your big CEO salary with the million of dollar bonus and give your 1,000 employees a $1,000 dollar raise this year. If we really want the good news to go every where stop making Christian books so expensive.
Would he still let the woman caught in adultery go? Sure why not. But, would he still say, "Go and sin no more," or would he be less offensive and just tell her to be a good person?
Would Jesus still preach that looking at a woman (or man) lustfully (on your favorite TV program, on the billboard, on the magazine rack) is committing adultery with him/her?
Would Jesus still preach that hatred is murder? But you can love someone while at the same time not like them?
Would Jesus' message of love your enemies require an Evangelical politician to press for arms reductions? How would Jesus help that leader separate his public job from his private moral? What if all the spies who are trained to lie for their country followed Jesus and followed a policy of always tell the truth? It could ruin our foreign policy!
Think about the particulars of Jesus' message. Consider all the ways we rationalize his rules away. Think how impossible it seems to really follow his teaching and not change the entire system that we function within every day.
Nobody could shut him up or beat him in an argument. It is no wonder he had to die.
If Jesus were here today rather than 2,000 years ago there are some things that would have to be the same in his message. Jesus had a specific mission from his Heavenly father while he was on earth and that mission would be the same.
1. The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. Repent of sin and turn to God.
3. Love the Lord and love your neighbor.
4. The beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5.
5. Jesus would still end up unjustly murdered and beating the grave.
But, if Jesus was walking the earth today what particulars would he preach?
Would he still throw out the money changers in the temple? Well, there is no temple worship right now so what would his economic message be? Cut your big CEO salary with the million of dollar bonus and give your 1,000 employees a $1,000 dollar raise this year. If we really want the good news to go every where stop making Christian books so expensive.
Would he still let the woman caught in adultery go? Sure why not. But, would he still say, "Go and sin no more," or would he be less offensive and just tell her to be a good person?
Would Jesus still preach that looking at a woman (or man) lustfully (on your favorite TV program, on the billboard, on the magazine rack) is committing adultery with him/her?
Would Jesus still preach that hatred is murder? But you can love someone while at the same time not like them?
Would Jesus' message of love your enemies require an Evangelical politician to press for arms reductions? How would Jesus help that leader separate his public job from his private moral? What if all the spies who are trained to lie for their country followed Jesus and followed a policy of always tell the truth? It could ruin our foreign policy!
Think about the particulars of Jesus' message. Consider all the ways we rationalize his rules away. Think how impossible it seems to really follow his teaching and not change the entire system that we function within every day.
Nobody could shut him up or beat him in an argument. It is no wonder he had to die.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Huge Special Thanks
Last week Tony and I stayed with Michael and Stacie Ramos in Springfield for the National Worship Conference. They were so fun to be with. They are doing great in Springfield. God is really defining Michael's call to military chaplaincy. They miss their Small Group. They want to say hi to everyone in Washington, MO.
Michael is attending AGTS.
Michael is attending AGTS.
My Prayer Request
Pray for me.
I feel that the Lord wants me to try something diferent. I have been talking with Kaler and Dylan for several months about doing some sermons completely on video. We would basically make a movie that is about 23 min. long and then show it on Sunday morning. Then, the altar call would be live.
Its sounds crazy, but it may have greater meaning than any other way I have tried to preach in the past. Don't get scared, I am not going to do this every Sunday, but it is a way to give special emphasis to certian subjects.
P.S. I can't get the blogger spell check to work. I hope I am spelling things correctly.
I feel that the Lord wants me to try something diferent. I have been talking with Kaler and Dylan for several months about doing some sermons completely on video. We would basically make a movie that is about 23 min. long and then show it on Sunday morning. Then, the altar call would be live.
Its sounds crazy, but it may have greater meaning than any other way I have tried to preach in the past. Don't get scared, I am not going to do this every Sunday, but it is a way to give special emphasis to certian subjects.
P.S. I can't get the blogger spell check to work. I hope I am spelling things correctly.
Worship Conference Reflection #2
A man teaching one of the sessions said two things that really stuck in my mind that I thought were important.
First, the ultimate goal of worship is "To encounter God in a way that glorifies him and changes us." (Dave Williamson).
Second, is a quote from Jack Hayford. "The most important choir is the congregation." This totally resounds in my heart. I hate going to a church where the choir "performs" a number in the service, or has a special "performance" for Easter or Christmas. The goal of a choir is not to perform, but to inspire and include people in worship. Most choirs in my mind are one of two things. First, a way to impress visitors and second, an easy way to involve people in an innocuous (harmless, safe, mild, bland) way.
First, the ultimate goal of worship is "To encounter God in a way that glorifies him and changes us." (Dave Williamson).
Second, is a quote from Jack Hayford. "The most important choir is the congregation." This totally resounds in my heart. I hate going to a church where the choir "performs" a number in the service, or has a special "performance" for Easter or Christmas. The goal of a choir is not to perform, but to inspire and include people in worship. Most choirs in my mind are one of two things. First, a way to impress visitors and second, an easy way to involve people in an innocuous (harmless, safe, mild, bland) way.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Worship Conference Reflection #1
We live in a culture where the vast majority of people, this means most churchgoers are included, get their theology and values from the music they listen to and the movies they watch. So, what should church be like? A movie theatre and a concert venue. No stained glass. No icons or symbols that have meaning which has to be explained.
When people go to church they become ridged, feel restricted and confused about what they are expected to do. You say, "I don't feel that way at my church." Then you need to crash a catholic or Lutheran funeral and see how free you feel to worship. That feeling of restriction is the way the lost feel at our church. At a concert or a movie theatre people tend to feel open, ready to laugh, ready to express themselves, and ready to receive something great.
So which way do we want people to come to church?
I have thought this for some time and it is part of the reason I am so frustrated with our building. When we build, I will make no apoligies for the fact that the building will not look or feel like a church. If you are hoping for stained glass, columns, and stone sorry.
When people go to church they become ridged, feel restricted and confused about what they are expected to do. You say, "I don't feel that way at my church." Then you need to crash a catholic or Lutheran funeral and see how free you feel to worship. That feeling of restriction is the way the lost feel at our church. At a concert or a movie theatre people tend to feel open, ready to laugh, ready to express themselves, and ready to receive something great.
So which way do we want people to come to church?
I have thought this for some time and it is part of the reason I am so frustrated with our building. When we build, I will make no apoligies for the fact that the building will not look or feel like a church. If you are hoping for stained glass, columns, and stone sorry.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Great Small Group Ideas
I was totally blessed by a business card I received on Sunday. LeRoy has made invitation cards for his small group. It has a logo, location, time, vision, and purpose for the group. This is a simple tool that a group could delegate a member to create. You can get business card paper at any office supply store.
Also, at our Small Group we had a first time visitor and his sons. Why not let a prospective new member's first experience with First AG be with your S.G.? It is friendly, relational, spiritual and authentic. Don't hesitate to bring F.T.V.s to your Small Group.
Also, at our Small Group we had a first time visitor and his sons. Why not let a prospective new member's first experience with First AG be with your S.G.? It is friendly, relational, spiritual and authentic. Don't hesitate to bring F.T.V.s to your Small Group.
away at worship conference
Tony and I are at the national worship conference in springfield. It is both refreshing and a great learning experience. I am writing from my phone. I will say more later.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Executive Presbytery Meeting
I have just received an invitation to attend the March Executive Presbytery meeting in Springfield.
In August the council voted to create two positions on the Presbytery, one for a pastor under 40 and one for a female pastor. These positions can not be elected until 2009. To follow the spirit of the resolution the Presbytery chose to invite “auditors” to attend the meetings until an election can be held. Each district gave nominations, and then names were drawn to determine who would fill the auditor’s position at various meetings.
It is a real honor to get to attend these meetings. I know that it will be a great learning experience for me. It is humbling to think about.
It is funny that I just finished Tale of Three Kings. In it, King David is faced with a decision. Shall he fight his son Absalom or run away. David ran away so that he could remain true to himself and who God had called him to be. There is one thing to remember. Be the person God called you to be and is directing you to be. Don’t try to be somebody, or you might just become somebody you don’t like.
In August the council voted to create two positions on the Presbytery, one for a pastor under 40 and one for a female pastor. These positions can not be elected until 2009. To follow the spirit of the resolution the Presbytery chose to invite “auditors” to attend the meetings until an election can be held. Each district gave nominations, and then names were drawn to determine who would fill the auditor’s position at various meetings.
It is a real honor to get to attend these meetings. I know that it will be a great learning experience for me. It is humbling to think about.
It is funny that I just finished Tale of Three Kings. In it, King David is faced with a decision. Shall he fight his son Absalom or run away. David ran away so that he could remain true to himself and who God had called him to be. There is one thing to remember. Be the person God called you to be and is directing you to be. Don’t try to be somebody, or you might just become somebody you don’t like.
National Worship Conference
At noon I am leaving for the national worship conference. I will be gone till Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing some friends at the conference.
Finally Done
I finally finished Carl Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and the War Years. It is a one volume edition of the six volumes that Sandburg wrote. I have also read some other things in the time that I have been working on this book. The book ends, "And there was rest." After staying up late so many nights reading I think there will be rest.
Super D Duper Tuesday
I thought it was funny a few days ago when a news caster said, "Super Tuesday has become Super Duper Tuesday." it made me laugh. I figured that the next channel I turned to would say it was "Super D Duper Tuesday," playing on the ever annoying words of Barney the purple dinosaur.
I went to vote in the afternoon. I started work early and then left early to vote. I took Stephanie and the kids too. I went in with Gabe and voted. Then Steph went in with Ben. We took turns staying with Lib in the truck. Each of our kids got an, "I Voted," sticker.
I want my kids to learn to be good citizens and one way is to involve them in the process early. I want them to proud of their parents voting. They like going places with us. It was fun to explain the ballot to Gabe.
I went to vote in the afternoon. I started work early and then left early to vote. I took Stephanie and the kids too. I went in with Gabe and voted. Then Steph went in with Ben. We took turns staying with Lib in the truck. Each of our kids got an, "I Voted," sticker.
I want my kids to learn to be good citizens and one way is to involve them in the process early. I want them to proud of their parents voting. They like going places with us. It was fun to explain the ballot to Gabe.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Recent Reading
I just finished a book that has been on my shelf for a long time, A Tale of Three Kings by Edwards. It is not what I expected in its format. It is literally a tale, a story. There is a lot of fiction added to bring the story of Daivd home to the reader, but it is all true to life and teaches some good leadership principals.
Here is a brief summary. There are three kings in the story, Saul, David, and Absolom. Saul was a king who had the right to throw spears at people and so he did. David chose to responde to Saul in a peaceful manner though he was wronged. David then chose to keep that attitude throughout his kingship. When David's son Absolom rose up to rebel against his father, David stayed true to his character and shoce not to throw spears. He was the king, but he shose not to use his kingly authority to destroy Absolom.
Saul was a man with power and he chose to throw spears at people who were in his way. That was his chosen style of leadership.
Absolom became a young Saul who chose to throw spears at the man with the power. He chose to divide people and gain followers for himself.
David however, having been through the crushing experience of being attacked by Saul chose to not throw spears, even when he had the power to do so.
If you ahve been through a difficult sexpeience with a religious leader in your past and it has wounded your spirituality this is a good bok to read.
I have 40 pages left in Sandburg (on Lincoln). I will likely get some reading time at the worship conference this week in Springfield, MO.
Here is a brief summary. There are three kings in the story, Saul, David, and Absolom. Saul was a king who had the right to throw spears at people and so he did. David chose to responde to Saul in a peaceful manner though he was wronged. David then chose to keep that attitude throughout his kingship. When David's son Absolom rose up to rebel against his father, David stayed true to his character and shoce not to throw spears. He was the king, but he shose not to use his kingly authority to destroy Absolom.
Saul was a man with power and he chose to throw spears at people who were in his way. That was his chosen style of leadership.
Absolom became a young Saul who chose to throw spears at the man with the power. He chose to divide people and gain followers for himself.
David however, having been through the crushing experience of being attacked by Saul chose to not throw spears, even when he had the power to do so.
If you ahve been through a difficult sexpeience with a religious leader in your past and it has wounded your spirituality this is a good bok to read.
I have 40 pages left in Sandburg (on Lincoln). I will likely get some reading time at the worship conference this week in Springfield, MO.
Weekend Rewind
Sunday was an absolutely grat day! A woman in the first service re-dedicated her heart to the Lord. A young woman in the second service was baptized in the Holy Spirit and several others responded to the time of prayer. It was great to see some new people reaching out to God. After worship Dylan had an oppertunity to pray with a young man about following the Lord. We experienced several great miracles Sunday.
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