1. the patriots had an amazing season this year. i listen to dan patricks radio show and they had a pole on the most disappointing nfl team this year. the jets were voted most disappointing with new england as second. i was never disappointed with the end result of the season. 11-5 is a good record any year, especially with a bunch of injuries specifically but not limited to brady, maroney and harrison. after the injury week 1 to brady i thought our season was over, after the 16 games cassel proved that he can play.
2. cassel had an amazing season in which he had some amazing accomplishments including back to back games where he passed for over 400 yards. this does not happen often. he will be a free agent and will receive a big pay day wherever he goes. i am still not sure if it was cassel playing well or if it was the patriots system and team that helped him pull out an amazing season. but i guess we will find out next season when he will probably suit up for another team. unless...
3. the news of brady healing slowly are true. it is possible the patriots will keep him around to ensure they have a proven qb for next season. i think brady will be back next year and be the comeback player of the year. but i guess we will have to wait a while to see if that is true.
4. living in indianapolis is pretty good, unless you are a patriots fan. some give me a hard time but it is pretty easy to brush off. i have lived in new york as a red sox fan and never received the same treatment as i do here. colts fans feel threatened by us, thats okay they have right to feel threatened.
5. i hate to admit this but it looks like peyton manning will be the mvp this year. he individually led his team to finish with 9 straight wins. coach of they year will either go to smith (atlanta) or pirano (miami). they took both their teams from the basement to the playoffs. my hat is off to both of them even if miami squeezed in just in front of new england to be the afc east division winner.
6. it should prove to be a fun playoff year. with the drama of philly squeezing in with a win over dallas and multiple losses from other teams it would really be something to see the eagles and phillies win the championship in the same year. atlanta and baltimore are great stories getting in with rookie qb's. i love that dallas didnt get in. in brings me the same joy when i see the yankees spend as much money as they do and miss the playoffs. giants, cardinals, and tennesee are teams that could do something in the playoffs but i really do not think they are up to it. in past weeks they are all spiraling downward.
7. super bowl predictions this year are tough. there are no clear cut teams that stand out. from the nfc i think carolina is the front runner. they have played solidly all year long and their running game is unstoppable. as for the afc i believe it will be pittsburgh if big ben is able to recover from his concussion last week. i think carolina will win the super bowl.
what do you think?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
light
it seemed so long that i was in the cave. still dark, still damp. my eyes started to adjust to the dark but it was still dark in the cave. i started trying to make my way out of the cave by feeling the sides. but i had been searching the cave so long that i forgot how long it might take to see the light. it seemed like forever since i had the comfort of the flashlight.my eyes were starting to make out the rocks and the form of the caves. i knew i was becoming ever closer to the freedom i once enjoyed. eventually, with a little luck and a lot despair i saw a little ray of sunshine. it brought comfort and hope. i had almost forgotten how gratifying the light could be. i started moving faster.
israel had been stuck in darkness approximately 700 years without hope. they prophet isaiah saw past the despair and in chapter 61:1 said
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners."
i remember when i was in high school my family went somewhere and this funny little kid was running around. he would close his eyes and say "i am blind" seconds later he would open his eyes and say, "i can see, it is a miracle." we would laugh with him and he would say it again and again. it was quite entertaining. but for someone who is blind and all they have is darkness it has to be frustrating.
israel had a lot of time without the presence of God in their lives and i can not imagine the despair they felt. the search of trying to fill the emptiness but never being able to fulfill it in their lives must of made them feel hopeless.
john 1:1-9 captures for me the essence of the christmas story. i always enjoy the reading of luke 2 but i love how john captures the incarnation.
"In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist,
to tell about the light so that
everyone might believe because of his testimony.
John himself was not the light;
he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone,
was coming into the world."
like the child said. it is truly a miracle to be able to see. i love the advent season. it gives us expectation and restores us with hope. we know the light and as each week we become closer to christmas we light the candle of hope, and peace, and joy and love. it only builds to the incarnation.
israel had been stuck in darkness approximately 700 years without hope. they prophet isaiah saw past the despair and in chapter 61:1 said
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners."
i remember when i was in high school my family went somewhere and this funny little kid was running around. he would close his eyes and say "i am blind" seconds later he would open his eyes and say, "i can see, it is a miracle." we would laugh with him and he would say it again and again. it was quite entertaining. but for someone who is blind and all they have is darkness it has to be frustrating.
israel had a lot of time without the presence of God in their lives and i can not imagine the despair they felt. the search of trying to fill the emptiness but never being able to fulfill it in their lives must of made them feel hopeless.
john 1:1-9 captures for me the essence of the christmas story. i always enjoy the reading of luke 2 but i love how john captures the incarnation.
"In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist,
to tell about the light so that
everyone might believe because of his testimony.
John himself was not the light;
he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone,
was coming into the world."
like the child said. it is truly a miracle to be able to see. i love the advent season. it gives us expectation and restores us with hope. we know the light and as each week we become closer to christmas we light the candle of hope, and peace, and joy and love. it only builds to the incarnation.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
darkness
i stumbled across the cave while not even trying to find it. i had been in the cave before but it had been a while and before today i always had someone else with me. i had my handy little flashlight with me so i thought it might be fun to explore. as i walked in i received a chill from the cool, crisp air. as i walked further into the cave the darkness started to get darker then the bright light of the sun.
i remembered how comforting the light was. it provided warmth and i could see where i was headed. i knew what to expect.
as i looked back, i could hardly see day light anymore. i had gone so far in the darkness that the light was being overtaken by the darkness. my eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness. it is amazing the ability the eye seems to have.
as i began to go deeper into the cave i heard a noise and pointed the flashlight in that direction. there were bats lining the ceiling of the cave. although i was scared i still had the light which made me feel safe. as i went further the cave became narrower, damper and colder.
i started to become scared, the light of day was now gone and the only light i had was artificial and cheap. curiosity and adventure made me want to go deeper. i wanted to experience something i had never done before. so i kept going forward. even though i thought it was a mistake, i felt intrigued by the mystery of not knowing what to expect. it gave me a thrill and i didnt even feel cold anymore. my body had adjusted to the temperature.
and then the battery died.
i remembered how comforting the light was. it provided warmth and i could see where i was headed. i knew what to expect.
as i looked back, i could hardly see day light anymore. i had gone so far in the darkness that the light was being overtaken by the darkness. my eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness. it is amazing the ability the eye seems to have.
as i began to go deeper into the cave i heard a noise and pointed the flashlight in that direction. there were bats lining the ceiling of the cave. although i was scared i still had the light which made me feel safe. as i went further the cave became narrower, damper and colder.
i started to become scared, the light of day was now gone and the only light i had was artificial and cheap. curiosity and adventure made me want to go deeper. i wanted to experience something i had never done before. so i kept going forward. even though i thought it was a mistake, i felt intrigued by the mystery of not knowing what to expect. it gave me a thrill and i didnt even feel cold anymore. my body had adjusted to the temperature.
and then the battery died.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Pete Ward quote
“The reason why people were beating down the door to get into the church was because the culture of early Christianity was seen as being civilizing and superior to the bankruptcy of paganism and philosophy. Yet I am not all sure we can make the same claim for what goes on in our churches today. Are we self-evidently superior culturally? Are people turning to us because we offer solutions for social and political ills? I don’t think so. In these circumstances what we offer may just turn out to be the equivalent to nailing our doors shut as we huddle together in the sanctuary.”
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
i stand by the door by samuel shumaker
I stand by the door
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world-
It is the door through which people walk when they find God.
There's no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind people,
With outstretched, groping hands.
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it ...
So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for people to find that door--the door to God.
The most important thing any person can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch--the latch that only clicks
And opens to the person's own touch.
People die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter—
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it--live because they have not found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him ...
So I stand by the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in--
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics--
It is a vast roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms.
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture in a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening ...
So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them
For God is so very great, and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia,
And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry,
And the people way inside only terrify, them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too much:
Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving--preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not, yet even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God,
You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from people as not to hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door--
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But--more important for me--
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
"I had rather be a door-keeper ..."
So I stand by the door.
Sam Shoemaker, founder of Faith At Work at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City, in 1926, was also one of the spiritual leaders who helped draft the 12 Steps of A.A.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world-
It is the door through which people walk when they find God.
There's no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind people,
With outstretched, groping hands.
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it ...
So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for people to find that door--the door to God.
The most important thing any person can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch--the latch that only clicks
And opens to the person's own touch.
People die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter—
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it--live because they have not found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him ...
So I stand by the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in--
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics--
It is a vast roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms.
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture in a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening ...
So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them
For God is so very great, and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia,
And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry,
And the people way inside only terrify, them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too much:
Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving--preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not, yet even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God,
You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from people as not to hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door--
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But--more important for me--
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
"I had rather be a door-keeper ..."
So I stand by the door.
Sam Shoemaker, founder of Faith At Work at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City, in 1926, was also one of the spiritual leaders who helped draft the 12 Steps of A.A.
Monday, October 27, 2008
kingdom politics
i have been thinking way to much about politics lately and have even veered my purpose of this blog way to much. while i have still been non partisan i feel i have become a little side tracked. my goal has always been to ask questions that will lead people towards God.
the last couple weeks even though i have been blogging on politics my mind has been frustrated in what i was doing. i have been reading a lot lately in 1 samuel 8-14. this is the story of how saul became the first king of israel. the israelites wanted a king like all the other nations. God told samuel to give them what they asked for. it was not samuel they were rejecting, but God. they voted to put a human in the throne over God
God brought saul to samuel as a guy who was just trying to find his donkeys. in this meeting samuel told saul that he was the hope of all israel. here saul responds why me, i am the smallest of the lowest of all of israel, there is no reason you should choose me.
saul reigned as king for 42 years. but during his reign while off to war he decided to make a sacrifice to God that samuel was supposed to do but he was late. of course this was not his place and he disobeyed the Lord by doing this. saul's punishment for this act was that his family would not continue on the throne.
so many times we try to set up our own kingdoms and do things on our own. we want things just like others have them. we choose the temporary over the eternal.
where are the things that we set up and do on our own? do we know what the consequences would be? and would we still choose the same thing if we did? why did the israelites want a king? why did God appoint saul king when he knew he would mess up? or is this the reason that he chose him?
the last couple weeks even though i have been blogging on politics my mind has been frustrated in what i was doing. i have been reading a lot lately in 1 samuel 8-14. this is the story of how saul became the first king of israel. the israelites wanted a king like all the other nations. God told samuel to give them what they asked for. it was not samuel they were rejecting, but God. they voted to put a human in the throne over God
God brought saul to samuel as a guy who was just trying to find his donkeys. in this meeting samuel told saul that he was the hope of all israel. here saul responds why me, i am the smallest of the lowest of all of israel, there is no reason you should choose me.
saul reigned as king for 42 years. but during his reign while off to war he decided to make a sacrifice to God that samuel was supposed to do but he was late. of course this was not his place and he disobeyed the Lord by doing this. saul's punishment for this act was that his family would not continue on the throne.
so many times we try to set up our own kingdoms and do things on our own. we want things just like others have them. we choose the temporary over the eternal.
where are the things that we set up and do on our own? do we know what the consequences would be? and would we still choose the same thing if we did? why did the israelites want a king? why did God appoint saul king when he knew he would mess up? or is this the reason that he chose him?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
last weekend laughter in politics
last weekend was the funniest part of the campaign on both sides. palin was on snl and obama and mccain were at the alfred smith fundraiser. check these videos out. it is nice they can laugh at themselves
Thursday, October 23, 2008
a little of this
1. last weekend i went to a renaissance fair. people dressed in time period clothing. it was a good experience i was glad to share with my friends.
2. i heard shane claiborne spoke at iwu last week. i wish i had known.
3. the red sox were eliminated by the rays. they made a great run and played tough, so thank you sox for another good year. i also heard that derek lowe wants to return to boston. that would be awesome.
4. the patriots are 4-2 with a backup quarterback.
5. i have been reading a lot of stanley grenz and robert webber the past couple weeks for my cultural trends in theology class.
6. i listen to a lot of podcasts. my new find is steven furtick. he is 28 and planted elevation church it runs 3500.
7. i am working on a sermon on the kingdom of God. i am preaching it next week at the wesleyan church in logansport.
2. i heard shane claiborne spoke at iwu last week. i wish i had known.
3. the red sox were eliminated by the rays. they made a great run and played tough, so thank you sox for another good year. i also heard that derek lowe wants to return to boston. that would be awesome.
4. the patriots are 4-2 with a backup quarterback.
5. i have been reading a lot of stanley grenz and robert webber the past couple weeks for my cultural trends in theology class.
6. i listen to a lot of podcasts. my new find is steven furtick. he is 28 and planted elevation church it runs 3500.
7. i am working on a sermon on the kingdom of God. i am preaching it next week at the wesleyan church in logansport.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
partisan mccain
yesterday when at a town hall meeting a lady said she was not able to trust obama. mccain then took the microphone from her and stated, "there is no reason not to trust obama, while he and obama disagreed with each other on fundamental issues their is no reason to fear barack obama as president.
has mccain with this statement just thrown in the towel? does he believe it is over?
has mccain with this statement just thrown in the towel? does he believe it is over?
Thursday, October 09, 2008
observation
as i was walking today i saw a few construction workers sitting out front on the lawn during their lunch break. it looked like they were having a pretty good time. laughing and hanging out as most would during a break. then i heard a beep. next thing i know one of them turns, opens up the microwave and pulls out his warm lunch.
Friday, October 03, 2008
on my mind
1. our lease runs out in less then a month. we are currently looking for a new home.
2. our senior pastor just resigned. his last sunday is oct 12th. he has no plans at this point and our church is searching for a new pastor, any body out there want the position?
3. we watched baby mama a little while ago. it was the funniest movie i have seen in a long time.
4. i am throwing out a few resumes here and there. if there are any bites i would finish my masters online. if anyone knows of anything let me know.
5. patriots are 2-1 with a quarterback who hasnt started since high school. imagine what they could be doing this year with tom brady.
6. in the playoffs the red sox won game 1 with game two tonight.
7. manny had an infield hit in their first game against the cubs. i miss him.
8. jenny's birthday is three weeks away. #27
9. it has been in the 40's the last two mornings. i love sweatshirts. fall is here to stay. except it is supposed to be almost 90 on sunday.
10. i think i might write in someone else for president.
2. our senior pastor just resigned. his last sunday is oct 12th. he has no plans at this point and our church is searching for a new pastor, any body out there want the position?
3. we watched baby mama a little while ago. it was the funniest movie i have seen in a long time.
4. i am throwing out a few resumes here and there. if there are any bites i would finish my masters online. if anyone knows of anything let me know.
5. patriots are 2-1 with a quarterback who hasnt started since high school. imagine what they could be doing this year with tom brady.
6. in the playoffs the red sox won game 1 with game two tonight.
7. manny had an infield hit in their first game against the cubs. i miss him.
8. jenny's birthday is three weeks away. #27
9. it has been in the 40's the last two mornings. i love sweatshirts. fall is here to stay. except it is supposed to be almost 90 on sunday.
10. i think i might write in someone else for president.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
savior on capitol hill
song by derek webb
thought this might strike a chord with all you political junkies
I’m so tired of these mortal men
with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin
scared of their enemies, scared of their friends
and always running for re-election
so come to DC if it be thy will
because we’ve never had a savior on Capitol Hill
you can always trust the devil or a politician
to be the devil or a politician
but beyond that friends you’d best beware
‘cause at the Pentagon bar they’re an inseparable pair
and as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
we’ll never have a savior on Capitol Hill
all of our problems gonna disappear
when we can whisper right in that President’s ear
he could walk right across the reflection pool
in his combat boots and ten thousand dollar suit
you can render unto Caesar everything that’s his
you can trust in his power to come to your defense
it’s the way of the world, the way of the gun
it’s the trading of an evil for a lesser one
so don’t hold your breath or your vote until
you think you’ve finally found a savior up on Capitol Hill
thought this might strike a chord with all you political junkies
I’m so tired of these mortal men
with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin
scared of their enemies, scared of their friends
and always running for re-election
so come to DC if it be thy will
because we’ve never had a savior on Capitol Hill
you can always trust the devil or a politician
to be the devil or a politician
but beyond that friends you’d best beware
‘cause at the Pentagon bar they’re an inseparable pair
and as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
we’ll never have a savior on Capitol Hill
all of our problems gonna disappear
when we can whisper right in that President’s ear
he could walk right across the reflection pool
in his combat boots and ten thousand dollar suit
you can render unto Caesar everything that’s his
you can trust in his power to come to your defense
it’s the way of the world, the way of the gun
it’s the trading of an evil for a lesser one
so don’t hold your breath or your vote until
you think you’ve finally found a savior up on Capitol Hill
Thursday, August 14, 2008
friends website
a few months ago i had a friend put this website together. i think he did a good job and created a community that should spur us all on to be the church we should be. so i think you should join, take a look around and enjoy the communication with like minded followers of Christ.
today i saw a question on the site posed by joanne lyon "Why it is important for individuals and churches to get involved in their community” read the article check it out.
this is how i responded to the article.
i believe we should ask the question how could a church not be involved in the community? obviously it has been done before, and continues to go on. but if a church wants to survive they have to be involved in the community.
i am learning more and more that a church should have a 50/50 focus. let me explain. 50% of its focus needs to be on the community. this involves outreach, service and evangelism. so much of churches "growth" today is what i call "trading sheep," christians going from one church to another because the other church is not meeting their needs. a true church will grow from reaching out to the community in love.
the other 50% of focus needs to be focused on the people within. this involves discipleship, worship, fellowship and serving within the church. growth can not be measured just in numbers but also in maturity, unity and favor. in order to be fully devoted followers and to create an environment within the church, we need to be healthy, living vibrant lives of loving God and neighbor. so how could a church not be involved in the community and not do this?
today i saw a question on the site posed by joanne lyon "Why it is important for individuals and churches to get involved in their community” read the article check it out.
this is how i responded to the article.
i believe we should ask the question how could a church not be involved in the community? obviously it has been done before, and continues to go on. but if a church wants to survive they have to be involved in the community.
i am learning more and more that a church should have a 50/50 focus. let me explain. 50% of its focus needs to be on the community. this involves outreach, service and evangelism. so much of churches "growth" today is what i call "trading sheep," christians going from one church to another because the other church is not meeting their needs. a true church will grow from reaching out to the community in love.
the other 50% of focus needs to be focused on the people within. this involves discipleship, worship, fellowship and serving within the church. growth can not be measured just in numbers but also in maturity, unity and favor. in order to be fully devoted followers and to create an environment within the church, we need to be healthy, living vibrant lives of loving God and neighbor. so how could a church not be involved in the community and not do this?
Friday, July 25, 2008
check this out
you have to see this post a friend of mine put up. these are some of the most fascinating pictures of a lion in wild i have ever seen.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
new look
not that any of you might care but for the first time in more then the three years that i have been blogging i have added pics to the blog. a pic of my wife and i and a skyline of where i currently live, indianapolis.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
#17
the celtics last night just won the 17th championship. i have really enjoyed watching the celtics over my lifetime yet in the last few years have rarely been excited about how the team was doing. last summer when the danny ainge shook up the team i was excited. it has been since 1986 that we won a championship.
however in the last few years i can not complain about new england sports as we have won many championships.
red sox 2004, 2008
patriots 2002, 2004, 2005
and now
celtics 2008
it has been good to be a new england fan
for a good article on the celtics championship read http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080618
however in the last few years i can not complain about new england sports as we have won many championships.
red sox 2004, 2008
patriots 2002, 2004, 2005
and now
celtics 2008
it has been good to be a new england fan
for a good article on the celtics championship read http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080618
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
learning from fast food
have you noticed the last few years that specific fast food joints are combining to allow easy access at one place. taco bell, kfc (formerly known as kentucky fried chicken), pizza hit and a&w interchange to allow choices for their customers. have you ever been with a group of people and want something to eat but you cannot agree on which drive thru to enter? going to a restaurant that serves both chicken and mexican food can allow for more choices to satisfy all the needs of hunger.
some churches have also caught onto this. venue churches have caught on because it allows more options at the same time. granted you might have to watch the sermon from a screen but it does allow you to choose the worship service style. you could enjoy liturgy while someone down the hall is watching a drama in the "emergent" service.
here are some bonuses of having a venue style church.
1. people have more choices- this allows them to choose the style and time. at a church that has a traditional and contemporary service, the traditional service is probably going to be the earlier time slot. therefore if you like traditional you have to wake up a bit earlier on your day of rest.
2. the pastor can preach less- if any of you have ever preached more then once on a sunday you understand it can be very tiring physically and emotionally. this can allow the pastor not to have to preach to more often and still reach more people.
3. cost effective- why build every time your church out grows a sanctuary? this allows more services within the same building without the high cost of building.
are there any more positives about having a venue style church? what about negatives?
some churches have also caught onto this. venue churches have caught on because it allows more options at the same time. granted you might have to watch the sermon from a screen but it does allow you to choose the worship service style. you could enjoy liturgy while someone down the hall is watching a drama in the "emergent" service.
here are some bonuses of having a venue style church.
1. people have more choices- this allows them to choose the style and time. at a church that has a traditional and contemporary service, the traditional service is probably going to be the earlier time slot. therefore if you like traditional you have to wake up a bit earlier on your day of rest.
2. the pastor can preach less- if any of you have ever preached more then once on a sunday you understand it can be very tiring physically and emotionally. this can allow the pastor not to have to preach to more often and still reach more people.
3. cost effective- why build every time your church out grows a sanctuary? this allows more services within the same building without the high cost of building.
are there any more positives about having a venue style church? what about negatives?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
gas prices
this is not a blog complaining about gas prices. i am concerned in the turn that it has taken the last 5 years. when i was in college gas ran around $1.30. i could fill up between $12-15. that would last me almost a month in college. i did not have to drive that much in college. i chose when it was important to drive. i had friends that would drive from one side of the campus to the other because they thought it was easier. i chose to walk. iwu is not that big of a campus and i try not to be that lazy.
today i drive 8.5 each way back and forth to work. i also drive anywhere between 20-100 miles during the work day in which i am reimbursed $.45/mile. we live about 11 miles from our church and about the same from our closest friends in the area. jenny drives about 4 miles to work at the most. overall we drive about 300 miles a week. the overwhelming majority for work/church.
a lot of people are complaining about gas prices. the ones i see complaining most are driving big trucks and suv's. gas is all about choosing what is important and what you can live with or without. america is starting to see there entertainment funds go down.
i remember going over to canada every now and then over the years and noticing that gas always cost quite a bit more. i always wondered about this and today i looked up gas prices around the world. after reading this i was quite thankful for the $3.81/gallon that i paid for this morning.
Belgium $8.84
Canada 4.73
Italy 7.20
Israel 7.30
Turkey 10.13
UK 8.18
but there were also countries that paid hardly anything
venezuela $.17
saudi arabia .45
kuwait .78
iran .33
what is the difference? these countries produce quite a bit of oil. i believe the united states needs to start using our gasoline.
for more gas prices around the world check out these sites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing
http://fabulously40.com/article/2171/Price-of-gas-from-around-the-world/
today i drive 8.5 each way back and forth to work. i also drive anywhere between 20-100 miles during the work day in which i am reimbursed $.45/mile. we live about 11 miles from our church and about the same from our closest friends in the area. jenny drives about 4 miles to work at the most. overall we drive about 300 miles a week. the overwhelming majority for work/church.
a lot of people are complaining about gas prices. the ones i see complaining most are driving big trucks and suv's. gas is all about choosing what is important and what you can live with or without. america is starting to see there entertainment funds go down.
i remember going over to canada every now and then over the years and noticing that gas always cost quite a bit more. i always wondered about this and today i looked up gas prices around the world. after reading this i was quite thankful for the $3.81/gallon that i paid for this morning.
Belgium $8.84
Canada 4.73
Italy 7.20
Israel 7.30
Turkey 10.13
UK 8.18
but there were also countries that paid hardly anything
venezuela $.17
saudi arabia .45
kuwait .78
iran .33
what is the difference? these countries produce quite a bit of oil. i believe the united states needs to start using our gasoline.
for more gas prices around the world check out these sites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing
http://fabulously40.com/article/2171/Price-of-gas-from-around-the-world/
Friday, May 09, 2008
a bit political
obama is very optimistic. he thinks that if he is voted in as president he will be able to change how politics are done. he says it all with a smile, good mannerisms and an upbeat positive attitude.
i just cant help to think that i heard these same things as i was a student at indiana wesleyan. i enjoyed my time there. the profs we very upbeat and optimistic. they were challenging us to be world changers. and we as students believed we could.
we did not know however what we were getting into. i am now four and a half years removed from iwu. i have done some amazing things in ministry and enjoyed the time. but i cant help to feel a bit disappointed at times.
i almost begin to wonder if we vote in obama if we will end up feeling the same way. he has told us that he can bring change to washington. but what if he doesnt. in four years will we feel a bit disappointed.
every candidate for president has promised something while running but there has been many broken promises. the one that sticks out in my mind is bush, sr with his line "no new taxes." we all know how that worked out for us.
i wonder what would happen if candidates just came out and told us the truth.
"i cannot promise change, but this is what i will do to try to see it happen."
"i will work on trying to pass this bill, but it will probably be turned down in congress."
"life for you will change only when you act to bring about change."
but he or she probably wouldnt be voted in.
i just cant help to think that i heard these same things as i was a student at indiana wesleyan. i enjoyed my time there. the profs we very upbeat and optimistic. they were challenging us to be world changers. and we as students believed we could.
we did not know however what we were getting into. i am now four and a half years removed from iwu. i have done some amazing things in ministry and enjoyed the time. but i cant help to feel a bit disappointed at times.
i almost begin to wonder if we vote in obama if we will end up feeling the same way. he has told us that he can bring change to washington. but what if he doesnt. in four years will we feel a bit disappointed.
every candidate for president has promised something while running but there has been many broken promises. the one that sticks out in my mind is bush, sr with his line "no new taxes." we all know how that worked out for us.
i wonder what would happen if candidates just came out and told us the truth.
"i cannot promise change, but this is what i will do to try to see it happen."
"i will work on trying to pass this bill, but it will probably be turned down in congress."
"life for you will change only when you act to bring about change."
but he or she probably wouldnt be voted in.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
the rock (stars) cries out
i am not sure how many of you saw the idol gives back, i did not. however i did here about it. many people have commented how nice it was to here them sing a worship song. others have commented on the changing of the name Jesus to Shepherd. other then it sounding pretty nice with the quality sounding solos by my two favorites on the show. yes i have favorites. with the writers strike and not much to choose i have actually watched american idol for the first time in however many seasons.
the inquiry that i have to ask about was that song worship?
i cannot speak of the hearts of the people on american idol. some of them might be very solid believers of Christ and have a great relationship with Him. if that is the case then it could be considered worship.
and for the christians who might have been watching them sing it could have been a worship experience.
what i am wondering is did the unbelievers singing or watching this performance actually worship?
can there be worship with unbelief? what is worship in spirit and truth?
Saturday, March 01, 2008
defending the weak
today as i was working i was listening to erwin mcmanus. he was discussing how early on in the marriage that he fought with his wife on the topic of pacifism vs war. he was a new christian at the time and would always come to the same conclusion that Jesus would not where a sword. his wife however grew up with a world war ii veteran for a father.
one night when mcmanus and some friends were going out for the evening he witness this lady being dragged by a guy with her hair. he was being very forceful. in this highly populated area with everyone watching and no one doing a thing he decided he would. so using force he stopped the guy from hurting the woman.
he went home that night to tell his wife he was no longer a pacifist. he realized that there was a time for using force. there are many people today that cannot stand up for themselves. they are taken advantage of in everyway imaginable. some of these wars can be fought without weapons. but we are supposed to stand up for the weak and unprotected.
my friend brandon wrote in his blog this weak this quote by mlk jr. "you not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." you can read the rest here www.runningcautiously.blogspot.com
when war is fueled by hate is a topic for another blog. but a war fueled by the protection of innocent lives is another story for me. you will not see me carrying a weapon. but hopefully in all the "wars of life" that i fight it is not done through hate or despite but for defending those who cannot defend themselves.
one night when mcmanus and some friends were going out for the evening he witness this lady being dragged by a guy with her hair. he was being very forceful. in this highly populated area with everyone watching and no one doing a thing he decided he would. so using force he stopped the guy from hurting the woman.
he went home that night to tell his wife he was no longer a pacifist. he realized that there was a time for using force. there are many people today that cannot stand up for themselves. they are taken advantage of in everyway imaginable. some of these wars can be fought without weapons. but we are supposed to stand up for the weak and unprotected.
my friend brandon wrote in his blog this weak this quote by mlk jr. "you not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." you can read the rest here www.runningcautiously.blogspot.com
when war is fueled by hate is a topic for another blog. but a war fueled by the protection of innocent lives is another story for me. you will not see me carrying a weapon. but hopefully in all the "wars of life" that i fight it is not done through hate or despite but for defending those who cannot defend themselves.
Monday, February 25, 2008
keeping the innovators
Innovation today is at a high; tomorrow innovation will be a new high. In other words change is happening quickly. In the last few years we have gone from the simple iPod to the iPod Video and today we have the iPhone. This has brought a major change to Apple, Inc. The iPod brought about iTunes, which has brought a new industry to the company. Apple has been able to do something that a lot of churches have not been able to do, incorporate new ideas to move the company forward.
There are many innovative leaders today. Jason is 28 and is serving at his fourth church. He has done some amazing things at each of his churches. I also think of Ben who is 27 and is one of the most talented young pastors I know. He has put a lot of time and energy into the ministry. He comes home exhausted and worn out and does it again the next day. Churches can learn a lot from these Pastors, but what can churches do to help them?
A young assistant pastor went to his Senior Pastor and told him he felt like he had to resign. He felt led to make movies that would lead people to Christ. The Senior Pastor asked, Why not do that within our church? This was the start of the movie Facing the Giants. What would happen if more churches would receive pastors ideas like this?
Churches need to 1. Encourage people in their efforts. The church board voted to bring them on staff and now needs to help develop them. 2. Volunteer to be involved in a ministry position. Pastors are overworked because they are filling roles that can and should be filled by others in the congregation. 3. Understand that “New ideas are usually germinated from a sincere desire to see a church increase or improve its ministry” 4. Give them time to be creative and implement them. You cannot change them from being an innovative leader. You have a choice of letting them create or snuffing the passion because they no longer have the time. When this happens, you will more often say goodbye. 5. Send them to conferences to spark their creativity even more. This will give them opportunities to spark their creativity.
If you do these things I will not guarantee success. Every church is not meant to make movies. But when a church focuses on innovation you might end up with the churches version of the iPod, something that might change your church for future generations to come.
There are many innovative leaders today. Jason is 28 and is serving at his fourth church. He has done some amazing things at each of his churches. I also think of Ben who is 27 and is one of the most talented young pastors I know. He has put a lot of time and energy into the ministry. He comes home exhausted and worn out and does it again the next day. Churches can learn a lot from these Pastors, but what can churches do to help them?
A young assistant pastor went to his Senior Pastor and told him he felt like he had to resign. He felt led to make movies that would lead people to Christ. The Senior Pastor asked, Why not do that within our church? This was the start of the movie Facing the Giants. What would happen if more churches would receive pastors ideas like this?
Churches need to 1. Encourage people in their efforts. The church board voted to bring them on staff and now needs to help develop them. 2. Volunteer to be involved in a ministry position. Pastors are overworked because they are filling roles that can and should be filled by others in the congregation. 3. Understand that “New ideas are usually germinated from a sincere desire to see a church increase or improve its ministry” 4. Give them time to be creative and implement them. You cannot change them from being an innovative leader. You have a choice of letting them create or snuffing the passion because they no longer have the time. When this happens, you will more often say goodbye. 5. Send them to conferences to spark their creativity even more. This will give them opportunities to spark their creativity.
If you do these things I will not guarantee success. Every church is not meant to make movies. But when a church focuses on innovation you might end up with the churches version of the iPod, something that might change your church for future generations to come.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
taboos in the church #2
i am also still a little dumbfounded by another taboo in the church. taking sides on the football grid iron has become quite an interesting situation. i am from maine and i love the new england patriots. a few months ago the pastor invited us to wear our football jerseys to church to support our favorite team. so i did, thinking nothing of it. of course the favorite team he was talking about were the colts.
i was also very new to the church, so when i show up to church with my jersey on not really thinking too much of it, i received borderline harassment. i became that patriots guy. at the beginning of the service my good friend john welcomed the crowd by asking if there were any colts fans in the house today and asked them to stand, the crowd erupted. then he suggested that his friend was wearing a patriots jersey. he asked me to stand and turn. we had a good laugh out of it.
but what pursued in the next months made me realize that today sports can be a big taboo. even though i know it was in good fun i really just got sick always being referred to as the patriots fan. most conversations were started out that way, it became very old. i never realized that colts fans were so bitter against the patriots.
i just moved here from new york which is the middle of yankee country. of course i am a red sox fan. but in my two years in new york i never received near the trouble that i did in the last couple of months living in indy. does that mean yankees fans actually have more class?
what other taboos have you seen with the church?
i was also very new to the church, so when i show up to church with my jersey on not really thinking too much of it, i received borderline harassment. i became that patriots guy. at the beginning of the service my good friend john welcomed the crowd by asking if there were any colts fans in the house today and asked them to stand, the crowd erupted. then he suggested that his friend was wearing a patriots jersey. he asked me to stand and turn. we had a good laugh out of it.
but what pursued in the next months made me realize that today sports can be a big taboo. even though i know it was in good fun i really just got sick always being referred to as the patriots fan. most conversations were started out that way, it became very old. i never realized that colts fans were so bitter against the patriots.
i just moved here from new york which is the middle of yankee country. of course i am a red sox fan. but in my two years in new york i never received near the trouble that i did in the last couple of months living in indy. does that mean yankees fans actually have more class?
what other taboos have you seen with the church?
taboos in the church
when i grew up there were certain things you just did not discuss within the church. when i was young i remember my mother telling me how people viewed things differently. even though someone votes for one person over another does not mean they are any less christian then the other. but of course there was the underlying idea that she would vote republican no matter what.
when i was in college profs emphasized in classes that pulpits were not the place to endorse a candidate over another. it came out which professors were democrat and which were republican. i am not sure what year it happened, if i was still at iwu or shortly after i left.
this year it seems like everyone has taken sides. i have friends that have definately supported huckabee from the very beginning. others who supported romney, well atleast til today. i have some friends who are all about the obama sensation. while i usually just sit in the background and listen to the conversation or read their blog.
about 6 weeks ago a friend asked me who i was looking to vote for. this was back before no candidates had dropped out yet. and i knew that indiana's primary still would not take place until may. i told them "at this time, i have it narrowed down to five candidates. they laughed and chastised me for not knowing this very critical decision. i figured i had plenty of time to figure it out. i knew by the time that i had a chance to place my vote in may most of the candidates would be out anyway. i definately knew i would be ready to voice who i would vote for in november.
today 4 candidates are left are left. i have now narrowed it down to three candidates. even though i still am reserved about all three of them. i do have a front runner. but personally i am still involved in the church and do not feel like taking sides. i still believe that this is a taboo within the church and there are other battles that i am concerned with more then duking it on on who will be a better president.
today though people are a little more open minded then they were when i was growin up. as long as you back up why you are planning on voting for this person it wont necessarily mean that you will be chastised from the church. but i am still not going to tell you who i am voting for.
stay tuned next week for social taboo #2
when i was in college profs emphasized in classes that pulpits were not the place to endorse a candidate over another. it came out which professors were democrat and which were republican. i am not sure what year it happened, if i was still at iwu or shortly after i left.
this year it seems like everyone has taken sides. i have friends that have definately supported huckabee from the very beginning. others who supported romney, well atleast til today. i have some friends who are all about the obama sensation. while i usually just sit in the background and listen to the conversation or read their blog.
about 6 weeks ago a friend asked me who i was looking to vote for. this was back before no candidates had dropped out yet. and i knew that indiana's primary still would not take place until may. i told them "at this time, i have it narrowed down to five candidates. they laughed and chastised me for not knowing this very critical decision. i figured i had plenty of time to figure it out. i knew by the time that i had a chance to place my vote in may most of the candidates would be out anyway. i definately knew i would be ready to voice who i would vote for in november.
today 4 candidates are left are left. i have now narrowed it down to three candidates. even though i still am reserved about all three of them. i do have a front runner. but personally i am still involved in the church and do not feel like taking sides. i still believe that this is a taboo within the church and there are other battles that i am concerned with more then duking it on on who will be a better president.
today though people are a little more open minded then they were when i was growin up. as long as you back up why you are planning on voting for this person it wont necessarily mean that you will be chastised from the church. but i am still not going to tell you who i am voting for.
stay tuned next week for social taboo #2
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
pursuit of perfection
if it is possible it is very tough to be perfect. perfection as a wesleyan is something that we are supposed to shoot for. but i am wondering if it is possible. when i was a sophomore in high school my jv basketball team went 15-0 and then we played our last game of the season and lost. we were so close to the possibility of perfection.
this season the new england patriots had the same shot. they won all 16 games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs. unfortuntely in the superbowl they fell short. i however want to concentrate on the first 16 games. they were undefeated. which the record portrays perfection. but in reality was it perfection?
in the first 16 games tom brady who was voted mvp of the nfl set an record in most touchdowns (50), had 69% completion in passes with 4,806 yards. as good as tom brady was though. he threw a total of 8 interceptions. sure that is amazing but it is not perfect. he was also sacked a total of 21 times. still not bad by any means but definately not flawless.
randy moss caught 98 passes with 23 of them being for touchdowns which is also an nfl record for td receptions. and i know this is hard to bellieve but did actually drop a few passes.
in the end though during the regular season the patriots were perfect as a team. their record is now in the history books. the perfection was a team effort, individually they would have fallen short.
in the church you will experience the same thing. imperfect people messing up striving to be perfect because that is what we are called to achieve. what would happen in the church if we picked on everyones faults. left them to achieve it on their own. in football teammates pick each other up when they are down. they also defend each other in the media. you have to in order for your team to be strong. the same thing needs to happen within the church, if we are ever to be perfect we have to fight as a team, protect each other from the enemy. build an encourage other believers.
it will only happen as a team if we are going to change the direction of the church. people will never change their opinion on the church, unless we try to work together.
this season the new england patriots had the same shot. they won all 16 games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs. unfortuntely in the superbowl they fell short. i however want to concentrate on the first 16 games. they were undefeated. which the record portrays perfection. but in reality was it perfection?
in the first 16 games tom brady who was voted mvp of the nfl set an record in most touchdowns (50), had 69% completion in passes with 4,806 yards. as good as tom brady was though. he threw a total of 8 interceptions. sure that is amazing but it is not perfect. he was also sacked a total of 21 times. still not bad by any means but definately not flawless.
randy moss caught 98 passes with 23 of them being for touchdowns which is also an nfl record for td receptions. and i know this is hard to bellieve but did actually drop a few passes.
in the end though during the regular season the patriots were perfect as a team. their record is now in the history books. the perfection was a team effort, individually they would have fallen short.
in the church you will experience the same thing. imperfect people messing up striving to be perfect because that is what we are called to achieve. what would happen in the church if we picked on everyones faults. left them to achieve it on their own. in football teammates pick each other up when they are down. they also defend each other in the media. you have to in order for your team to be strong. the same thing needs to happen within the church, if we are ever to be perfect we have to fight as a team, protect each other from the enemy. build an encourage other believers.
it will only happen as a team if we are going to change the direction of the church. people will never change their opinion on the church, unless we try to work together.
Monday, February 04, 2008
updates/ thoughts
1. the movie juno is a must see. very well written.
2. grad school is going well. but takes up a lot of my free time. my first class was an A. non profit management has started well and has sparked the business side of me already after just one week.
3. a lot of changes are taking place at church. i pray they are the right decisions. starting march 2 we are cancelling the poorly attended traditional service and moving to one unity service for a time. possibly up to six months.
4. the patriots season was amazing. if only they could have finished well (future blog coming on this)
5. i am speaking on the pros and cons of the internet to a group of 5-6 graders on wednesday.
6. i think one day i would like to plant a church in portland, me
7. i cant wait for the writers strike to be over. i need the office back in my life (by the way john krasinski is a patriots fan
2. grad school is going well. but takes up a lot of my free time. my first class was an A. non profit management has started well and has sparked the business side of me already after just one week.
3. a lot of changes are taking place at church. i pray they are the right decisions. starting march 2 we are cancelling the poorly attended traditional service and moving to one unity service for a time. possibly up to six months.
4. the patriots season was amazing. if only they could have finished well (future blog coming on this)
5. i am speaking on the pros and cons of the internet to a group of 5-6 graders on wednesday.
6. i think one day i would like to plant a church in portland, me
7. i cant wait for the writers strike to be over. i need the office back in my life (by the way john krasinski is a patriots fan
Thursday, January 10, 2008
heart
does the heart of a person really matter? in my four years of ministry i have seen some people with great big hearts. it really is an amazing thing to come to the realization that when someone cares one can change change the world, maybe not the whole world, but atleast the whole world for somebody. the same can be said when hearts are cold. it can bruise an wound other hearts around it.
in my first ministry, the song leader would lead the congregation in worship but would refuse to pray out loud. whether it was nerves or lack of confidence i am not sure. it did not matter if it was in front of the congregation or in a board meeting the man refused to pray. was it his heart?
during the last few years there has been a war of sorts. traditional vs modern worship. hymns vs choruses. hymnals vs projectors. unfortunately for the most part young vs old. i have attended churches with both styles. when i was in college i was in a traditional setting. with all the chapels during this time being more modern. in my first ministry position the pastor was trying to take the congregation to more of a contempory/early 90's setting. in pulaski we were relatively modern. at fall creek we have a service for each. at any time while attending these churches i have never really considered changing the style of music. but in so many other churches people are arguing about style. i question why this actually happens. is the argument about the style of music or an issue with the heart?
i have visited mega-churches that are very traditional but yet are thriving and tiny churches with a very modern feel. not to say that the size of the church reflects the heart, but to show that the style of music does not reflect being relevant.
in greenville one sunday right before the service was about to start a teen came to me and told me that an adult blew her off when she had handed her a flyer for our fundraiser coming up by laying it down 2 seconds after it was given to her only to walk away. this situation not only reflected the heart of this lady but also crushed the heart of the teen. how is it that the heart can be affected this much?
when will this end? not that all churches have all sorts of trouble. i bet the percentages are less then one thinks. but i think it is the the smaller percentage making a bigger splash. all of these are issues of the heart. when i go into a church and music plays it doesnt matter how it is played or what is playing it. but the squabbles of the few are affecting those outside the church. they are starting to take notice.
in a recent article on thechristianpost.com titled how do unchurched americans view christianity, "A full 72 percent of the people interviewed said they think the church ‘is full of hypocrites,’" said LifeWay Research director Ed Stetzer. "At the same time, however, 71 percent of the respondents said they believe Jesus ‘makes a positive difference in a person’s life’ and 78 percent said they would ‘be willing to listen’ to someone who wanted to share what they believed about Christianity."
unfortunately what the world sees is not the truth. while the church does have some hypocrites, i truly believe with all my heart that it is full of loving and faithful people who occassionally mess up. i believe the church has a good heart. while sometimes misrepresented or misguided at times i believe their is a lot of loving God and loving neighbor being done. what my hope and prayer is that the world starts to see it.
in my first ministry, the song leader would lead the congregation in worship but would refuse to pray out loud. whether it was nerves or lack of confidence i am not sure. it did not matter if it was in front of the congregation or in a board meeting the man refused to pray. was it his heart?
during the last few years there has been a war of sorts. traditional vs modern worship. hymns vs choruses. hymnals vs projectors. unfortunately for the most part young vs old. i have attended churches with both styles. when i was in college i was in a traditional setting. with all the chapels during this time being more modern. in my first ministry position the pastor was trying to take the congregation to more of a contempory/early 90's setting. in pulaski we were relatively modern. at fall creek we have a service for each. at any time while attending these churches i have never really considered changing the style of music. but in so many other churches people are arguing about style. i question why this actually happens. is the argument about the style of music or an issue with the heart?
i have visited mega-churches that are very traditional but yet are thriving and tiny churches with a very modern feel. not to say that the size of the church reflects the heart, but to show that the style of music does not reflect being relevant.
in greenville one sunday right before the service was about to start a teen came to me and told me that an adult blew her off when she had handed her a flyer for our fundraiser coming up by laying it down 2 seconds after it was given to her only to walk away. this situation not only reflected the heart of this lady but also crushed the heart of the teen. how is it that the heart can be affected this much?
when will this end? not that all churches have all sorts of trouble. i bet the percentages are less then one thinks. but i think it is the the smaller percentage making a bigger splash. all of these are issues of the heart. when i go into a church and music plays it doesnt matter how it is played or what is playing it. but the squabbles of the few are affecting those outside the church. they are starting to take notice.
in a recent article on thechristianpost.com titled how do unchurched americans view christianity, "A full 72 percent of the people interviewed said they think the church ‘is full of hypocrites,’" said LifeWay Research director Ed Stetzer. "At the same time, however, 71 percent of the respondents said they believe Jesus ‘makes a positive difference in a person’s life’ and 78 percent said they would ‘be willing to listen’ to someone who wanted to share what they believed about Christianity."
unfortunately what the world sees is not the truth. while the church does have some hypocrites, i truly believe with all my heart that it is full of loving and faithful people who occassionally mess up. i believe the church has a good heart. while sometimes misrepresented or misguided at times i believe their is a lot of loving God and loving neighbor being done. what my hope and prayer is that the world starts to see it.
Monday, January 07, 2008
change
everyone is discussing change. it seems that 2008 might be the year for change. from politics to the church to the environment everything is changing. technology has never stopped changing and as much that has changed in the past year more things will change this year.
1. president- by the end of 2008, the united states will have a new president. this has already been decided. obama is running on the campaing of changing washington. if he or hilary are elected it will be a quite the change as well. them being the first multi-racial or woman in the oval office. either way we will have a change.
2. technology- with the iphone and the wii, technology is becoming more interactive. people are choosing the interaction of the wii over ps3 and xbox360 even though the graphics might be better with the latter two. with sites like facebook people are becoming less interactive. the need to call your friend who lives 500 miles away is no longer needed but we can check in on him and be updated on their life.
3. environment-people are becoming more green. this process has taken a lot longer then it should have. but people are being more aware of global warming. as i type this it is 65 degrees outside. and while this might not be directly effected from the warming of the globe, one still has to wonder. smaller cars are going to become increasingly popular. not just because of the new standards by the government but it is the more trendy vehicle to own. gone are the days of the bigger suv and gladly welcome the hybrids, smart cars and vehicles with 40mpg or more.
4. church- agreeing with books like unchristian and revolution, you will see more community. people are now wanting to be closer to a few then friends with a lot. this community will happen more outside the walls of the church building in homes, restaurants and coffee shops. you will continue to see more home church plants. the church will become smaller and bigger. there will be less church buildings with a lot more closing their doors. the bigger churches will absorb the people from these other churches.there will also be more mega-ministries. places like lifechurch.tv will grow more. other megachurches are planning on going multi-site life newspring church in south carolina.
nothing that i have written here is new info. but what are we supposed to do with the info on this. we know everything is changing. but how are we as pastors adapt to change our ministries to cope with all this change. if all this change is happening then what do we do in order not to fall behind. church has essentially been done the same way for hundreds of years with a few adaptations here and there. will we allow all these changes to happen but not change our ministries. it doesnt mean adding a projector to the sanctuary, and it doesnt mean singing the newest worship songs with a rock band. but it definately means the times they are a changin.
1. president- by the end of 2008, the united states will have a new president. this has already been decided. obama is running on the campaing of changing washington. if he or hilary are elected it will be a quite the change as well. them being the first multi-racial or woman in the oval office. either way we will have a change.
2. technology- with the iphone and the wii, technology is becoming more interactive. people are choosing the interaction of the wii over ps3 and xbox360 even though the graphics might be better with the latter two. with sites like facebook people are becoming less interactive. the need to call your friend who lives 500 miles away is no longer needed but we can check in on him and be updated on their life.
3. environment-people are becoming more green. this process has taken a lot longer then it should have. but people are being more aware of global warming. as i type this it is 65 degrees outside. and while this might not be directly effected from the warming of the globe, one still has to wonder. smaller cars are going to become increasingly popular. not just because of the new standards by the government but it is the more trendy vehicle to own. gone are the days of the bigger suv and gladly welcome the hybrids, smart cars and vehicles with 40mpg or more.
4. church- agreeing with books like unchristian and revolution, you will see more community. people are now wanting to be closer to a few then friends with a lot. this community will happen more outside the walls of the church building in homes, restaurants and coffee shops. you will continue to see more home church plants. the church will become smaller and bigger. there will be less church buildings with a lot more closing their doors. the bigger churches will absorb the people from these other churches.there will also be more mega-ministries. places like lifechurch.tv will grow more. other megachurches are planning on going multi-site life newspring church in south carolina.
nothing that i have written here is new info. but what are we supposed to do with the info on this. we know everything is changing. but how are we as pastors adapt to change our ministries to cope with all this change. if all this change is happening then what do we do in order not to fall behind. church has essentially been done the same way for hundreds of years with a few adaptations here and there. will we allow all these changes to happen but not change our ministries. it doesnt mean adding a projector to the sanctuary, and it doesnt mean singing the newest worship songs with a rock band. but it definately means the times they are a changin.
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