Archive for November, 2005
A New Naked Blog
Got your attention? I wonder how many filters are going to let this post through??
I’ve been reading a couple of blogs religiously – pun intended – that I have to pass on. I’ll update my blog roll later tonight.
The first one – nakedreligion.com
Today’s topic – church membership. I love IT!!!!! He argues that membership implies participation, financial committment, and a buy in on mission and vision of church (not a need to change it and complain about it.) Otherwise – it’s meaningless and might as well not have it.
Can I get a freakin’ amen to that?
The second one is Mark Batterson’s blog of the Theatre Church in DC. I also subscribe to his podcast.
I’m seriously resonating here….can you hear it?
Cranky Uniform Czar Emerges
I will now put on my uniform czar title and hat. Mainly because the update on the NFL uniform ranks is coming…it is a playoff tradition on G’s Rants.
But first – a litte warm up for us all.
This junk here on the right. This photo shows 2 of the most hideous football uniform mistakes of the 2005 season.
First, Virginia Tech. Don’t jack with a different color on the sleeve. What is that all about? Then to only do it on ONE sleeve? What drugs are you taking from Marcus Vick? Looks like something Paula Abdul would wear.
Miami – do they have a decent uniform other than the classice orange jersey they used to wear? The green uni with the green helmets? Major suckage there. Then there are these unis. They are bearable…but they are not good.
What is with the green stripe that wraps around the ENTIRE jersey…for no apparent reason. Kinda like evacuation plans in Miami…why do we have them?
The Detriot Lions…specifically Matt Millen. Fire Marriucci on Thanksgiving weekend because of your draft picks. That makes complete sense. Plus your uniforms are quite honestly just as offensive as the product on the field.
Then to elevate Jauron – who could not win in Chicago? You are telling me that Jauron is a better option than Marriucci? My only hesitation in telling Matt Millen to resign is that then I would have to listen to him even more because he’d go back to the TV Booth.
Which would be bad for us all…not just Detriot.
It is over!
One week of blog fasting…didn’t know if it was Grantly possible.
It is. Now I don’t have to prove that again.
What I got out of the time —-
Spent more time reading and writing in journal. Never a bad investment there.
Spent more time in thin places/God moments.
I also got a yearning for a ‘return’ if you will to the point of this endeavor in blogdom.
Have some laughs, be vulnerable, challenge other leaders, dare to try/risk getting the crazy stuff inside my brain outside of it.
Here we go…again!
Paul Shackleford, Engage the Culture
What a great capstone to our Missions Month! Shack really did an outstanding job challenging us. Here is the sermon to download, here it is for iTunes.
My notes from Shack’s sermon:
In order for God to do what He wants to do in us and through us, He needs to know we love Him. He asks questions like “Do you love me” to reveal the answer to US, not Him.
Compassion and humility are essential qualities for those who engage the King’s flock.
Relationship is the key to ongoing “fruitful” involvement…and relationships take TIME.
Engaging means to go beyond providing basic needs and plan for ongoing involvement.
God’s reward for a job well done will likely be more hungry sheep.
Don’t expect anything more from Jesus than the humbling opportunity to show your love for Him in the way He ordains you have the best opportunity to do so.
Paul’s “Something To Think About”
Is your life proof of your willingness to suffer OR evidence of your love for a gracious God? Do you truly love Jesus?
Is your love for Jesus sufficient motive for commitment to engage OR do you need/expect other forms of motivation?
Are you willing to alter your lifestyle to change someone else’s? Is eternity really more important to you than ________ ?
What is the position of your hand – a closed fist or an open palm? What are you holding on to?
Responding to Jesus and engaging the culture means…
Putting your love for Him first
Putting your love for Him in action
Putting in some time.
Sweet Home Alabama?
We’re in Grove Hill – here’s a link to a satellite picture of where we are. It’s a little blurry…I guess south Alabama doesn’t deserve a sharp picture.
Couple of housekeeping comments…
Nixon – man, you honor me. Thanks for the nomination. I won’t win but it’s a honor to even be nominated…right? hahaha…
And – next week, me and you, coffee. when and where?
Clay – I find it humorous that you come crawling out of the woodwork AFTER football season is over. Hat tip to Arkansas for beating a young Kansas team. Stan Heath should have a great team this year, make the tournament, scare the bejesus out of a higher rank team in the first round, but lose in the second.
Blogging will be lighter/less than usual…happy thanksgiving.
Preaching Narnia
We (Grace Church) will be “journeying” through Narnia this December – coinciding with the motion picture release on December 9th. I love the idea. I love the books. There are some major theological issues that we get to unpack with this series.
The rub is – the movie has to be good. If it is average – it might as well suck. It has to be good from a production standpoint, a sound standpoint, special effects, acting, script, and directing standpoint. In short – it can’t be like most of the junk that is coming out of Hollywood.
So…I’m a little nervous but the more trailers I see, the more I like it. I want the White Witch to be seductive and terrible. I want Aslan to scare the pants off of me the first time I see him in the movie, but I want to irresistably trust him.
Mainly because I think that is exactly how evil and God are in real life.
In an article that I don’t think could have been better written, the man-ability of handwarmers are discussed.
I emailed Paul Lukas – as it appears that we have a kindred spirit.
Other questions that I feel need to be addressed:
1. towels for anyone other than the center.
2. hand whistles for the refs…what the heck? it’s like they are covering a burp or a yawn every play.
3. red flags for coaches – where should they be stored? hanging out of the pocket looks complete ridiculous, stuffed in pants…well, that looks ridiculous as well.
4. big collars on linebackers.
My opinion on the handwarmers…
First of all – I prefer the in-line pockets on the jersey.
Second of all – if a quarterback is going to wear a gay handwarmer…
1. It should be the same color as the jersey.
2. It should NEVER be turned around to look like a fanny pack.
I think that’s all I got on this one.
Low Tide
Well, I think I’ve seen about the 3 ugliest quarters of football in Alabama history.
The last two of the LSU game and the first one of the Auburn game.
Is it a coincidence that those are the same quarters that Mike Shula forgot how to run the ball? I think not.
Good night – the Alabama offensive line looked like a colander.
Agggggh. To be that close to a BCS bowl and possible undefeated season….
Could be worse. Could be a Razorback fan.
Congrats to the Tigers. Both of them.
Gary Hutchinson
Gary’s talk centered around two passages of scripture, Matthew 16 – where Jesus says that He will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail – and Matthew 9 – where Jesus says whatever measure of faith you have it will be done to you.
Gary said that Jesus is building his church but whether or not we will be a part of that story is up to our faith.
Faith gives us perspective and takes risks.
If you could go and be a part of any one of the stories Gary talked about – which one would you pick? Why?
What dreams do you have that you are not pursuing?
What risks do you think God is calling us out to take?
Where or how do you think God has called you to join in missions?
I’m About To See Goblet of Fire
I’d just thought I would tell you all that. Inquiring minds wanted to know, I’m sure.
Other thoughts I am having…
I’m finally recovered from Alabama’s loss to LSU. Ready to destroy Auburn.
The only real metric measurement I’d like to see the US switch to is temperature.
Okay – maybe kilometers as well. I’d just like to be able to say – “I drove 120 to get here on time!”
I miss the snow and the mountains.
It’s not even Thanksgiving and Santa was at the mall today. Christmas music is playing. Decorations are going up. These are all PARTY FOULS. Whatever happened to waiting after Thanksgiving?
Time to go to Hogwarts.
Crash and Not-so-closet Racism
Watched the movie Crash last night, with Don Cheadle – who I think is the best actor you’ve never heard of.
It’s rated R for a reason – language, violence, brief nudity – but the themes it deals with and the twists in the story are incredible. If they had removed the brief nudity and softened the language a bit, I would have made it required watching for students.
It exposes racism by everyone and just when you think you’ve found a character that’s pure and will lead you out of it…a twist.
All have fallen short…
Potter on trial
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire opens this weekend…just in case you’ve been in a lockdown unit. And the “Ban the Potter” messages are coming. It’s too bad about that really.
The books are incredibly written and the movies are decent. Great stories – and it’s impossible to keep the Gospel out of great stories. Personally – I’m going to see the movie.
Serenity Prayer
Had a good friend email this to me yesterday. It’s been a long time since I read the whole prayer. Here it is.
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that You will make all things right
If I surrender to Your will.So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr
No Metric Zone
Here’s the deal Jeremy – we like Canada. We really do. See here for confirmation.
It’s just that the rest of world is just wrong using metric instead of inches, feet, pounds, and miles.
And that’s all I got to say about that.
My Dear Friend Wayne
A few months ago – I learned that I am cooler than 92% of the world. Proof is here.
Then Wayne responded with this.
Then of course – I had to respond with this.
Do any of you remember this?
At any rate – Wayne’s final comment here might just have me beat.
I mean, who can argue with the The Italian Stallion? Who can compete with an Italian heritage? He’s probably got mob ties as well.
Wayne and I are having a little…well, a little discussion over my use of 2k5 to give the year instead of 2005.
Wayne wrote:
Just so you know – the 2k5 stuff drives me nuts – technically you should be typing 2.005k at which point it’s just easier to type 2005.
Grant wrote:
wait a minute…..why wouldn’t it be 2k5? a k is a thousand….so is 2 thousand 5…which makes sense.what the heck is 2.005k….that’s 2 and 5 thousandths….that makes no sense. and the point isn’t what is EASIER – that is so thinking like an engineer…
The point is what is COOLER…more RIGHT BRAINED, if you will…a subject in which you struggle mightily with.
Wayne wrote:
Yes, if you are writing checks you would write two thousand five for 2005, but you would not write 2 thousand 5.“k�? or “kilo�? is a prefix multiplier meaning 10 raised to the third power (which equals 1000). So, when you say 2.005k you are saying 2.005 x 1000 = 2005. Just like 2.5 kB is 2500 Bytes or 2.5×1000.
Got it?
I have no problem with being right brained – as long as you are technically accurate.
Grant wrote:
Listen, we are not talking about bytes or writing checks. I’m willing to accept a check from you if wish for 2 thousand 5, but we are talking about dates.Which of course might be another foreign concept for you…(How exactly did you woo Amy G anyway…I mean, she’s really pretty.)
Plus the fact that 2k5 looks better, sounds better, and writes better should override the engineer’s desire to be technically accurate.
Narnia Series Overview
December 9th, Narnia will be released in theatres across the country. It is THE MOVIE of the Christmas season (well, King Kong is coming out too but to do a sermon series on that was going to be really, really, really, hard). Mainly because the same folks that did the effects for Lord of the Rings are doing them for Narnia.
Here is the flow of how we’re going to unpack the series. If you haven’t read the book – now would be a great time to do it! It is a fantastic story and your kids are going to love it!
Dec 4th – Jim Wilson
Dec 11th – Grant English
Dec 18th – Grant English
Dec 25th – Grant English
Children who are given relationship & reign
Audio
UPDATE: The Gospel Story in Warm Clothes, Week of Dec 4th
UPDATE: Treachery and Deceit, Week of Dec 11th
UPDATE: Sacrifice and Truth, Week of Dec 18th
David Goldmann’s Message
What a challenging book – Jonah. What’s up with Jonah’s death wish thing? I mean, instead of asking God to stop the storm so that he can obey – he’d rather drown at sea. Then he’d rather see the entire city destroyed than repent. Then he’d rather die under the withered plant than accept the discipline of God.
Good thing we aren’t like that, huh? Or are we? How tightly do we hold on to our understandings and thoughts of how things ‘ought’ to be as opposed to flexing with God?
What about the mandate/example of loving our enemies?
What does it look like to take Jesus to the wound of those who don’t like us or love us?
Why does Jonah end the way that it does?
What about Jonah do I see in myself?
Who are my modern day Ninevites?
What would have to change about me to love them?
What does loving them look like?
Lot’s of questions – few answers.
Sun AM @ Grace
We had a missionary from Frontiers talk this morning at Grace. He had some pretty challenging statements. He said that the terrorist attacks against the United States are not over. There will be more.
Then he asked would the Christians of the US still love them? How do you respond to that?
He noted that Islam is a religion that deceives and Muslims are people that Jesus died for.
Good words.
In The E-Hallway of Grace….
G: Hey, C – can you email me the updated Life Group Leader list with phone numbers, emails, and addresses?
C: I put a hard copy in your box. Our database is unable to email out that information.
G: I’m sure there is a perfectly logical explanation as to why we have a database program that we can’t email out of…..right?
C: I’m just the messenger.
My Boy Z
It’s dangerous to brag on students. The line between incredible faith and incredible stupidity is such a fine one. But it’s one I love to walk myself.
I wanna brag on Z. He’s a junior in high school. He’s also a high school boys life group leader. He’s starting a clothes drive for the BBP. That would be the Broadway Bridge Project. They feed the homeless every Tuesday night under the Broadway Bridge in downtown Little Rock.
He sends me this email….
The Broadway Bridge Project (BBP) is a small group of people who go down under the broadway bridge and feed and hangout with the homeless. With the weather changing and getting into colder temperatures the homeless are going to need some heavier clothes and blankets.
Things needed for the BBP:
* Jackets
* Blankets
* Shoes and Boots (Boots help some of the men find jobs on construction sites)
*All types of clothing ( as long as they are in good shape)
There will be a drop place at grace which will be marked “BBP”
If you have any questions please call Z.
Who said that teenagers can’t change the world?
Understanding and Reaching
This Saturday, the Missions Team is hosting David Goldmann.
If you are planning to go, be sure to drop the Missions team a note at deb.618ATcomcast.net. You might get a door prize or something…(not really).
You can get a glimpse of frontiers ministry here. 
Heath & Ann – my heroes
Here is the full story from Heath’s perspective. Here it is from Ann’s.
Bottom line – Little One’s future, from a human perspective is not good.
But Heath has said it best – this circumstance has increased our faith, proven our community, and demanded our dependence.
Glory to God.
Leading Worship
I lead worship this weekend at Grace. I like leading worship. It’s fun – especially with the musicians we have at Grace…gosh, we’ve got some talented ones.
But it does come with some ….’problems.’
Should I rock out on my Gretsch hollow body then shift to the acoustic or vice versa?
Chorus pedal – with or without distortion?
When to turn off the chorus effect – when it’s in a lull and just finger pick the song OR at a verse/chorus break?
Secondly – practice. I love it but I hate having one more night away from the house. Sunday night, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday were/are all taken up this week.
But, I still like it.