Archive for December, 2005
The Dark Knight
I hate internet quizzes – but I saw this on both Nelson’s and Galli’s blog and decided I had to try it…
You scored as Batman, the Dark Knight. As the Dark Knight of Gotham, Batman is a vigilante who deals out his own brand of justice to the criminals and corrupt of the city. He follows his own code and is often misunderstood. He has few friends or allies, but finds comfort in his cause.
Batman, the Dark Knight ——–88%
James Bond, Agent 007 ———83%
William Wallace —————–83%
Captain Jack Sparrow ———–79%
Indiana Jones ——————-79%
Maximus ————————71%
Lara Croft ———————–58%
El Zorro ————————-58%
Neo, the “One” ——————50%
The Terminator —————–46%
The Amazing Spider-Man ——-38%
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com
Plus, he’s got the coolest uni of all action heroes.
The Worst Bowl Uni’s…So Far
I’m watching the second half of the Holiday Bowl and I see Oregon trot out and I about puked. Downright ugly unis. Then I was in a quandry. Do I pull for Oregon because I can’t stand Oklahoma OR do I pull for Oklahoma because they are definitely sporting the better look of the two?
I get an email from Mike. He said Ted Nugent had been arrrested trying to get his pajamas back from the Oregon locker room. I pulled for Oregon anyway.
Their uniform isn’t completely ridiculous. The helmet is redeemable. And…that’s about it. White dots on knee pads? Note to coaching staff – most schools put reward stickers on their helmets. The name of the school running down the leg and on the shoulder? Some kind of square pattern on jersey? Hideous.
Here are the worst college uni’s in a bowl this year:
Oregon – obviously.
Virginia Tech – I’ve said all I’ve need to say here.
Memphis – not a terriblle uni but jersey and pants same metallic color is a disaster.
Houston – same reason…might be reason they got mopped off field as well.
Short List:
Miami – depends on which jerseys they trot out in. The white ones with the sash around it gets them on the list. Will update tomorrow on this.
Coming up – Top 10 College football unis
Anniversary
This is our 14th year of marriage. Amy beat me to the punch this year – nudging me at 12:02 AM saying “Happy Anniversary.”
That’s two in a row.
Our traditional movie-a-thon is not going to happen because other than Narnia, all movies out just suck. Thank you Hollywood. This I think has been the most horrible year for movie going. Wake us up when you get original again.
Tonight – River Market for dinner,live music and drinks. Thanks Mimi and Big Tom for the free babysitting. And I got another surprise for her as well…..
Fantasy Football Fallout
I’m in two leagues, remember? I ended the regular season in BOTH leagues as the top scorer. I ended the regular season in BOTH leagues with a number 2 seed in the playoffs.
There the resemblances end. In my CBS league – I am a MASH unit. Marvin Harrison – out, Samkon Gaddo – out, Ronnie Brown – out, Isaac Bruce – out, Steve Smith – ejected in the first quarter. So…end the season in 4th place.
In my Yahoo league – a little better. Edge – benched, Steve Smith – see above, Samkon – out, TJ Houseofalastname – out. BUT managed to win and now am in the championship game. With half my players on the bench. Should be interesting.
Just thought you’d care to know.
Christmas Service
What a fun morning at church! You can listen to it here on iTunes…(here on regular ole mp3 files.)
Lots of laughter and what a neat way to spend Christmas morning. Now it is time to eat!
Merry Christmas!
Greenpeace will hate us
We are responsible for killing about 6.3 square miles of forest with wrapping paper alone. I hate to think what bows, string, boxes, stamps, and styrofoam will do to that number.
All joking aside…to Mamie, Grandad, Big Tom, Mimi, Nana, and Poppy – we say thanks. Not just for the loot. But more importantly for being family. Here are some more pics.
Christmas Sick
One of the ‘benefits’ of having divorced parents is Christmas. It’s like a drunken sailor on shore leave for my kids. 3 sets of grandparents who are all nuts about their grandkids equals lots of wrapping paper. Here is some of the damage.
Welcome to the G sides!
Merry Christmas, everyone. I finally pulled the trigger and here are the new digs! I’d say something trite like “I hope you like it” but I really don’t care if you like it or not.
This is my christmas present from Tom and Currin Ann (The In-Laws) and so it’s a gift that will keep on giving!!
My next feat – figuring out an easy way to post pictures…
G Sides 2 Do List
1. RSS feeds for blog
2. RSS feeds for comments
3. Calendar on sidebar
4. podcast link
5. blogroll
6. picture hosting/posting
7. change comment layout
8. Categorize old posts
9. Favorite/most popular post link/sidebar
10. Stat counter
The Stallion is concerned about the Lion
The Italian Stallion asked me this:
I’m not 100% of the fact that the phrase “lion of the tribe of Judah�? is used for the first time in Rev. 5:5 (well, OK, yeah, explicitly it is); however, could the blessing spoken by Jacob to his sons in Genesis 49 be the deeper magic? Especially 49:9 “Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up he couches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares rouse him up?�? (NASB). Namely, is there any support of this as some sort of quasi messianic prophecy?
Well, here’s my answer – Revelation IS the first time (only time) that Jesus is specifically referred to as a Lion.
Could Genesis 49:9 be a Messianic prophecy? Sure, it COULD be and some scholars do interpret it as such. I think they are fine and okey dokey to do that but I don’t think it is the MAIN thrust of the passage.
The main thrust of the passage is that Judah was the second son, not the first YET it would receive the first-son blessing and position. Judah would be the dominant tribe and Israel’s leaders will come out of Judah.
What is more concerning to me is the Stallion’s use of the NASB. I know Heath is into that kind of thing, but shortwavers aren’t known for their Biblical prowess.
Church Wide Fast
The Elders would like to invite you to join them for a 48-hour fast starting December 29th, Thursday evening and ending December 31st, Saturday evening at the New Year’s Eve Service.
As 2006 approaches, we would like the body to fast and pray for Grace church. To pray for unity, clarity, and provision. Pray for our search process for a student pastor and a teaching pastor. We will end the fast with communion at our New Year’s Eve service, 6 PM.
It would be awesome if you could inform your Life Group of this.
Forgiveness for Youth Pastors
She loves me and my family. She’s a huge voice of encouragment (on most days! he he) for us. And I think she’s been lied to. She said this to me…
Sometimes we have to tone down who we are, especially after we meet Jesus. Take me for example – I was a hippie, crazy, funny, Jim Carrey like person. But if I acted who I really am in church, people here would just wig out.
This is how I responded:
I can’t think of words strong enough to disagree with that statement. Somebody somewhere lied to you. What if God made you that way and by stuffing it and putting on a mask, you’re hindering the work of God through you? What if by stuffing – that was more of a sin than the ‘proper behavior?’ You are funny and crazy and FUN. You should worship and serve in an environment that explodes and accentuates the God-placed DNA inside you. Not stuffed. What if we are taking the biggest weapon God has in advancing his kingdom out of his hand by “toning down” our true selves so that we all look the same?
But here is the truth of that interaction. She didn’t always think that way. Somewhere in her life, it was communicated to her that belonging to Christ equated with belonging to the particular values and ideals of that group.
Instead of walking with her in her quest to figure out who she was/is supposed to be in Christ, somebody gave her a template of what ‘works’ or ‘fit’ in their small world. A way to dress, to speak, to interact, to dream, and to worship.
And in the process, the church was robbed of a uniquely gifted piece of the Body functioning the way He designed her to function.
May we who work with the moldable teens and leaders of today, not make the same mistake. And may God and others forgive us for our past mistakes.
Coop’s B-day
Today is the day that 8 years ago that punk kid named Cooper was born.
Here’s to On the Border, bowling, Bronco football, Nintendo DS, and NBA Street Vol. 3.
The Ultimate Weekend for an 8 year-old.
It will end with chocolate chip cookies and more Xbox tonight.
Sacrifice & Truth
There was so much more I really wanted to unpack in greater detail – like Aslan’s breath bringing the stone creatures back to life after his resurrection. His battle was with the White Witch, only he could destroy her, noboby else.
Another story line I’d love to pursue one day is Lewis’ understanding of Atonement. In LWW, he ‘supposes’ one them – the Ransom theory. Are there others? In what contexts in the scriptures are the different theories used and explained?
Since the Law hasn’t been around forever, how did those born before it ‘accomplish righteousness?’ In other words, how was their sin covered? (Check out Romans 5 & 6 for some help.) Has that changed? If so, how?
In Narnia, Aslan tells the children there is no need to discuss the past. How do react to that? How come? Could (should) that happen in the ‘real world?’ Would that have been easy or hard for you why?
There’s one question that has left some serious wounds in me over these last two weeks. We’ve looked at the hero who uses sacrifice and truth. We’ve looked at the villian who uses treachery and deceit. Which tools do I use the most? I’m not always real proud of my answer to that question.
Aslan gives Peter two plans for battle – in case he is not able to help Peter. Why? Is this Lewis supposing that Jesus, in his humanity had to trust the Father through death and had no assurance that he would come back to life?
Next week we will look at our role (the children) in the Christmas story. See ya’ Christmas morning.
One More Thing To The List
After the huge generalizations of this post, I’d like to add two thoughts.
First, not all of the differences are age-based. For example, Row – my good friend, worship pastor, and partner-in-crime is WELL INTO THE BOOMER AGE GROUP (ha ha ha) but philosophically and behaviorally he’s an X’er. (I’ve granted him an honorary membership to our generation.)
I also have a lot of guys I went to seminary with that were the exact opposite. Boomers in X’ers clothing.
Which brings up the second thought as illustrated with a story.
Last year, I ran into a pastor who went to the same seminary I did. He asked me if I was a backpacker or a briefcaser.
Allow me to unpack what that means. There is a pecking order on most seminary campuses.
The “real pastors” go to the school of theology, not religious education.
The “real pastors” get a MDIV with Biblical Languages degree, not JUST a MDIV, MRE or MA.
The “real pastors” carried their books in a briefcase and wore kakhis and collars.
I’m not sure what is more indicting – that I knew he meant all of this or that I actually continued the conversation with him.
I just smiled. “Yep, I was a backpacker. Complete with jeans, t-shirt, and baseball cap on bad hair days.”
He smiled.
I continued. Why? Because I was arrogant and I had to have the last word. I’m so glad I’m grown up now. (insert sarcasm alarm here.)
“I kept my MDIV with Biblical Languages books in my backpack. Did you?”
“Uh, no.”
“Then shut your face, you ignorant, non-Greek and Hebrew reading fake. How dare you insult my honor and your God by preaching out of anything but the original languages!”
Okay ….. I really didn’t say that. (Nor do I feel that way.) But the exchange illustrates another big difference in how the two mindsets understand calling.
GENERALLY SPEAKING…
Boomers equate being equipped and trained (the sheepskins) with being called.
X’ers are going to have a more mystical understanding of calling that includes an individual’s desire and the community’s confirmation (or lack thereof).
All of this to say…I think in spite of (or BECAUSE OF) the two worlds can (and OUGHT TO) co-exist with each other. The harder question is how – especially for the smaller sized churches?
More thoughts coming…
A Blessing From Cynthia
For Grant…2 Samuel 23:8-23 (David’s Mighty Men)
Grant, you are blessed to be a warrior. Though you may want to curse the battle, your heart is willing — not because you lust for war, but because you love your King.
May you cease to look at the size of the enemy, and may you fix your eyes on Him. Your prize is not in the spoils, but in the victory — and it will come.
Now may the Lord bless you, may He keep ou, and may He fight beside you all your days.
Amen.
Domain Update
Update on names…I realize at some point a decision must be made and quite honestly – ya’ll aren’t helping a whole lot.
I did find out today that my name literally means “large sneaky thief.” (More on that in a minute…) Which, by the way is available as a domain. (Email me: Grant AT largesneakythief.com!)
gsrants.com
grantenglish.com
grantsdelusions.com
grantioch.com
The more I think about it, I’m going to go one of two ways. Either the quite boring but memorable grantenglish.com OR the completely outrageous largesneakythief.com OR largesneakypirate.com. I’ve got 7 days.
UPDATE: Epiphany???? what about thegsides.com?
The 4th Place, Part 3
Marko said to grab the book The Search To Belong by Joseph R. Myers. Fortunately – Jim had it and that was exactly where all the ideas came from. He’s let me borrow his until I get my own copy.
First – HOLY COW…what a great book. How the heck did I miss this one?
These are my ramblings about the 1st chapter. The stuff in italics are Joseph Myers. Blame me for the rest of it.
Common Myths About Belonging
More Time = More Belonging
The premise is that the more time you spend with someone, the more you belong. I always knew this was a myth. Otherwise I would still have such a great relationship with my high school basketball team.
A buddy of mine (Brian Briley) has a phrase – “The 212 Guys.” These are the guys (or gals) you have instant rapport and trust, can get to boiling quick. Myers call the idea of keeping a bunch of people together who don’t connect for long periods of time – “forced relational hell.�?
More Commitment = More Belonging
When we search to belong, we aren’t really looking for commitment. We simply want to connect.
See Marriage. Ouch! How true is this, though? 15-20 years of committed marriage but are they connected?
More Purpose = More Belonging
If this were true, every committee in America would be awesome and they’d all be friends.
More Personality = More Belonging
Of all the myths – this one indicts student ministry the most. (At least the way I use to do student ministry.) We elevate/celebrate/fake personality for the purpose of getting people involved and connected. If a student is outgoing, gregarious – that’s a student leader. If a small group is struggling and dieing it’s because the leader doesn’t have enough of a personality.
Ironic that most extroverts feel alone. When asked how they like having all those friends, most extroverts would answer the way ‘Dave’ did.
Dave said – “I have people who are comfortable around me. I am not comfortable around them. I’m scared they do not like me.�? I am painfully aware of that statement.
Introversion and extroversion are learned forms of social behavior that help us navigate our day-to-day lives. They are categories for helping us understand and interpret our relational experiences. But introversion and extroversion neither block nor enhance our experience of belonging.
More Proximity = More Belonging
After seeing how teens from the US interact with teens in Brazil…this myth is being busted open. A teen has more in common and ‘belongs’ more with a teen in South America than his Baby Boomer next door neighbor. The digital age has made the neighborhood of the world…well, a neighborhood.
More Small Groups = More Belonging
This myth gets its own post tomorrow. This myth crawled up in my lap and slapped upside the head.
I have no idea how this is going to turn out, but I’m loving the journey.
Young Adults & Boomers = Love/Hate
This is a great article and definitely worth the read if you are in a setting where X’s, Y’s, and Boomers collide.
Implications for church/ministry? Hmm, how do I tiptoe through this minefield? ha ha ha.
First, let’s recognize I’m an X’er. So all of the generalizations of my generation – I probably represent that but I wouldn’t admit it.
Second, while there is a whole truckload of implications for these differences in the family arena or even the career arena, I’m not going down that road. I’ll let one of my fellow X’ers pick up that baton.
I’m going to try to focus on the church/ministry setting. Which leads me to say this…
Third, any resemblance to my current situation is purely coincendental and I hold no responsibility for that. Taking responsibility is a characteristic of the boomers, not the X’ers. 
These are GENERALIZATIONS…so take ‘em for what they are worth.
BOOMERS (Pull the pin)
1. I think Boomers have a tremendous amount of experience and insight to give to ministries and leaders.
2. I think Boomers TEND TO leverage their resources (money, influence) to perserve these experiences at the expense of a ‘new song’, new vision or new way of doing something.
3. I think Boomers are slower in giving away authority and releasing leaders…(Could it be because of a “we built it, we should run it” mentality?)
4. I think Boomers CAN BE incredibly self-focused in their programming and ‘vision for ministry.’ Example? The children’s ministry was awesome and well-funded when they had children, the student ministry was incredible and well-funded when they had teenagers (thank you, by the way), the service now needs to meet the 45-60 age group now because we are empty nesters.
5. I think Boomers are great at throwing opinions/ideas at ‘opportunities’ but are reluctant to lend ‘sweat equity.’ In other words – great at giving money, not-so-great at time.
X’ers & Younger
1. I think (because every institution has failed us?) we are too easily jaded and quick to quit to do our own thing when we things don’t go the way we want them.
2. I think we tend to see Boomers as ‘deep pockets’ instead of people who are also on the journey with Jesus.
3. I think we TEND to handle conflict with passive aggressiveness (just quit, not engage anymore, do what we want anyway, deal with consequences later) rather than biblical confrontation (face to face disagreement without trashing the other person).
4. I think we error on the side of jumping before thinking. Technology and movies immediately come to mind.
5. If Boomers are stingy with their time (see 5 above), we are stingy with our money.
So What?
Glad you asked. The process of implementing change in a church is hard enough, through these dynamics in the mix and you might have outright war. That might explain both the explosion of church closings AND church plantings.
Churches that have critical mass and funding – ‘mega-churches’ – answer the dilemna by ‘divide and conquer.’ Set up ministries for every age group with their own style of service, style of small group, style of communicator.
That’s great if you are a church of 1,000 or more. But what if you aren’t? What if you are a church of 500 or 150?
Is this just an American phenomenon or is this international? Europe? Africa?
Hmmm…still chewing.
In Search of the Ultimate Domain
Okay – I’m seriously going to go after my own domain and host my blog there. I’m likin’ the idea. I’m liking the toolin’ around on WordPress I’m doing….
Now the hard part…finding a domain name. So I hereby open up the “Name G’s New Domain Contest.” I’ll put a permalink in the sidebar so that you can vote early and often.
But first – nominations. Add a comment, put your idea. It has to be AVAILABLE to be valid. You can check availability at register.com.
possible domain ideas….
g-splace.com
thegsplace.com
gluvsplace.com
cupofg.com
cupofg.us
strongcupofgrant.com
strongcupofgluv.com
strongcupofg.com
thegluv.com
gsjava.com
ventig.comgsventi.com
ventifaith.com
Does thegluv.com sound too dorky? As I write this – I realize that I made it my email address – so if I had/have an issue with it…it’s probably a little late. Carrying on…
I’ve also toyed with the idea of using the word “strata” – it’s a geological term for layers. earthy faith with multiple layers. (might be too much of a stretch….but…)
grants-strata.com
strataofgrant.com
yamammaplayedastrata.com
yourfaceisastrata.com
yourmomthinksimhotwheniplaymystratacaster.com
Of course, that last one opens up a whole new set of ideas I would run with if I was single…
yourgirlfriendsayshi.com
dontbothergoinghome.com
None of those are really helpful for long term employment, but funny.
Another cool idea is to play with the .us tag instead of .com
theenemyis.us
myzitsarefullofp.us
gorideab.us
getofftheb.us
gotrunoverbyabigb.us
Alright…time to hear from the masses.
Repenting To My 6 Year Old
We interrupt the English dinner last night to bring you this…
“This is crap.”Camber English, 6
Nobody said anything for a second. The first thought through my mind was “What is crap?” I think the first thought through Amy’s was…”THIS IS MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SAYING THIS!! GRANT ENGLISH, THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!!!!”
Fortunately for both us, we neither one said what we were thinking. We just sat there.
Then I blew it. I really messed up.
“Honey – I don’t want to hear that word from your mouth.”
“Yes, sir. Why?”
“Because it’s an ugly word, not a nice word and you’re not ugly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Great job. I got my compliant answer of “Yes, sir,” I affirmed her worth, but missed an opportunity to reach her heart. Why is it easier to look past the junk of others to their heart than my own kids? What was she talking about? The food? The situation that she was the last one at the table and was in danger of missing desert? The war in Iraq? What was going on in her mind?
So I parented the outside and missed the inside. I made sure the exterior looked (sounded) right and good and acceptable. In the process, I further confirmed that I’m more concerned in what she says than who she is and what she thinks.
I’m going to right a book – “How To Raise A Pharisee” and I’ll sell bumper stickers with it – 2b1 ask1. I’ll ask Rowland to write the musical that includes a big solo to the tune of “If I Were I Rich Man…” titled “If I Had A Clue Phone…(As To What I Was Doing, yada, yada, yada).”
Then I read this – it’s Paul. “I consider them (all of his exterior ‘merit badges’) rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
The unfortunate thing about going to seminary and having all those Greek classes is that I actually remember some of it. Like the meaning of the word ‘rubbish.’ It’s slang Greek for trash. I wonder what our English equivalent is?
For me, it’s easier to listen to a man rant and cuss about his wife or kids – ignore the surface stuff and dive in for the heart issues. It’s easier listening to a teen ramble along all of his (or her) issues in language I wouldn’t use and then back door on the heart.
Why? Because that is how Jesus did stuff all the time. The most obvious “issues” and “sin” are never the real, heart issues. And you can correct it and miss the heart completely. And Jesus wanted the heart…all of it. And to do that – you need grace, patience, love, and vision for transformation.
I just wish I could parent that way.
I’m sorry, Camber. I’ll be better.
Treachery and Deceit
Bullies use intimidation. Manipulators use deceit. And when we use those tools – guess who’s tools we are using? Ouch…painful reminder isn’t it?
How often have I parented with those two tools? Treated a co-worker that way?
Other Not-S0-Random Questions:
What’s your Turkish Delight? What distracts you?
What kind of hero do you think can overcome this?
Although people may use these tools of the enemey – that doesn’t mean that they are the enemy. Look at Edmund and the redemption process for him. How do you normally view people who hurt or betray you? Could you forgive?
Next week – the Hero.
January 29th – Chili Cook-Off
The Women’s Ministry will do a chili-cook off on January 29th, after church. The purpose is to raise money for their retreat but that’s not all.
We also want to use it as an opportunity for new folks to get plugged in at Grace. We want to provide a relaxed, fun atmosphere for new folks to meet our Life Group Leaders and Ministry Leaders. We want to give them a chance to put a face with a name with a ministry.
So – bring the family and use this opportunity for new folks to join you in your ministry or Life Group.
To sign up to cook chili – drop an email to Linda Edwards. (Or leave a comment here, and I will get it to her.)
Cliches I Want To Die
In an effort to not throw up over the holidays, I would like to see the following sappy cliche sayings executed immediately…
“Wise Men Still Seek Him.” (So why only this time of the year?)
“Don’t take the Christ out of Christmas.” (It’s okay to take Him out of schools, homes, businesses, Easter, decision making for the family – but not okay concerning Christmas.)
“To some it’s a holiday, to others it’s a Holy Day.” (I don’t even want to comment on this one.)
“He’s the Reason for the Season.” (Just for the record – Biblical scholars think Jesus’ real birthday was in April. It could be that the real reason we have Christmas when we have it is to redeem and reclaim a once pagan holiday. Which, I’m okay with.)
“Season’s Greetings” (I never got this one. It’s always a season and NOBODY uses the word greeting anymore except GREETING CARD companies. So technically this saying is appropriate all year long. Instead of Happy 4th of July – start saying “Season’s Greetings.”)
What are yours?