Archive for March, 2006
Pouring Concrete and Eating
We poured Hugo and Helen’s floor yesterday. I learned how to level a floor using plastic tubing and water. Crazy but effective! I’ll upload pictures when I can – I’m in a LAN house right now.
English Camp is this weekend and I’ve got how I’m going to open and how I’m going to close…nothing in the middle. Harry kindly reminded me that is how we roll anyway – start ‘em off, know where you are going but sweat how you’ll get there. Be free to follow the whispers of the Spirit.
When you think about it…not a bad way to live is it?
My Lent Day posts are on hiatus but I’ll catch them all up next week.
Pray for the weekend that many students will meet Jesus.
Oops and On the Way
We got into Orlando at 1:00 am last night. Our flight leaves at 6 tonight and we’ll hook up with our crew in Miami.
To kill some time….I’m grabbing lunch with my good blog buddy Rob aka Orangejack. In terms of “e-influence” in my life – he’s HUGE! Anybody remember the blogger days? Rob’s help and encouragment kept me tweaking and trying.
My bro in law, Tom, pointed me to him and Jerry for inspiration and help.
I’m rambling…and I’m hungry. Off to Brazil tonight!
Lofton’s Wedding, New Old Friends
Jason did the deed. He kissed Cindy for the first time AFTER they were pronounced husband and wife. How freakin’ cool is that?
Here are two cool pics of the evening. First is Jason and Cooper. For some reason, these two guys kinda just hit it off. Jason took Cooper to his first Hog game. Cooper had his first road trip sans family with Jason. Why a med school student now a doctor would want to spend that kind of time with a 8 year-old boy, I don’t know. I’m just thankful that God’s filled my house with godly men like Jason, the Matts, Ken, and the Tumlinsons.
And here is the “infamous” Virginia Steger. We had a great laugh and what a pleasant bunch of people the Stegers are. My gorgeous girls beside her. (btw – Paul and Cathy – they are moving to O-town. I’ll e-introduce ya’ll.)
It was a great wedding, lots of laughter and memories made. Met some new old friends…can’t beat that. Now on to stress about Brazil… haha ha
Lent, Day 25
Could I be Zachariah? God speaks and claims an impossibility will now be true and the first words out of his mouth are “Are you kidding me? Do you expect me to believe this? I’ve got 2 reasons why you are full of …. junk. I’m old. My wife is old.”
A couple of other interesting thoughts for me – when angels show up the first words out of their mouths are “Fear not!” They must be the 2nd most intimidating being in the universe. There isn’t an account in scripture where an angel is seen and the human doesn’t immediately fall down. (Okay, I just thought of one. Sodom and Gomorrah – but the consequences of that are brutal.)
If you can’t say anything nice, you’re not going to say anything at all. To Zachariah’s credit – it appears that the 9 month sabbatical for his vocal chords didn’t leave him bitter.
One more theme that I think we’ll see in Luke – the outsiders. Luke seems to elevate how Jesus embraced outsiders. Shepherds, women, Greeks, tax collectors – all are painted favorably in this book. It is a book truly written for a lover of God.
[tags] Gospel of Luke, Zachariah, angels[/tags]
Lent, Day 24
How many deaths had that Roman soldier seen? He was on crucifixion duty and a Roman soldier – so he probably had watched hundreds of men die. Yet there was something different about the way Jesus died. Enough of a difference to make the bold claim that Jesus was the son of God.
A friend of mine recently challenge me with Foster’s chapter on surrender in Celebration of Discipline. Allowing God be God, quit manipulating and ‘fixing’ the situation. I think the last 4 chapters have been the perfect illustration/definition of that.
Does anyone else find it ironic that the first “preachers” of the Gospel were women? I mean their testimony wasn’t even allowed in courts but the angel tells them – go tell the disciples the good story. And they weren’t believed.
[tags]Lent, crucifixion, women preachers[/tags]
Lent, Day 23
As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!”
Jesus said, “You’re impressed by this grandiose architecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.”
These words struck me because I’m preaching on Solomon dedicating the temple this weekend. One of the things God says to Solomon is that He makes the building holy. He brings the building glory. Not vice versa.
The other thing that strikes me – Peter’s response when he realizes he is also a betrayer. Complete brokenness. Wept bitterly. Ever done that?
There is something cathartic about that. Judas’ response of suicide still has a hint of pride in it – “I messed up, I’ll fix it.” Peter’s doesn’t. He is utterly worthless and broken. He just weeps. To be broken like that is a good thing.
[tags]Jesus, Temple, Lent, Peter [/tags]
The Next 72 Hours
1. Finish Sermon – scripture would be nice.
2. Pack for Brazil
2a. Meet Alton for coffee
3. Taxes
4. Wedding Rehearsal
5. Wedding
5a. Bachelor party – where I’ll stay up to late.
6. Preach
7. Get family on plane for Orlando – drop off kids.
8. Figure out 4 sessions of talks for English Camp
9. Blog
Good night……..Oh yeah….
10. Sweet Sixteen to Final Four
Scientology Hasn’t Learned Yet
My best friend loves South Park. I’ve made it through a couple of episodes. But I’m loving this latest soap opera with Isaac Hayes and Tom Cruise. And…I’m with Matt Stone and Trey Parker (the creators of South Park) on this one.
In case you’ve been under a rock the past couple of weeks – Isaac Hayes quit South Park because it made fun of Scientology. Tom Cruise got into the fray. Trey and Matt said – he didn’t have any problems getting paid to make fun Christians, Catholics, Mormons, or Muslims. It sounds like Isaac is the intolerant bigot.
Nice work. An equal opportunity offender. It’s about time we had that in Hollywood.
In response to the complaining of Hayes and others, Matt and Trey are going to do this – take the past recordings of Isaac Hayes and edit them to keep his character on the show. I think that’s funny.
Just take your licks from the media like a man, Scientologists!
[tags]South Park, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Scientology [/tags]
Lent, Day 22
Mark 11-12, The Message
Why is it that when we are busted we start “The Authority Game?” I was about 8 years old at Chambers Road Baptist Church in Aurora, Co. (Let me tell you what disturbs me – they don’t have a website. What the heck??? Where’s the love??)
What they did have was a cool setup where the main hallway that went completely around the building with two sets of stairs to the sanctuary – one in the front and one in the back. It was a multi-level raceway to 8-year old boys. And race we did. We’d leap down the entire flight of stairs, racing through the halls after church. Until SHE stopped us.
“NO RUNNING IN THE LORD’S HOUSE!!! DO YOU HEAR ME, GRANT ENGLISH!!??”
We all stopped. “You can’t tell me what to do. You aren’t my mom!”
If you know my dad, you can pretty much guess how that scenario played out.
But here is the reality – when I’m busted and confronted with a truth that I particularly don’t want to deal with – I’ll fall back on the authority card.
This is what the Pharisees were doing – we can’t argue with your points, instead will insult your credibility. That’s a sobering message to those us in student ministry, isn’t it?
Weddings and Such
Jason is getting married this weekend. I always knew he’d make a great wife.
I’m serious!! He cooks. He’s the cleanest bachelor I know of. He’s incredibly sensitive. He’s thoughtful of others. He loves Jesus and….I think I’ll just stop now because it sounds like I’ve got a man-crush on him.
I’m in the wedding. In fact – the whole family is in the wedding. Cooper is the ringbearer. Cayden and Camber will be flower girls…except they can’t drop flowers. (First they take away the birdseed, now we can’t drop real flowers anymore. What is the world coming to??) Amy will sit up front and try to keep the girls from creating mass chaos during the ceremony.
My job is to pray something fairly deep and significant…to get everyone in the mood before the real deal begins.
Amy cried through our entire wedding. I’m not making this up. She literally cried through all of it. When the “richer or poorer” part came up – she hesitated. She was trying to take a deep breath to keep the tears from flowing.
The pastor repeated the line “in case she forgot.”
We still laugh about that. Weren’t quite sure about that whole rich/poor thing, huh? Trips ‘em up every time.
On the good side – I’m going to get to see some friends I haven’t seen in a while!!! And another set of friends that I thought I’d never get to see.
Lent, Day 21
My favorite section of Mark. Jesus gives them a living picture of what power in his Kingdom is – it’s the power of being touchable to the least of these.
The Touchability of the Holy stands in direct contrast of their history and their teachers. It’s blasphemy. But….it’s that kind of power that brings healing, redemption, and hope. And the disciples not only don’t have it – they can’t recognize it.
So Jesus gives them multiple object lessons. The demonic boy, the children, correcting the disciples when they started to argue of the ‘best’ position with the illustration of a child, teaching on divorce (don’t look for a reason to separate, look to the reason why you are one).
The disciples bring who they thought who was a great ‘catch,’ Jesus lets him walk away sad. Children again are the object lesson. The final straw of James and John. Jesus had to call a “family meeting” once more to teach plainly.
Touchability of the Holy. We exist to serve others.
[tags]Lent, Jesus, Mark 9-10[/tags]
A Woman Wired For Student Ministry
I have often bragged about Amy. She is the ultimate Student Pastor Wife. Halo Nights and March Madness Weekends are of course exhibit A and A1 in my book. There are very few subjects off limits around her – which makes us all love her to pieces.
She has never however done this. That is post about peeing in the shower. And to that – I have to give major kudos to Catbird. She is becoming a MUST read blog of mine.
Her husband is a very good writer as well.
Lent, Day 20
But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.”
Mark 8:32-34, The Message
I’m in God’s story, He’s not in mine. I’m in God’s Story, He’s not in mine. He’s the leader, I’m not. My job is to discern and obey. That’s it.
I remember Donald Miller saying something to that effect last year at Catalyst. Not exactly incredibly profound or even pithy. But penetrating…and it appears to be to the ongoing conversation topic for followers of Jesus.
See the miracles…see the needs…see how God uses the trivial things. Forget who the heck is the Big Deal in the middle of all of it. Right when you think it’s apparent that there really isn’t a pattern or secret code as to how God will work – Peter thinks he’s got one…
“No, Jesus. That’s not how God works.”
Really? You figure that out all by yourself? Are you willingly being stupid or is it just natural for you?
God, forgive me for that kind of arrogance and presumption. I think the older I get, the more prone I am to that kind of sin. Instead of growing more in wonder, I grow more in complacency. Change that in me.
Art of Skilfull Living
Ken Wilson did a great job of overviewing Proverbs for us this weekend.
Some random questions I left with…
What ‘sages’ am I listening to? Who are my “Bill Gates” and “Yogi Berras”?
What is their advice based on? How much do I really FEAR the Lord? (The Lent Challenge is really changing this in me.)
What are the soundbites/proverbial statements that I’m passing on to my kids? “Clean your room.” “Turn off the lights.”
What proverbs drive me? Which ones would I want to be a motto of my home?
Next week, I’m going to get to look at Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. (I know, I know…I get the good ones…) What do those books tell us about Solomon? What do they reveal about his heart?
Keep walking…
Flying Into Daybreak
Stop what you are doing and go buy this CD.
Charlie Hall, Flying Into Daybreak. It’s twice as good as David Crowder’s Collision.
And I loved Collision.
I have Closer on repeat right now.
Which of course, was a Natalie Portman movie as well.
V for Viva la Vatelie Vortman
A bunch of us went to the movies last night.
I have a major confession to make. It’s a sickness, I know. And admittance is the first step of recovery…..but…..I have a crush on Natalie Portman.
I think not only is she like very pretty…but she can act. Even bald.
What in the name of everything good and holy is happening to me?????????
I’m completely loosing it.
As for the movie – it was okay. Not great. Not horrible. The politics were over the top, fundamentalist bashing extreme…and honestly, it would have served them better if they had dropped the extreme level down a few bits. And there is the PC appropriate “Save the Gays, they are so oppressed” message.
But well shot. Well filmed.
And it’s set up for a sequel….read here for more.
[tags]Natalie Portman, V, Burger King [/tags]
TO in Big D
Dallas signs Terrell Owens. Welcome to the bizarre. I’m glad that TO is in Dallas. It just gives me one more reason to not like them. Who exactly has the biggest blind spot in this story?
Parcells? Hard to fathom. This is the same guy that could degrade Lawrence Taylor with one sentence. Does he get what kind of player he is getting? Can he ‘control’ him? Probably but at what cost? If there is one character in this story that we can be sure ISN’T going to change – it’s Parcells. TO will play the way Parcells wants or…well, let’s just say that Andy Reid is a Care Bear compared to Parcells.
Jerry Jones? It’s hard to imagine he’d make this move without Parcell’s okay. Jones is one of the few owners in the NFL that takes high-risk gambles for the sake of bettering the team. But this is one that might be over-reaching. Even if TO keeps his trap shut and plays well, Dallas is more than just a great receiver away from being a Super Bowl team.
TO? He complained about McNabb. And Jeff Garcia. Does he even know who the quarterback is in Dallas? Drew Bledsoe of 2005, not 1995. Does TO know that Drew spent more time on his back last season than certain boat riders in Minnesota? I’m guessing he signed with Dallas not because he’s looking for a team that is going to compete for the Super Bowl but for any team that was willing to take a risk on him. And TO has NEVER played for a coach like this. He won’t put up with the publicity stunts.
Dallas Fans? Your team isn’t as good as you think it is. The only difference between the talent level of the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys is Parcells. TO isn’t going to make THAT much of a difference. Here are the facts about TO. When he was in San Francisco – he made an average team….slightly better than average then he cratered it with his mouth. He went to Philadelphia and took a very good team (NFC Championship game 4 years in a row) to slightly better than very good (Super Bowl loss) then he cratered that team with his mouth. Guess what he’ll probably do in Dallas?
It’s a train wreck waiting to happen but it will be fun to watch.
[tags] NFL, Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens, Bill Parcells, Jerry Jones [/tags]
Leader Meeting, Wednesday Night
From the Elders:
We first want to thank you for your service, and commitment to the ministry at Grace. Know, that your role is crucial to the healthy function of Grace. Again thank you. Our intent with the meeting is to discuss with you as leaders, where we've been as a body and where we are going from here. We will order pizzas, so if you plan to attend, please rsvp Kayla by Monday afternoon. Childcare will also be provided, so include childcare needs in the rsvp as well. If you have any questions please contact one of the elders. Thanks, Elders of Grace Church *Pizza Dinner 6:00-6:30, Discussion 6:45-7:30
Lent, Day 18
When Jesus heals us, transforms us something else dies. This ‘something else’ is probably valued more than it ought to be by both ourselves and others. The reality is – it’s all swine compared to the transforming power of Christ.
He changes us to tell our story, not to hide it. Sometimes following Jesus means staying exactly where he changed you.
And of course, my favorite passage to preach – the bleeding woman. I still chuckle that folks got upset that I used the word “period” in church. I had about 8 different people tell me they didn’t realize that is what the bleeding was. Then I had someone else tell me that “menstrual cycle” would have been more appropriate. I can honestly say that I have never used the words “menstrual cycle” in a sentence. (Okay – I just did but I meant verbally.)
That whole discussion, however, is uncomfortably similiar to the situation as it’s describe in these chapters. The religious were more worried about the appropriateness of an action to the extent that they miss the larger picture of what God is doing. They undermine and devalue the person (a boy, a carpenter) and in doing so miss the miracle.
I Just Want To Cuss and a Divorce
I think I’ve thought/said every expletive known to man. KU did this to me last year with Bucknell. (By the way, Arkansas – they are a real pain in the butt, aren’t they?)
Now Bradley. Kansas’ freshman played like…well…freshman. Good night – couldn’t hit a bull in the backside with a bass fiddle. This is the last time I EVER pick Kansas beyond the second round, let alone the Sweet 16 or the Final Four.
Here are my two brackets. Completely shot to pieces…why the heck do I do this every year. No more KU in the post-season. My heart can’t take it anymore.
[tags] Kansas, Bucknell, Bradley, Final Four, Bracket Busters [/tags]
Lent, Day 17
Mark’s gospel is the least read in my personal cannon. I camp in Luke and John mostly. And while there are some differences in the gospels, one thing that is becoming increasingly clear – they all depict Jesus as very antagonistic to religious people.
If you have an outside-in mentality – what you do on the outside is more important than the inside – then watch out. Jesus is going to do something on purpose to send you into orbit.
Like heal on the Sabbath.
Parable of the Soils
Jesus says if you don’t understand this parable, you will not get anything else he has to say. That’s a pretty intense statement and warrants us to take some time to figure it out.
The Parable is really about the Soils. The sower has one job – throw seed where ever he walks. Only one soil produces a harvest. One is hard and the gospel won’t take. The other is shallow and quickly is scorched when things get too hot. Another soil is weedy and when the troubles come, chokes out the fruit.
What is the condition of our soil?
Wi-fi Madness
I’m in San Francisco Bread Company – blogging – watching their flat panel HD TV AND CBS’ online video of games.
I think I’m in heaven.
One problem – one of my final four teams – BC – is in a nailbiter..
Oh NO!!!! tie game – 9 seconds left…..
Who the heck is Pacific anyway?
If Pacific is smart – they’ll full-court press…
TRAVELLING!!!!!! What the heck, BC????
HE CALLED TIMEOUT!!!!!!!!!!!
Nevermind….00.3 seconds on clock.
They are going to give it to them?? What the heck good is that? Well here we go…overtime…
By the way – I picked the UW-M upset over OU.
DOUBLE OT!!!!!!
Finally – BC pulls it out. Was that a Duke hangover or what????
Easy To Encounter God
Got an email from a pastor friend…decided to include us all in the discussion. She found this quote (don’t know where!!! oops):
in today’s church structure we may have fashioned it so that it is easier to encounter God in an atheistic, carnal society than in a setting where we come expecting to meet God.” This statement would apply to believers only. Those looking for encounters.
She then asked me – would you agree with this?
GENERALLY speking, I agree with the first part of the quote. Sometimes those of us in the ‘professional God market’ do better at managing God than encountering the Wild One.
I DON’T, however, this encounter only applies to believers. I think it applies to all who are seeking – looking – for a God encounter.
Another buddy of mine responded this way:
Since all mankind is a creation of God in His own image, we have an “inbred†sense to discover our purpose, why we are here and who put us here. Culture screams spirituality in everything it does. They (non-believers) are most certainly looking for a “God†Encounter (that which brings completeness to our lives and answers our needs). The problem with non-believers is that their gods look like many different things and sometimes look like other religions. When I see people on the street, I don’t really ask the question, “are they seeking an encounter with God?â€â€¦.I ask the question, “have they encountered Yahweh yet?â€. We are all “encountering†our image of God everyday…
What do you think?