Archive for July, 2007
The NBA Mess
I’m watching the press conference right now of David Stern. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beat up, tired commissioner. (Someone is going to mention Bud Selig but I remind them that Bud Selig just naturally looks that way. I mean, the guy looks like he’s only gotten a total of 8 hours of sleep his entire life.)
But the press conference is boring and pointless. All he is doing is going over the hiring procedure of the NBA of their officials. It’s basically a great big CYA session. He says he’s going to answer all questions that he is able to answer as allowed by the FBI.
Here’s one I’d like to have answered…
If you knew as early as January of this year that he was “on the take”, why did you allow him to work playoff games?
In my mind – anything after that is the commissioner’s fault. Got an answer for that David?
I’ll keep you updated….
UPDATE 1: Stern says it was June 21st when the FBI called. However, as early as 2005 they had investigated the same official for betting….hmm.
UPDATE 2: His part is done. 30 minutes of NBA hiring policy, 5 minutes of actual usable information – there was betting on games he worked and didn’t work, he gave information, and a disclaimer that he can’t answer questions directly related to the case…
[tags]NBA, officials, gambling[/tags]
But the smell…
This is part of our e-journey through the gospel of John. Today is from John 11.
I hate funerals.
Who doesn’t right?
I don’t think it matters how many you go to…it just doesn’t get easier. Now for me, it’s a bit different. As a pastor, there is a certain expectation that we somehow know exactly what to say and when to say it to make everything smooth and nice. Let me fill you in on a little secret…none of that is true.
Well, some of it is true. I’ve been around enough funerals now to know that saying nothing and just being there is tons more important than having anything profound to say. In fact, the more profound you think something is at a funeral, the more you should keep it to yourself. There is nothing profound at a funeral. No one ever remembers what the preachers says at a funeral and that’s a good thing. If you do remember what the preacher said, it’s probably because he (she) said something incredibly insensitive or stupid.
Unless of course, you’re Jesus. Jesus had a way of wrecking funerals. I mean completely and utterly destroying them. Raising people from the dead will ruin a good funeral every time. The mourners start laughing at Jesus during one scene (Mark 5). Luke 7 is another scene where Jesus – right in the middle of the processional – goes up to the mom, tells her not to cry, then rips open the casket and says “Get up, boy.” You have to admit – that scene would unnerve even the best of us.
But this one has to be the best. He shows up 4 days late and tells the people to unbury the dead body. Can you imagine that? Climb back in the limos, head to the cemetery with shovels because Jesus said so.
“But the smell….”
There’s always something in the way of obeying Jesus, isn’t there? The smell, the convenience, the money, the time…the list is long but there is always something there that at the time seems so important keeping us from obeying him…it seems so significant at the time, doesn’t it? The smell…would suffer through a few minutes of decaying flesh to get your friend back alive? Would you suffer through a short time of financial hardship for treasures in heaven? Would you suffer through a shot time of inconvenience to change the world?
I wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed because of words like that…
Riding the Bucket
We moved a dump truck full plus an flatbed trailer full of railroad ties on Saturday morning. They used to be the medians in our parking lot but alas the old has to make way for the new.
Pinecrest has officially started the parking lot project.
All fun aside, this whole thing is both exciting and frustrating. More exciting but some of the frustrations have been intense. For example, when we first started, I was somewhat disturbed spending that kind of money on asphalt and concrete. In fact, the whole team was that way at first.
Until of course this winter when we had over 100 inches of snow. Then it melted. There were times when we couldn’t get in the building. I had to break out my waders a couple of times as we had close to a foot of standing water in a parking lot. It was like we had built a moat around our church – great witness, huh? “Come visit us if you dare cross our moat!!”
Of course with all that mud – things are going to get dirty. People, cars, the building…just nasty. There is no telling how many homes in the Parker/Elizabeth area that got new carpets or floors because of our parking lot. Pretty savage.
After a few rains and snow melts it was pretty apparent that if we didn’t do something about the parking lot, it was going to do something to us – namely sweep us right on down the road into the next county.
So we started this weekend. Hopefully by the end of the summer – we’ll have some asphalt to park and walk on, we’ll no longer have Moat Community Church, and the winters will be just a little less wet for us all.
We had some great guys come and help us. The guy driving the big bucket is Tony. Tony is Italian, complete with the accent and he owns a construction company. Yeah…we pretty much do whatever he says because you know…it’s pahht of bee-in in da family…
By the way – the pic of me in the bucket – that was awesome. From that height, I could see the entire front range and Pikes Peak. Next time up, I’m bringing my camera.
Kaelyn Marie Zinser
Our good friends the Zinsers had their girl at 3.40 AM, July 19. She was 7 lbs. 15 oz. 20 inches long. 
Parker’s Finest
So we’re coming home from seeing Darren and Jamie’s new daughter – pics coming soon – and as I approach a light about 3 blocks from our home, it goes yellow.
I’ve got two choices – slam on the brakes, lock it up and more than likely get plowed by the car behind me.
Or hope it stays yellow…
So I get through the intersection – so I thought – when Amy notices one of Parker’s finest at the intersection.
Yeah, I got a ticket for running a red light. And the sucky thing about it is this – it really wasn’t even a good running of a red light.
The officer told me I could argue in court if I wanted to.
I was like…can I just pay the ticket and be done with it?
He said – well, yes, you could do that too..even online if you want.
So I got that going for me….my first ticket.
Asking Them To Leave
ChurchMarketingSucks.com has posted this article on a church that asked folks to leave if they weren’t on board with their vision. Even helped them to find a new church home by providing information on other area churches.
I’m not sure if any of the comments (so far) are really that enlightening to the conversation. One of the funnier (and offensive) quotes is from Mark Driscoll on why we need colons in the Body of Christ.
I wish the article had a bit more information on the context and details of the situation. If the “asking them to leave” was directed at leaders who were stuck or refusing to advance the call of the Church – I get that. I understand that. I see Jesus essentially doing the same thing in the Gospels. Pick up your cross and follow me. Go sell all that you have and follow me. He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of the Kingdom. All said to potential leaders for Jesus.
As an aside – none of the hesitancy of following Jesus was ever doctrinal. It was a practical one – as in, the change that this is going to require in my life is too great for me to make. I find that is also true of most church conflicts – hardly any of it is ever doctrinal.
But Jesus also says – Come to me if you are weary and heavy-laden and put my yoke upon you because it is light. I’ve come to serve, not to be served. Blessed are the poor in spirit, the merciful…
So it appears that Jesus seems to have no problem with this kind of “double standard.” In other words – if you know better and call yourself a leader, the stakes are higher. If you are meek and lowly and need healing – that’s available as well. This kind of standard frustrated the heck out of the early followers of Jesus. Why would he talk with a Samaritan woman but offend a respected religious leader? Why would he tell the rich young man basically you can’t follow me but forgive instantly a woman caught in the very act of adultery?
Maybe Jesus knew that not everyone comes to him “on board with his vision” and was okay with that. Heal the ones that need healing. Confront the ones that need confronting. Keep doing the work of the Father and those that join in, join in. Those that don’t, don’t.
Of course let’s not forget that if you market yourself as a church that can meet all your ministry needs – you’re not really trying to reproduce spiritual leaders, you’re trying to increase your customer base. To tell them to leave after presenting yourself like that seems a bit hypocritical.
Mt Evans
One of the things we’ve always try to do with our kids is to take “mini-vacations.” Let’s face it, no one likes to pack the car for a 12 hour ride to a place where the parental units must demand mandatory fun. But – an hour or two ride with lots of pit stops and photo opportunities…that’s a whole other story.
This past weekend, we grabbed the Smiths and went up to Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in America. Summit Elevation: 14,240.
This is Echo Lake, right at the base of the mountain.
About 3/4 of the way up – we found this mountain goat. It’s amazing how well they blend in. By the way, this is the point where we discovered Will’s new nickname – Goat.
All the kids climbing at the summit.
Mom was a bit nervous, Camber was in complete awe of the view. Here we are at the summit and while we were up there, a thunderstorm rolled in. Besides putting cloud cover over everything, the whole mountain charged up with static electricity. The girls hair was standing up and they moved us off the summit quickly. You could feel the electricity! It was both awesome and scary at the same time.
Afterwards, swung through Evergreen and at the world’s best pizza – Beau Jo’s.
Another great Colorado Adventure…
The Silent Blog
Part of the discipline of fasting is making sure no one knows about it. Of course, when the fast is “not blogging”…it gets a little dicier.
Had a friend tell me last night – “When the heck are you going to write again, it’s been like a week.”
Besides putting pressure on me to write because their existence finds meaning in reading my blog [insert sarcastic emoticon], I really don’t have an answer other than I was trying to unplug for a few days. I find it helpful.
It’s one of those rhythms things…find the groove you can live in then live in that groove.
Alright…off to blog.
Someone Has To Be It…
This is part of our e-journey through the gospel of John. Today is from John 10:22-42.
These verses have been used for years as THE TEXT to prove that it is impossible for someone who believes Jesus is the Son of God to “lose” their salvation. It’s the smoking gun for those who believe in the eternal security of a believer (as I do for the sake of fairness to all who read this blog).
And while that issue could be worthy of some discussion, what if there was more to what Jesus was saying than that? I’m not one to avoid a good old fashion theological dialogue but after reading this umpteen times, you know what I noticed this week? The no-win situation that the religious had put themselves in.
Every one of them believed that one day the Christ would come. They had taught that for years, read it in the Scriptures, and on and on.
Jesus tries to make it easier for them to believe that he was the one but relieving them of the responsibility of believing his words – just investigate the miracles. Are they miracles or not? He’s cured leprosy, made the blind see, the lame walk, and dead are alive. Any of these not happen or are fake – call me out on it.
They never dispute or deny the miracles, instead turn on his words – that he and the Father are one – and try to kill him.
Here’s what I don’t get…somebody has got to be “it,” right? If they really believed that one day the Christ would show up, eventually (inevitably) they were going to have to hear a man say these words….right? So knowing that one day this would be the case, wouldn’t the focus then be on the evidence…the actual miracles? Am I making sense? To grill Jesus over his words is only legit if he had done nothing to back them up.
They didn’t believe him because … well, did they really ever believe in the first place? Were they so wrapped up in the trappings of religion, they forgot to be sheep? I mean, notice the setting all of this takes place in…
..Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem.
It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.
The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”…
In other words, it was a religious festival in a religious place talking with religious people.
So while these verses do speak to the eternal security issues – I think they say more than that as well. It’s about the identity of Jesus and the failure of those who should have recognized him. Their failure points more to their undying devotion to a system of rules than to the living, breathing God.
There are some that think the American church is in exactly that position today – more in love with their rules than the living Jesus.
I just pray I never get to that place.
Sports Purgatory
Broncos training camp opens July 29th.
First preseason game is the Hall of Fame Game on August 5th.
Between now and then…it is sports purgatory. It’s not hell, but it’s not heaven either. There is baseball – which I’m just not digging this year.
RABBIT TRAIL
The Elders and Pastors were talking about what would bring baseball back to the limelight of the sports. (Yes, we talk about other substantive issues but all work and no play makes for miserable working conditions.)
I think it was Ray who said – have Barry Bonds hit 755 but just as he rounds third base have the police run out on the field and arrest him for steroids or perjury or whatever. Have it planned so that Selig and Aaron could be there, have the place go nuts for Aaron instead.
If that happened…I’d return to baseball for life.
END OF RABBIT TRAIL
Sports Heaven is January/February/March – college bowl games, NFL playoffs, March Madness.
Sports Hell is April/May/June – We get a few days off during the opening week of baseball but after that – does baseball really matter in May and June.
Somebody is going to note that the NBA finals take place in June to which I say – exactly. I’m a Spurs fan (from the days of David Robinson) and even with them winning this year – it was painful to watch. The NBA game is so much slower and less passionate than the NCAA version. Why is that? It’s the same sport (theoretically), right?
This is purgatory. The upswing starts in August.
I can make it. I can make it. I can make it.
Another Stood Up Opportunity
The past few days have been nuts crazy.
We moved my office in the church upstairs. We tried to go to a movie screening of a new movie but they ran out of seats. So instead we ate Cinnabon and visited the Discovery Channel Store. We surprised Ray with a little gift.
So this morning as I’m roll out of bed at 7.15 for an 8.00 am meeting with David B., my phone rings. It’s him.
G: “Hey man. What’s up? We still meeting?”
DB: “Hey. Where are you at?”
LONG PAUSE
G: “Let me guess. We were meeting at 7, not 8.”
DB: “Yep.”
G: “I’m on my way.”
So, once again let the record show that I’m worthless when it comes to morning meetings.
Polarizing Jesus
This is part of our e-journey through the gospel of John. Today is from John 10:1-21.
I guess we’ll stick around with the theme of goats and sheep. God’s got a great sense of humor.
I can’t confirm this but rumor has it that sheep are stupid animals. They are stubborn and have a hard time trusting anyone. If all of this is true – it’s amazing the parallels to the human condition, isn’t it?
Jesus’ words here are polarizing and comforting at the same time. Jesus says the only way in the pen is through the gate and he’s the gate. If that’s not bad enough, how about that he’s the good shepherd and other shepherds are wolves and set on destroying the other sheep. Let’s recap – Jesus says I’m exclusively the only way to the Father, not only are there not any other ways but the other ways are harmful if you follow them.
Still want to argue that Jesus was just a good teacher? If I didn’t believe that Jesus was God’s son, I’d have to conclude that he was wacked out beyond all belief. On one hand, what he says is offensive and narrow. Surely Judiasm, Hinduism, Mormanism, and Buddhism have some redeeming value. Why can’t we all just get along, right?
On the other hand, it’s completely comforting as well. He is the good shepherd…the one who cares for the flock.
It reminds me of a famous quote …
The truth will set you free but it will make you angry first.
Only My Little Rock Youth Group Will Get This
“Hundreds Of Goats Die In Tragic Accident“
I link this story just so you know that I didn’t make this up. 243 goats died when the truck that was carry them tipped over. There were 400 goats on the truck, the ones on top “freaked out” (direct quote from the article) and smothered the ones on the bottom.
The goats were being rented by Golden Gate Seminary for brush grazing.
This is a terrible accident. This is not something that should be laughed at. But I promise there is an entire youth group in Little Rock that is at the very least smirking…
The 1st Fantasy Football Article of the 2007-2008 Season
I have a problem. We get to keep 2 keepers this year. The rules are simple – if you keep 2, you lose your first two rounds of picks.
The problem is my team last year was a complete meltdown. The worst in all my years of fantasy football. I dread keeping any of them due to the bad mojo of last year. But from my roster – here are the only viable options I see…and it’s not encouraging.
Jay Cutler, QB DEN
Rex Grossman, QB CHI
Edgerrin James, RB ARI
Clinton Portis, RB WAS
Julius Jones, RB DAL
Chris Chambers, Chris WR MIA
Terry Glenn, WR DAL
Jeremy Shockey, TE NYG
Or I punt it all and just gamble on having the first two picks of the first two rounds. Which is a thought given how bad my team sucked last year.
Bush Commutes Sentence, World Ends
I normally don’t blog about politics. Personally, I think they are a waste of time. But I wanted to jot down a couple of observations of the current “Scooter” Libby situation. I’m not going into all the details and “fun” politics of the situation – you can read up on that if you want.
But let me just vent on what confuses/befuddles me on the whole situation…how idiotic both Republicans and Democrats are behaving.
Libby lies in court, gets blamed for a leak he didn’t commit, loses his law license and his job and then gets sentenced to 2 years in jail.
Bush commutes the sentence – meaning he still loses his job, license, has to pay the $250,000 fine, and is on probation but doesn’t go to jail.
Republicans think Bush did the right thing because the sentence is too long. Democrats are furious that W. overturns a jury.
Republicans think this is justice because the whole trial was a waste of taxpayer money. Democrats are furious that the “fabric” of America has been compromised.
I find it ironic that just a few years ago the shoes were on the opposite feet for both parties as Bill Clinton insisted that not only did he not have sexual relations with that woman but also didn’t start a war to take the attention off of it as well.
I think this just shows how jacked up both parties are and how if we are honestly placing our hope in political solutions, we are going to be sadly disappointed the rest of our lives.
Hot and Dark
Funny conversation with Rowland today. It’s been hot here lately – popping into the low ’90s.
Ray’s mentioned how in Arizona it really doesn’t get hot until it hits 115.
Of course with all weather conversations, someone has to mention that it’s not really the heat but the humidity that will kill you. To which I think – you know, it really doesn’t matter what the humidity is over 100 degrees. That’s hot.
Ray mentioned how here though – there’s no humidity and 92 is warm but it’s not like unbearable.
To which I commented – yeah, but we’re like a mile and half closer to the sun. It’s a wee bit more intense and sunburns come much easier. I continued on my soliloquy…
“Of course, when the sun down goes here it gets cooler. Which is awesome. When the sun went down in Little Rock…it only got darker.”
Another moment of profundity.