Archive for 2010
The Story Behind “What Child Is This?”
“What Child Is This” used to be my least favorite Christmas carol. It was slightly ahead of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Both songs sound alike, both sound like funeral dirges. Magaret Becker (remember her???) did a version of “O Come, O Come” that is still used in horror movies today. Or funerals. I’m serious. It’s that bad. No song about Jesus should be that horrible.
But back to “What Child Is This?” It sings like those Medieval songs that don’t rhyme at Renaissance Festivals. You want to like it but for whatever reason…you just can’t. It’s not that it’s a bad song, it’s just not as good as all the other songs we have to choose from the Christmas catalog. Silent Night, The First Noel, Joy To The World, White Christmas! (Just checking to see if you were still reading.)
The other reason that it wasn’t a huge hit with me was the line – “where ox and ass are feeding..” I mean, be honest. It’s awkward to sing that in church. I know of some churches that change the lyric to “ox and lamb” but the lambs were in the fields where Harold the Angel sang to the shepherds. (Wait for it….)
However, I just learned some incredible information that has now elevated this song at least a notch or two. The reason the animals of ox and ass were used because an ox was a clean animal (Jew), an ass was an unclean animal (Gentile). The song was celebrating the fact that it is Jesus who brings together the clean (Jew) and the unclean (Gentile). That is the wonderful miracle of Christmas – Jesus brings all people of all backgrounds together in Himself.
Now you know the rest of the story.
Merry Christmas to you.
ESPN’s Roll Tide Commercial
It’s not a commercial, it’s a documentary. This happened to me in the Atlantis Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. I’m walking down the hallway and one of the workers there said in his accent “Roll Tide!” I yelled, “Roll Tide” back.
The Debut of Tebow
This blog will slow down a bit until the beginning of the new year but I do want to throw down my thoughts on Broncos and Tim Tebow’s debut.
I think they should install the wishbone and run it. Of course that would mean the Broncos would have to find two more people who can run the ball and that seems to be a huge problem for them.
Knowshon Moreno — I’m ready to call him a bust. Gets injured too much. Not one explosive run in pro career. He looks nothing like the stud he was at Georgia.
Champ Bailey — He’s still a stud and I don’t see how he stays in Denver unless Tebow continues to improve and Denver uses every one of their picks on defensive help.
Play calling was atrocious yesterday. Almost as bad as the tackling. I don’t see how either coordinator keeps their job. I’m not sure Studesville keeps his either.
Tebow — The players around him obviously love him. Obviously they respond to him. But let’s be honest – he was handcuffed in Oakland both by the game plan and the relentless rush of the front 7 of the Raiders. He had a couple of floating duck throws, a couple of lasers that were dropped. I loved the fact that he can run and make stuff happen with his legs but overall, I think we need to see more.
If I’m the Broncos, I throw the playbook at him and see what he’s got.
But honestly — the rest of the team looks atrocious. How the mighty have fallen.
A Man’s Guide For Christmas
Let’s face it, men. The holiday season is tough. We’re supposed to be happier about spending more money on stuff we don’t need for people we are not sure we even like. The Christmas lights are always tangled. It’s always -34 degrees when you finally decide to put the lights up. Add to that the Christmas parties, concerts, recitals, and all the Christmas cards you get in the mail from people your wife says you know but you honestly have never seen them.
I know how you feel. I’m here to help. I’m even going to make this easy for you. So pay attention.
Presents
Let’s start with presents. Gifts. Loot. We don’t buy for just anybody. However, if you find yourself in a position to HAVING to get a gift for someone other than family – here are a couple of suggestions that you can’t go wrong with.
1. Gift Cards – Amazon.com, iTunes, Starbucks.
2. iPad – this is not for you to buy one for your friends but mainly for your rich friends so that they will buy one for you.
For the wife:
No appliances of any kind. Do not under any circumstance buy her anything from Victoria or her secret. Jewelry is safe (but expensive). A night out without kids is relatively inexpensive and shows much forethought and care.
Depending on how long you’ve been married, you can try to do the whole — “I bought this for you but really for me” kind of gift. Stuff like a BluRay player, flatscreen TV, iPad or pretty much anything electronic but they see through this pretty quick. Fortunately for us, they love us anyway. You can get away with this a couple of times so choose wisely when to do this. It can’t be your go-to gift every year.
Kids:
Girl — anything pink and/or a doll/figurine of some sort. This seems to work for every age except the ages of 16-21. Researchers are still baffled as to what works during these ages.
Boys — sports, electronics, jerseys, tickets to sporting events…basically, if you like it, he will. Regardless of age.
Christmas Parties
It’s a fact of life…you are going to have to attend a couple this year. So make the most of it.
First,know exactly where the host puts your coat. Do NOT miss this information. Nothing will drag out your escape longer than having to track down your coat. Do NOT do anything else at the party until you lock down where your coat will be stashed.
Second, head for the food. All the good snacks get sucked up first and you don’t want to miss out on them. Plus there will be other guys that don’t really want to be there and you might find a new friend.
Third, wear a team sweater or golf shirt so that you’ll have something to talk about other than work. And don’t be that guy that shows up to a party and then talks about work for 45 minutes. If you find that guy, find a bathroom. It’s about the only place he won’t follow you into. Then come out and scream in a Jim Carrey voice – “Do NOT go in there.” That will pretty much end the party night for you.
Family Time
We all want more of it until we get it then we wish we had less of it. Couple of activities that will make this not only bearable but enjoyable.
Light Hunting. With a little internet search and investigation, you can find the cool houses with lights and music in your area. Put the kids in PJ’s and a thermos of hot chocolate and go light looking. This is good for about an hour.
Movies
We have two movies we always watch – Elf and White Christmas. Kids can barely make it through White Christmas but we make them. Elf is awesome. Awkward/Embarrassing Christmas Moment: A couple of years ago I grabbed all the kids and watched A Christmas Story as a family. 1. The TV version is edited, the DVD is not. 2. After the shock of a few words that I had forgotten, came to the painful realization that kids don’t like voiceover movies. A Christmas Story is not an English family tradition.
We also do a Christmas “real” movie together. With a family of 5, we don’t go to the theater often. Scratch that – we make it once, maybe twice a year. Much cheaper for us to wait till BluRay or DVD and watch it at home. But this has become a cool tradition for us – take an afternoon matinee movie the whole family can enjoy.
This year it looks like we will divide and conquer – Tron Legacy for everyone except Cayden. Cayden will have a special Nana and Cayden date with Tangled. It works out for us all.
Christmas Eve Service
We will be having ours at 6pm at Western Hills. It will be awesome, funny, kid-friendly. Not all services are this way. Some are very serious. However, fun or serious — you have to do this. Even a bad Christmas Eve service is better than no Christmas Eve service.
Awkward/Embarrassing Christmas Moment: Cooper dumped a whole tray of communion juice at a certain Christmas Eve Service. He was 4 or 5. It was awful in the moment but awesome now looking back at it. There isn’t enough money in the world to buy that kind of memory. So find a service, show up and really enjoy it.
Family Meals
They take forever to set up and prepare then 20 minutes to be done with. This is the best advice I can give you on this one — just enjoy the process and make sure somebody brought a pie. Enjoy a glass of wine or sparkling grape soda as you prep. We make the kids clean up while we enjoy conversation and dessert.
I hope this guide helps you over the next week. I welcome any comments, corrections, and additions below.
The Wasted Opportunity of Broncos
After the 43-13 shelling the Cardinals put on the Broncos, I can officially say that this is the worst I’ve ever seen the Broncos. Ever. Of course, my history with the Broncos only goes back to 1977. I hear they were dreadful in the 60′s…I’d argue we are rivaling that time period. The Cardinals roll out a rookie, undrafted quarterback and dominate the Denver Broncos.
And our two first round picks of the 2010 draft got to watch the whole thing.
Sunday proved two things I said last week – McDaniels was a gifted play caller and an atrocious personnel guy. The Broncos play-calling looked pathetic. The Broncos talent pool looked pathetic.
Current Leadership
I think current GM Brian Xanders, COO Joe Ellis, and Interim HC Eric Studesville are all fighting for their jobs. (Duh, thank you for that brilliant insight, Einstein.) What is puzzling is this – why aren’t they playing Tim Tebow? The Broncos are 3 games away from owning the #1 pick in the 2011 draft, it would be nice to know if Tebow is going to work out or not. He’s a rookie, so we’re not expecting a Brady/Manning performance. But it would be nice to see how he prepares as a starter, how he handles the speed and pressure of a NFL game, how his teammates respond to him. I do think over the course of 3 weeks the Denver leadership could see whether or not Tebow is worth investing further in or use that #1 pick on Andrew Luck.
So the current brain trust decision to stick with the status quo is mind-boggling. Why fire McDaniels if there is going to be no change at all other than instead of losing by single digits, it’s now by double digits? If Bowlen fires McDaniel but Xanders/Ellis didn’t want to – how arrogant/ignorant do you have to be to understand that doing the same thing that the last guy to get fired did is probably going to get you fired as well? If you did think McDaniels should have been fired, then why the hesitation to mix things up a bit?
None of it makes sense and the Broncos are starting to make the Raiders look respectable.
The Future New Regime
Has a mess to clean up but it should start with a new COO and GM. If those pieces had been in place for McDaniels, it could have saved him 75% of his headaches. Would not have helped him a whole lot with the Spygate thing…so on second thought, the Broncos probably would still be looking for a new head coach.
My dream team
John Elway – COO.
He’s run a professional football team before. He’s a smart business man. He’d be great at reconnecting team to community and free agents. He doesn’t want to coach or GM. It’s the perfect place for him and he’s looking to get into owning an NFL team. He then hires a GM he knows, respects, will not be a yes-man…
Ted Sundquist – GM.
That name sound familiar? Yep, it’s the GM Mike Shanahan fired. He got Lynch, Bailey, Cutler and others to Denver. He argued with Shanahan about other decisions that ultimately cost him his job. But he knows talent, he knows the financial complexity of the NFL. Ted and John then go hire a coach that commands respect because of his wisdom and maturity, not his pedigree. A guy like…
??? – HC.
Originally I had Troy Calhoun in this spot but he is staying at Air Force Academy. Leslie Frazier would be a great pick but will he leave Minnesota? Ron Rivera of San Diego or Jim Harbaugh of Stanford would also be on the short list of potentials.
Please don’t bring in Gruden (he killed the Bucs in the long-term) and stop with the Urban Meyer talk as well.
Enough with the whining. Looking forward to the off-season where hope could spring again.
Role of a Chaplain
I had lunch at the police department yesterday. No, I wasn’t wearing a jumpsuit or cuffs. I was instead meeting the TPD chaplains. 10 area pastors serve 3 days a month volunteering at the police department. They get to ride with the officers, help them with calls and families in crisis.
I asked how they were accepted by the officers.
One of the chaplains told the story of how the first year of the program, he seemed to always get assigned with this particular crusty old policemen. The first time this guy saw the chaplain he asked to no one in particular in a loud voice…”Why the $%&! do we need a #$%! chaplain?”
And so it went for the next year and half. Until on one particular call when this policeman had to inform a family of a death and the chaplain couldn’t make. He reportedly got on the radio to ask dispatch “Where the $%&! is the $%&! chaplain? We can’t make this call without him.”
After the laughter of the room died down, the captain that was in the room made the point even clearer. “After having a chaplain available to help us, I can’t imagine them NOT being around.”
It doesn’t surprise me. The healing ministry of presence. Being Jesus in that moment. It’s not about fixing anything. And people – no matter what their faith background is – appreciate that. They don’t realize how important it is until they need it and experience it.
It was a great lunch and reminder to me that this is a role many of us play inside our own families during Christmas. So embrace it – if that is your story. Don’t try to sell Jesus to your family or guilt them into church. Just bring the church to them! Be Jesus to them with the loving ministry of presence.
And I think it’s telling that as anti-religion our culture is – people still need and want this presence around them in times of need. I think it’s part of how God has wired us as humans and I’m thankful that our police department is providing this opportunity to our community.
Noisy Buses And Rockets
I rode on a noisy bus full of 5th graders last week. It’s pretty awesome because the destination was Forbes Field to build a rocket. I can remember when building a rocket would get you expelled from school. Now, they are encouraging this kind of behavior? What kind of insane person thought this was a good idea? I love it – don’t get me wrong. But let’s be honest – this could get ugly and dangerous and messy and loud and people could get hurt.
BUT – what if it worked? What if – with some careful planning, strong leadership, clear vision, clear plan – and yes, some risk – it worked? That would be awesome. To watch and hear that rocket explode into the air – that would make the mess worth it, right? And the sense of fulfillment? Could that be worth the risk of hurt and failure?
You have to do more than just get on the bus for that to happen, though. You have learn, want to learn, be willing to try different things, listen as well as risk. Getting on the bus isn’t enough. Kids get on the bus then get off thinking ‘Hey — we’re going to blow up a rocket today.” And then something is asked from them. An investment of time, of learning, of process. “This is hard. This is boring. When are going to blow up the rocket?”
“We’re going to build the rocket, learn about the rocket, study about the rocket before we blow it up.”
“That’s stupid. I’m bored. What does this have to do with the rocket?”
And the kid starts to act like an idiot the rest of the trip…and in so doing, never get to the rocket. I mean, how tragic is that? The opportunity to do this is right in front of them and they miss it!
It makes me wonder – why did they get on the bus in the first place? Why not just allow them to stay somewhere else on the field trip? Let them stay home or back at the school with the 1st graders.
I think some people treat church this way. They just get on the bus — because they have to, their friends are on the bus, the bus is cool looking and has a kickin’ stereo. Or maybe the driver is one hip dude or dudette. They just get on the bus and then when the bus stops and something is asked of them, they just freak out.
They didn’t get on the bus to invest in the process. To risk or learn. And it didn’t matter how many times they were told – “This is where we are going and this is what we are going to do” – they are shocked that the rocket building doesn’t just happen. That there is a learning curve that has to be experienced and that it is worth it…if you’re willing.
2010 is screaming to a halt, 2011 is knocking on the door. Here’s my challenge to us this year. Do more than just get on the bus. Take the risk. Make the investment. Yes, it will be messy at times. Yes, it will be work at times and there is a learning curve. But it’s worth it. And what we do is way cooler than blowing up rockets.
The Princess Bride with Light Sabers
How am I only just now finding this?? How awesome is this?
Broncos, Bama, and Bowl Season, December 8
McDaniels Fired
I’m a bit shocked that Pat Bowlen did this with games still remaining on the schedule. I think it has everything to do with the Spygate 2 situation – that was the proverbial straw that broke it all loose. The 5-17 record over the last 22 games didn’t help either. Neither did the blowout losses at home. Or the horrendous personnel moves. Or the horrific drafts.
This is the worst state the Broncos have been in since 1971. Think about this — from 1971 to 2008, the Broncos had only 2 losing seasons. They had 7 Super Bowl appearances, 2 Super Bowl wins. 10 AFC West titles. They have the most wins of any franchise during those years. That’s a remarkable run. Crashing the franchise to the place where it is now – epic fail…and it’s not all his fault. He had an owner that let him do it.
Josh may show up at another team sometime down the road and be a great coach. I know that is some of the comments from the ‘gurus’ – that Denver gave up on McDaniels too soon. He had moments of incredible game planning and no one can question his passion for the game and “his guys.” So I can see why they would say that. But sometimes getting fired is the only way a good coach with a huge ego learns to check his ego at the door, learns from his bonehead personnel choices, and learns not be intimidated by great assistant coaches. Those are a lot of lessons to learn. Wish him well. But glad he’s gone.
More Random Thoughts on Broncos and Next Hire
Not that the alternatives are any better. Cowher isn’t coming to Denver. Gruden isn’t coming to Denver. Please don’t even talk about Philips or Kubiak. Troy Calhoun – a stud coach at AFA – probably isn’t going to leave the Academy.
Denver had a chance to hire Leslie Frazier 2 years ago so don’t even think Minnesota is going to let him out of town.
Steve Jeff Fischer? While I do think his days at Tennessee are done, he’ll be expensive and talk about making over the team.
Jim Harbaugh of Stanford? Interesting choice…would he punt Tim Tebow and draft Andrew Luck? Not a horrific plan but once again — that would mean that Denver had spent untold millions on quarterbacks that don’t play, next to nothing on linemen.
The horrible thing that is going unsaid at this point is this – this pretty much means that Champ Bailey is gone. The Human Blanket. The Best Defensive Bronco. The man who can tackle, cover, and lead. Why in the world would he stay in Denver? His services will be rewarded top dollar by a playoff team and hopefully, he’ll get a ring. But my hunch is 24 is gone. And he’ll be missed. He’s a great investor in the community as well as a stud player. I hope he stays. I hope the Broncos keep him.
Bama v. Michigan State
This will be a great game in Orlando. MS was where Saban used to coach so that gives the game some nice story lines to follow.
Auburn v. Oregon
There will be over 100 points scored in this game….or it will be 10-7.
This is not sour grapes but the decision on Cam Newton puzzles me and makes me question the NCAA even more. If a parent can solicit pay for play and there be no repercussions, why exactly was Reggie Bush and USC penalized? Because Bush’s family actually received those payments and Newton didn’t? Is that the difference? Is that enough of a difference? Lots of questions.
What isn’t a question is that Cam is the best player in college football.
Roll Tide, Anyway.
Trumpet Practice and Reason #30 of Why I’m In A Life Group
Camber is learning the trumpet. She’s very good at it…considering that she’s only been playing since August. She comes home every afternoon and practices. She’ll do her scales, she’ll warm up, then she’ll tackle her music.
And I’ve been impressed with the progress. Yes, those first few practices she sounded like a harpooned whale on life support in an Seinfeld episode. But she kept blowing that horn and now – she’s good. I can recognize the tunes. And they are in time. And she likes playing.
But having a trumpet player in the family means that the whole family is committed to the process. You don’t secretly practice the trumpet. It doesn’t happen. We don’t have to ask Camber if she’s practiced her trumpet. We know. When she is about to start, she walks through the house warning us – “I’m about to rattle the roof with the awesomeness of the brass horn!”
And the more she practices, the more enjoyable it is. For us all.
This is the idea behind Life Groups. We know if someone is practicing because we’re around. We see it. We hear it. We experience it with them. It’s the idea of practicing our serve or other spiritual discipline. It’s awkward at first but the more we practice, the more enjoyable it is for us all.
And because life-change is a public thing, we see and hear and taste and know the difference. It’s obvious. And we want to celebrate it when it happens well.
Just another reason.
Weather Is Here…
Wish you were beautiful.
I’m on vacation — hence the lack of twitter and posts. And where we are staying doesn’t get great cell reception. Which means when we run out to grab a bite to eat – I get a thousand text messages all at the same time.
So I’ll respond to them all right now.
Alabama vs. Auburn texts:
Yes, we’ll keep the road in front of the church named Auburn Road one more.
Roll Over Tide is appropriate for the second half collapse.
No, I was not rubbing it in on Cooper during the first half because of last year’s game.
Cooper handled himself with class and dignity after the win.
Oregon looks sick. And I only like half of their 27 uniforms.
Being on TV during the Aggie basketball game.
I’m twice as scary looking in real life.
I love college basketball and any chance I get to see D-1 teams play, I take it.
Wide World of Sports is a cool place but it’s smaller than you think.
Cooper won 2 tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters during a TV timeout. He hit the rim on 2 half-court shots. They gave him an extra shot because he got so close in his other attempts. The adult that he was shooting against shot 3 straight airballs. He (the adult) was pretty cocky before the contest. Cooper didn’t say a word to him. He didn’t say a word afterword. It was hilarious.
Love the weather — sort of. It’s 80 degrees and I didn’t bring a cool pair of shorts. It’s odd seeing Christmas lights and Christmas trees and sweating. But I’ll take it. I hear Kansas is freezing.
I’m actually going to miss Sunday as Brandon is teaching and I always learn something when that guy teaches. I’ll wait until it’s uploaded on our website.
All for now.
Iron Bowl Week & The Disaster that Is the Broncos
Broncos
Let’s get this section over with as quickly as possible. I turned off the Bronco game last night at half-time. I just couldn’t watch it anymore. They got outcoached and outplayed.
The Tebow pick looks even more ridiculous now than ever. Tebow is never getting off the bench as long as Orton plays the way he is playing. And if Tebow never gets off the bench, that’s another 1st round wasted pick of the Broncos. Cam Newton will be coming out, maybe McDaniels will draft him as well.
Cam will have to take a pay cut to play for the Broncos, though. [insert rim shot] Thank you, I’ll be in town all week.
Alabama v. Auburn
Iron Bowl 2010
The only way this game would be better if both teams were undefeated and playing for SEC Championship and National Championship. Almost had it this year but Alabama didn’t uphold their end of the bargain. It’s still a lot riding on this game…for Alabama. Not so much Auburn.
For ‘Bama – the chance for a BCS Bowl. They lose, they’ll get a decent bowl but not a BCS one. (I know LSU fans are screaming…both of them. But I think the Hogs are going to take it to you.)
Regardless of outcome, Auburn is going to Atlanta. What gets interesting is if Auburn loses, do they still have a chance at the National Championship game? I think it COULD happen if they turn around and blow out South Carolina. But we’ll wait and see.
My Random Thoughts About The Game
Cam Newton is either going to be bigger than Bo Jackson or hated more than Bear Bryant on the Plains when this is all said and done. If he turns out guilty, he’ll be worse than Reggie Bush. IF it turns out he’s guilty, the NCAA and Auburn will have a lot of explaining to do as well.
I don’t think Cam Newton is coming back for his senior year. Not after all this drama.
How the heck did Auburn get away with only playing 4 away games all year? And then it’s Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. Not exactly murder’s row. Scene in Tuscaloosa will be crazy, nuts for them.
Alabama’s 9 new starters on defense has to make Auburn feel very, very confident.
Auburn’s atrocious defense has to make Alabama feel very, very confident.
I liked Saban’s comments this week concerning Auburn and Cam Newton. Classy.
I think Bama can win – depending on which defense runs out of tunnel on Saturday.
Text-2-Screen For Smaller Churches
Last week, I started researching services that could help our church use text-2-screen capabilities in our unplugged@9 service. I know of a lot of churches and student ministries starting to do this so I thought it would be fairly straight forward process. I was sort-of right.
First, for years I’ve used the “old” fashion way of putting a mobile phone number on a powerpoint screen and have the people in the back type in the questions as they come. This has some benefits – it’s free…as long as the person’s phone you are using has unlimited text. There is built in moderation.
But there are some serious drawbacks to this system – especially the larger the venue. Do you really want the whole world knowing your cell phone number? It’s at best a 2 person job in the booth – if they are both tech savvy. It’s slow. It stresses out the people in the booth.
So we made the decision to figure out another solution. I researched quite a few options and thought I had found a great simple, cheap solution. Then realized it was software based, not web-based. If you know what that means – skip to the next paragraph. For the rest of you, software-based means the text-2-screen application is installed on a specific computer and you must use that specific computer any time you want to use this service. That’s some serious limitations in our web-based culture. We wanted a web-base service so that all we really needed to run it was an internet connection.
Here were the ones that stood out for us.
Wiffiti
It’s free. It’s fast. It has twitter integration. You can make your own screens. It has an awesome full-screen mode. It’s web-based, not software base.
But we ultimately didn’t choose to stick with this one. First, there is no moderation. Yes, you can delete messages that come in but it is in real time. The screens do have a rating system that catches profanity — most of the time. I still think it’s a great use in smaller settings.
Jarbyco
This is obviously where the big boys play. Their screens look awesome, you have the ability to have your own keyword, change theme slides, surveys, polls, basically, if you can dream it — they can pull it off.
Biggest problem – expensive. According to your venue size, your mileage may vary but it was WAY to expensive for our size or budget. As a sidenote – their web address was not a lot of help. In fact, it was the least helpful of all the services. However, their email support was outstanding. They were incredibly fast with their responses and I’m guessing that this is by design – focus on bigger clients with personal support rather than masses of smaller ones.
Poll Everywhere
This is probably the most famous/popular service. For a classroom size – this seems like the best option but again – no moderation until you spend $65/month. It’s not outrageously expensive but still more than we wanted to pay.
Mozeo.com
This is who we finally decided to go with. First, they had incredible customer service. Second, they had the ability to moderate as well as retrieve deleted messages.
Third, for a nominal one time set-up fee, we got to choose our own keyword (whills) and design our own screen with our logo on it. Have I mentioned that the customer service was outstanding? Any rate, the cost (after initial set up) is based on per text message. They have a couple of different options – both insanely cheap. We bought 100 text messages for $6. Pretty cheap. Mozeo has other services than just this which I’m sure we’ll explore in the future.
I’m putting this all down here because hopefully I can save other people some time when they start researching this.
Unplugged@9 revisited
We transformed our first service a bit this weekend.
Okay, it ended up being a bigger change than we thought.
On the surface, it did not look like much of a change. We punted announcements. We unplugged all the instruments, used only two acoustic guitars. We brought the seats forward in a horseshoe. We took Rick and I off the stage and in the middle of the audience. The ‘message’ was a discussion through the scriptures, then we just opened up the dialog for questions, to engage with the story of God.
Why do this? Because we wanted to create space for folks to ask questions, to dialog about what they heard that morning. We have so many young to new believers (as well as just curious veterans) it made sense to try to incorporate this into our worship.
But there’s another reason as well. This kind of service represents a huge shift in understanding of worship and theology. Let me try to explain.
Worship for so many of us has morphed into meaning only music. “The worship was good this morning” means the music was what I liked, was performed well, fit the message, whatever. So what happens if we take away the music? Is it still worship? It ought to be. By unplugging, we’re decreasing our dependency of music and broadening our understanding of worship. Worship is when I give my money. Worship is when I read the scriptures. Worship is when I allow the scriptures to read me. Worship is when I serve the person next to me by welcoming them. It’s when I pause and reflect. It’s when I pray and listen. It’s when I teach those 2nd graders or volunteer in the nursery or the youth.
Worship is even when I am confused and confounded by God.
Could our questions be worship? I think so and this is a huge shift concerning theology. All good theology (in my opinion) must do these things:
All good theology must run through the Cross. If the cross doesn’t fit or doesn’t speak to what we believe, it’s pointless at best, damaging at worse.
All good theology has room for questions, the “I don’t know” of God. Some call this wonder. I can live with that word as well. If God is really God, we are not going to have all the dots connected, blanks filled, and holes accounted for in our theology. It’s impossible. We’re talking about limiting the eternal to words and images that He himself created.
If our theology is ironclad and has no room for questions or the “I have no idea” parts of God, I’m fairly certain it’s too small for God Himself.
I’m not saying we can’t know anything. See point 1 – the Cross. We can know many things. God created us. God loves us. God died for us. God redeems us. Jesus is the center of all of that. But it only takes a cursory reading of the story of God to see how important questions and wonder is in the making of a saint. How many heroes of the faith had wrestling matches with God? Moments of argument and confusion? Moments where they had to walk by faith not being able to fully understand God?
All of them. Every single one of them.
And if we are serious about being transformed by Jesus, we probably need to get comfortable with questions. And while that may stand in direct opposition of church services everywhere, I think it’s perfectly compatible with the example Jesus leaves us in the scriptures.
Bama, Broncos, and BCS – November 15th
Alabama
Mississippi State has had a great year in terms of football, a horrific year in terms of personal loss. Having to bury a teammate during your bye week isn’t on any list and they don’t teach coaches or players how to deal with it either. So kudos to MSU for coming out to the field and showing up.
That’s about all they did as Alabama just cruised to a very lopsided win. And for those who think football is football, see if you can track down a YouTube clip of Nick Saban chewing out the backup QB in the 4th quarter. Nick goes insane on him because of a stupid play of just throwing the football up in the air in the red zone. Later in the game, when AJ made a poor throw, Nick was a cool as a cucumber. Difference? Saban can handle hustle mistakes and poor execution BETTER than poor decision making.
My take on CamGate
I hope the guy is innocent. I hope it’s just sour grapes from MSU or Florida or whoever. I really do. And I don’t think a kid should be repunished for sins of the past.
But I think we’ve seen enough to know that the odds are against him. Should Auburn sit him? What would be the point? The damage is done if he’s guilty. And for those claiming he should for the integrity of game – wake up. The integrity of the game has been gone for a long, long, long time. When billions of dollars a year are earned by an elite few on the backs of college athletes who have so many rules on them, when the bowl system is favored over a playoff because of the money – the integrity of the game is shot already.
BCS
Hard to argue with polls again this week with Oregon, Auburn, Boise State, TCU. TCU is going to fall out of the race. Utah getting beat by a bad ND team kills their strength of schedule. What will be interesting to watch is this – if Auburn drops a game and Oregon drops a game, does that open up the door for LSU to get into the game without winning its league championship? Talk about a firestorm.
Broncos
John Elway talked to the team this past week. First time since 1997. He needs to talk every week. Denver destroyed KC. KC fans have to be hitting the panic button after the last two games. KC looks…like Denver. Horrific, mistakes, poor coaching – basically the opposite of what they were the first 5 games of the season.
After the game, Todd Haley made a complete jerk of himself by not shaking the hand of McDaniels (hey, I don’t like him either but I’d shake his hand) then pointing his finger at him giving him a lecture. What??? Neither side is talking about the exchange at midfield but it’s bizarre seeing how KC came into Denver last year and threw a beat down on the Broncos and he was perfectly willing to shake hands then. Just doesn’t make sense at all. We are all supposed to be big boys so when you get your rear end handed to you, sit up and take it like a man. Give a beating, take a beating. Be interesting to see how chippy the teams are in 3 weeks.
I could shoot off a bunch of interesting stats but I just don’t trust the Broncos at this point. It was a great win but how much of that was coaching and how much of that was the complete meltdown of the Chiefs? San Diego next week will prove a lot as SD is playing great football and as much as I think Philip Rivers is a big crybaby, he’s having a MVP year.
Uniform Czar Moment
The orange jerseys are absolutely the most gorgeous unis the Broncos have and should be their standard home jersey. I’ve slacked on my uniform commenting this year… a serious let down in my duty to humanity on this issue. I will have a Christmas special or end of year ranking again at some point.
6 Years of Blogging…Now What?
When I started doing this, I had little to no clue what I was doing and even less to say. Yet, 6 years later I’m still writing, still changing the look of the site when I get bored with it, and still playing Halo. Some random bits of information to forget once you’re done reading this…
1. The average life span for a blog is around 8 months. I just made that statistic up but it sounds true, doesn’t it? I’m not even sure if it’s a researchable stat or not. I’m just saying that to keep a blog moving along for 6 years is pretty cool.
2. I’ve got to watch Alabama win 4 national championships in my lifetime (1978, 1979, 1992, 2009). Only one of them while this blog has been in existence. Auburn still has none. I must write this now because come January of 2011 that might not be true.
3. The Broncos have morphed from one of the most respected, winning organizations to the joke that it is now.
4. I’m more in awe of God now than ever. This is obviously better than the alternative of being more jaded. His grace still astounds me in its scope and power. He continues to allow me to see lives changed. And I’m humbled by this.
5. I’ve written 1,983 posts. There have been 6,183 comments. Most of them insightful. Oh, who am I kidding. Most of them have been funny and witty. A handful have been insightful and most them weren’t by me.
6. I’ve been spammed 212,243 times.
The word on the street may be that blogging is so early 2000 but I think I’ll keep at it. It helps me process. It keeps me focused. And I’ve met so many of you through this and am a better man because of you.
Thanks for inviting me in on your life the past 6 years. The best is yet to come.
Dancing In Best Buy
Last night Cayden and I had a date…of sorts. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said…
“Go to Best Buy.”
YES!!! I am such an awesome father.
“I want to play on the new kinect toy on Xbox, then I want to dance on the Wii…then what about some ice cream at McD’s?”
“And I guess we’ll eat dinner after we have ice cream?”
“That’s a great idea, Dad!?”
And that’s what we did last night. Cayden boxed, then volleyballed, then busted a move to Rihanna’s SOS. I so enjoyed myself watching her have a blast in the middle of Best Buy. She didn’t care who was around or watching. She’s not quite old enough yet to think a date with dad is stupid or goofy. And she just made me laugh.
And I thought of worship…with Rihanna playing in the background. I know..crazy, unheard of…but stay with me. I thought of worship because I want to have Cayden’s kind of commitment to the moment. I want to have that kind of abandonment to the process. Cayden’s only audience was the task. Cayden’s only focus was task.
I want my worship to be like that. Let’s be honest, most of us can stand in Best Buy and dance with a Wii remote with no thought of how ridiculous we look yet flinch at raising our hands in worship to the Creator of the universe. We’ll scream at a football game, high five people we don’t know, have never met, will never see again yet won’t walk across an aisle to learn the name of the person we are worshiping next to.
I want my worship to be like dancing in Best Buy. Spontaneous. Fun. Focused. Committed.
And we did eat ice cream before the meal. Which reminded me of worship as well. That’s what worship is – the ice cream before the meal.
Thank you for kids, Father. They are teaching us how to worship.
Onslaught by Dove Films
Anyone care to discuss? I’m not sure who is running the ad campaign at Dove or making the decisions to run these kinds of ads… but sign me up as a fan. Yes, it is raw and unnerving but so is the message that this industry and our culture as a whole is sending to young girls. Finally, a company with huge resources that stands up and says – no more.
When God Asks For Something…
When God asks us for something, it will be because He has already provided what He’s asking for or He knows that we no longer need it for the journey ahead. Every sacrifice ever given falls into one of those two categories.
He’s provided the sacrifice. All that I have is because of God’s goodness and grace. I can’t point to a single thing in my life that God hasn’t provided for me. Jacob understands this reality in Genesis 31. By understanding this myself, it will put in proper perspective what a sacrifice really costs me.
I no longer need it. Sin, hurt, bitterness, self-reliance – whatever I name, it could be that when God asks for it, I no longer need it in my life. And it’s to my ultimate benefit to sacrifice it to the Father.
The frustrating bit in this equation is my insistence to take back my sacrifice. I’ll sneak in when I think nobody is looking and take what I just put on the altar back off. Then God and I have start all over again. And this – in a nutshell – is the story of Jacob. It’s why he flip-flops being called in scripture Israel and Jacob. Sometimes, he’s Israel, God rules, God has the last word. Sometimes he is Jacob, the deceiver, the trickster.
The good news is that God chooses to work through both, won’t give up on either. That God’s grace and power is greater than sin.
Bama, BCS, & Broncos, Nov 8 Edition
Broncos
Had a bye week. So no humiliating loss this week.
Watched the Chiefs gift wrap the win for Oakland. Pretty bizarre to watch them make all those mistakes they hadn’t made all year in one half. And in more bad news, Chargers look like they are awake now.
Bama
What a painful loss. It’s always hard to win in Death Valley but the 24-21 score hides four huge realities that Alabama fans better swallow.
First, Les Miles coached to win the game, Nick Saban coached to not lose. Les Miles emptied the playbook, took risks, put more on his players to deliver the win. Saban didn’t. Instead of showing up to dominate and beat the snot out of LSU, Alabama showed up and acted like ‘let’s just try to escape here with a win.’ You don’t escape Death Valley. Show up to play hard or don’t show up at all.
Second, Alabama’s offensive line this year is a smaller, less aggressive, less physical version of the line last year. Last year when Alabama would get in a tight game, it was hand the ball to 22 and let’s pound the ball down the field. This year’s version likes to pass way to much. There is no plan B with this team. If the passing game sputters there is no commitment to the running game.
Third, the defensive line play of Alabama this year has been atrocious. The secondary was what everyone thought was going to be the problem this year for the Tide. It hasn’t. They’ve had some mistakes but with no pressure getting to the quarterbacks, they’ve been asked to cover guys for 4 and 5 seconds. That’s unheard of on the pro level, let alone college. The defensive line does not get pressure on the QB and it does not stuff the run without help from the linebackers. And when a defense has to use it’s LB to blitz to stop the run and get pressure, it makes the secondary that much more vulnerable.
Fourth, the Alabama defense is clueless how to stop a 2-minute offense. When an offense picks up the pace on them, forces them to stay at the line of scrimmage – bad things happen for Alabama. And guess who runs this type of offense better than anyone in the country right now?
By losing the game, Alabama lost a lot. There is no shot at defending the national title. They more than likely lost the chance at a BCS bowl as well. There is little to no chance at an SEC title. Those are some huge stakes for a 3 point game.
The bigger question will be their mental state in the next 3 games. Will they quit? When the Tide lost in the SEC championship 2 years ago, they rolled over against Utah in the Sugar Bowl. It was an ugly moment for Tide fans everywhere. We’ll see how they respond to this. While this year’s goals are gone, the Tide aren’t going anyway. There is plenty of talent coming back for 2011 to try again. They just need to finish strong this year.
BCS
Can’t really complain about the rankings to much. Oregon and Auburn still look like the best two teams in the country. TCU had a huge win over Utah – and yes it was impressive. But do that every week or 3 or 4 times a year, and then you can complain about being number 3.
That’s all for now. Been a rough year football wise.
Eulogy for Cheryl Goff
This is pretty much what I said today at Cheryl’s memorial service. I say pretty much because I didn’t really look at my notes all that much. It was a great day to remember her and hear stories from dear friends. It was a great day to reconnect with the crew from Emporia. What good people.
It was a sad day as well.
The word eulogy is an ancient greek word literally meaning ‘good words’. And that’s my task this morning – to put into good words what knowing Cheryl Goff meant. The truth is that’s next to impossible. As so many of you already know – there aren’t words to describe hanging out with Cheryl. There just are no words.
There’s just no words to describe to you what it was like going to a wedding with her. She’d go to any wedding, anywhere. She’d meet the family and immediately start looking for the cashews. I’d say to her – Cheryl, let’s just buy a can of cashews instead of going to all these weddings and she’d say “Well, what fun would that be?”
There’s just no words to explain how Cheryl was related to half of the state of Kansas. And the half that isn’t related to her has eaten at her table.
Cheryl was the model of what the spiritual gift of hospitality is supposed to look like. She always had room for one more around the table. I learned what church was after church on Sunday afternoons at her house. Everyone welcomed, everyone ate.
We’d be leaving the church service and she’d say to me — oh so and so is coming over, and so is this family. And I’d say “Cheryl, we don’t have enough food to feed all these people.” And she’d just pat me on my head and say – “Ohhh, we’ve got plenty. And if we don’t, we’ll make more.”
We’ve got plenty and if we don’t, we’ll make more.
What a model of what Church is supposed to be – not a building where meetings are held but a kitchen and dining room table where life is lived, tears and laughter are shared in Jesus’ name.
There are no words to tell you that the reason my kids are alive today are because of Cheryl Goff. She was a lifesaver for a young married couple in the middle of those black hole years of parenting – kids under 4. She’d invite us over and I’d say — “Cheryl, it’s just to much stuff we’ve got to have to come over.”
And Cheryl would say — “Oh just bring over my babies. I’ve got everything you need.” And she did. Cheryl had playpens, high chairs, toddler toys, bouncy seats, sippee cups, small spoons, and bibs. She had that cool Fisher Price barn with the mooing cow barn doors and the hammer and big wooden nails bench. I can’t tell you how many late nights we had with her because of this.
There are no words to describe Cheryl’s disdain for overhead lighting. When you went over to her house, do not ever turn on an overhead light though. That just wasn’t going to work. Overhead lighting was not allowed in her house. Only lamps, candles and the fireplace. When it wasn’t being invaded by bats. Cheryl didn’t do well with bats…Heidi however was one mean batkiller.
There’re no words to explain why Cheryl liked helping her daughters pack for trips. Of course, the girls had no idea she was helping. Whenever a Goff Girl went on a youth trip — the moment of unpacking became a sacred ritual to see just what Cheryl had snuck into the suitcase. I can’t tell you why those girls needed enough undergarments to last 37 days in the wild. I’m guessing Cheryl could.
One of the last conversations I had with Cheryl was after she had found out the tumor was inoperable. It was 7.56 am at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. And I asked her “How do you want me to pray?”
She smiled. “You can pray for healing but….I’m not afraid to die. I’m going to see Jesus.”
She was smiling with eyes bright and clear. There wasn’t a hint of resentment or bitterness. There was no dread or self-pity. And for the first time in my life I understood vividly Paul’s words – “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”
I don’t remember what I prayed. I didn’t make it very far before the tears started leaking in anyway. I felt so very inadequate in that moment. There was a strength in her faith I do not yet have but hope to one day achieve.
I have two large memories of Cheryl that will never leave me, that continue to push me deeper to Jesus.
The first one is how she treated and loved kids. They would always be “My Cooper, My Camber.” If you were privileged enough to have a child in her class, they would always have those two letters, that one word added to their name for Ms. Cheryl.
“My.” What a powerful word. Possession. Care. Unconditional Love. Safe. You’re mine. I love you. I’m your biggest fan. I’m on your side. My child. There is nothing you could ever do to make me love you less. There is nothing you could ever do to make me love you more.
This is the perfect picture of Jesus and how he loves us. My child.
So to My Britta and My Amelia and My Heidi and My Emma – we grieve today but we grieve knowing that right now she is hearing Jesus say to her “My Cheryl.”
To My Elizabeth, My Isaac, My Kaylee and My Dakota, and to My Ella – what a legacy you’ve been gifted. Know you’re loved deeply.
The second memory, you’ll see at the end of this slide show….
Her laughter. Infectious, wonderful, laughter.
We grieve today because we miss our friend. But we do not grieve without hope, nor do we grieve with solemn face. We grieve with laughter, a smile…because we know she’s with Jesus, laughing. Whole. Complete.
Let’s pray.
Answered Prayer
A few weeks ago I learned that a dear friend had an inoperable brain tumor. Last night, her prayers were answered. Cheryl Goff got to see Jesus last night around 7.30 pm. She prayed for no long, drawn out suffering. She prayed that her family would celebrate her life.
Answered prayer.
No one ever tells you that answered prayers can hurt.
I’m supposed to speak on Saturday at her service. Not really sure what to say yet. The girls will have some things they want said. And there will be lots of laughter on Saturday because you can’t really talk about Cheryl without laughter.
But I know this. They’ll be a lot of people there. Partly because Cheryl was related to half the state of Kansas. And the half that isn’t related to her has all eaten at her table. And that’s the truth.
Mound or Altar?
A pile of rocks is a pile of rocks unless it’s an altar. Then it’s something completely different. Laban is a mound person, a pile of rocks is a mess to avoid. It’s an ego that needs feeding, a reputation that needs protecting. It’s a character flaw that gets pampered and babied. It’s integrity and honesty that gets compromised for more money, more stuff.
For Jacob, the pile of rocks is an altar. A place where his conniving died. A place where he gave up his right to the last word on things. A place where he decided to put his life and fate in God’s hand, not his own or anyone else for that matter. It’s integrity and honesty that cost him 20 years of his life, countless hours in the sun watching over somebody else’s flock as if it was his own.
And only the altar person experiences the power of God. Only an altar provides life change and growth and miracles.
What mounds have I traveled by that need to be altars?