I'm sitting in a Days Inn at about 6:45 am, Portaransas, Texas time. I've been here with Pastor Brian since yesterday meeting with my friend, Bill Easum. Bill is a church consultant and he's working with us to help us get our brains around how Grace will do mission and ministry as we begin moving toward our own campus. Yesterday was a very, very interesting time of discussion that carried on past the 4 hours with Bill. Brian and I are enjoying wrestling with what it means to form disciples through missional communities to follow Jesus on the bold, daring, reckless adventure of grace. As Bill put it yesterday, we are creating a ministry to call people to something they generally don't want to do--give up their lives for someone else and follow him! But I'm convinced that even though we may not fully understand the extravagant grace that comes with following Jesus, in the depths of our beings we really want to follow him. Creating the communities or groups through which we can discover with others what it means to follow Jesus, and making the time to get involved in one of those groups is the key. And that's what Brian and I are wrestling with these days--how do we continue to create missional communities that draw us in so that we can learn to be Jesus to each other that we might be Jesus in the world.
We hit round two with Bill in about an hour and then we fly home. So more to come...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The R-word
I woke up this morning to the breathless news anchors predicting the collapse of civilization as we know it as we watched the Dow Jones tumble to a 500 point drop. Recession, worry, bad news, and more bad news as the anchors ripped off one bad indicator after another. I wasn't alive back then, but you'd have thought it was the stock market crash of 1929.
And then...the market started to gain back what it had lost. As I write this it's down 126. Not great, but certainly not the end of the world.
It's amazing how fear-based life really is. Yes, we have some real concerns about our economy right now. Yes, we may have to cut back on some of our desires to really meet what we need. But as Christians, no matter what's happening in the economy, we can live in faith. For our creator owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He created the earth and all that's in it. And he promises to meet out daily needs (not necessarily wants and desires but our daily needs).
Tough economic times can be a great way for us to re-discover the power of trusting in God rather than in the economy. And there's a lot less fear when we trust in him!
And then...the market started to gain back what it had lost. As I write this it's down 126. Not great, but certainly not the end of the world.
It's amazing how fear-based life really is. Yes, we have some real concerns about our economy right now. Yes, we may have to cut back on some of our desires to really meet what we need. But as Christians, no matter what's happening in the economy, we can live in faith. For our creator owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He created the earth and all that's in it. And he promises to meet out daily needs (not necessarily wants and desires but our daily needs).
Tough economic times can be a great way for us to re-discover the power of trusting in God rather than in the economy. And there's a lot less fear when we trust in him!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Mid-life Blues
On Wednesday I started my old man physical (the turning 50 one!). I had some blood work done a few weeks ago so I went in to get the scoop on that and to experience some poking and prodding, if you know what I mean!
The good news: For the most part my blood work looks good. The not so good news: Two areas of concern--my cholesterol and my blood sugar. Both were a bit high.
The doctor told me to cut back on the fats (which I've done for years!) and to watch my carb intake (breads, pastas, etc.) Problem is, I love bread and pastas. If I can't eat carbs and fats, not much left in the scheme of things.
So wanting to die healthy, I started researching the Glycemic Index. Come to find out, I can't eat anything!
So, I have two choices as I move into the second 50 years of my life--don't eat and die. Or eat and die.
I wanted life to get more simple. Can't get much simpler than that!
Midlife really....!
Oh, and by the way--my psa looks great. No prostate cancer concern. But the thing is a bit enlarged.
Next thing you know I'll start losing my hair.
The real kicker, when you know I'm really getting old, is when I start complaining about it. I hope to put that off for a few years.
The good news: For the most part my blood work looks good. The not so good news: Two areas of concern--my cholesterol and my blood sugar. Both were a bit high.
The doctor told me to cut back on the fats (which I've done for years!) and to watch my carb intake (breads, pastas, etc.) Problem is, I love bread and pastas. If I can't eat carbs and fats, not much left in the scheme of things.
So wanting to die healthy, I started researching the Glycemic Index. Come to find out, I can't eat anything!
So, I have two choices as I move into the second 50 years of my life--don't eat and die. Or eat and die.
I wanted life to get more simple. Can't get much simpler than that!
Midlife really....!
Oh, and by the way--my psa looks great. No prostate cancer concern. But the thing is a bit enlarged.
Next thing you know I'll start losing my hair.
The real kicker, when you know I'm really getting old, is when I start complaining about it. I hope to put that off for a few years.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
American Idol Musings
I've been an on and off Idol fan since it started. The first year I was proud to say I didn't watch it at all. I didn't see much of it the second year, either, but then I slowly got sucked in. I was fully engaged last year when Jordin Sparks was in the competition. Overall, I enjoy the competition and watching the artists develop over the course of the show.
At this risk of sounding self-righteous or judgmental or smug, however, I would like to comment on the shows leading up to the competition, the shows currently on right now that feature the auditions, particularly of those who, from most points of view, have no real business auditioning. Much has been made about how cruel the shows are--how they spotlight people with no musical talent in order to make fun of them. Obviously there are some who audition for their 15 minutes of fame. They know they aren't going anywhere. They know they don't have the talent necessary. But they have a chance to appear on TV before millions of people--so they play along.
But many of the people highlighted in these shows aren't in on the joke (as one TV commentator puts it). They honestly think they have a shot, that they have talent. They enter into these auditions thinking they can make it. And then America, thanks to American Idol, sits back and laughs at them, ridicules them, and makes fun of them. I know. I've watched and joined along. I, too, scratch my head and wonder what these people are thinking. I wonder how they can shed tears or get angry when they're told they aren't going on to the next round.
And that's where I get nervous. They aren't in on it. They don't know. And in their misguided innocence they are held up nationally for us to laugh at.
Is that really the kind of nation we want to be?
Probably every one of us at one time or another really thought we could do something that the average person knew immediately we couldn't. Perhaps we thought we could write poetry or sing well enough for a solo in school or dance or cheer or speak or cook or...And when we found out that others didn't appreciate our skill the way we did, we were heartbroken. But what we needed at that point was not ridicule but loving affirmation that while that may not be our gift, we are still created in God's image with much to offer the world. We just need to find out what it is God has created us to do.
To sit and laugh at those who think they are talented and aren't is really mean-spirited, isn't it? And it says more about us than about them. What is it about us that we need someone to look worse than we do? Someone we can ridicule so that we feel better about ourselves?
Simon said it this way: "You'll see the usual parade of the absolutely useless believing they are the best singers in the world..." Because they have no talent does that make them absolutely useless?
The American Idol competition is exciting and has launched several careers. When it focuses on talent, it hits its stride. But when it's used to provide an opportunity for Simon to roll his eyes or Randy to laugh or the rest of us to sit back and rip on those the editors have chosen for ridicule, the show and our country degenerates into subhuman behavior.
Amazingly and thankfully the ratings have been down so far this year (and this when few new shows are on due to the writers strike). Perhaps we could start a movement--boycott the show until the real competition begins. Perhaps we could say through that boycott that making fun of others isn't what we want to do and be as human beings. Instead, we want to enjoy those gifted by God in this particular arena of life as they compete for the title of American Idol.
As one who has watched some of the audition shows and laughed along, I'm repenting of that and waiting until the real show begins. Perhaps you will want to join me.
At this risk of sounding self-righteous or judgmental or smug, however, I would like to comment on the shows leading up to the competition, the shows currently on right now that feature the auditions, particularly of those who, from most points of view, have no real business auditioning. Much has been made about how cruel the shows are--how they spotlight people with no musical talent in order to make fun of them. Obviously there are some who audition for their 15 minutes of fame. They know they aren't going anywhere. They know they don't have the talent necessary. But they have a chance to appear on TV before millions of people--so they play along.
But many of the people highlighted in these shows aren't in on the joke (as one TV commentator puts it). They honestly think they have a shot, that they have talent. They enter into these auditions thinking they can make it. And then America, thanks to American Idol, sits back and laughs at them, ridicules them, and makes fun of them. I know. I've watched and joined along. I, too, scratch my head and wonder what these people are thinking. I wonder how they can shed tears or get angry when they're told they aren't going on to the next round.
And that's where I get nervous. They aren't in on it. They don't know. And in their misguided innocence they are held up nationally for us to laugh at.
Is that really the kind of nation we want to be?
Probably every one of us at one time or another really thought we could do something that the average person knew immediately we couldn't. Perhaps we thought we could write poetry or sing well enough for a solo in school or dance or cheer or speak or cook or...And when we found out that others didn't appreciate our skill the way we did, we were heartbroken. But what we needed at that point was not ridicule but loving affirmation that while that may not be our gift, we are still created in God's image with much to offer the world. We just need to find out what it is God has created us to do.
To sit and laugh at those who think they are talented and aren't is really mean-spirited, isn't it? And it says more about us than about them. What is it about us that we need someone to look worse than we do? Someone we can ridicule so that we feel better about ourselves?
Simon said it this way: "You'll see the usual parade of the absolutely useless believing they are the best singers in the world..." Because they have no talent does that make them absolutely useless?
The American Idol competition is exciting and has launched several careers. When it focuses on talent, it hits its stride. But when it's used to provide an opportunity for Simon to roll his eyes or Randy to laugh or the rest of us to sit back and rip on those the editors have chosen for ridicule, the show and our country degenerates into subhuman behavior.
Amazingly and thankfully the ratings have been down so far this year (and this when few new shows are on due to the writers strike). Perhaps we could start a movement--boycott the show until the real competition begins. Perhaps we could say through that boycott that making fun of others isn't what we want to do and be as human beings. Instead, we want to enjoy those gifted by God in this particular arena of life as they compete for the title of American Idol.
As one who has watched some of the audition shows and laughed along, I'm repenting of that and waiting until the real show begins. Perhaps you will want to join me.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tangible Grace
This weekend, as we continue our series on Simply Grace, we move to two simple, yet transforming ways in which God touches us with that grace: Baptism and Communion.
In the Lutheran Church we see Baptism and Communion as Sacraments. Luther used the following criteria to determine what a sacrament is: 1) It is commanded by Jesus. 2) It has an earthly means. 3) It has a divine gift attached to it.
Jesus commands that his followers be baptized and regularly receive communion. Both use an earthly means--baptism uses water and communion uses wine/grape juice and bread. And both have a divine promise attached to it. In other words, baptism and communion are more than symbols. God actually does something to us when we are baptized. He adopts us into his family. He forgives us. He fills us with his Spirit. When we receive Communion, it is more than a symbolic act. God tangibly confers forgiveness on us. God embraces us with his mercy and kindness. God is active, doing something life-giving through the earthly means of water and wine and bread.
(This helps explain why Lutherans don't see marriage as a sacrament, for example. Jesus doesn't command us to get married. There is no earthly means like water attached to it. Having said that, Lutherans do believe that marriage is a gift of God and that God promises to be a part of the marriage.)
Baptism and Communion, therefore, are tangible expressions of grace--both are a means of grace.
This Sunday we will focus on the touch of grace--Baptism. Next Sunday, January 27 on the taste of grace--communion.
In the Lutheran Church we see Baptism and Communion as Sacraments. Luther used the following criteria to determine what a sacrament is: 1) It is commanded by Jesus. 2) It has an earthly means. 3) It has a divine gift attached to it.
Jesus commands that his followers be baptized and regularly receive communion. Both use an earthly means--baptism uses water and communion uses wine/grape juice and bread. And both have a divine promise attached to it. In other words, baptism and communion are more than symbols. God actually does something to us when we are baptized. He adopts us into his family. He forgives us. He fills us with his Spirit. When we receive Communion, it is more than a symbolic act. God tangibly confers forgiveness on us. God embraces us with his mercy and kindness. God is active, doing something life-giving through the earthly means of water and wine and bread.
(This helps explain why Lutherans don't see marriage as a sacrament, for example. Jesus doesn't command us to get married. There is no earthly means like water attached to it. Having said that, Lutherans do believe that marriage is a gift of God and that God promises to be a part of the marriage.)
Baptism and Communion, therefore, are tangible expressions of grace--both are a means of grace.
This Sunday we will focus on the touch of grace--Baptism. Next Sunday, January 27 on the taste of grace--communion.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Musings
It's been almost a week since my last post. Life began again at a run, rather than a jog. As I look at my calendar January promises to be a very busy month. My schedule is fairly simple, but a bit crowded.
I'm playing hookey from worship tomorrow. I'm bringing my dad to Vegas this afternoon for his Christmas present. We're going to see my close, personal friend, BJ Thomas. Haven't seen BJ in over a year.
On Thursday a group from Peace Lutheran, American Lutheran, and Grace met to talk about starting new congregations in our area. It was Peace and American who gave us our land. It's really exciting to work in partnership with other congregations in starting new churches. We are working through a new vision right now so more to come.
We have some computer generated drawings of what our new campus will look like. Wow!
I really love the presidential campaign this year.
I'm playing hookey from worship tomorrow. I'm bringing my dad to Vegas this afternoon for his Christmas present. We're going to see my close, personal friend, BJ Thomas. Haven't seen BJ in over a year.
On Thursday a group from Peace Lutheran, American Lutheran, and Grace met to talk about starting new congregations in our area. It was Peace and American who gave us our land. It's really exciting to work in partnership with other congregations in starting new churches. We are working through a new vision right now so more to come.
We have some computer generated drawings of what our new campus will look like. Wow!
I really love the presidential campaign this year.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
1st 2008 Post--Going Simple
We're about a week into the new year and I've yet to post anything brilliant or not-so-brilliant.
This is partly due to the fact that I had nothing to say. Like many of you, I was coming down from Christmas and gearing up for life after the holidays.
I'm not sure I have anything brilliant or not-so-brilliant at this moment so here's something I'm working on this next year:
This year our congregation is focusing on the theme: Simply Jesus. We're going to try to strip away some of the excess stuff that comes with Christianity and redisover Jesus and what it means to experience and follow him.
Part of this has grown out of a book the staff is working through--Simple Church. Part of it is growing out of the reading I am doing on simpler living. I've made a commitment to simplify my life this year (even though I feel my life is already pretty simple). I'm learning to see simple living as a gift of grace--a gift that enables us to enjoy what we have and free up resources for those who don't have.
Knowing this was coming, I bought everything I wanted the last two weeks of last year! :) This year I want to learn to buy only what I need and really enjoy what I already have. I'll let you know how it goes.
It promises to be another great year.
This is partly due to the fact that I had nothing to say. Like many of you, I was coming down from Christmas and gearing up for life after the holidays.
I'm not sure I have anything brilliant or not-so-brilliant at this moment so here's something I'm working on this next year:
This year our congregation is focusing on the theme: Simply Jesus. We're going to try to strip away some of the excess stuff that comes with Christianity and redisover Jesus and what it means to experience and follow him.
Part of this has grown out of a book the staff is working through--Simple Church. Part of it is growing out of the reading I am doing on simpler living. I've made a commitment to simplify my life this year (even though I feel my life is already pretty simple). I'm learning to see simple living as a gift of grace--a gift that enables us to enjoy what we have and free up resources for those who don't have.
Knowing this was coming, I bought everything I wanted the last two weeks of last year! :) This year I want to learn to buy only what I need and really enjoy what I already have. I'll let you know how it goes.
It promises to be another great year.
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