The Spirit is moving within the Body at Riverside...
Yesterday, Ron Morgan challenged the church to develop more of a servant heart, then I continued the challenge... Our mission is to help those who need it and to make disciples, and I suggested we look for new ways to reach out to our community...
Last night, the Panama mission team presented its report to the Body about its recent trip to Panama... It was so good to relive the trip and report on the incredible one-week journey!
We expressed our deep gratitude to the whole Body... (we are all members of the Panama team - some travel and some support from home!) We made sure everyone had the opportunity to speak (traveling as well as non-traveling team members :-)), and most of our traveling team members had a chance to comment as we watched the 160+ photos on the powerpoint... It was an informal setting which produced great questions and comments, and deepened our committment to this mission effort!
Doyne challenged us all to help feed the El Valle students and to financially support Ezekias as he works with Lynn and Joy to establish the 'Riverside model' in Volcan.... He ended his thoughts by inviting everyone at Riverside to visit Joy and Lynn in Volcan (not all at the same time!), and then he challenged our three wonderful shepherds to travel to Volcan very soon to join in the work there...
Thanks to Joy and Lynn for providing this terrific opportunity to serve His children in Panama!
The Spirit is indeed stirring among the people of Riverside... there seems to be a 'servant movement' among the Body... more news about that as it unfolds...
Blessings!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
another great week at Tahkodah
Well, we are home from another wonderful week at Camp Tahkodah!
All three daughters agreed this was the best session ever... and I can't disagree. This year's theme was 'Reach for the Stars', and we saw a lot of kiddos do just that. A very inspiring and cup-filling time!
It is always good to be home, but this week is one we look forward to every year. For our part, Kelly and I are always blessed by making new friendships and renewing old ones... Ross and Nita are always wonderful to work with, and Penny (head cook) is one of our very favorite people. Nurse Karen always takes such good care of us all, and Lindsey Webster did an excellent job this year as head counselor.
We made new friends among the other adult volunteers... Mark and Lindsey Simmons are a delightful young couple who serve the Burleson, Texas church of Christ as youth ministers.... Todd and Joy Miller are absolutely terrific! (Todd's dad is Jule Miller of the filmstrip fame!) Todd serves as the children's minister at Downtown church of Christ in Searcy, and Joy works at a private preschool...we really enjoyed sharing stories and getting to know them... Steve and Vicki Smith are the new caretakers at Camp, and they have jumped in with both feet! We look forward to seeing them for years to come as we return to Camp T.
We are all bone tired, and very happy to sleep in our own beds tonight... and a little sad that our week at Camp Tahkodah is over. It is our favorite place on earth!
Blessings!
All three daughters agreed this was the best session ever... and I can't disagree. This year's theme was 'Reach for the Stars', and we saw a lot of kiddos do just that. A very inspiring and cup-filling time!
It is always good to be home, but this week is one we look forward to every year. For our part, Kelly and I are always blessed by making new friendships and renewing old ones... Ross and Nita are always wonderful to work with, and Penny (head cook) is one of our very favorite people. Nurse Karen always takes such good care of us all, and Lindsey Webster did an excellent job this year as head counselor.
We made new friends among the other adult volunteers... Mark and Lindsey Simmons are a delightful young couple who serve the Burleson, Texas church of Christ as youth ministers.... Todd and Joy Miller are absolutely terrific! (Todd's dad is Jule Miller of the filmstrip fame!) Todd serves as the children's minister at Downtown church of Christ in Searcy, and Joy works at a private preschool...we really enjoyed sharing stories and getting to know them... Steve and Vicki Smith are the new caretakers at Camp, and they have jumped in with both feet! We look forward to seeing them for years to come as we return to Camp T.
We are all bone tired, and very happy to sleep in our own beds tonight... and a little sad that our week at Camp Tahkodah is over. It is our favorite place on earth!
Blessings!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Off to Camp Tahkodah - our favorite place!
Well, it's that time of year... a time our whole family looks forward to: Camp Tahkodah!
Each year for the past six, Ross and Nita allow Kelly and I to volunteer at our favorite place on earth. And each year we are blessed beyond our imagination!
This year is sort of a pivotal one... in lots of ways. This is Caitlin's first year as a counselor, and, perhaps, our last year to volunteer at the same session with our kiddos... we'll see...
In the past, we have only been able to volunteer for one week, so that limits us to serving during a one week session; and our kids have always been perfectly happy to attend the same one-week session as we do. As they get older, however, the two-week session begins to be more attractive to our girls... but we may not be able to volunteer for two weeks... so we'll see how God handles that!
It is also the last year Caitlin will have lived at home (as she goes to college this fall) before going off to camp... Okay, I admit it, everything we have done this past year has been viewed through the "this is Caitlin's last..." glasses! Last home basketball game, last vacation, last time to (you get the drift)....
But I digress! Anyhow, we are all VERY excited about next week... pray for us, that we may touch the lives of these beautiful young people as we minister to them (and them to us) and as we enjoy the little slice of heaven on earth that is Camp T.
Each year for the past six, Ross and Nita allow Kelly and I to volunteer at our favorite place on earth. And each year we are blessed beyond our imagination!
This year is sort of a pivotal one... in lots of ways. This is Caitlin's first year as a counselor, and, perhaps, our last year to volunteer at the same session with our kiddos... we'll see...
In the past, we have only been able to volunteer for one week, so that limits us to serving during a one week session; and our kids have always been perfectly happy to attend the same one-week session as we do. As they get older, however, the two-week session begins to be more attractive to our girls... but we may not be able to volunteer for two weeks... so we'll see how God handles that!
It is also the last year Caitlin will have lived at home (as she goes to college this fall) before going off to camp... Okay, I admit it, everything we have done this past year has been viewed through the "this is Caitlin's last..." glasses! Last home basketball game, last vacation, last time to (you get the drift)....
But I digress! Anyhow, we are all VERY excited about next week... pray for us, that we may touch the lives of these beautiful young people as we minister to them (and them to us) and as we enjoy the little slice of heaven on earth that is Camp T.
(I probably won't have blogability while we are there, so I will look forward to posting again next Friday night!)
God Bless!what do you wake up thinking about?
In those first moments of conscious thought each morning, what is it that fills your mind?
Is it money? Many of us wake up wondering about our financial situation... or plotting how to make the next thousand or million....
Is it him or her? Others of us are obsessing about that special (or not so special) person in our life to the point that they are on our mind constantly...
Is it 'the next big thing'? Some of us wake up thinking about our 'stuff'... and how to get more, better, newer things...
I just have this sneaking suspicion that what I wake up thinking about says a lot about me. So it may be worth asking the question: what fills my head when the cobwebs of sleep clear?
God wants to... He longs to pour thoughts into the cup of your soul emptied by hours of rest and sleep.
He yearns to fill the void (or replace whatever's occupying the space)...
So let Him. Make a concerted effort to wake up thinking about Him... or how to serve His children... put a reminder on your nightstand to help you have 'God thoughts' first thing in the morning. Utter a 'thank you' prayer before your feet hit the floor...
It will make a difference in your day, I promise... and it will change your heart.
Blessings!
Is it money? Many of us wake up wondering about our financial situation... or plotting how to make the next thousand or million....
Is it him or her? Others of us are obsessing about that special (or not so special) person in our life to the point that they are on our mind constantly...
Is it 'the next big thing'? Some of us wake up thinking about our 'stuff'... and how to get more, better, newer things...
I just have this sneaking suspicion that what I wake up thinking about says a lot about me. So it may be worth asking the question: what fills my head when the cobwebs of sleep clear?
God wants to... He longs to pour thoughts into the cup of your soul emptied by hours of rest and sleep.
He yearns to fill the void (or replace whatever's occupying the space)...
So let Him. Make a concerted effort to wake up thinking about Him... or how to serve His children... put a reminder on your nightstand to help you have 'God thoughts' first thing in the morning. Utter a 'thank you' prayer before your feet hit the floor...
It will make a difference in your day, I promise... and it will change your heart.
Blessings!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The Gospel of Christ - the original cross-platform application
The software development company I work for does an extraordinary job of making its web-based applications easy to use... whether you use a Mac computer or a PC, our software will work! That is what's known in the computer business as being cross-platform... in other words, our software program works in virtually any environment!
Such is the Gospel of Jesus Christ... throughout the centuries, His Good News is transcendent! No matter what your socio-economic class, His Way works! Regardless of your race or age or education, the Way of the Lord has relevance for you!
Try as we may to attach our tradition or our religiosity to the Gospel of Jesus, it lives on - amazingly - unchanged and unscathed...
And as much as we try to strain it through the filter of our culture, His ageless Gospel 'shakes us off' like dust off of sandals and reaches out and speaks to everyone.
It is truly amazing that, for thousands of years, His Message has lived and thrived and found fertile ground in the hearts of men and women and boys and girls, changing their lives as it goes!
There are countless reasons to Praise God... Today I praise Him for making the Gospel of Christ a truly cross-platform application!
Blessings!
Such is the Gospel of Jesus Christ... throughout the centuries, His Good News is transcendent! No matter what your socio-economic class, His Way works! Regardless of your race or age or education, the Way of the Lord has relevance for you!
Try as we may to attach our tradition or our religiosity to the Gospel of Jesus, it lives on - amazingly - unchanged and unscathed...
And as much as we try to strain it through the filter of our culture, His ageless Gospel 'shakes us off' like dust off of sandals and reaches out and speaks to everyone.
It is truly amazing that, for thousands of years, His Message has lived and thrived and found fertile ground in the hearts of men and women and boys and girls, changing their lives as it goes!
There are countless reasons to Praise God... Today I praise Him for making the Gospel of Christ a truly cross-platform application!
Blessings!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
York College
Well, we made it back from our 30-hour whirlwind trip for pre-registration at York... Caitlin drove all the way up without any help (other than navigational) from us. She did great... we thought it was a good idea for her to see what it was like to be behind the wheel for that long through all the different kinds of traffic one might see from here to York. Kansas City will be interesting when she is alone, but I think she will do fine!
All the folks at York were extremely nice and hospitable; they are making it a little easier for us to send our first daughter 550 miles from home for college. We are truly excited for her, and we really do believe God placed this opportunity in her path. And for that we are very thankful.
When we were there for Cait's recruiting visit Easter weekend, the temperature was 28 degrees with a 30-mile-an-hour wind... pretty bitter! We were assured that it was not typically like that there...
Yesterday, the temperature reached 102 degrees with a similar percentage of humidity... and, again, we were assured that it was not usually that hot in the summer there... whatever! I imagine the weather throughout the year may be a bit less 'mild' than Caitlin is used to here, but she will probably do just fine...
Anyhow, continue to pray for us during this transition period. I know thousands of parents send their kids off to college each year, but this is our first time... and it will be tough.
Blessings!
All the folks at York were extremely nice and hospitable; they are making it a little easier for us to send our first daughter 550 miles from home for college. We are truly excited for her, and we really do believe God placed this opportunity in her path. And for that we are very thankful.
When we were there for Cait's recruiting visit Easter weekend, the temperature was 28 degrees with a 30-mile-an-hour wind... pretty bitter! We were assured that it was not typically like that there...
Yesterday, the temperature reached 102 degrees with a similar percentage of humidity... and, again, we were assured that it was not usually that hot in the summer there... whatever! I imagine the weather throughout the year may be a bit less 'mild' than Caitlin is used to here, but she will probably do just fine...
Anyhow, continue to pray for us during this transition period. I know thousands of parents send their kids off to college each year, but this is our first time... and it will be tough.
Blessings!
Monday, July 16, 2007
greetings from York, NE
Well, we are helping pre register Caitlin for her fall classes today... York is beautiful... but I thought it might be cooler here... we just drove 500 miles north!! well, it is supposed to reach 97 degrees today...
oh, well... we are off to see the campus, meet the roommate, measure the room, meet the new coach...
so I will post more when we are home...
God Bless!
tim
oh, well... we are off to see the campus, meet the roommate, measure the room, meet the new coach...
so I will post more when we are home...
God Bless!
tim
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Why do churches die? (part 2)
In a previous post I wrote about a kind of irrelevance which (in my humble opinion) is causing churches to die... in this post I describe another kind of irrelevance...
but first I need to define 'church' before I continue... in the context of these posts, the church I am referring to is NOT the church universal (which God, through Luke - in Acts - and other inspired writers promises will endure forever and NOT fail nor fall). I am talking about the local 'bodies' of Christ which purport to follow the Bible and attempt to be the people of God...
Also, I understand that churches are made up of flawed people; folks who possess varying degrees of spiritual maturity... people who serve and people who get served...
Having made those disclaimers, it is hard to escape the reality that many 'churches' are withering and dying... there are hundreds of church growth experts and consultants who will talk about building size and programs and parking lots... all in attempt to 'grow' the church... don't get me wrong, many of these efforts are made with good and noble intentions... and many times the results are positive...
But if we really want to discover why so many churches are dying, I believe it absolutely comes down to whether a 'church' is relevant.
The first kind is spoken about throughout the Bible, but perhaps best described in the prophetic book of Amos. It deals with the disconnect between our worship and our ethics... in other words, how we live Monday through Saturday needs to be consistent with our worship on Sunday.... I wrote about that type in a previous post.
Another kind of irrelevance plaguing our churches has gotten more press than the one discussed earlier. It seems obvious, but still it is a church killer.
When Paul says in his first Corinthian letter "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some", he is talking about relevance. I wonder what Paul would say if he were alive today... what would he say if his community was largely Hispanic and the church leaders insisted upon conducting assembly worship in English?
What would the apostle think of a church like the Catholic church whose leaders - a few years back - were determined to conduct mass only in Latin (when very few of its parishioners understood Latin)?
Would he call them irrelevant?
What if our only method of evangelism were to invite unchurched people to attend worship on Sunday?
I believe Paul (and, incidentally, Jesus) would use every available technology and any relevant method to reach and help and teach those around him if they were alive today. He would look for ways to help people... to treat them with mercy and kindness... the peculiarity which Paul and Jesus would be known for would reach beyond a cappella singing and weekly communion...
Think about their respective ministries... they were definitely 'out-of-the-box' thinkers when it came to reaching people. For instance, there were lots of 'faith healers' in Jesus' day... were any of them rubbing dirt and spit in blind people's eyes to make them see? That's crazy! But the visionless man saw! and that was all he cared about... to Him, Jesus was relevant...
If the church of today desires to reach and help and teach the people around it, it (we) must do that in ways which are relevant to the people it hopes to serve.
May God bless us as we try to do just that....
but first I need to define 'church' before I continue... in the context of these posts, the church I am referring to is NOT the church universal (which God, through Luke - in Acts - and other inspired writers promises will endure forever and NOT fail nor fall). I am talking about the local 'bodies' of Christ which purport to follow the Bible and attempt to be the people of God...
Also, I understand that churches are made up of flawed people; folks who possess varying degrees of spiritual maturity... people who serve and people who get served...
Having made those disclaimers, it is hard to escape the reality that many 'churches' are withering and dying... there are hundreds of church growth experts and consultants who will talk about building size and programs and parking lots... all in attempt to 'grow' the church... don't get me wrong, many of these efforts are made with good and noble intentions... and many times the results are positive...
But if we really want to discover why so many churches are dying, I believe it absolutely comes down to whether a 'church' is relevant.
The first kind is spoken about throughout the Bible, but perhaps best described in the prophetic book of Amos. It deals with the disconnect between our worship and our ethics... in other words, how we live Monday through Saturday needs to be consistent with our worship on Sunday.... I wrote about that type in a previous post.
Another kind of irrelevance plaguing our churches has gotten more press than the one discussed earlier. It seems obvious, but still it is a church killer.
When Paul says in his first Corinthian letter "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some", he is talking about relevance. I wonder what Paul would say if he were alive today... what would he say if his community was largely Hispanic and the church leaders insisted upon conducting assembly worship in English?
What would the apostle think of a church like the Catholic church whose leaders - a few years back - were determined to conduct mass only in Latin (when very few of its parishioners understood Latin)?
Would he call them irrelevant?
What if our only method of evangelism were to invite unchurched people to attend worship on Sunday?
I believe Paul (and, incidentally, Jesus) would use every available technology and any relevant method to reach and help and teach those around him if they were alive today. He would look for ways to help people... to treat them with mercy and kindness... the peculiarity which Paul and Jesus would be known for would reach beyond a cappella singing and weekly communion...
Think about their respective ministries... they were definitely 'out-of-the-box' thinkers when it came to reaching people. For instance, there were lots of 'faith healers' in Jesus' day... were any of them rubbing dirt and spit in blind people's eyes to make them see? That's crazy! But the visionless man saw! and that was all he cared about... to Him, Jesus was relevant...
If the church of today desires to reach and help and teach the people around it, it (we) must do that in ways which are relevant to the people it hopes to serve.
May God bless us as we try to do just that....
Why do churches die? (part 1)
What is causing so many churches to die?
In a word - irrelevance. (there are two types of irrelevance which are 'church killers' - this post addresses the first):
The prophet Amos speaks about one type of irrelevance (the disconnect between our 'religion' and our daily living)... in the first 4 1/2 chapters of his book of prophecy, he outlines the problem: it seems that the 'people of God' are treating their fellow man (especially the disadvantaged in their community) very poorly... speaking of the Israelites (God's people!), Amos says:
God (through Amos) continues to convict them and warn them of the punishment that's coming:
"You trample on the poor
His sarcasm is thick as he continues to convict them of their hypocrisy:
Then, after detailing exactly what is about to happen to His people in alarming detail, he continues his judgement, speaking to them about the hypocrisy of their worship:
Why are some churches dying? Could it be that God is withholding His blessing? Is it possible He has decided to 'remove the candlestick' of some 'churches'? Perhaps God is tired of their irrelevance! Maybe He is sickened by the disconnect between what they do at 'synagogue' and what they do the other 6 days of the week... maybe He has stopped listening to or accepting their "Sunday Worship"...
Perhaps it's because He can't hear their 'worship songs' over the cries of the people they are mistreating (or ignoring). Maybe He sees the glaring similarities between modern-day Pharisees and those His son railed against 2,000 years ago!
The God we serve is the same God who directed the prophet Amos (and countless other prophets throughout the ages) to write and warn and pronounce and plead to His people... our God is the same God who punished and pruned and coaxed His people to repentance.
How arrogant we are to believe in a God who ignores the way we treat others while basking in our artificial praise!
In a word - irrelevance. (there are two types of irrelevance which are 'church killers' - this post addresses the first):
The prophet Amos speaks about one type of irrelevance (the disconnect between our 'religion' and our daily living)... in the first 4 1/2 chapters of his book of prophecy, he outlines the problem: it seems that the 'people of God' are treating their fellow man (especially the disadvantaged in their community) very poorly... speaking of the Israelites (God's people!), Amos says:
"They sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals;
They trample on the heads of the poor
They trample on the heads of the poor
as upon the dust of the ground
and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
and so profane my holy name."
God (through Amos) continues to convict them and warn them of the punishment that's coming:
"You trample on the poor
and force him to give you grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts."
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts."
His sarcasm is thick as he continues to convict them of their hypocrisy:
"Go to Bethel and sin;
go to Gilgal and sin yet more.
Bring your sacrifices every morning,
your tithes every three years.
Burn leavened bread as a thank offering
and brag about your freewill offerings—
boast about them, you Israelites,
for this is what you love to do,"
declares the Sovereign LORD.
go to Gilgal and sin yet more.
Bring your sacrifices every morning,
your tithes every three years.
Burn leavened bread as a thank offering
and brag about your freewill offerings—
boast about them, you Israelites,
for this is what you love to do,"
declares the Sovereign LORD.
Then, after detailing exactly what is about to happen to His people in alarming detail, he continues his judgement, speaking to them about the hypocrisy of their worship:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
I cannot stand your assemblies.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Why are some churches dying? Could it be that God is withholding His blessing? Is it possible He has decided to 'remove the candlestick' of some 'churches'? Perhaps God is tired of their irrelevance! Maybe He is sickened by the disconnect between what they do at 'synagogue' and what they do the other 6 days of the week... maybe He has stopped listening to or accepting their "Sunday Worship"...
Perhaps it's because He can't hear their 'worship songs' over the cries of the people they are mistreating (or ignoring). Maybe He sees the glaring similarities between modern-day Pharisees and those His son railed against 2,000 years ago!
The God we serve is the same God who directed the prophet Amos (and countless other prophets throughout the ages) to write and warn and pronounce and plead to His people... our God is the same God who punished and pruned and coaxed His people to repentance.
How arrogant we are to believe in a God who ignores the way we treat others while basking in our artificial praise!
'I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'
May God Bless us as we remember that He wants His people to imitate His Son... every day.
...next up: the 2nd type of irrelevance...
...next up: the 2nd type of irrelevance...
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Love 'em like Jesus
Mark Hall of the Casting Crowns has written a bunch of great songs... My family and I were blessed to see him and his group minister to about 20,000 people last fall at Alltel Arena in Little Rock.
While I love all their material, two songs stick with me... the words to these songs haunt me almost everyday.
I read somewhere the other day of a preacher who shared with his friend his frustration that God would allow war and poverty and hunger and genocide... "I wonder why God would continue to allow all these bad things to happen?" His friend suggested he ask Him. The preacher responded, "I'm afraid He will ask me the same question."
Make no mistake, God will work His will and His way in His time... but He expects His people to be his hands and feet and voice...
That reminded me of these words from a Mark Hall song:
It also made me think of the words from the chorus of "love 'em like Jesus":
Just love 'em like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love 'em like Jesus
May God Bless us today as we love 'em like Jesus.
While I love all their material, two songs stick with me... the words to these songs haunt me almost everyday.
I read somewhere the other day of a preacher who shared with his friend his frustration that God would allow war and poverty and hunger and genocide... "I wonder why God would continue to allow all these bad things to happen?" His friend suggested he ask Him. The preacher responded, "I'm afraid He will ask me the same question."
Make no mistake, God will work His will and His way in His time... but He expects His people to be his hands and feet and voice...
That reminded me of these words from a Mark Hall song:
But if we are the Body - Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the Body - Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the Body - Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
It also made me think of the words from the chorus of "love 'em like Jesus":
Just love 'em like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love 'em like Jesus
May God Bless us today as we love 'em like Jesus.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Caitlin off to college... coming too soon!
My oldest is going to college. That is a reality which we have been talking about for a while around my house... and everyday, it seems, there is one more reminder that her departure date is fast approaching...
Yesterday she got a letter telling her which dorm she will be living in... and even assigned her room number, and verified her roommate and phone number and new email address...
(This is really happening!)
This weekend we will all make the 9 hour pilgramage to York, Nebraska, for pre-registration... there we will meet with the financial aid folks (i'm not sure they have enough aid for me!) while Caitlin meets her roommate and attends various campus functions. We will see her dorm room for the first time, taking all the necessary measurments for rugs and microwaves and mini-fridges and window coverings.
We hope to meet her new coach as well... (the coach who recruited her has moved his family to Oklahoma to be nearer his mother, who is ill)
Lots of exciting, scary, emotional days ahead... I just hope to hang on and enjoy the ride!
Keep us in your prayers.
Blessings!
Yesterday she got a letter telling her which dorm she will be living in... and even assigned her room number, and verified her roommate and phone number and new email address...
(This is really happening!)
This weekend we will all make the 9 hour pilgramage to York, Nebraska, for pre-registration... there we will meet with the financial aid folks (i'm not sure they have enough aid for me!) while Caitlin meets her roommate and attends various campus functions. We will see her dorm room for the first time, taking all the necessary measurments for rugs and microwaves and mini-fridges and window coverings.
We hope to meet her new coach as well... (the coach who recruited her has moved his family to Oklahoma to be nearer his mother, who is ill)
Lots of exciting, scary, emotional days ahead... I just hope to hang on and enjoy the ride!
Keep us in your prayers.
Blessings!
Revolution
I am in the middle of reading a little book by Shane Claiborne called "Irresistible Revolution", and I have come to the conclusion that I should have listened to the warning I received about this book...
Someone wrote (maybe a review of or preface for the book) that you should not read this if you weren't ready to have your world rocked! Well, this book - I'm just on chapter 6 - is riveting! I don't know who this Claiborne character is, but he is a gifted writer...
He hits at the very heart of Christian living. He grew up going to church, a pretty normal middle Tennessee, Bible-belt, 'faithful' youth group member, going to all the youth rallies and conferences and Christian concerts... his is a story which is repeated over and over and over every day, every year across the middle and southern parts of America.
But his story takes a slight detour after he encountered the homeless population in downtown Philadelphia during his sophomore year at Eastern University... his life was forever changed, and he dedicated his life to trying to imitate Christ. Much of his ministry seems to be helping the poor and disadvantaged.
He founded 'the simple way', a community of believers who are committed to simply showing Christ's love to those around them.
His book chronicles some of the experiences he has had - from working in the 'home for the destitute and dying' alongside Mother Theresa in Calcutta - to establishing 'the simple way' in downtown Philly.
I believe his reaction to the 'organized churchianity' to which many of us were exposed growing up could be viewed as extreme (he seems to have taken a vow of poverty and celibacy); however, it is understandable that, when comparing the organized religion of his upbringing to the ministry of Jesus, he found the former to be lacking.
What impresses me is his honest treatment of the subject matter (what is real Christianity) and his willingness to act on what he discovers.
So far, his journey has led him to simply help people. And that seems to me to be what Jesus was all about.
Blessings!
Someone wrote (maybe a review of or preface for the book) that you should not read this if you weren't ready to have your world rocked! Well, this book - I'm just on chapter 6 - is riveting! I don't know who this Claiborne character is, but he is a gifted writer...
He hits at the very heart of Christian living. He grew up going to church, a pretty normal middle Tennessee, Bible-belt, 'faithful' youth group member, going to all the youth rallies and conferences and Christian concerts... his is a story which is repeated over and over and over every day, every year across the middle and southern parts of America.
But his story takes a slight detour after he encountered the homeless population in downtown Philadelphia during his sophomore year at Eastern University... his life was forever changed, and he dedicated his life to trying to imitate Christ. Much of his ministry seems to be helping the poor and disadvantaged.
He founded 'the simple way', a community of believers who are committed to simply showing Christ's love to those around them.
His book chronicles some of the experiences he has had - from working in the 'home for the destitute and dying' alongside Mother Theresa in Calcutta - to establishing 'the simple way' in downtown Philly.
I believe his reaction to the 'organized churchianity' to which many of us were exposed growing up could be viewed as extreme (he seems to have taken a vow of poverty and celibacy); however, it is understandable that, when comparing the organized religion of his upbringing to the ministry of Jesus, he found the former to be lacking.
What impresses me is his honest treatment of the subject matter (what is real Christianity) and his willingness to act on what he discovers.
So far, his journey has led him to simply help people. And that seems to me to be what Jesus was all about.
Blessings!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
more reality in San Francisco
No, this is not a blog about the MLB All star game tonight in the city by the bay... as much as I love baseball - especially my beloved Cardinals - that, my friend, is NOT reality...
A few days ago, I promised more information on my friend Paul Crites and the work he and Paul Fletcher are doing in San Francisco... I admit openly that I do not quite grasp the whole 'project' or its history... but I will take a stab at sharing with you what I believe are the salient details of this God-Blessed effort.
Paul Crites is a former marine who, years ago, became friends with Eric Hudson... Eric and Holly are a couple of the visionary founding members of the Riverside family... so Paul became a 'regular' in the preaching rotation at our Sunday morning assemblies while attending the School of Biblical studies at Harding... He had a vision to serve and live missionally and, upon graduation (as God's time became right), he committed to a 3-year mission effort which had been planned for San Francisco, California. He joined Paul Fletcher in this effort, and they moved (Paul C and Paul F and family) to the bay.
The story (as I understand it) is this: there was once a small church of Christ in the bay area which grew to about 500 members in the years after the second World War. Many soldiers were stationed in that area during and after the war, and those 'church-of-christers' from the midwest's Bible belt needed a church... so this San Francisco church of Christ exploded to be the largest in that part of the world...
Through a series of events, (to make a novel-lengthed story much shorter) this church tragically dwindled to only about a dozen members at the turn of the millennium... Paul and Paul determined to live among them and to try to help the church 'right the ship'... as one can imagine, there was some resistance to outsiders 'coming in' and 'telling them how to do it'...
From the outside looking in (my opinion only), it would seem that this church grew in the 40s and 50s by providing a 'place' for Christians (C/C Christians) to meet on Sunday... while that seems to me to be an important part of church life and development, the growth which was experienced had a shallow foundation, because providing a 'place' is such a small part of developing and growing the Body... Whatever the cause, this church had died (or, at the very least, it was on life support).
(Incidentally, I believe this story is a microcosm of what has gone on in 'churches' - not just churches of christ - across the country... churches which have established the 'doctrine' -intentionally or not - that the BUILDING is the center of church life are faltering and sputtering and not growing... many are, quite simply, dying... more on that in another blog)
Paul and Paul decided quickly that this church needed to be OUTWARD in its focus. They concluded that this church had thrived at one time in its history by meeting the needs of its public (however shallow its foundation)... and would only do so today by, again, meeting the needs of its public.
The problem: the needs of its public had changed - drastically - over the last 60 years... instead of a glut of military families who needed 'a place to meet and worship', the 'public' now largely consisted of a culturally and religiously diverse group of 21st century sinners whose needs were as different as their demographic makeup! And, Paul and Paul surmised, God had this church right where He wanted it!!!
As an example, for the past several years this church has leased some building space to a small private middle-to-high-school-age Christian school... but the relationship had been nothing more than a landlord-tenant arrangement... Paul C immediately became active with that school, teaching Bible classes (as a volunteer), and Paul F essentially became the unpaid youth minister of this impromptu, built-in 'youth group'... (and not without some resistance from the 'members' of the church... 'these are not our kind of people' etc...) the devil is using all sorts of tools to make this part of the ministry very challenging... but these guys are persevering, and God continues to bless their efforts...
They rotate with another man to handle preaching duties on Sunday mornings (where they have had as many as 70 folks in attendance in this wonderful facility which seats almost 600!), and they are devising other ways to truly help the hurting in the community. They are also developing leaders from within the church (as it grows) who are taking on more and more responsibility...
But the main thrust is that this Body be outward... and love 'em like Jesus would...
This is a terrific work, and it is obviously a work in progress... so please pray for the Pauls and the San Francisco church as they endeavor to serve and show Jesus to these precious people in the bay.
Blessings!
A few days ago, I promised more information on my friend Paul Crites and the work he and Paul Fletcher are doing in San Francisco... I admit openly that I do not quite grasp the whole 'project' or its history... but I will take a stab at sharing with you what I believe are the salient details of this God-Blessed effort.
Paul Crites is a former marine who, years ago, became friends with Eric Hudson... Eric and Holly are a couple of the visionary founding members of the Riverside family... so Paul became a 'regular' in the preaching rotation at our Sunday morning assemblies while attending the School of Biblical studies at Harding... He had a vision to serve and live missionally and, upon graduation (as God's time became right), he committed to a 3-year mission effort which had been planned for San Francisco, California. He joined Paul Fletcher in this effort, and they moved (Paul C and Paul F and family) to the bay.
The story (as I understand it) is this: there was once a small church of Christ in the bay area which grew to about 500 members in the years after the second World War. Many soldiers were stationed in that area during and after the war, and those 'church-of-christers' from the midwest's Bible belt needed a church... so this San Francisco church of Christ exploded to be the largest in that part of the world...
Through a series of events, (to make a novel-lengthed story much shorter) this church tragically dwindled to only about a dozen members at the turn of the millennium... Paul and Paul determined to live among them and to try to help the church 'right the ship'... as one can imagine, there was some resistance to outsiders 'coming in' and 'telling them how to do it'...
From the outside looking in (my opinion only), it would seem that this church grew in the 40s and 50s by providing a 'place' for Christians (C/C Christians) to meet on Sunday... while that seems to me to be an important part of church life and development, the growth which was experienced had a shallow foundation, because providing a 'place' is such a small part of developing and growing the Body... Whatever the cause, this church had died (or, at the very least, it was on life support).
(Incidentally, I believe this story is a microcosm of what has gone on in 'churches' - not just churches of christ - across the country... churches which have established the 'doctrine' -intentionally or not - that the BUILDING is the center of church life are faltering and sputtering and not growing... many are, quite simply, dying... more on that in another blog)
Paul and Paul decided quickly that this church needed to be OUTWARD in its focus. They concluded that this church had thrived at one time in its history by meeting the needs of its public (however shallow its foundation)... and would only do so today by, again, meeting the needs of its public.
The problem: the needs of its public had changed - drastically - over the last 60 years... instead of a glut of military families who needed 'a place to meet and worship', the 'public' now largely consisted of a culturally and religiously diverse group of 21st century sinners whose needs were as different as their demographic makeup! And, Paul and Paul surmised, God had this church right where He wanted it!!!
As an example, for the past several years this church has leased some building space to a small private middle-to-high-school-age Christian school... but the relationship had been nothing more than a landlord-tenant arrangement... Paul C immediately became active with that school, teaching Bible classes (as a volunteer), and Paul F essentially became the unpaid youth minister of this impromptu, built-in 'youth group'... (and not without some resistance from the 'members' of the church... 'these are not our kind of people' etc...) the devil is using all sorts of tools to make this part of the ministry very challenging... but these guys are persevering, and God continues to bless their efforts...
They rotate with another man to handle preaching duties on Sunday mornings (where they have had as many as 70 folks in attendance in this wonderful facility which seats almost 600!), and they are devising other ways to truly help the hurting in the community. They are also developing leaders from within the church (as it grows) who are taking on more and more responsibility...
But the main thrust is that this Body be outward... and love 'em like Jesus would...
This is a terrific work, and it is obviously a work in progress... so please pray for the Pauls and the San Francisco church as they endeavor to serve and show Jesus to these precious people in the bay.
Blessings!
A day at the Ballpark
On July 4, my family and I traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to watch a Springfield Cardinals game... these Cardinals are the double-A affiliate (farm club) for the St. Louis Cardinals, and they are having a pretty good year... they won the 'first half' title!
First of all, let me say that I can't imagine coaching or managing a team which, by its nature and purpose, changes players regularly throughout the year... anyhow, subject for another time...
It was a delightful evening! We ate at Zio's Italian eatery (always awesome!), then went on the the ballpark for the game. We got there early (they were giving a ball cap to the first 2500 customers), and so did about 10,000 of our closest friends! As soon as the gates opened we got in pretty quickly and found our seats...
The Hammons field is extraordiary and beautiful! The parking is closeby and the stadium is comfortable and just the right size (seats about 25,000) for this double-A team. We settled into our fabulous $7 seats (about 12 rows from the field along the 3rd base line!) and watched the Cards host the Midland Rockhounds... it was a blast... there were 4 or 5 home runs (all by the Cardinals), and they won 10-2...
First of all, let me say that I can't imagine coaching or managing a team which, by its nature and purpose, changes players regularly throughout the year... anyhow, subject for another time...
It was a delightful evening! We ate at Zio's Italian eatery (always awesome!), then went on the the ballpark for the game. We got there early (they were giving a ball cap to the first 2500 customers), and so did about 10,000 of our closest friends! As soon as the gates opened we got in pretty quickly and found our seats...
The Hammons field is extraordiary and beautiful! The parking is closeby and the stadium is comfortable and just the right size (seats about 25,000) for this double-A team. We settled into our fabulous $7 seats (about 12 rows from the field along the 3rd base line!) and watched the Cards host the Midland Rockhounds... it was a blast... there were 4 or 5 home runs (all by the Cardinals), and they won 10-2...
They had advertised that there would be a fireworks display after the game and, as promised, (right after the final out) the lights went out and the show began...
It was SPECTACULAR! As we sat in our seats and watched the 'bombs bursting in air' directly over our heads, I noticed the players for both teams had come out of their respective dugouts and sat on the field to watch the show... so there they were, a bunch of 20-something young men... living the dream of playing professional baseball, watching a fireworks show which commemorates a time in history when a bunch of other 20-something young men were fighting for their lives and the freedom of others...
and I couldn't help thinking that many of these baseball players have friends who, at that very moment, were hearing the same sort of noise over their own heads... in the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan... fighting for their lives and the freedom of others...
It was quite a night! A fun, touching, wonderful time...
May God Bless those brave men and women who, at this very moment, are risking their lives to make others free.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Independence Day
Happy 4th of July! I love this time of year! I love this holiday... I just hung my American flag on our front porch, and I am sitting on the back patio listening to the birds sing.
I have so much to be grateful for... a beautiful wife and 3 beautiful daughters - all healthy and happy. God's grace is shown to me daily through these 4 women... they are a constant source of joy and happiness, and they constantly give me what I need instead of what I deserve.
When I was in Philadelphia a few years ago, I took a tour of historic downtown. I stood in line and saw (and touched) the Liberty Bell, and walked with a group through Freedom Hall. While I stood there in the room where John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson, relying on the "protection of Divine Providence, mutually pledged to each other their Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor”, tears rolled down my cheeks.
As I stared at the panoply on the wall at the back, facing the President's desk (a panoply consisting of a drum, swords, and banners seized from Fort Ticonderoga), I was moved by the notion that these men literally put everything on the line to establish the country we call home today. Their commitment to this cause literally changed the course of history... that day, the American experiment began. And, as a result, I am blessed to live in the best country on earth!
What kind of men were the 56 signers who adopted the Declaration of Independence and who, by their signing, committed an act of treason against the Crown? To each of you the names Franklin, Adams, Hancock, and Jefferson are almost as familiar as household words. Most of us, however, know nothing of the other signers. Who were they? What happened to them?
I imagine that many of you are somewhat surprised at the names not there: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry. All were elsewhere. Ben Franklin was the only really old man. Eighteen were under 40; three were in their 20s. Of the 56, almost half--24--were judges and lawyers. Eleven were merchants, 9 were land-owners and farmers, and the remaining 12 were doctors, ministers, and politicians.
With only a few exceptions, such as Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, these were men of substantial property. All but two had families. The vast majority were men of education and standing in their communities. They had economic security as few men had in the 18th century.
Two of them became presidents of the United States. Seven of them became state governors. One died in office as vice president of the United States. Several would go on to be U.S. Senators. One, the richest man in America, in 1828 founded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. One, a delegate from Philadelphia, was the only real poet, musician and philosopher of the signers (it was he, Francis Hopkinson--not Betsy Ross--who designed the United States flag).
Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create, is still intact.
Yeah, I am a patriot... knowing what I know about these men, what choice do I have?
God Bless you...
And God Bless America! Happy Independence Day.
I have so much to be grateful for... a beautiful wife and 3 beautiful daughters - all healthy and happy. God's grace is shown to me daily through these 4 women... they are a constant source of joy and happiness, and they constantly give me what I need instead of what I deserve.
When I was in Philadelphia a few years ago, I took a tour of historic downtown. I stood in line and saw (and touched) the Liberty Bell, and walked with a group through Freedom Hall. While I stood there in the room where John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson, relying on the "protection of Divine Providence, mutually pledged to each other their Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor”, tears rolled down my cheeks.
As I stared at the panoply on the wall at the back, facing the President's desk (a panoply consisting of a drum, swords, and banners seized from Fort Ticonderoga), I was moved by the notion that these men literally put everything on the line to establish the country we call home today. Their commitment to this cause literally changed the course of history... that day, the American experiment began. And, as a result, I am blessed to live in the best country on earth!
What kind of men were the 56 signers who adopted the Declaration of Independence and who, by their signing, committed an act of treason against the Crown? To each of you the names Franklin, Adams, Hancock, and Jefferson are almost as familiar as household words. Most of us, however, know nothing of the other signers. Who were they? What happened to them?
I imagine that many of you are somewhat surprised at the names not there: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry. All were elsewhere. Ben Franklin was the only really old man. Eighteen were under 40; three were in their 20s. Of the 56, almost half--24--were judges and lawyers. Eleven were merchants, 9 were land-owners and farmers, and the remaining 12 were doctors, ministers, and politicians.
With only a few exceptions, such as Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, these were men of substantial property. All but two had families. The vast majority were men of education and standing in their communities. They had economic security as few men had in the 18th century.
Two of them became presidents of the United States. Seven of them became state governors. One died in office as vice president of the United States. Several would go on to be U.S. Senators. One, the richest man in America, in 1828 founded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. One, a delegate from Philadelphia, was the only real poet, musician and philosopher of the signers (it was he, Francis Hopkinson--not Betsy Ross--who designed the United States flag).
Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create, is still intact.
Yeah, I am a patriot... knowing what I know about these men, what choice do I have?
God Bless you...
And God Bless America! Happy Independence Day.
Monday, July 2, 2007
hills to die on
Every church has a story. Each body of believers has a history which, in retrospect, is a winding path that traces from its early days to present... the path is often marked by milestones... markers along the way that paint a picture of the evolution of a particular group of believers. These may include moving into a new building, hiring a new preacher, getting a youth minister, building a new fellowship hall, etc...
However, the markers which may say more about a church's heart and mission are the battles it has waged...
I admit it may be a strange way to look back, but I think even the casual observer can learn a lot about a church by understanding what battles it has counted worthy of fighting... (it also may be instructive as to the spiritual maturity of a church)... do any of these sound familiar:
However, the markers which may say more about a church's heart and mission are the battles it has waged...
I admit it may be a strange way to look back, but I think even the casual observer can learn a lot about a church by understanding what battles it has counted worthy of fighting... (it also may be instructive as to the spiritual maturity of a church)... do any of these sound familiar:
- kitchens in the church buildings
- order of worship
- support of children's homes
- one cup or several
- clapping, raising hands
- marriage, divorce and remarriage
- what 'name' on the building
- women serving 'in church'
- a capella vs instrumental
- youth minister vs no youth minister
- Tulsa workshop or no
Some will see these as unimportant, others will see at least a couple these as 'hills to die on'...
May I submit that these 'battles' (and hundreds of others just like them) completely MISS THE POINT!!?!!?! I believe they share two distinctions:
- each can be tracked to a place or activity which occupies less than 3 hours per week
- each enjoys very little (sometimes no) Biblical treatment - very little is said about them in scripture
From my own very unscientific data, it seems that these churches who have built their identity on fighting these battles are slowly imploding on themselves, and will soon disappear from the landscape.
What would it be like if, when we trace our church's history, the battles fought had been over important things? What if the battles we fought (and the hills we chose to 'die on') were over things like:
- how to change the world by converting our Muslim friends to Christianity
- spending 'TOO LITTLE' money on the homeless
- how to best reach/teach/feed/house the single parents in our area
- abortion and euthanasia
- how best to pray for and with the hurting in our community
How would God feel if we truly just tried to imitate His Son and tell His story? The best I can tell, that would include things like helping our fellow man, teaching him the story of Jesus, trying to live a life worthy of imitation... we would spend our time and resources living out our faith... we would spend NO time arguing about many of the things we have been fighting about.
In my humble opinion, the only reason many 'conventional' churches in the Bible Belt have survived (and thrived) over the last two decades (in spite of the fact that they have chosen to identify themselves by fighting for unimportant things) is because they live in an artificial bubble where 'churchianity' is celebrated and 'part-time quasi-christians' are enabled by the relative affluence of these churches and their leaders, and the relative calm in which they live.
If placed in the 'fire' of real life (go outside the Bible Belt or, better yet, go anywhere overseas), I believe these churches will cease to exist. As a matter of fact, many have... that scenario is playing out in front of our eyes... old churches who defend defenseless positions are dying off, because people are seeking truth and reality, and most churches are doing nothing to provide that type of environment.... so, most of these churches leave a God-sized hole in the hearts of parishioners...
In many ways, our own success is feeding this phenomenon. In his essay of the same name, Jimmy Shaw discusses it very eloquently... http://www.fluidfaith.org/thinking/2007/06/20/our-success-is-feeding-our-failure/
When individual believers (and churches of individual believers) begin paying attention to what really matters, and begin to truly 'live out' our faith, THEN we will make a difference... only THEN will we change our history...
Seriously, do we really believe that the mother dying of AIDS in Uganda (or in Arkansas) cares a whit about whether we clap when we sing? Are we really arrogant enough to believe that the homeless person in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (or in Washington D.C.) gives a rip whether or not we use instruments in worship?
Listen closely: that's the devil laughing... he is winning the battle... again.
Reality in San Francisco
Paul Crites is a domestic missionary in San Francisco... he is working with a church whose history is very interesting. Paul and his co-worker, Paul Fletcher, are trying to assist this body in developing a mission statement for spiritual and numerical growth.
Riverside has supported Paul Crites in this effort, and continues to assist and share in this incredible effort. He visited Riverside this weekend and shared his story of the last several months... it is a terrific ongoing missional tale!
His work has taken him places (spiritually) he never would have gone... God is working through this modern day disciple, and we look forward to seeing how God unfolds this story.
More later...
Blessings!
Riverside has supported Paul Crites in this effort, and continues to assist and share in this incredible effort. He visited Riverside this weekend and shared his story of the last several months... it is a terrific ongoing missional tale!
His work has taken him places (spiritually) he never would have gone... God is working through this modern day disciple, and we look forward to seeing how God unfolds this story.
More later...
Blessings!
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