Music Monday 2.8.10
3 hours ago
12.23.2008
10.21.2008
Day 1.5 at LEAD/Acts29 Boot Camp
Good stuff today. DP had great thoughts & reminder specifically to lead you must live in an attitude of repentance and lead with a good measure of reluctance.
The video he referenced (during the Q&A) with Keller & Piper (& Carson) is posted below....
I'm very proud to know and hang out with so many visionary church planting guys.
The video he referenced (during the Q&A) with Keller & Piper (& Carson) is posted below....
I'm very proud to know and hang out with so many visionary church planting guys.
10.20.2008
10.19.2008
Politics & the Pastor
This election cycle I'm experiencing an interesting tension in how I communicate what I think and the views I have concerning the political race now unfolding. 
The reality I embrace and realize is that my views and thoughts on the issues are not perfect and at different junctures, might not exactly be how Jesus would view it (which I'd wish to be modified in those), but I do indeed have these thoughts. What I also realize is that at this time in our culture, most people are very pleased to have conversation concerning politics, cultural issues, and who is running for president.
Here is what I'm realizing my goal is to be:
Use each of these timely political conversations to engage each person with the reality of the gospel.
Reality is, each of the 'political problems' or 'social problems' that any candidate is promising to fix, is, in its root, a GOSPEL problem.
But HOW?
What this looks like in real conversations is being able to articulate an argument for or against any candidate. EVERY candidate has positive aspects. The moment you have brought up a positive aspect about this particular candidate that this particular friend is so passionate about, you've built a small bridge and you are allowed access to the conversation with them. This can be done with every candidate.
Here's the question I'm trying to answer with each conversation:
How can I have this friend discover and communicate the gospel to themselves (at least in part) to begin building that bridge. Most people believe aspects of the gospel and will even communicate those to you.
I know there are pastors who adamantly will not discuss politics under any circumstance. To this guy, I'd say, 'what a waste of an opportunity'.
I also know there are pastors who preach the political issue directly from their pulpit. To this guy, I'd say, 'what a waste of your pulpit'. 'Can you not connect the dot of the issue to the gospel need?'.
It's the issue BEHIND the issue.
The economic fallout - our society's struggle and lack of contentment and idol of consumerism.
Limiting abortion - what is most important in my life that I would actually choose over a child?
Taxes - I want more of my money. I don't trust my government. We should help the poor.
My hope is that followers of Jesus would use their political conversations wisely to direct people to the Gospel.
(This topic though is by no means limited to politics. Politics is just what everyone in my context is actually talking about on the surface. Lots of times it's the Cardinals or the mess our school systems are in. CONNECT with people.... people. Have a conversation with someone you completely disagree with.)
The reality I embrace and realize is that my views and thoughts on the issues are not perfect and at different junctures, might not exactly be how Jesus would view it (which I'd wish to be modified in those), but I do indeed have these thoughts. What I also realize is that at this time in our culture, most people are very pleased to have conversation concerning politics, cultural issues, and who is running for president.Here is what I'm realizing my goal is to be:
Use each of these timely political conversations to engage each person with the reality of the gospel.
Reality is, each of the 'political problems' or 'social problems' that any candidate is promising to fix, is, in its root, a GOSPEL problem.
But HOW?
What this looks like in real conversations is being able to articulate an argument for or against any candidate. EVERY candidate has positive aspects. The moment you have brought up a positive aspect about this particular candidate that this particular friend is so passionate about, you've built a small bridge and you are allowed access to the conversation with them. This can be done with every candidate.
Here's the question I'm trying to answer with each conversation:
How can I have this friend discover and communicate the gospel to themselves (at least in part) to begin building that bridge. Most people believe aspects of the gospel and will even communicate those to you.
I know there are pastors who adamantly will not discuss politics under any circumstance. To this guy, I'd say, 'what a waste of an opportunity'.
I also know there are pastors who preach the political issue directly from their pulpit. To this guy, I'd say, 'what a waste of your pulpit'. 'Can you not connect the dot of the issue to the gospel need?'.
It's the issue BEHIND the issue.
The economic fallout - our society's struggle and lack of contentment and idol of consumerism.
Limiting abortion - what is most important in my life that I would actually choose over a child?
Taxes - I want more of my money. I don't trust my government. We should help the poor.
My hope is that followers of Jesus would use their political conversations wisely to direct people to the Gospel.
(This topic though is by no means limited to politics. Politics is just what everyone in my context is actually talking about on the surface. Lots of times it's the Cardinals or the mess our school systems are in. CONNECT with people.... people. Have a conversation with someone you completely disagree with.)
6.28.2008
Planting Reportivo... Fear, Uncertainty, & Motive
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.
(thomas merton)
(thomas merton)
6.27.2008
Planting Reportivo... TIRED
wow.
honestly... at this stage in the game; looking back at what my last couple weeks have looked like; and (possibly most impacting) looking at the next five days... I'm incredibly tired. i clocked just under 3 hours of sleep last night.... and i know... i SHOULD sleep more. i got that. i WANT that. i mean, that's a big potential perk of our 'planting as a team' strategy... right?
.....
sorry, just dozed off.
right. i think this is just a season though.
staff meeting was great today. it seems we are getting in a rhythm. we continue to search out, pray for, and pursue potential core team members. we need them.
thanks for all who are praying for us and supporting us.
honestly... at this stage in the game; looking back at what my last couple weeks have looked like; and (possibly most impacting) looking at the next five days... I'm incredibly tired. i clocked just under 3 hours of sleep last night.... and i know... i SHOULD sleep more. i got that. i WANT that. i mean, that's a big potential perk of our 'planting as a team' strategy... right?
.....
sorry, just dozed off.
right. i think this is just a season though.
staff meeting was great today. it seems we are getting in a rhythm. we continue to search out, pray for, and pursue potential core team members. we need them.
thanks for all who are praying for us and supporting us.
3.17.2008
'O'Driscoll' on 'Saint' Patrick
Without a doubt Patrick is a major inspiration for church planters.
Mark Driscoll brings in a great article describing his life.
Vintage Saints: Saint Patrick
Mark Driscoll brings in a great article describing his life.
Vintage Saints: Saint Patrick
{ht: the resurgence}
2.28.2008
2.17.2008
Imago Dei... a new church
Tonight we started a new church. It was a small group of us, sitting in a living room (Thanks Stan & Rhonda!), amped up energy, and overflowing vision from the 2 guys who've been dreaming of this for years.
*Rooted in the Gospel
*Reviving Christian Community
*Journeying toward spiritual maturity
*Impacting the culture
*Planting Churches
that's Imago Dei Community Church....
the adventure begins
*Rooted in the Gospel
*Reviving Christian Community
*Journeying toward spiritual maturity
*Impacting the culture
*Planting Churches
that's Imago Dei Community Church....
the adventure begins
1.25.2008
1.21.2008
1.16.2008
The Many Faces of Bek
It's a massive understatement to say that Rebekah has brought JOY into our lives. She has. Each of us in our home enjoy her and love her so much. We've waited patiently for her for almost 6 years.... Just wanted to share some of her awesome "looks", (and man... she's got 'em... I'm in trouble in about 16 years)....
Curious Bek:
'Workin' Bek'
Worried Bek:
Happy Bek:
Curious Bek:
'Workin' Bek'
Worried Bek:
Happy Bek:
1.03.2008
John Piper said Crap...
I might change that title...
Some pals of mine at Matthias Lot Church in St. Charles used this video in their worship service (which, by the way, is on Wednesday nights, weekly).
I resonate with this and love the movement for the true Gospel as seen in guys involved with The Gospel Coalition.
Some pals of mine at Matthias Lot Church in St. Charles used this video in their worship service (which, by the way, is on Wednesday nights, weekly).
I resonate with this and love the movement for the true Gospel as seen in guys involved with The Gospel Coalition.
12.23.2007
12.18.2007
Fact or Fiction: Winter Break Reading List
Any seminarian will likely relate to losing that feeling of "enjoyment reading". Remember when you did that once upon a time? Think hard...
Seminary begins and although it's a lot of reading, at first it's great because of such (usually) rich content and info you've not had on that little hard drive in your head up to this point. Then... life happens. Your kids get the stomach flu, you lose all your electricity.... you name it... the normal stuff..... happens....
Over the past.... mmm... year I've missed reading books to enjoy them and without a research project in mind.
During this brief winter break, I'm choosing to read these books just because. I'm going to pull them off my shelf, start them, maybe not even from the beginning... and enjoy 'em. I might not even finish them completely, although that's not usually my style.
I'm choosing a couple fiction titles, which incidentally I many times find more theology & spirituality than many of today's "christian" books. I will also say... I'm a sucker for the big POP writers... esp. King/Crichton/ and even the daft Palahniuk.... I'm also choosing a few classics... Through my most recent church history class, I've got a new reinvigorated passion for the church fathers... I'm wanting to tackle most of the works by Augustine & Tertullian by New Year's Day 2009.
Here are the books I'm looking forward to enjoying from now until Jan 15:
Foundations of the Christian Religion (Blaise Pascal):
My wife gave me a set of these small classics. I'm starting with Pascal because I've not yet read him... and after my church history seminary class I'm somewhat invigorated for reading those old dead guys.
Next (Michael Crichton):
Reading Jurassic Park when I was in high school (before the movie) was huge. I've read all of Crichton's since (once they hit paperback, of course). Love the sci-fi aspect.
The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins):
Reading Dawkins always helps me talk through (with me, in my head) what and why I believe the Gospel and what it means for people around me. He also reminds me that since we all want to explain what is out there, why it's out there, and what the hell is going on, that everyone I know and talk to is searching... just like me.
Rant (Chuck Palahniuk):
Chuck is one I TRY to read in public but he just makes me laugh so much, I usually only take it out of the house if I'm wanting to talk to people when they ask what I'm reading because I'm crying so loudly. I heart Chuck. (Not Norris... sheesh)
unchristian (Kinnaman/Lyons):
I reserve the right to not read this one this break. This is the cool hip book right now, and I'm so tired of cool AND hip at the moment... I might just pull out Lord of the Flies or The Catcher in the Rye...
Seminary begins and although it's a lot of reading, at first it's great because of such (usually) rich content and info you've not had on that little hard drive in your head up to this point. Then... life happens. Your kids get the stomach flu, you lose all your electricity.... you name it... the normal stuff..... happens....
Over the past.... mmm... year I've missed reading books to enjoy them and without a research project in mind.
During this brief winter break, I'm choosing to read these books just because. I'm going to pull them off my shelf, start them, maybe not even from the beginning... and enjoy 'em. I might not even finish them completely, although that's not usually my style.
I'm choosing a couple fiction titles, which incidentally I many times find more theology & spirituality than many of today's "christian" books. I will also say... I'm a sucker for the big POP writers... esp. King/Crichton/ and even the daft Palahniuk.... I'm also choosing a few classics... Through my most recent church history class, I've got a new reinvigorated passion for the church fathers... I'm wanting to tackle most of the works by Augustine & Tertullian by New Year's Day 2009.
Here are the books I'm looking forward to enjoying from now until Jan 15:
Foundations of the Christian Religion (Blaise Pascal):
My wife gave me a set of these small classics. I'm starting with Pascal because I've not yet read him... and after my church history seminary class I'm somewhat invigorated for reading those old dead guys.
Next (Michael Crichton):Reading Jurassic Park when I was in high school (before the movie) was huge. I've read all of Crichton's since (once they hit paperback, of course). Love the sci-fi aspect.
The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins):
Reading Dawkins always helps me talk through (with me, in my head) what and why I believe the Gospel and what it means for people around me. He also reminds me that since we all want to explain what is out there, why it's out there, and what the hell is going on, that everyone I know and talk to is searching... just like me.
Rant (Chuck Palahniuk):
Chuck is one I TRY to read in public but he just makes me laugh so much, I usually only take it out of the house if I'm wanting to talk to people when they ask what I'm reading because I'm crying so loudly. I heart Chuck. (Not Norris... sheesh)
unchristian (Kinnaman/Lyons):I reserve the right to not read this one this break. This is the cool hip book right now, and I'm so tired of cool AND hip at the moment... I might just pull out Lord of the Flies or The Catcher in the Rye...
12.10.2007
unChristian: CNN interview with Gabe Lyons
I thought this was a great interview with Gabe. He's so cool. How much time does a guy like that spend on his hair each morning. Honestly though, I love Gabe's stuff... See: The Fermi Project.
12.06.2007
11.02.2007
2.19.2007
Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us
Pretty frickin' awesome... concerning the power of digital communication.
1.16.2007
Vegas Baby
Yes.... We arrived in Vegas late yesterday and had a late night already, with Cold Stone AFM stuff. FYI: The yearly, Annual Franchisee Meeting occurs each January at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fun stuff. Busy stuff.
I've decided each day I'm hear in Vegas, I'm going to blog about some organization and how they are making a completely opposite impact on our world.... compared with the Vegas mentality.
I've decided each day I'm hear in Vegas, I'm going to blog about some organization and how they are making a completely opposite impact on our world.... compared with the Vegas mentality.
12.29.2006
A Web 2.0 Candidate? circa 2008...
Another has thrown their hat in the ring. I honestly thought this was the strongest candidate on the democratic side this last time around, but it will be interesting to see if John Edwards can pull away from 'the machine' and really be the one. As is normal in politics these days.... it's all if you can raise the dough. He's also the earliest one to get all Web 2.0 on us. I'm sure the rest of the candidates on both sides will be all myspaced up and facing the book once they've hired their 14 year old nephews as special advisor to the digital world.
(from Relevant Magazine)
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards announced today in New Orleans that he will campaign for president. In his comments, he stressed "personal responsibility" for Americans to take action against poverty, global warming and other issues. He urged stronger governmental leadership in stopping "huge atrocities" in Northern Uganda, where he recently visited. "We said after Rwanda we'd never let anything like this happen again," he said. "Well, it's happening right now. America needs to lead"
ht: relevant magazine
(from Relevant Magazine)
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards announced today in New Orleans that he will campaign for president. In his comments, he stressed "personal responsibility" for Americans to take action against poverty, global warming and other issues. He urged stronger governmental leadership in stopping "huge atrocities" in Northern Uganda, where he recently visited. "We said after Rwanda we'd never let anything like this happen again," he said. "Well, it's happening right now. America needs to lead"
ht: relevant magazine
John Edwards on You Tube.... i like
Tomorrow Begins Today
I like his vision, and his desire to make poverty history and fight genocide worldwide.
I like his vision, and his desire to make poverty history and fight genocide worldwide.
12.18.2006
12.10.2006
11.24.2006
Turkey Tucker day
Tucker was sick today on big Turkey day.... BUT... we had a blast. After watching a couple episodes of Star Wars we hit up a bit of Return of the King, and then washed it all down with Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire... at least until Harry defeats the dragon. When it hits the dancing lessons, that's when we bailed to played cards & lightsabers (normal stuff we do when the girls are out)...
10.28.2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
