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
1.16.2008
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.
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