Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Tomorrow a.m. (tonight for you at 12:35 in the a.m.) I will be facilitating a discussion on the topic: What is Church? The point isn't to describe the institution so much as the mission - or the reason it exists.
The life context of the 25 attendees is radically different - in age, cultural background, country of origin, life experience, & perspective, so I'm expecting some interesting answers to the above question.
How would you answer it? If that's not enough to get you blogging, then:
When you think "Church" what comes to mind? Why?
Talk amongst yerselves...
The life context of the 25 attendees is radically different - in age, cultural background, country of origin, life experience, & perspective, so I'm expecting some interesting answers to the above question.
How would you answer it? If that's not enough to get you blogging, then:
When you think "Church" what comes to mind? Why?
Talk amongst yerselves...
07 May 2008
had a friend in town for the last few days, Morris Chapman; his visit had been on the books for a while. I invited him to come & spend time with our church family in extended worship. God knew what would be happening the week prior to his visit - I was physically, emotionally, & every other -ally you can think of - spent. Done. Finito. You get the idea.
When Morris started playing, "I Will Restore" (it's on his mySpace page at the link aboveI felt my insides melting - not a pleasant feeling - I knew that I had to lay down on the floor. The weight of my soul felt like it was pulling me to the ground. I told the Bean that I was going to lay down - don't know if she understood what I meant,... or where I meant. I just remember hitting the floor & weeping from the bottom of my soles. I thought I had cried my tears already this week; I'd run out a couple of times & had the "dry cry" not to be confused with the "dry heave." Hurts about the same though.
I sobbed.
After an indefinite period of time, I felt peace. And the raw, exposed nerve of my soul was no longer raw, exposed, & angry to the touch. I was still tired. Bone-weary. But the soul despair, the pain faded & I had peace. The circumstances of the week hadn't changed, but I had peace. We are still grieving, but I have peace. I could sleep the clock, but I have peace.
Thank you Jesus - to any/all that may be reading this: Peace to you. The peace of Christ to you.
When Morris started playing, "I Will Restore" (it's on his mySpace page at the link aboveI felt my insides melting - not a pleasant feeling - I knew that I had to lay down on the floor. The weight of my soul felt like it was pulling me to the ground. I told the Bean that I was going to lay down - don't know if she understood what I meant,... or where I meant. I just remember hitting the floor & weeping from the bottom of my soles. I thought I had cried my tears already this week; I'd run out a couple of times & had the "dry cry" not to be confused with the "dry heave." Hurts about the same though.
I sobbed.
After an indefinite period of time, I felt peace. And the raw, exposed nerve of my soul was no longer raw, exposed, & angry to the touch. I was still tired. Bone-weary. But the soul despair, the pain faded & I had peace. The circumstances of the week hadn't changed, but I had peace. We are still grieving, but I have peace. I could sleep the clock, but I have peace.
Thank you Jesus - to any/all that may be reading this: Peace to you. The peace of Christ to you.
31 March 2008
Friday night is date night... not because Friday is a regular date night, but because the 8-11 of February is Hillside's Winter Camp at Zephyr Point, Tahoe. And, for the 1st time ever, all 3 of our spawn will be at camp. We will not be at camp, but will most likely be enjoying some Firecracker Wings from Pinocchio's, a bottle of red, & hanging out with friends who are in the same situation we are.
I'm not just reveling in the good fortune of the promise of a fun evening, but am also thankful that my kids can spend the weekend at camp - & for theMoses, No..el, & the people who've planned & are carrying out the camp... & help my progeny get to know God in the context of friends...
I'm not just reveling in the good fortune of the promise of a fun evening, but am also thankful that my kids can spend the weekend at camp - & for theMoses, No..el, & the people who've planned & are carrying out the camp... & help my progeny get to know God in the context of friends...
07 February 2008
Statistically, less men attend church than women. There are myriad reasons for this - one of them, valid for the masses or not, is that church has become too "girly" or feminine - leaving guys feeling uncomfortable, on the outside in the pursuit of faith with God through Jesus. Many claim faith, yet find that the common church experience isn't for them.
Enter a 'new' concept: MAN CHURCH. Interesting - Billed as a place for men to go to church, with lots of things men like, & not the things they don't.
Instead of a speech/sermon, there's a short 20-25 minute "Chalk talk."
Guys that attend are guaranteed to laugh.
Instead of a worship team with 30 minutes of music/worship, there's a non-marching, marching band.
Free pizza. A HUG-FREE Zone, (sorry TPT - I know you're a hugger.)
02 February 2008
This is a picture of the Bean & I at Roundabout last week - w/18 of our friends - in this pic, we're making a commitment to Christ's call on our lives, & also to each other.
21 November 2007
Taking the Pasty Gangster to school this a.m. we were doing what we always do - listen to the pontifications of Colin Cowherd on ESPN 630. A topic that comes up occasionally on his talk show is his distaste for religion, esp. as expressed by tele-evangelists who are "just after your money" in any way they can get it... He brought up the interview that Good Morning America did with Joel Osteen, & Pasty & I prepared for a diatribe... A diatribe that didn't come...
What did this self-described "completely unreligious" guy have to say about Osteen? He's positive. He seems authentic. He keeps the message simple. He seems to believe it. He's doesn't hammer on others that don't do it like he does. He isn't a "religious zealot."
Interesting to me - I know that Pastor Osteen takes a lot of heat from the "Christian world" - esp. with the statements that he is just doing "Christianity Lite" at best, "heresy" at worst.
Here's a couple of articles that have been in the news of fairly recently...
ABC News Article on Joel Osteen... and another GMA
What did this self-described "completely unreligious" guy have to say about Osteen? He's positive. He seems authentic. He keeps the message simple. He seems to believe it. He's doesn't hammer on others that don't do it like he does. He isn't a "religious zealot."
Interesting to me - I know that Pastor Osteen takes a lot of heat from the "Christian world" - esp. with the statements that he is just doing "Christianity Lite" at best, "heresy" at worst.
Here's a couple of articles that have been in the news of fairly recently...
ABC News Article on Joel Osteen... and another GMA
15 October 2007
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Salt and Light
Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:3-16, The Message Bible
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Salt and Light
Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:3-16, The Message Bible
20 September 2007
Last night, we hosted our 1st College Group since the move to the new digs. I grilled some tortillas & poured some Casarsa Merlot & some cranberry juice (so people could choose which they wanted to receive,) & we stood around the island in the kitchen.
We talked & prayed:
about relationship with God & with each other. Tears were flowing as people expressed themselves - towards each other.
about our hopes & dreams for the changes that God is making in us.
about what it looks like to say "Yes" to Jesus in new way.
Taking time for talking, praying, & personal feedback about communion, the "body & the blood," the bread & the F.O.T.V. (fruit of the vine,) seems to be a very significant part of the "remembering" that Jesus talked about as the center of communion. I'm greatly enjoying exploring this.
We talked & prayed:
Taking time for talking, praying, & personal feedback about communion, the "body & the blood," the bread & the F.O.T.V. (fruit of the vine,) seems to be a very significant part of the "remembering" that Jesus talked about as the center of communion. I'm greatly enjoying exploring this.
17 September 2007
I was revisiting the site of a guy I love to read & found this post called Reality Church. Its a good one, worth checking out, re-reading, pondering, & responding... perhaps even doing a "Where Am I?"
15 June 2007
A personal favorite of mine... Roland Steven Taylor. A great teacher using the medium of music & video, laced with sarcasm, satire, irony, & absurdity, asking Christ-followers to be more than clones... Shaped my wit... sense of humor... dislike of "christian" posturing... & some other stuff.
From the album "Squint". Lyric posted below.
SMUG
Strike this little pose
Chin up in the air
Lips together tightly
Nostrils in a flare
Now look like you care
Very nice!
Practice in the mirror
Brushing back a tear
Very sincere
A promising career could begin right here at home
If you've got that smug...
That smug...
CHORUS
Hey mama hey mama lookee what your little babies all have become
Hey mama hey mama don't it ever make you wish you'd been a nun?
Vain and fickle, were we weaned on a pickle?
Is it in our blood?
Rome is burning
We're here turning smug
Strike another pose
Power politics
Swallow their conventions
Get your power fix
We love to mud wrestle
We love to be politically Koreshed
Practice that smug
Post it like a man
One part Master Limbaugh
Two parts Madame Streisand
Now pretend you're in a band
My, my, we're looking smug
Very very very very
CHORUS
All you smug-starved millions in the thick of the search
Welcome to our church
Whatcha wanna solve?
We can help you evolve from merely self-righteous
To perfectly smug
Strike the proud pose of our country club brethren
Friendly as a tomb
Fragrant as the bottom of a locker-room broom
Now what's the matter?
Hey...get off your knees...that part don't come 'til later...
God will not be pleased...
Rome is cooking
My, we're looking smug
From the album "Squint". Lyric posted below.
SMUG
Strike this little pose
Chin up in the air
Lips together tightly
Nostrils in a flare
Now look like you care
Very nice!
Practice in the mirror
Brushing back a tear
Very sincere
A promising career could begin right here at home
If you've got that smug...
That smug...
CHORUS
Hey mama hey mama lookee what your little babies all have become
Hey mama hey mama don't it ever make you wish you'd been a nun?
Vain and fickle, were we weaned on a pickle?
Is it in our blood?
Rome is burning
We're here turning smug
Strike another pose
Power politics
Swallow their conventions
Get your power fix
We love to mud wrestle
We love to be politically Koreshed
Practice that smug
Post it like a man
One part Master Limbaugh
Two parts Madame Streisand
Now pretend you're in a band
My, my, we're looking smug
Very very very very
CHORUS
All you smug-starved millions in the thick of the search
Welcome to our church
Whatcha wanna solve?
We can help you evolve from merely self-righteous
To perfectly smug
Strike the proud pose of our country club brethren
Friendly as a tomb
Fragrant as the bottom of a locker-room broom
Now what's the matter?
Hey...get off your knees...that part don't come 'til later...
God will not be pleased...
Rome is cooking
My, we're looking smug
12 June 2007
Yesterday, I took a quiz I found on a blog I read - DISCLAIMER: this was a new thing for me, as I usually don't spend my time filling out meaningless, time wasters (my own stereotype & feelings about 'those things" inserted here.) This one, however, intrigued me, as it attempted to bring out & identify my "theological worldview" - I was intrigued because I see myself (& you) as a pretty sophisticated, complex, deep & often parodoxical person who can't be accurately described with a label. This quiz told me that I could. It was a challenge, & I took it. Here are the results.
You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com |
01 May 2007
For the last several weeks, I've been prepping for a series on 'being male & being female" - exploring how God's has put us together & created us; to me, this means understanding what it means to be male/female, & also how our identity, role assumptions, life choices, & ultimately every one of our relationships are greatly affected by sin/our fallen nature. BTW: the symbol at left is historically the one used for male - (& Austin Powers, but I digress) & originated from identification w/the little 'g' god, Mars... which is why the arrow points to the NE, & is supposed to remind us of Mars' shield & arrow.) The symbol at right is the historical symbol for female & originated from identification w/the little 'g' goddess, Venus - the little cross is supposed to represent Venus' hand mirror... (so, no, John Gray & Barbara DeAngelis didn't come up with this Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus idea...)
In some ways, this study has been like descending a spiral stair case that seems like it couldn't REALLY go any farther down, only to find that every 'floor' that is descended exposes yet another flight of descending stair. It would be easy to get lost in this topic. Some of the things that I've been sorting through:
-God's intended role for Adam/Eve in Eden.
-what it means to live as a godly man/woman, & how much of who we are/what we become is unique, often not fitting too well with preconceived stereotypes
-how people w/infomation & education (often men) have used their info/education to exploit others
-how role expectations affect our behavior; whether it be how we embrace certain behaviors as "things men/women do" & conversely then, "don't do" & how we can intentionally choose an opposite role of what we "should do" in order to protest/rebel/avoid not measuring up to an expected role we're 'supposed' to fill.
-men & women: equal but different
-using/misusing the Bible for selfish purposes; in many ways, this has meant justifying sexist (or at least anti-woman) practices ideas, esp. when it comes to spiritual leadership.
-the emasculation of men as an overcorrection to the above behavior
-the effect of the curse on our lives, choices, actions, & behaviors - esp. in our relationships (see Genesis 3 - on the serpent, Eve & Adam)
I'm hoping to see great freedom, wholeness, restoration, & truth in our personal lives & interpersonal relationships as a result of where we're heading... & at the same time, feel as though I'm heading into a minefield.
20 April 2007
"I love my Church, and I'm a Catholic who was raised by intellectuals, who were very devout. I was raised to believe that you could question the Church and still be a Catholic. What is worthy of satire is the misuse of religion for destructive or political gains. That's totally different from the Word, the blood, the body and the Christ. His kingdom is not of this earth."
--Stephen Colbert in TimeOut New York
19 April 2007
My sleep habits have returned to just about 90% of normal – right on schedule – 2 weeks post-travel. Hooray.
Painful transparency: I wrestled with a lot with new emotions on Easter – 1st service Chris actually prayed something that seemed to hit it on the head for me – He said, “Jesus, let us not fall into forgetfulness about the meaning & power & impact of the cross & resurrection.” That summed it up: falling into forgetfulness – coming close to missing the power of the event by slipping into church holiday mode. It was wearying almost like walking through deep snow is wearying…
Made me wonder if its just me that feels this – kinda like this at Christmas too – fighting the ‘going on autopilot” feeling.
I ponder… . if having a different kind of service on Easter (like a party) would be more appropriate or at least an appropriate response to the resurrection... not to go counter-culture for the heck of it, maybe even doing a 'regular' service, but also have an alternative - a celebration of life. Just my musings on it so far...
Painful transparency: I wrestled with a lot with new emotions on Easter – 1st service Chris actually prayed something that seemed to hit it on the head for me – He said, “Jesus, let us not fall into forgetfulness about the meaning & power & impact of the cross & resurrection.” That summed it up: falling into forgetfulness – coming close to missing the power of the event by slipping into church holiday mode. It was wearying almost like walking through deep snow is wearying…
Made me wonder if its just me that feels this – kinda like this at Christmas too – fighting the ‘going on autopilot” feeling.
I ponder… . if having a different kind of service on Easter (like a party) would be more appropriate or at least an appropriate response to the resurrection... not to go counter-culture for the heck of it, maybe even doing a 'regular' service, but also have an alternative - a celebration of life. Just my musings on it so far...
11 April 2007
My behavior, thoughts, actions, choices have consequences: not just for me, but downstream - the people who's lives I directly impact & influence, as well as those that I may not know, but may be equally affected.
My old district Supe, Robby told me a story before I came to Reno to pastor:
The "Keeper of the Spring," was a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slope of the Alps.The old gentleman had been hired many years earlier by a young town councilman to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise have choked and contaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer." By an unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped of and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A few days later, the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks, and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village. Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they rehired the old keeper of the spring, and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps.
Last November, the news of Pastor Ted Haggard's immorality & drug use became public - it was devastating to him, his wife, his family, & to the church he led. This artcle about LAYOFFS details more of the long term consequences that are happening as a result of his choices.
No finger pointing. No accusations. My heart breaks.
My old district Supe, Robby told me a story before I came to Reno to pastor:
The "Keeper of the Spring," was a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slope of the Alps.The old gentleman had been hired many years earlier by a young town councilman to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise have choked and contaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer." By an unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped of and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A few days later, the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks, and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village. Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they rehired the old keeper of the spring, and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps.
Last November, the news of Pastor Ted Haggard's immorality & drug use became public - it was devastating to him, his wife, his family, & to the church he led. This artcle about LAYOFFS details more of the long term consequences that are happening as a result of his choices.
No finger pointing. No accusations. My heart breaks.
06 March 2007
Today, it hit me. I normally take Fridays off - it hit me that for the next couple of weeks, my Fridays (& all/most of Saturdays) will be occupied with work...
The processing begins... what about my rest day? what about the Sabbath? What do I do now that I have realized that I've scheduled away my day off? I have a problem taking a mulligan on this one - part of it is because I believe that the Sabbath is not just a good idea or a suggestion, but an obedience to a way of life that God has laid out for us. Not just going back to the September-December series on a Revolution of the Soul but because there is a deeper issue here: how will I put into practice this principle of obedience? It's not negotiable, & yet I find myself struggling internally to find a justification for "just this once." (Though it's twice actually.) Don't know that there is a simple, easy, quick answer to this one.
09 February 2007
A report from The Times - London
A 2006 Church of England report warned that disagreeable congregants, together with the pressures of the church's "feudal system" bureaucracy, were turning priests harshly negative and creating an "irritable clergy syndrome." One of the report's authors told The Times of London in December that priests are bothered by "having to be nice all the time to everyone, even when confronted with extremes of nastiness," such as aggressive and neurotic parishioners.
I wonder what the symptoms of "irritable clergy syndrome" are...
A 2006 Church of England report warned that disagreeable congregants, together with the pressures of the church's "feudal system" bureaucracy, were turning priests harshly negative and creating an "irritable clergy syndrome." One of the report's authors told The Times of London in December that priests are bothered by "having to be nice all the time to everyone, even when confronted with extremes of nastiness," such as aggressive and neurotic parishioners.
I wonder what the symptoms of "irritable clergy syndrome" are...
04 February 2007
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