Friday, December 30, 2005
Looking Back ... Looking Forward
Aren't you glad God doesn't give us the ability to see into the future? Instead, he gives us the gift of trusting him not only for blessings, but for strength (and his indwelling presence!) to deal with the consequences of a fallen world.I've spent some time this week thinking back over 2005 and wondering what 2006 might possibly bring. I decided not to wonder too much about what the new year might bring. Some things are better taken as they come. My year in review (feel free to skip this rather boring list of events and go straight to the comments):
Mom in rehab hospital. Prognosis is not very good as each trip to hospital leaves her weaker.
Meeting with disgruntled members at church. Always the highlight of a preacher's job.
Church Leader's Forum (first of many, we hope) at Pepperdine Law School. I was one of several facilitators.
Funerals (too many) of very special people in my life.
Sociology projects with Josh that challenged my Christianity!
Brethren Christian High School baseball (Josh's final year as head coach, made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years).
Pepperdine Lectureship w/ Randy, Cecil, friends. Actually attended a few classes and lectures. Met Brady. Ate Swiss chocolate candy bars during Brady's lecuture (his class was good, too). Hoping Brady / chocolate bars will be invited back soon!
Josh graduates from college ... we "inherit" a rather nice housepayment in the form of college repayment loans (more to follow as Jess has another year!).
Ken (co-worker / friend) and Kim's wedding.
Moved Jessica into her own apartment. New chapter in our family life.
Helped Jess pass her CDL (commercial driver's license) exam. She did better on the exams, both written and driving, than I. Doesn't this violate some biblical principle regarding teachers and students?
Mexico mission trip. Lots of fun. Lots of frustration. Fish tacos. Tired of Mexican food. Met wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord.
News of mom's rapidly deteriorating condition. Phone conversations. Email conversations. Decisions, decisions.
Hurried trip from Mexico to Alabama that left Randy and Mexico mission team severely short-handed. Mom's funeral ... drive across country w/ Janice in rental truck ... return to Alabama to clean out mom's house. Things I'd rather not do again for many a year.
Silverwood Lake camping trip with best friends. Lots of fun! Can't wait to go back.
Sunday evening Celebration! becomes a regular monthly event.
Meeting Heather, our future daughter-in-law, and her family. Another entire chapter in our lives, but a pleasant chapter. We love Heather, love her family, very thankful to God that they are together and honoring Him. We feel good about their future.
Jessica becomes Alpha Intern at Azusa Pacific University. Will run the entire campus-wide program for 2006.
Just heard today that Josh's new job came through ... will be moving him out of the house permanently. Mixed emotions ... but that's reality. Children grow up and move out.
God's blessings to you for 2006!
Oh ... and my blog family. What a blessing you all (all y'all!) have been to me. What an honor to be invited into your prayer requests! Love you all and look forward to a year of even greater cyber-closeness. Grateful to have John Roberts slowly becoming a part of us. I don't blame him ... on the surface we can be a scary looking group! His blogs are a blessing; no doubt his friendship will be as well! I hope our family grows even more in the coming year.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
"Barbajohns"
April of 1985, we packed our earthly belongings in a U-haul rental van, gathered up our three-year-old and three-month-old (had to leave our dog, Rascal, behind for the time being) and drove south to Rockledge, Florida, believing that God had called us to ministry there and that we would spend the remainder of our lives in that ministry. I still believe God may have called us to Rockledge but it is clear we were never meant to spend the remainder of our lives there. During our 8 years there (one of which was very good) God brought into our lives some very special people. Perhaps first and foremost would be the Walker family. Big Cecil, Jean, Norma Miracle (Jean's mom), Barbara, Steven, some cats, ... I feel like I'm leaving someone out?? Oh yes, our beloved Cecil "my you're a hairy rascal" Junior! How could I forget?
Equally close to our family was the "Cox Clan" (as Big Cecil would call them). Monty, his mom and family, Sallie, Kaley, Tyler, Carly, and Sallie's mom, Barbara Johns. Josh thought it was one word, so we affectionately called her "Barbajohns." She was one of those special ladies who instantly moved into our hearts because she just immediately loved our children. Living 800 miles from home and family, little did we realize just how much we needed a Barbajohns in our life!
Birthdays, she was there with a present or even hosting the party. Christmas, there was a present from Barbara. Baseball games, she'd be in the stands if she could get there. Church junk (and there was a lot of church junk in Florida)? She was supportive and loving through it all. We spent a lot of time with Barbajohns ... camping ... parties ... going to the beach, eating out on Sundays ... just visiting. She was always fun and always enjoyed the children more than the adults. She was one of those "older" ladies I could easily talk to about anything and she would encourage me. Never backed down from letting you know what was on her mind if you asked, so I had to be prepared to hear what she had to say even if she perceived me to be in the wrong ... if you can even imagine me being in the wrong! Go ahead, s-t-r-e-t-c-h your imagination! Not easy, is it?
She was an institution at Central Florida Bible Camp. Cook. Arts and crafts. Cabin counselor. Friend to campers and staff. She was in charge of some type of carnival that came to Cocoa Beach every year and always made sure that, one, we were coming to support her and, two, the kids had free passes to anything they wanted to do! We would take our travel trailer out and spend the night as her "security" on Friday night of that weekend. She loved Elvis, and to this day when I see any kind of Elvis something, I think of Barbara and wonder if she would have wanted it.
Barbara had a cancerous kidney removed in 1986 (I believe) and received blood during the surgery. Unfortunately, the blood was contaminated with hepatitis which, over the years, damaged her liver. Ultimately, that mistake in the OR would take her life 19 years later.
Barbajohns died last Friday morning and was buried on Tuesday. Our love and prayers go out to Sallie (Monty and the children), and Barbara's other children: Denise, Danny and Spike as well as their families. We were saddened to hear of her death but are encouraged to know she is in the loving care of Jesus.
Equally close to our family was the "Cox Clan" (as Big Cecil would call them). Monty, his mom and family, Sallie, Kaley, Tyler, Carly, and Sallie's mom, Barbara Johns. Josh thought it was one word, so we affectionately called her "Barbajohns." She was one of those special ladies who instantly moved into our hearts because she just immediately loved our children. Living 800 miles from home and family, little did we realize just how much we needed a Barbajohns in our life!
Birthdays, she was there with a present or even hosting the party. Christmas, there was a present from Barbara. Baseball games, she'd be in the stands if she could get there. Church junk (and there was a lot of church junk in Florida)? She was supportive and loving through it all. We spent a lot of time with Barbajohns ... camping ... parties ... going to the beach, eating out on Sundays ... just visiting. She was always fun and always enjoyed the children more than the adults. She was one of those "older" ladies I could easily talk to about anything and she would encourage me. Never backed down from letting you know what was on her mind if you asked, so I had to be prepared to hear what she had to say even if she perceived me to be in the wrong ... if you can even imagine me being in the wrong! Go ahead, s-t-r-e-t-c-h your imagination! Not easy, is it?
She was an institution at Central Florida Bible Camp. Cook. Arts and crafts. Cabin counselor. Friend to campers and staff. She was in charge of some type of carnival that came to Cocoa Beach every year and always made sure that, one, we were coming to support her and, two, the kids had free passes to anything they wanted to do! We would take our travel trailer out and spend the night as her "security" on Friday night of that weekend. She loved Elvis, and to this day when I see any kind of Elvis something, I think of Barbara and wonder if she would have wanted it.
Barbara had a cancerous kidney removed in 1986 (I believe) and received blood during the surgery. Unfortunately, the blood was contaminated with hepatitis which, over the years, damaged her liver. Ultimately, that mistake in the OR would take her life 19 years later.
Barbajohns died last Friday morning and was buried on Tuesday. Our love and prayers go out to Sallie (Monty and the children), and Barbara's other children: Denise, Danny and Spike as well as their families. We were saddened to hear of her death but are encouraged to know she is in the loving care of Jesus.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Home on the Range
When I have nothing in particular to blog, I resort to telling you what I did on a given day. And if you have nothing better to do than to read it, what can I say? Get a life! :)
Tuesday we planned a family outing to Angeles Shooting Range, with two goals in mind. Goal One: try out a couple of new guns. Jess got a Remington 20 guage shotgun for Christmas (pictured left ... what more could a 20-year-old lady want?) and Josh had never fired the shotgun he inherited from his grandfather. Goal Two:break Heather in to this side of a southern family. Shooting! Josh and I were laughing as we walked out of my office carrying several guns. We decided, "If you are a preacher and you have more guns in your office than theology books ... you may be a redneck!"
We'll need to spend a little more time on the range with Heather, but she was a trooper. Didn't mind trying the different guns but didn't feel too good about the results. [Picture: Josh teaching Heather the fine art of skeet shooting.] It's a learning curve. The 16 guage of Josh's kicked like a mule. I shot it twice and told him that's all I ever care to shoot that gun. Jess's 20 guage is a sweet gun. I love that one. Identical to Josh's except his is a 12 guage. Same engraving, wood stock, etc. Beautiful weapons. I'm getting sentimental.... Jess shot the final 13 (out of 200) clay targets and hit 12 in a row! Final shot. Can't miss. Missed. Bummer.
We finally were able to shoot Jess's .30-06 high powered rifle that my dad gave her when she was maybe all of 2 years old! It's a nice gun and doesn't kick nearly like the 16 guage shotgun. Otherwise, I always take my Remington .22 rifle for the ladies to shoot. It's just a fun rifle that fires off 15 rounds as fast as you want to shoot. Which, I found out after a reprimand from the range officer, is not tolerated at Angeles Shooting Range!
Finished off the morning shooting up a box of .38's I'd had for years. Jessica is always eager to shoot pistols and does well with any of them.
Above: Trying out my police issue Smith-Wesson .357 handgun.
After lunch with good friends and visiting a couple of stores in the mall, Josh and Jessica got to use one of their Christmas presents - a gun cleaning kit. I know ... I'm just the perfect Dad at Christmas. So that was our Tuesday after Christmas. How did yours go?
Josh feels right at home "on the range."
Having fun with the .22 I got as a teenager. Is this rifle an antique?
A tender father / daughter moment. Jess with my Charter Arms .38 snub nose.
Tuesday we planned a family outing to Angeles Shooting Range, with two goals in mind. Goal One: try out a couple of new guns. Jess got a Remington 20 guage shotgun for Christmas (pictured left ... what more could a 20-year-old lady want?) and Josh had never fired the shotgun he inherited from his grandfather. Goal Two:break Heather in to this side of a southern family. Shooting! Josh and I were laughing as we walked out of my office carrying several guns. We decided, "If you are a preacher and you have more guns in your office than theology books ... you may be a redneck!"
We'll need to spend a little more time on the range with Heather, but she was a trooper. Didn't mind trying the different guns but didn't feel too good about the results. [Picture: Josh teaching Heather the fine art of skeet shooting.] It's a learning curve. The 16 guage of Josh's kicked like a mule. I shot it twice and told him that's all I ever care to shoot that gun. Jess's 20 guage is a sweet gun. I love that one. Identical to Josh's except his is a 12 guage. Same engraving, wood stock, etc. Beautiful weapons. I'm getting sentimental.... Jess shot the final 13 (out of 200) clay targets and hit 12 in a row! Final shot. Can't miss. Missed. Bummer.We finally were able to shoot Jess's .30-06 high powered rifle that my dad gave her when she was maybe all of 2 years old! It's a nice gun and doesn't kick nearly like the 16 guage shotgun. Otherwise, I always take my Remington .22 rifle for the ladies to shoot. It's just a fun rifle that fires off 15 rounds as fast as you want to shoot. Which, I found out after a reprimand from the range officer, is not tolerated at Angeles Shooting Range!
Finished off the morning shooting up a box of .38's I'd had for years. Jessica is always eager to shoot pistols and does well with any of them.Above: Trying out my police issue Smith-Wesson .357 handgun.
After lunch with good friends and visiting a couple of stores in the mall, Josh and Jessica got to use one of their Christmas presents - a gun cleaning kit. I know ... I'm just the perfect Dad at Christmas. So that was our Tuesday after Christmas. How did yours go?
Josh feels right at home "on the range."
Having fun with the .22 I got as a teenager. Is this rifle an antique?
A tender father / daughter moment. Jess with my Charter Arms .38 snub nose.Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Christmas Worship
The last time Christmas fell on a Sunday was 1994, and it will happen again in 2011. We don't have that many opportunities to celebrate Christmas on a Sunday. The next time we do, many of those we love dearly may not be around. For that matter, we might not be around. (Some days I'm not sure I want to be around!)We had far more people than we expected (which was good). The spirit was warm and friendly, but it usually is ... at least the people I visit with on a given Sunday. The song selection was good, but I don't do well on Christmas songs. They are too difficult musically for a guy who doesn't read music. We sang The First Noel (all verses) and it would have taken about 8 more verses for me to ever get the tenor line down! I wish someone would arrange simpler versions of those classic songs ... but I suppose they would no longer be classic.
During the communion, one of our former shepherds shared wonderful memories of Christmas and the need to celebrate Jesus. It was both funny and meaningful ... which is par for the course for him. The "sermon" was replaced with 16 testimonies from people in our church. Some were very uplifting and others had a sadness to them as people struggle with some of the mountains in their lives that only God could move. One of our elders commented in closing the assembly that many churches have very impressive Christmas services that would be considered "high church," but that sharing how God moves in our lives and responds to our prayers is about as "high church" as it gets. It was a very vulnerable day for some who shared, but overall it was a very good day with my spiritual family.
P.S. As for the graphic ... couldn't find an acappella Christmas worship image!
Monday, December 26, 2005
Just 364 Shopping Days Left Until Christmas!
This year our church "adopted" the ministry of caring for a local Christian-based organization called New Life Beginnings. It is a home for unwed mothers that not only attempts to help these women develop a relationship with the Lord, but teaches them skills necessary for raising their child. For over 20 years, they have relied on faith only and refuse any government funding. They can tell amazing stories of how God provided just what they needed at just the right time ... again and again. Nor do they advertise, so it is truly a word-of-mouth organization run by two wonderful ladies who started years ago by simply inviting pregnant girls off the street to live in their homes. It was not too long until their own children were "camping out" on the living room floor so the women could have beds. Today they have a home that will take up to 20+ women (and children), a thrift store for raising funds to support themselves, and hundreds of testimonies from women whose lives have been changed and children who were given the chance to live.
Our involvement as a church is to donate items as determined by the directors each month. Of course, in December we took on the joy of providing gifts for the mothers and their children using an "angel tree" where people would take an "ornament" that had the name, age, and wishes of a child or mother, purchase the gift(s), and bring them to the church. It was such a visual blessing last Sunday (Dec. 18) to have all three Christmas trees on the stage filled with presents for the children and moms.
Janice, myself, and two ladies from our church who are very involved in this ministry had the privilege of delivering gifts last Tuesday. What an experience to deliver two van loads (and I mean loaded!) of wrapped presents, and new pillows! They had tears in their eyes because of our generosity. We had tears in our eyes because we were given the opportunity to bring Christ to them through simply being the Body of Christ in action.
Bonnie (Director, on the left) with two of the residents, and
some of the many gifts.
As I write this, it's Christmas Eve ... Home Alone is playing on the television. Pies are cooking in the kitchen, presents are awaiting our attention in the morning, but nothing will be sweeter than the experience of taking those gifts to New Life Beginnings.
Our involvement as a church is to donate items as determined by the directors each month. Of course, in December we took on the joy of providing gifts for the mothers and their children using an "angel tree" where people would take an "ornament" that had the name, age, and wishes of a child or mother, purchase the gift(s), and bring them to the church. It was such a visual blessing last Sunday (Dec. 18) to have all three Christmas trees on the stage filled with presents for the children and moms.
Janice, myself, and two ladies from our church who are very involved in this ministry had the privilege of delivering gifts last Tuesday. What an experience to deliver two van loads (and I mean loaded!) of wrapped presents, and new pillows! They had tears in their eyes because of our generosity. We had tears in our eyes because we were given the opportunity to bring Christ to them through simply being the Body of Christ in action.
Bonnie (Director, on the left) with two of the residents, andsome of the many gifts.
As I write this, it's Christmas Eve ... Home Alone is playing on the television. Pies are cooking in the kitchen, presents are awaiting our attention in the morning, but nothing will be sweeter than the experience of taking those gifts to New Life Beginnings.
By the time you read this, Christmas 2005 will be history. I hope it was one of the best ever for you and your family. Just 364 days and we'll be doing this again. No sense in waiting until the last minute.
This is how I pass the time on Christmas Eve.
Janice told me to smile, but I only got half of it out when she took the picture.
This is how I pass the time on Christmas Eve.Janice told me to smile, but I only got half of it out when she took the picture.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Exorcism ... Ministry ... Mortuary Career
You read the title correctly. After all, it's all but impossible to think of any one without thinking of the other two, right?! It's pushing Friday morning as I write this. As I read back over it, maybe I stayed up just a little too late! Janice and I just watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Interesting movie if you believe in the possibility of demonic oppression / possession. I was anticipating something similar to The Exorcist, but decided to rent it on the basis of a Michael Medved movie review and recommendation. It was actually based on the court records of the criminal trial. Though this phenomenon has never been widely accepted in our religious heritage (how could we while adamantly denying the indwelling Holy Spirit?), many years ago in my psychological studies I did extensive reading on the subject and wrote several papers. Suffice it to say, I found the movie interesting, though I am not recommending it as a must-see for Christmas!It brought back to mind an incident almost 20 years ago when I preached on one of the biblical texts involving demonic possession and was accused by a woman in the congregation of being a Satan worshipper! It was her theory (as stated to the elders) that I could not possibly have known what I preached unless I was actively involved in Satanism and was an active participant in satanic rituals! That was an interesting moment in ministry, to say the least, and led to a couple of interesting elder's meetings! When all was said and done, the woman and I got along fairly well. After all, imagine what I could have done with just the right incantation and...... (Just kidding. It's late.)
On another angle of ministry altogether, when students enter Azusa Pacific University, they are required to take a one-hour course called Beginnings. It is designed to help each student transition into college life, as well as into the spiritual stream of APU through this very biblically based series of studies and activities. Incoming students are placed in a small group that meets regularly throughout the semester and is led by one of over 100 Alpha Group Leaders. Those leaders are under one of several Alpha Group Counselors who, in turn, are under the leadership of an Alpha Intern. All of this is led by a campus Alpha Director.
I say all that to say my daughter was very impressed with her experience of Beginnings and applied the following year to be an Alpha Leader. She was accepted into the program and served as a leader ... then was accepted as an Alpha Counselor this past semester, with 9 or 10 leaders under her. She then applied for Alpha Intern and was selected to lead the campus-wide program for 2006! And, due to the resignation of the director, she'll pretty much run this entire program next year. It will involve tremendous challenges, but it will also be a huge plus on her resume upon graduation.
We're very proud of her academic success and the balance with spiritual growth and involvement at Azusa Pacific. She will be needing the prayer support of mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, church family and friends.
I asked for prayers on behalf of Josh's work situation. He was called for an interview with a family-owned mortuary over in Temecula (Heather's home) on Wednesday evening. It was supposed to be about a 30 minute interview but actually lasted over 2 hours. Seems like God is truly opening some doors in that area that are very difficult (all but impossible) to open! I'll keep you posted, but thank you for your prayer support for our children. I want you to know that you are in my prayers often as well, and always when you specifically request prayers. Unless it involves mice. I have a heart for those sweet looking, adorable cartoon-ish little creatures! I'm also going to bed as now I'm writing out and out lies!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
My Girls ... and Steve
Youth guy Ken is redeemed. Reconciliation is complete. We are friends. I'm no longer suggesting we may want to replace him. (Couldn't quite figure out how to keep his lovely wife, Kim, and the boys without him anyway! That's a problem this church has had with wanting to let me go but keeping my wife and children. They are my safety net!)
So here are a couple of pictures of the girls, and one of "Mr. Mandolin" Hay. Never got one of Josh or Daniel as they were pretty much hidden from sight by either keyboards or the girls. Maybe next year?
L to R: Joanna (almost like a daughter, just don't have to support her financially);
Jessica (almost 21 and can't believe it);
Heather (almost an England and can't believe it!).
For the critic from Arlington, if you look closely you can see
Snoopy with his Santa hat on my seasonal T-shirt.
Steve is probably trying to figure out what chord I'm playing
and why don't I just play it the way we rehearsed it.
If you would, keep Josh in your prayers regarding his job situation. Can't give details now, but will let you know ASAP.
Thanks, again, for stopping by. With shopping done, we're spending the day just roaming around a mall out in Ontario that Janice has never visited. Tons of shops ... and a music store.
So here are a couple of pictures of the girls, and one of "Mr. Mandolin" Hay. Never got one of Josh or Daniel as they were pretty much hidden from sight by either keyboards or the girls. Maybe next year?
L to R: Joanna (almost like a daughter, just don't have to support her financially);Jessica (almost 21 and can't believe it);
Heather (almost an England and can't believe it!).
For the critic from Arlington, if you look closely you can seeSnoopy with his Santa hat on my seasonal T-shirt.
Steve is probably trying to figure out what chord I'm playingand why don't I just play it the way we rehearsed it.
If you would, keep Josh in your prayers regarding his job situation. Can't give details now, but will let you know ASAP.
Thanks, again, for stopping by. With shopping done, we're spending the day just roaming around a mall out in Ontario that Janice has never visited. Tons of shops ... and a music store.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
I Was Wr . . . . . . . . . ong
"Ain'tcha" glad you're not living in New York City ... unless, of course, you're reading this blog and you are living in New York City! This picture (that made the news, by the way) looks like any given day, at any given time of day, on any given freeway in Los Angeles. I have little compassion for them except they are not accustomed to this sort of gridlock. But that's not the purpose of my blog today. It's confession time and you're my confessee, sort of. If that's even a word.I must admit I was wr........ong (my word processor didn't want to finish that word) yesterday in my blog. Actually, I don't mind admitting when I am wr.......ong so long as it's not more than once or twice a year. A long time ago I accepted the remote probability that I could not possibly be right on everything! I think there is some mathematical something here that would prove this to be at least statistically true. Besides, it's a lonely world where one is always right.
I wrote in yesterday's blog that our youth minister didn't take pictures of my girls on Sunday night. I think the world of Ken and have enjoyed working with him on staff, and I wrote my whiney complaint knowing he would read it. He did. We made a hospital visit together yesterday and he told me there were "tons" of pictures of my girls coming to me if I would just be patient.
Little Known Fact: It is very difficult for people who are statistically almost always right to be patient.Ken was using my camera (1.2 megapixels ... very obsolete) and had asked others with better cameras to take some pictures for me. He just hasn't received them as of yet. So, to my friend and co-worker Ken, my sincerest apology. To the rest of you who, I am sure, were sorely disappointed by the absence of my girls in yesterday's pictures ... they will be posted ASAP.
It's now Ken's fault that I felt compelled to get a new digital camera. Five megapixels, about as thick as a half deck of playing cards and a smaller "footprint" than a playing card. She's a beaut! I'll say this while on the subject ... shopping for a digital camera these days is not something I would want to do often. Maybe only as often as I am wro........ not right! :)
Two more gifts and I'm through for the season. Where are you with your Christmas shopping? Any Christmas Eve, mid-night or later, gotta-get-to-Sav-On Drugs-for-that-final-gift kind of people among our bloggies?
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Gift for Jesus
Several years ago we came up with an idea for a very low-key, nothing-close-to-slick Christmas program for our church. We called it a "Gift for Jesus" and asked people to bring their gift. Gifts were songs, poems, readings, testimonies, even musical gifts of violins, guitars, piano, ballet, brass instruments, and a newly formed praise band. That first year we had less than 50 people attend the event. This year we had over 130! It was a wonderful evening of gifts for our Savior.The highlight of the evening for me, personally, was to have my children join our praise band for Agnus Dei and to have Josh actually provide percussion for a country song! (He hates country music. It cost me a dinner at Chipotle, but well worth the price of the meal.) Jessica (our daughter), Heather (our future daughter-in-law), and Joanna Mullins sang backup harmony for Agnus Dei and Jars of Clay's Love Song for a Savior. We also did Randy Travis' wonderful song, Raise Him Up. If you've never heard it, that song is worth the CD ... and it's a good CD!
Daniel Martin has just joined us as our new keyboardist and is doing a great job ... far better than the former keyboardist (your's truly)! He is very talented and plays sax and keyboards for his high school jazz band (award winning jazz band). Ross Clardy (hidden in the pix) lays down some great bass lines for us and occasionally provides some background vocals (once in a while he plays lead guitar and is one of the most talented guitarists I know); Josh has been our drumner but his involvement is short-lived as his wedding approaches; Steve Hay (one of our elders) plays guitar, mandolin, harmonica, dobro, and sings; and I provide guitars, banjo (our church loves bluegrass arrangements to some of the old southern hymns!), keyboard and vocals.
Below are some photos from the evening. Just wanted to share them with you.
Lynn on one of his 17 horns. The "sickness" doesn't just affect guitar players.
Linda and David ... wonderful voices.Fellow Lipscomb grads who had to adjust
to doing this in a church of Christ!
Amanda accompanied by brother, Daniel.Talented children of one of our elders.
Marilyn reads a story to the children.She is wife of Jim, one of our shepherds.
The children's chorus under the direction of Sylvia & Morgan.Always the highlight of the evening!
Praise Band ... most of the members hidden.
PB with Ross barely seen over my shoulder.Steve is a good mandolin player.
Daniel (keyboards) and Joanna are seen.
Josh (drums) never made a picture and I'm just a little
bummed that my daughters didn't make it in a picture .....
we may have to get a new youth minister! Sorry, Ken! :)
Monday, December 19, 2005
Advent Reading
Here are some good thoughts from a little booklet by Calvin Miller I'm reading through this season: The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent.How much convincing does it really take to share with someone the blessings of Christmas? The world rarely responds to our profound arguments. It is rarely moved by our wise perspectives, even when we present them well. It is more often won by our thoughtfulness than our theology. It is more often drawn to God by His presence in our lives than by our persuasion. It is our Christ, not our creed, which captures people's hearts. (December 15 reading)I particulary like that last sentence. If only I'd been raised in a church that had taught that perspective! What a difference it would have made in my life and in the lives of those who had to endure my grace-less orthodoxy and rigid legalism that I mistook for Christianity! Hope you have a great final week before Christmas!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Would You?
Just for fun, below are two photos of a one-way glass outdoor public toilet in Basel, Switzerland. Obviously, one view is external, the other from inside.
Questions: Has Brady been here? Did he use it?
Actually, the question is: Would you use it?
To be fair and honest, it is actually an art exhibit and not a working toilet. But (poor word choice) suppose it were a working toilet, would you???
[Earlier in the week Randy suggested a list of ten books to read in '06. What a great reading place, huh?!]
Questions: Has Brady been here? Did he use it?
Actually, the question is: Would you use it?
To be fair and honest, it is actually an art exhibit and not a working toilet. But (poor word choice) suppose it were a working toilet, would you???
[Earlier in the week Randy suggested a list of ten books to read in '06. What a great reading place, huh?!]
Thursday, December 15, 2005
It's Never Too Late
About four months ago I borrowed an idea from a Presbyterian preacher / pastor out here whose writings and sermons have blessed me tremendously. He's a clinical psychologist- turned- preacher, so I connect with him on various levels of interest. Anyway, he had challenged his congregation to pray daily for a mountain in their lives that only God could move. He gave each person a flower to take with them and then return the flower and a testimony for him to use at a given date later in the year.
Because I can only think of so much at any given time (and that is becoming limited as I age), and certainly can't think of everything, I decided to use that idea at Long Beach. So I preached a sermon on mountain moving prayer and our mountain moving God and gave everyone a flower to return to me by next week (Dec. 21). We were to be in prayer daily for 4 months. Over 200 flowers were given out. I've received back about 8. As the flowers come in, I'm placing them in one of two wreaths on either side of our stage. Sort of modern "standing stones" for those Old Testament scholars among us. On Christmas morning, we're going to read the testimonies throughout or praise and worship service of the mountains God is moving or has moved in people's lives.
The first flower returned was done "under protest." A lady said she kept it on her table to remind her of the prayer and how God had softened her heart toward a neighbor. I gave her back the flower on Sunday and told her to keep it on her table, which brought a huge smile to her face.
Sunday an older gentleman came up to me between classes and assembly. He's in his mid-80's, very conservative in his thinking, but has great heart and love for the Lord. I'll not mention his name, but his story has moved me for years. When he became a Christian over 4 decades ago, that decision basically cost him his marriage. He's remained married to his wife, but they have no relationship other than occupying the same house. For the most part, he ceased to exist in her heart, as well as in her life. Not only did his wife reject and resent his faith, so did his sons. This has all but crushed this man.
He showed me a Polaroid picture of the flower he took home that Sunday hanging on the wall over his desk, next to a picture of his wife. He said, "Greg, you know what my mountain is. I put the flower on the wall next to (his wife's) picture and I pray many times a day for God to move that mountain." Then he said something that just touched my heart: "You know, Greg, it's never too late to pray." Wow! I don't think I have in my heart whatever it is he has in his heart to produce that statement ... but he's in my prayers. You don't need to know his name to lift him up to the Father.
This last spring on the Sunday before Pepperdine lectureship began, his heart was heavy again and asked if I would talk with him a minute before our assembly began. With his permission, I invited Randy and Cecil to join us and we all three prayed over my friend. He remembers that and still appreciates the fact that my "young friends" took time to minister to him.
Because I can only think of so much at any given time (and that is becoming limited as I age), and certainly can't think of everything, I decided to use that idea at Long Beach. So I preached a sermon on mountain moving prayer and our mountain moving God and gave everyone a flower to return to me by next week (Dec. 21). We were to be in prayer daily for 4 months. Over 200 flowers were given out. I've received back about 8. As the flowers come in, I'm placing them in one of two wreaths on either side of our stage. Sort of modern "standing stones" for those Old Testament scholars among us. On Christmas morning, we're going to read the testimonies throughout or praise and worship service of the mountains God is moving or has moved in people's lives.
The first flower returned was done "under protest." A lady said she kept it on her table to remind her of the prayer and how God had softened her heart toward a neighbor. I gave her back the flower on Sunday and told her to keep it on her table, which brought a huge smile to her face.
Sunday an older gentleman came up to me between classes and assembly. He's in his mid-80's, very conservative in his thinking, but has great heart and love for the Lord. I'll not mention his name, but his story has moved me for years. When he became a Christian over 4 decades ago, that decision basically cost him his marriage. He's remained married to his wife, but they have no relationship other than occupying the same house. For the most part, he ceased to exist in her heart, as well as in her life. Not only did his wife reject and resent his faith, so did his sons. This has all but crushed this man.
He showed me a Polaroid picture of the flower he took home that Sunday hanging on the wall over his desk, next to a picture of his wife. He said, "Greg, you know what my mountain is. I put the flower on the wall next to (his wife's) picture and I pray many times a day for God to move that mountain." Then he said something that just touched my heart: "You know, Greg, it's never too late to pray." Wow! I don't think I have in my heart whatever it is he has in his heart to produce that statement ... but he's in my prayers. You don't need to know his name to lift him up to the Father.
This last spring on the Sunday before Pepperdine lectureship began, his heart was heavy again and asked if I would talk with him a minute before our assembly began. With his permission, I invited Randy and Cecil to join us and we all three prayed over my friend. He remembers that and still appreciates the fact that my "young friends" took time to minister to him.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
A "Parable" of Grace
I've been giving more thought to the execution of Tookie Williams and the reaction of the general public, which is basically that he'd redeemed himself by his good works so why should he die? In many ways and on many levels, none of us are any better than Tookie. His sin was no worse than my sin as all sin is an offense to the holiness of God, though sins may carry a huge difference in their consequences to others.Christians know, at least on an intellectual level, that salvation (eternal and, in the case of Tookie, physical) comes only by grace. There is absolutely nothing I can do to merit salvation when I deserve death. Tookie's only hope of salvation was by the grace of a state governor or a court system. He received neither as his "sins" far outweighed the "good works" he'd accomplished later in life. The fact is, he still had to stand accountable for the crimes that took innocent lives. As one legal analyst said, "... [Tookie's] redemption had nothing to do with the criminal case." His redemption was between him and God, he still owed for the crimes and death was the price paid when death was the crime committed.
The difference in this parable is that Tookie was not granted grace and he paid the full price of his crimes against humanity. The powers that could extend grace refused to do so. But from the public's perspective, the good works should have been enough to save him. They cannot comprehend how good works cannot save. Cannot undo the wrong. Cannot redeem. Cannot restore. In our spiritual situation, not unlike that of Tookie in that by our sin we are just as guilty of the murder of Jesus as those who demanded his death, the Power to grant grace has granted grace. Unmerited grace. Irresponsible love. Gratuitous goodness.
For that I'm ever so grateful, but I can't help but be reminded by the execution here in California early Tuesday morning that I deserve death. And except for the grace that saves (Eph.2:8-10), all of my good works are worthless. Completely overshadowed by my abject sinfulness.
Thank You, Jesus, for your unselfish sacrifice. Thank You, Father, for your unselfish love. Thank You, Spirit, for your unselfish indwelling.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Justice ... 26 Years Later
One of the nation's hottest news stories is from here in California -- the execution of death row inmate, Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Convicted of killing four people 26 years ago (in two armed robberies) and maintaining his innocence all along (despite evidence that convicted him and 20+ years of legal moves to reverse the conviction), justice for the families of his four victims has finally come. Williams was co-founder of the Crips gang (narcotics / murder gang) that has taken the lives of thousands and terrorized people by the tens of thousands ... and continues to do so. Gang murders in certain areas of the County of Los Angeles are up over 30% this year thanks to the Crips and other gangs of cultural terrorists. Of his 26 years in prison, Williams spent 6 in solitary confinement because he was so dangerous and out of control. In spite of his crimes and his lack of remorse, he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize! I suppose if a mid-Eastern terrorist (Yasser Arafat, 1994) can receive that prize, why not Tookie?By the time you read this (Tuesday), Williams will be dead from lethal injection. All legal appeals have been exhausted. Surprisingly, even the ultra-liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to review his case (again), as did the Supreme Court of California. Governor Schwarzeneggar refused to grant clemency. Lawyers failed as well in their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Williams.
The Hollywood elite is livid that Williams' life is not being spared ... after all, he has written books
encouraging children not to get involved in the gang lifestyle! And with total sales of what ?? less than 500 at best, he has turned his life around. Though Williams remains completely unrepentant, they claim he is a regenerate man and should be allowed the life he denied to at least four others so he can pursue his peace activism from prison. Though they have no evidence, prison authorities believe he continued to run operations of the Crips gang from within San Quentin. And, as we've come to expect in any high profile event, Jesse's in town! He told us how much pain he feels that our Governor chose "revenge over redemption" and that Tookie is "a trophy in this flawed system." What's not to love about Jesse?!Monday night, in a series of "man-on-the-street" interviews from just outside of San Quentin prison, one woman said, "He's said all along he's innocent. That's enough for me!" Have you ever known a prison inmate who wasn't innocent (by their own admission)? When did we lose all sense of compassion for the victims' families? What's happening to justice? Where is the societal outcry for the people Tookie killed? Why does the media all but ignore any voice for them? I looked at a slide show from AP News and out of 137 slides 4 were for the people favoring this execution or capital punishment in general.
The "peace activists" protesting outside the prison were physically pushing away the pro-capital punishment people expressing their constitutional rights! How genuine. I hope and pray that by the time you read this cities and communities in California are not being burned to the ground by thugs, looters, and arsonists, and fellow Crips protesting the execution of a four-time murderer who enjoyed 26 years of life that he denied to Albert Owens (26), Yen-I Yang (76), his 63-year-old wife, Tsai-Shai Yang, and their daughter, Yu-Chin Yang Liu (43).
Monday, December 12, 2005
Saturday I was asked by our mortuary manager (Vicki) to come in and help out with a memorial program she'd planned for the families of this year's clients. Though we did hundreds of services, twenty-four of the families accepted the invitation. About 18 families actually participated.As a part of a total mortuary makeover (planned before Vicki came to us) that transformed our funeral home from a very comfortable, relaxed, welcoming, feel-at-home-looking place to a very cold, corporate looking place, a memorial tree was put in the chapel lobby. That part of the makeover looks good.
On Saturday, about 35 or 40 family members of various clients gathered to receive an engraved leaf to place on the tree, as well as an angel ornament to take with them. A pastor from a local Baptist church shared some meaningful thoughts and we sang two Christmas hymns prior to the names of the deceased being read and the leaf being given to some family member. Very short. Very simple. Very meaningful to the people involved ... including mortuary staff members.
A poem was read that I'd like to share with you. It's a little on the "syrupy" side, but in the context of my mother's death earlier this year, I'd still like to share it with you.
As always, thanks for letting me be a small part of your day.My First Christmas in HeavenI see the countless Christmas trees aroudn the world below
with tiny lights like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular! Please wipe away your tear
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart,
but I am not so far away. We really are not far apart.
So be happy for me, loved ones. You know I hold you dear.
Be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I send you each a special gift from my Heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is the gift more precious than gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love each other and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessings He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year!
Friday, December 09, 2005
You Call This Protection?
Wednesday of this week I was returning home from lunch with Janice and running some errands when I came to a four-way stop. To my left was a solid white car with the light bar across the top. I've lived in Long Beach 13 years and never seen a PD car like this. Our police units are the typical "black-and-white" you see on TV programs(can we all say, "One-Adam 12"?), or in the movies. As it went through the intersection, I noticed on the door a decal that identified the vehicle as belonging to the Federal Witness Protection Agency or Program. The print was rather small ... couldn't read it that fast.What is wrong with this picture? Not that picture (above), but the white car?
I admit that I am not the brightest guy to ever grace a college graduation line, but I thought the whole idea of this program was clandestine? I've seen enough movies to know (and if Hollywood is known for anything, it would be their factual accuracy in the movies, right?) when you enter this program they whisk you away in a black SUV with darkened windows to a place known only to God and you live out your life with a new ID and you're never again allowed to have human contact outside your immediate family. You can't even have a dog, lest you have to make a vet visit and the vet is actually a mafioso hit man just hoping you'd some day show up. Did I miss something here?
So I'm wondering where is this agent going in a car that stands out like pork at a bar mitzvah? Is he making a follow-up visit? Is he looking to buy property for a new client? If so, wouldn't that be done rather incognito? I know if I were in that program (and how do you know that I'm not?) I would not want this guy parking in my driveway, or across the street! Not if "Guido" is looking for me so he can break my kneecaps ... or worse!
Any ideas? What am I missing here?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Christmas
This did not originate with me, but it is worth sharing:
What have you heard and seen this Christmas season?
Had you been in Bethlehem that night, would you have seen Messiah? Would you have understood? Would you have recognized the Christ?
Do you really think so? Consider, "What do you see this Christmas?"
For that matter, when you gather with your church family on a given Sunday, realize it's not just a group of people singing, praying and communing together. It's more than just people bound by a church tradition or denominational orthodoxy. It is the body of Christ in its second incarnation! That should cause us to fall to the ground in worship!
What have you heard and seen this Christmas season?
Had you been in Bethlehem that night, would you have seen Messiah? Would you have understood? Would you have recognized the Christ?
Do you really think so? Consider, "What do you see this Christmas?"
When you watch the 6:00 news do you see chaos and strife, or do you see sheep without a shepherd?What do you hear this Christmas?
When you go out to do your shopping do you see only hordes of people in the stores, or do you notice the worried expressions on some of their faces--worried because they are facing this Christmas season without employment or enough money and they don't know ho they are going to make ends meet?
Do you hear only the blast of music and carols, of do you hear the silent sighs of the lonely and the bereaved who may be dreading Christmas because it accentuates their loneliness?So often what we see and hear does not depend upon the events around us, but upon us! If you can hear the cry of the lonely, the laughter of poor children, if you see sheep without a shepherd, then you may have noticed the events that took place in Bethlehem that night. Otherwise, there's a good probability you would have been among the 99% who were present when God became flesh but saw nor heard anything out of the ordinary.
And in the midst of the sounds of honking horns and people arguing over parking spaces, do you hear faint sounds of laughter coming from church missions projects because you furnished food and toys for families and children?
For that matter, when you gather with your church family on a given Sunday, realize it's not just a group of people singing, praying and communing together. It's more than just people bound by a church tradition or denominational orthodoxy. It is the body of Christ in its second incarnation! That should cause us to fall to the ground in worship!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Opportunities to be the Body of Christ
She is one of life's miserable people who simply cannot be pleased. She called to make an appointment to arrange her husband's funeral and was told to bring in certain documents so she could get his veteran's benefits. They aren't much, but they will give the survivor at least a flag. She wanted taps and an honor guard to present the flag.
She comes in without the document (honorable discharge, aka DD214). Our funeral arranger (a very kind-hearted, compassionate guy) tells her Veteran's Administration will not provide her requests without this form. She sends in another form. Wrong form. Tony calls to tell her, again, as much as he'd like to help her, it can only happen with this particular form. She gets so angry she says, "I can't talk to you anymore," and hangs up on him. Nice woman.
I won't bore you with all the other evidences of her "un-niceness" so we'll fast-forward to my part in the drama. I'm called to be the funeral director (FD). I learn of all her "un-niceness" Saturday morning just before leaving to carry the husband's body to the church. I'm sort of on pins and needles around her and soon find it's best to be on pins and needles around the whole family.
It's a Catholic funeral ... I thought. When it came time to have communion (mass), out of crowd of maybe 50-60 people, only 2 take communion! No one in this family is Catholic! Strange. But it made for a much shorter service. We were in / out the door in a half hour. Almost record time.
Cemetery. All Souls (I wrote about this place a couple of weeks ago). They have three graveside services scheduled in the same corner of the cemetery at the same time! It was a nightmare. And one of them involved a couple hundred people, huge procession, ambassadors from other nations, full military honor (7 guns for the 21-gun salute ... usually just have 3 riflemen), flags everywhere. The other service is concluded, but the family is waiting around for a witness internment (just hope nobody wants to take video or, gasp!, attempt to toss a flower into the open grave). We're between the two other services. Everything goes fine. Although there is no honor guard, we do present the flag and she wants it announced that a lunch is provided at the nearby Lakewood Country Club.
Enter Funeral Director England. I tell them the service for Mr. _____ is concluded and thank them for being there ... all the typical cemetery schmooze and then announce the lunch. To be even more griever-friendly, I give directions from the cemetery to the country club, which just happened to be on Carson St. just past our local Wal Mart. So I tell them, "...just past the Wal Mart, on your right." The un-nice widow drops her head into her hands and then acts as if I'd just spit on the casket! I had no idea what was going on, but made it even worse when I said, "Well, around here everything is relative to Wal Mart." Which is true when giving driving directions around this part of town. That's when someone beside her spoke up and told me, "You have no idea just how much this family hates Wal Mart!" This is the type of information I would like to have on my director's drive sheet! By now, the family wants to throw me into the grave while everyone else is trying their best to stifle their laughter.
Next, a family friend steps forward to give his testimony to their friendship and to proclaim the virtues of being a part of the union family. Reality: It was more of an advertisement for the union than any heart-felt message to the family. He goes on and on about the joy of being in the union, leaving a very strong, unapologetic implication that anyone not in the union is basically human scum. No wonder they were so incensed at the mention of Wal Mart. There is no more anti-union corporation than Wal Mart ... and the corporation is flourishing.
Just another day in the funeral business.
P.S. As the widow was walking to the limo to leave for her journey past Wal Mart (they probably took another route so as not to have to even see the store), I handed her the pouch containing the registration book and the flower cards. She doesn't say, "Thank you," or "Kiss my (insert some word verification letters)." She says, "Where were the seeds?" The seeds are seed packets we give out so people can plant flowers in honor of the deceased. Sort of exchange life for death kind of thing. I told her I did not know but she could call the funeral home and ask. She said, "Oh, no! I'm through with them. This is over," and walked away. As it turned out, the seeds had been furnished the night before at the viewing and all of them had been taken! (I'm going to check just to make sure the seed packets we give out are union-produced. That might explain why all of them were taken. Seldom are all the packets taken.)
I guess if we learn nothing else from such experiences, it's to not be an un-nice person. Such are the moments in life when we have an opportunity to be the Body of Christ. I hope I was to this funeral assembly.
She comes in without the document (honorable discharge, aka DD214). Our funeral arranger (a very kind-hearted, compassionate guy) tells her Veteran's Administration will not provide her requests without this form. She sends in another form. Wrong form. Tony calls to tell her, again, as much as he'd like to help her, it can only happen with this particular form. She gets so angry she says, "I can't talk to you anymore," and hangs up on him. Nice woman.
I won't bore you with all the other evidences of her "un-niceness" so we'll fast-forward to my part in the drama. I'm called to be the funeral director (FD). I learn of all her "un-niceness" Saturday morning just before leaving to carry the husband's body to the church. I'm sort of on pins and needles around her and soon find it's best to be on pins and needles around the whole family.
It's a Catholic funeral ... I thought. When it came time to have communion (mass), out of crowd of maybe 50-60 people, only 2 take communion! No one in this family is Catholic! Strange. But it made for a much shorter service. We were in / out the door in a half hour. Almost record time.
Cemetery. All Souls (I wrote about this place a couple of weeks ago). They have three graveside services scheduled in the same corner of the cemetery at the same time! It was a nightmare. And one of them involved a couple hundred people, huge procession, ambassadors from other nations, full military honor (7 guns for the 21-gun salute ... usually just have 3 riflemen), flags everywhere. The other service is concluded, but the family is waiting around for a witness internment (just hope nobody wants to take video or, gasp!, attempt to toss a flower into the open grave). We're between the two other services. Everything goes fine. Although there is no honor guard, we do present the flag and she wants it announced that a lunch is provided at the nearby Lakewood Country Club.
Enter Funeral Director England. I tell them the service for Mr. _____ is concluded and thank them for being there ... all the typical cemetery schmooze and then announce the lunch. To be even more griever-friendly, I give directions from the cemetery to the country club, which just happened to be on Carson St. just past our local Wal Mart. So I tell them, "...just past the Wal Mart, on your right." The un-nice widow drops her head into her hands and then acts as if I'd just spit on the casket! I had no idea what was going on, but made it even worse when I said, "Well, around here everything is relative to Wal Mart." Which is true when giving driving directions around this part of town. That's when someone beside her spoke up and told me, "You have no idea just how much this family hates Wal Mart!" This is the type of information I would like to have on my director's drive sheet! By now, the family wants to throw me into the grave while everyone else is trying their best to stifle their laughter.
Next, a family friend steps forward to give his testimony to their friendship and to proclaim the virtues of being a part of the union family. Reality: It was more of an advertisement for the union than any heart-felt message to the family. He goes on and on about the joy of being in the union, leaving a very strong, unapologetic implication that anyone not in the union is basically human scum. No wonder they were so incensed at the mention of Wal Mart. There is no more anti-union corporation than Wal Mart ... and the corporation is flourishing.
Just another day in the funeral business.
P.S. As the widow was walking to the limo to leave for her journey past Wal Mart (they probably took another route so as not to have to even see the store), I handed her the pouch containing the registration book and the flower cards. She doesn't say, "Thank you," or "Kiss my (insert some word verification letters)." She says, "Where were the seeds?" The seeds are seed packets we give out so people can plant flowers in honor of the deceased. Sort of exchange life for death kind of thing. I told her I did not know but she could call the funeral home and ask. She said, "Oh, no! I'm through with them. This is over," and walked away. As it turned out, the seeds had been furnished the night before at the viewing and all of them had been taken! (I'm going to check just to make sure the seed packets we give out are union-produced. That might explain why all of them were taken. Seldom are all the packets taken.)
I guess if we learn nothing else from such experiences, it's to not be an un-nice person. Such are the moments in life when we have an opportunity to be the Body of Christ. I hope I was to this funeral assembly.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Pastor Abuse ... Revisited
Last week I asked for your input on the most rewarding and the most frustrating moments (recently) in ministry. Thanks for your comments, and as I promised here are my responses.
Rewarding moments of ministry (in no particular order):
My most recent low: Janice and myself trying to develop a small group / class for college age students in our church and they just don't care!
On the positive side, God always gives just enough "perks" at just the right time to sustain us and keep us in the battle. I've learned to cherish them and realize just how God-given they are and not just coincidental or circumstantial.
May God be enthroned in our hearts and glorified in our lives. Amen?
Rewarding moments of ministry (in no particular order):
Serving others.Moments that make me want to walk away (again, in no particular order):
Study time that produces an insight or an angle to a text that I've not known. I live for those moments!
Sharing Jesus with others.
Praying with and for others.
Good elders.
Sharing grief.
Sharing joys.
Relationships.
Family time.
Worship.
Worshipping with my spiritual family.
When people come up to me after the fact and tell me something I did or taught helped them through a difficult time in their life.
A constant discovery of grace.
Sharing with others principles of conflict resolution and the rewards of forgiveness.
Baptisms.
Restorations.
A contrite heart ... especially in myself, as well as in others. It's rare, but beautiful.
Lectureships / Conferences / Seminars.
Sunday night Celebration! (when we use instruments of praise)
Knowing that I am a part of the body of Christ that is triumphant over Satan.
Children's presentations.
Communion devotionals (most of the time).
Most testimonials.
The ministry to me from my blog family.
Occasionally ministering to others through my blog family.
The promise of a grand family reunion in heaven.
Hope! (Something this world cannot offer)
My extended spiritual family.
Meeting other believers and knowing we have relationship in Christ.
The generosity of believers.
Humble unselfishness.
Faithful witnesses (Heb.12:1)
Most elder's meetings.My most recent high: Last week I preached a sermon on hearing the voice of God through the noise and I thought it was not only too long, but a sermon that was better on paper than from the pulpit. I didn't feel all that good about it ... not the good I feel when I steal one of Randy's sermons and preach it! Two days later I received an email from a man who is a recovering alcoholic. He told me how much the sermon had meant to him and then shared how he'd heard the voice of God at a moment in his life when it literally was a turning point from drunkeness to sobriety.
Unsigned letters of complaint.
Being a part of a fellowship / tradition that has been steadily growing smaller and slowly dying.
Church politics.
Bad elders.
Religious ritual.
Orthodoxy.
Sectarianism.
Lectureships / Conferences / Seminars.
Church leaderships that have never led and will never lead.
Keeping the status quo.
Never stepping out in faith.
Church fights.
Deacons that never "deac"
Televangelists.
The typical auditorium Sunday School class.
Committees.
People / families that "church shop"
The ever-disgruntled people in church who can never be satisfied but make the most "noise" and seem to get the most attention when they should receive the least.
Self-righteous and judgmental spirits.
My own sinfulness (at times).
An ever-abiding sense of feeling that I am making very little difference in people's life.
The constant comparison to the "mega" churches.
Sound system problems.
Lack of commitment to the community by too many "church members."
Spiritual immaturity in myself and in others.
My most recent low: Janice and myself trying to develop a small group / class for college age students in our church and they just don't care!
On the positive side, God always gives just enough "perks" at just the right time to sustain us and keep us in the battle. I've learned to cherish them and realize just how God-given they are and not just coincidental or circumstantial.
May God be enthroned in our hearts and glorified in our lives. Amen?
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Rare Sunday Blog
As I write this, I'm in my office ... it's 9:50. Forty minutes from now I have to both lead worship and preach. I feel okay, but that worship leadership just isn't my better gift, if it's a gift at all.
Saturday I got a call from our worship leader. He could barely talk and getting worse. He and his wife have been out of town a lot lately, so this would have been his first time back in praise leadership in almost two months. Obviously, he was not going to make it Sunday. Nor would his wife be here (she sings alto) as she's been in bed most of the week with back spasms.
Jim, our back up leader, is in Kentucky celebrating his father's 90th birthday. We have another man who will lead when asked, but I just didn't have the heart to spring this on him at the last minute. That left me. I am very comfortable in this role when I'm playing a guitar or keyboard, but not so in the acapella mode.
I did push the praise team in rehearsal to abandon their music stands and notebooks and worship! After all, we know these songs and can sing any of them if we were just sitting around in a group and someone started the song. I've heard it too many times in a hospital waiting room or a campfire in Yosemite. They did great, in spite of their lack of leadership!
I'm very thankful for my brothers and sisters who give so much each week to the community life and worship of our church! Our praise and worship team and their ministry of encouragement to me, personally, is one of many reasons I stay in ministry. (Though they have no idea to what extent they encourage me on a given Sunday.)
In a couple of hours, I'll finish this blog and let you know how it went.
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It's Sunday afternoon and all is well. Though, I have a renewed appreciation for worship leaders who attempt to bring us before the throne of God in worship, as well as a renewed sense of gratitude for those who sing week after week on a praise team or in a choir or with a praise band. For the most part, I don't think the average person in the pew has a clue how much goes into a typical Sunday morning when Christians assemble. It shouldn't have to be so involved ... but it is.
First thing Josh wanted to know when he got home this evening: "Did you get jiggy with it?"
Saturday I got a call from our worship leader. He could barely talk and getting worse. He and his wife have been out of town a lot lately, so this would have been his first time back in praise leadership in almost two months. Obviously, he was not going to make it Sunday. Nor would his wife be here (she sings alto) as she's been in bed most of the week with back spasms.
Jim, our back up leader, is in Kentucky celebrating his father's 90th birthday. We have another man who will lead when asked, but I just didn't have the heart to spring this on him at the last minute. That left me. I am very comfortable in this role when I'm playing a guitar or keyboard, but not so in the acapella mode.
I did push the praise team in rehearsal to abandon their music stands and notebooks and worship! After all, we know these songs and can sing any of them if we were just sitting around in a group and someone started the song. I've heard it too many times in a hospital waiting room or a campfire in Yosemite. They did great, in spite of their lack of leadership!
I'm very thankful for my brothers and sisters who give so much each week to the community life and worship of our church! Our praise and worship team and their ministry of encouragement to me, personally, is one of many reasons I stay in ministry. (Though they have no idea to what extent they encourage me on a given Sunday.)
In a couple of hours, I'll finish this blog and let you know how it went.
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It's Sunday afternoon and all is well. Though, I have a renewed appreciation for worship leaders who attempt to bring us before the throne of God in worship, as well as a renewed sense of gratitude for those who sing week after week on a praise team or in a choir or with a praise band. For the most part, I don't think the average person in the pew has a clue how much goes into a typical Sunday morning when Christians assemble. It shouldn't have to be so involved ... but it is.
First thing Josh wanted to know when he got home this evening: "Did you get jiggy with it?"
Friday, December 02, 2005
Faith
The following quote was "lifted" from Ed Fudge's gracEmail and was written to him in a personal correspondence from Jim McGuiggan. I think it's worth our reflection....
Top Ten Reasons for Procrastination:
#1.
"Faith's victory is not grounded in the act of believing but in the character and work of the One in whom we believe. We don't have to know all he knows -- we only have to trust that he knows. We don't have to be able to see all he sees -- we only have to gladly trust his vision. We don't have to morally achieve a certain standard -- we only have to trustingly commit to the standard to which he alone attained. He is our faith! His heart, his vision, his faith, his achievement -- these are the nature and essence of our faith and that is why our faith conquers the world (1 John 5:3-5)."That's good stuff! (Not that we don't already know this, but we need to be reminded.) But we've come to expect good stuff from both Jim and Edward Have a blessed weekend. See you back here on Monday.
Top Ten Reasons for Procrastination:
#1.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Pastor Abuse
A book recently caught my eye: Pastor Abuse. According to the author, some 18,000 pastors quit their jobs each year! He says that's 50 / day. (I didn't do the math but if that's incorrect, I'm sure certain persons from either Cocoa, Florida or Fresno, California will let it be known. Whatever turns you on.) It might be interesting reading, but I've been mostly fortunate not to have been the abused pastor.If we broaden the definition of pastor a bit and assume each of us to some degree pastors others in the service of ministry in the kingdom, I'd love to hear your responses to a couple of questions:
1. In the recent past (you can determine just how recent), what has been the most rewarding moment in ministry for you?
and...
2. In the recent past, what has been the most frustrating moment in ministry? Something that made you want to walk away? By the way, some of the most righteous people in Scripture had those moments when they wanted to walk away, so it's okay to feel that way!
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me. I'll add my own after hearing from you.
