Went to a wedding yesterday. The post-wedding celebration was marked by an impressive thunder shower, with rainfall levels just a little below Noahic proportions, I do believe. Although the sun peeked out for a bit, most of the afternoon was cold and rainy.
Drove home from Seattle this morning, through rainshowers the whole way. Karina turned the furnace on when we got home, the house was so cold.
Played with the Down Home Band at the Longbranch Croquet tourney this afternoon. We had to play under a portable tent cover, since it was drizzling the whole time. And these aren't your Miami-esque, soft and warm afternoon showers that give way to beautiful sunny evenings. These are more like March rain showers. Cold and miserable.
I'm thinking it's time to sacrifice a goat to the weather gods. We must have done something to tick them off. Anybody want to join me?
Showing posts with label Lakebay Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lakebay Life. Show all posts
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
I'm Dreaming of a White. . .Thanksgiving?
Snow started falling last night, and continued on into the morning. Not enough that school was delayed, but enough to create a winter wonderland out here in the woods.
So off the kids went to school, and off I went with my mother-in-law to do some shopping.
That's when it really started to come down. I stopped in the Harbor, looking for a magazine, and almost couldn't make it back up the hill to the freeway. Picked up mom-in-law at Fred Meyer and left for Target. Quickly it became obvious that going straight home would be the better choice. Cars littered both sides of the freeway. I could feel our tires slipping underneath us. The other side of the freeway was completely blocked by 2 big rigs unable to climb the hill out of Purdy.
We made it home, but not without some drama going up our driveway. Which proved impossible, so we went around and tried going down the other way. Creating even more drama as we slipped and slided every closer to the ditch.
And now the snow continues to fall, the temperature continues to drop, apple cider is warming in the crock pot, a fire crackles in the wood stove, supplies are laid in should the winds knock out the power tonight, the kids are outside sledding, Christmas music is playing, and Karina's in the air toward the U.S.
I believe I have much for which to be thankful.
So off the kids went to school, and off I went with my mother-in-law to do some shopping.
That's when it really started to come down. I stopped in the Harbor, looking for a magazine, and almost couldn't make it back up the hill to the freeway. Picked up mom-in-law at Fred Meyer and left for Target. Quickly it became obvious that going straight home would be the better choice. Cars littered both sides of the freeway. I could feel our tires slipping underneath us. The other side of the freeway was completely blocked by 2 big rigs unable to climb the hill out of Purdy.
We made it home, but not without some drama going up our driveway. Which proved impossible, so we went around and tried going down the other way. Creating even more drama as we slipped and slided every closer to the ditch.
And now the snow continues to fall, the temperature continues to drop, apple cider is warming in the crock pot, a fire crackles in the wood stove, supplies are laid in should the winds knock out the power tonight, the kids are outside sledding, Christmas music is playing, and Karina's in the air toward the U.S.
I believe I have much for which to be thankful.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Practice What You Preach
Sunday's sermon was on hospitality. We spent some time in Matthew 25 - the judgment passage, wherein the nations are divided into sheep and goats based on how they treated their fellow man. "I was hungry, and you fed me; thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was in prison and you visited me; I was a stranger and you invited me in" and so on.
(Side note: is it sacrilegious that I think the Keith Green version is better than the original?)
Hospitality, as defined in the sermon, is simply creating a space into which broken people can enter and find healing; a place wherein lost people can come home, lonely people can find friendship, people hungry and thirsty can find their souls (and stomachs) filled. It is an invitation to share a moment and space together. Hospitality can be inviting someone over for dinner; it can also be sitting with a person at the bus stop and giving a piece of your life to them. And this is our calling: as Christ has invited us to join him in friendship, as the Lord creates green pastures in which he invites us to lie down, as God has become our safe harbor in the storm, so are we called to create safe, warm, inviting, comfortable spaces into which others can come and receive healing and solace in their weary lives.
That was the gyst of it anyway.
And then we finished; the kids headed downstairs for Sunday School, the adults adjourned to the fellowship hall for cake and cheese and coffee and a discussion about creating inviting, comfortable spaces.
An hour later, Mike walked in. We didn't see him at first, but Duncan happened to be walking through the foyer and saw draped over the couch there. It was obvious Mike wasn't doing well. Incoherant would be a good word. He was looking for his grandmother, Delores, or his aunt or sister. But he didn't know their names. They supposedly taught Sunday School at our church, but none of us knew them. He didn't know his phone number. He was pretty wet and disheveled. And as much as we tried to figure out who he belonged to, he couldn't really tell us. But still, we sat with him for a bit. He didn't smell like he'd been drinking, which is (unfortunately) always the first suspicion out here on the KP. So we assumed it was medical, and wouldn't you know it. . .Sean was still around. Sean who works with the fire department, who's used to situations like this. So he came and joined the conversation. About the time Mike mentioned he's diabetic, and hadn't taken his medication in 4 days, we decided it was time to call the paramedics.
Eventually he decided he didn't like all the attention, so he wandered to the cemetary next door. I followed him up there, where he lay down and began weeping next to his dad's grave. And he showed me his grandmother's grave (the same grandmother he'd come to the church hoping to find. . .). And there he lay, sobbing in the wet grass under a steady drizzle. And there I sat with him until the medic units showed up. Thankfully, the knew Mike. He's a regular, you might say. They got him into the ambulance and took care of him. Many of our children had come out to see the fire truck, and they prayed for Mike as he was loaded in.
"I was a stranger, and you invited me in." Maybe today, Jesus might add "I was messed up, and you got me medical help." Or "I was incoherant and raving and soaking wet, and you let me sit on your couch and showed me love." All I know is, the message of the sermon was put to the test, and it was an honor for me to see some good people live it out, just because that's who they are.
Well, what the hey. If you've still got 8 minutes, here's Keith.
(Side note: is it sacrilegious that I think the Keith Green version is better than the original?)
Hospitality, as defined in the sermon, is simply creating a space into which broken people can enter and find healing; a place wherein lost people can come home, lonely people can find friendship, people hungry and thirsty can find their souls (and stomachs) filled. It is an invitation to share a moment and space together. Hospitality can be inviting someone over for dinner; it can also be sitting with a person at the bus stop and giving a piece of your life to them. And this is our calling: as Christ has invited us to join him in friendship, as the Lord creates green pastures in which he invites us to lie down, as God has become our safe harbor in the storm, so are we called to create safe, warm, inviting, comfortable spaces into which others can come and receive healing and solace in their weary lives.
That was the gyst of it anyway.
And then we finished; the kids headed downstairs for Sunday School, the adults adjourned to the fellowship hall for cake and cheese and coffee and a discussion about creating inviting, comfortable spaces.
An hour later, Mike walked in. We didn't see him at first, but Duncan happened to be walking through the foyer and saw draped over the couch there. It was obvious Mike wasn't doing well. Incoherant would be a good word. He was looking for his grandmother, Delores, or his aunt or sister. But he didn't know their names. They supposedly taught Sunday School at our church, but none of us knew them. He didn't know his phone number. He was pretty wet and disheveled. And as much as we tried to figure out who he belonged to, he couldn't really tell us. But still, we sat with him for a bit. He didn't smell like he'd been drinking, which is (unfortunately) always the first suspicion out here on the KP. So we assumed it was medical, and wouldn't you know it. . .Sean was still around. Sean who works with the fire department, who's used to situations like this. So he came and joined the conversation. About the time Mike mentioned he's diabetic, and hadn't taken his medication in 4 days, we decided it was time to call the paramedics.
Eventually he decided he didn't like all the attention, so he wandered to the cemetary next door. I followed him up there, where he lay down and began weeping next to his dad's grave. And he showed me his grandmother's grave (the same grandmother he'd come to the church hoping to find. . .). And there he lay, sobbing in the wet grass under a steady drizzle. And there I sat with him until the medic units showed up. Thankfully, the knew Mike. He's a regular, you might say. They got him into the ambulance and took care of him. Many of our children had come out to see the fire truck, and they prayed for Mike as he was loaded in.
"I was a stranger, and you invited me in." Maybe today, Jesus might add "I was messed up, and you got me medical help." Or "I was incoherant and raving and soaking wet, and you let me sit on your couch and showed me love." All I know is, the message of the sermon was put to the test, and it was an honor for me to see some good people live it out, just because that's who they are.
Well, what the hey. If you've still got 8 minutes, here's Keith.
Friday, October 08, 2010
We're in the news again? Why am I scared?
No, I don't mean our church. I mean Lakebay, the area where I live. It's gotten to the point that every time I hear that we're in the press, I automatically assume it's not good.
A couple years ago we made the Seattle news when the local food bank was robbed. I even got some airtime on a news broadcast on that one.
Then there was the time our local fire commissioner beat another fire commissioner over the head with a coffee mug. That one made news all over the country.
Last month we had the infamous vandalism case at the Longbranch Improvement Club and the Longbranch Community Church.
And now it's all about the "Wild-West-Style shootout" following a botched home invasion robbery last night. We've got all the big-time news crews over here now. Seattle must think we're really uncivilized.
If you look at this article in the Seattle Times, the bright red dot on the google map is actually sitting on top of my house. Which wasn't the crime scene, so don't worry about us.
For the record, I think Lakebay is a wonderful place to live. It's got its share of cranks and ne-er-do-wells, but it certainly deserves some better press for the sense of community, for the beauty of the area, for the local events and the people who work together to make this a fine place to live.
It's not a war zone out here, really. It just plays one on television.
A couple years ago we made the Seattle news when the local food bank was robbed. I even got some airtime on a news broadcast on that one.
Then there was the time our local fire commissioner beat another fire commissioner over the head with a coffee mug. That one made news all over the country.
Last month we had the infamous vandalism case at the Longbranch Improvement Club and the Longbranch Community Church.
And now it's all about the "Wild-West-Style shootout" following a botched home invasion robbery last night. We've got all the big-time news crews over here now. Seattle must think we're really uncivilized.
If you look at this article in the Seattle Times, the bright red dot on the google map is actually sitting on top of my house. Which wasn't the crime scene, so don't worry about us.
For the record, I think Lakebay is a wonderful place to live. It's got its share of cranks and ne-er-do-wells, but it certainly deserves some better press for the sense of community, for the beauty of the area, for the local events and the people who work together to make this a fine place to live.
It's not a war zone out here, really. It just plays one on television.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Change
We've been going through a fair amount of change over here at Lakebay Community Church. A few little things, a few bigger things, but enough that it all adds up. Last year we began a new ministry when we introduced the Alpha Course. At the beginning of this year we moved our church newsletter to an electronic format, and stopped mailing out 250 paper copies every month. Our Maundy Thursday service gave way to a Seder dinner this year. We produced a Stations of the Cross installation. We added a small orchestra to Christmas Eve and Easter.
This last Sunday brought about two large changes. First, we changed our schedule, moving everything up an hour. With Sunday School coming to a close, we decided to take advantage of these long summer day by holding morning worship at 9:30, instead of the usual 10:30. In addition, we stopped taking an offering. Not that we're no longer receiving people's tithes and offerings. We've just placed some donation boxes in the back of the sanctuary (we're calling them "Cheer Boxes," since 'the Lord loves a cheerful giver'), and are asking people to drop their tithes there, rather than passing a plate. And yes, we bit the bullet and are encouraging people to consider giving electronically, either through their own banks, or through www.networkforgood.org.
Change is hard a lot of the time. Even these changes haven't been completely smooth; a few people have been hurt, a few people have been scared, a few are worried that our church today isn't the same church we were a few years ago. Personally, I'm learning some lessons about leading through change, on listening to people who are uncertain, on hurting for people who are left out by new schedules, new technologies, on aching when change causes separation, and yet on leading through disruption, of following God's leading and trusting we're all in his hands. I'm naturally a peace-maker, one who wants to minimize stress and disruption so that all can live in peace and harmony. It's difficult to be one of the agents of stress and disruption causing stress and pain.
And yet I believe God is at work in our church, that he's leading us to days of expanded ministry and presence here on the Key Peninsula. I think we're digging up fallow ground, creating space and energy for new life ahead. I'm convinced God has had his hand on us up to this point, that we've been following faithfully, that these changes have been made with prayer and wise deliberation. And so we move ahead in faith and trust.
And if Sunday morning is any indication, the people of Lakebay have again proven their flexibility, their willingness to try something new, their willingness to follow the decisions of their leaders. Because by 8:45 people were pulling into the parking lot, by 9:30 the sanctuary was filling up, and instead of tired, grouchy faces I saw smiles and laughter and joy. I felt excitement. The singing was full and rich; I couldn't get them to sit down after releasing them for the morning greeting. It was good.
Oh, and for a moment I thought there was an additional blessing, that somebody had donated a $40,000 truck to our ministry. But no, it was simply a stolen truck somebody left in our parking lot Saturday night. Which gave us a wonderful opportunity to do the right thing and call the police, so it could be returned to its rightful owner.
This last Sunday brought about two large changes. First, we changed our schedule, moving everything up an hour. With Sunday School coming to a close, we decided to take advantage of these long summer day by holding morning worship at 9:30, instead of the usual 10:30. In addition, we stopped taking an offering. Not that we're no longer receiving people's tithes and offerings. We've just placed some donation boxes in the back of the sanctuary (we're calling them "Cheer Boxes," since 'the Lord loves a cheerful giver'), and are asking people to drop their tithes there, rather than passing a plate. And yes, we bit the bullet and are encouraging people to consider giving electronically, either through their own banks, or through www.networkforgood.org.
Change is hard a lot of the time. Even these changes haven't been completely smooth; a few people have been hurt, a few people have been scared, a few are worried that our church today isn't the same church we were a few years ago. Personally, I'm learning some lessons about leading through change, on listening to people who are uncertain, on hurting for people who are left out by new schedules, new technologies, on aching when change causes separation, and yet on leading through disruption, of following God's leading and trusting we're all in his hands. I'm naturally a peace-maker, one who wants to minimize stress and disruption so that all can live in peace and harmony. It's difficult to be one of the agents of stress and disruption causing stress and pain.
And yet I believe God is at work in our church, that he's leading us to days of expanded ministry and presence here on the Key Peninsula. I think we're digging up fallow ground, creating space and energy for new life ahead. I'm convinced God has had his hand on us up to this point, that we've been following faithfully, that these changes have been made with prayer and wise deliberation. And so we move ahead in faith and trust.
And if Sunday morning is any indication, the people of Lakebay have again proven their flexibility, their willingness to try something new, their willingness to follow the decisions of their leaders. Because by 8:45 people were pulling into the parking lot, by 9:30 the sanctuary was filling up, and instead of tired, grouchy faces I saw smiles and laughter and joy. I felt excitement. The singing was full and rich; I couldn't get them to sit down after releasing them for the morning greeting. It was good.
Oh, and for a moment I thought there was an additional blessing, that somebody had donated a $40,000 truck to our ministry. But no, it was simply a stolen truck somebody left in our parking lot Saturday night. Which gave us a wonderful opportunity to do the right thing and call the police, so it could be returned to its rightful owner.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Life in the Woods: Must be some kind of record
I took the girls with me to drop off our recycling, and then pick up some supplies at the Market (Mommy's in Los Angeles for the weekend. . .)
Out in front of the market we saw (1) Sean working the coffee stand. Entering the market, we saw (2) Terri and (3) Shirley in the checkout line. Went around the corner and ran into (4) Beth and (5) Dorene. In the wine aisle, but I don't think that means anything.
A couple minutes later we were in the back looking at vegetables when up walked (6) Teresa.
We finished shopping and went back out to get some hot chocolate and coffee from Sean, still working the coffee stand. Whilst making small talk with Sean I heard "Hi, Dan" from behind, turned around, and there was (7) Ashley. And her parents, (8) Lance and (9) Karen.
Finally, on the drive home we stopped at the post office, and as we pulled in we saw (10) Gerri heading out from there with her kids.
That's what I love about this place. A simple little trip turns into a Saturday reunion of friends. It's nice to belong to a place, to be surrounded by friendly faces. I think that this is what community is supposed to be.
Out in front of the market we saw (1) Sean working the coffee stand. Entering the market, we saw (2) Terri and (3) Shirley in the checkout line. Went around the corner and ran into (4) Beth and (5) Dorene. In the wine aisle, but I don't think that means anything.
A couple minutes later we were in the back looking at vegetables when up walked (6) Teresa.
We finished shopping and went back out to get some hot chocolate and coffee from Sean, still working the coffee stand. Whilst making small talk with Sean I heard "Hi, Dan" from behind, turned around, and there was (7) Ashley. And her parents, (8) Lance and (9) Karen.
Finally, on the drive home we stopped at the post office, and as we pulled in we saw (10) Gerri heading out from there with her kids.
That's what I love about this place. A simple little trip turns into a Saturday reunion of friends. It's nice to belong to a place, to be surrounded by friendly faces. I think that this is what community is supposed to be.
Friday, April 02, 2010
I love creative people, part 2
Sometime last December or January I floated the idea of Lakebay hosting a Seder Dinner come holy week. Last night that idea found its fruition in a powerful time of remembrance, dining, fellowship, holiness, reflection, and fun. I won't stake any claims on this being a completely authentic Seder, although we (being gentiles and all) did the best we could, following resources we'd found across the internet, and adding in memories of past Seders I'd attended and led.
In the end, 5 dozen plus entered into the Passover story, recalled Israel's ransom from Israel, celebrated Messiah coming in Jesus, and enjoyed a fine meal that included game hens, matzo ball soup, hummus and pita bread, a variety of vegetables, and even some lovely olives and pickles. Not to mention all the traditional pieces - the matza, the bitter herns, the charoset, and the rest.
Most of this rested in the hands of our fellowship committee, and our two chefs, Larry and Betty. I threw out a couple ideas but they did all the work. And when you consider what it takes to feed over 60 people - all the planning, shopping, preparing, cooking, decorating, serving, and cleaning up - they put in a lot of time and energy. So for the record I want to say how grateful I am to have these wonderful people in our church community. Nothing was done half-way here; it truly was a marvelous event, and hopefully the beginning of a new tradition out here on the Key Peninsula.
In the end, 5 dozen plus entered into the Passover story, recalled Israel's ransom from Israel, celebrated Messiah coming in Jesus, and enjoyed a fine meal that included game hens, matzo ball soup, hummus and pita bread, a variety of vegetables, and even some lovely olives and pickles. Not to mention all the traditional pieces - the matza, the bitter herns, the charoset, and the rest.
Most of this rested in the hands of our fellowship committee, and our two chefs, Larry and Betty. I threw out a couple ideas but they did all the work. And when you consider what it takes to feed over 60 people - all the planning, shopping, preparing, cooking, decorating, serving, and cleaning up - they put in a lot of time and energy. So for the record I want to say how grateful I am to have these wonderful people in our church community. Nothing was done half-way here; it truly was a marvelous event, and hopefully the beginning of a new tradition out here on the Key Peninsula.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Sure, go ahead and take it
Last Sunday a group of us went out to the property owned by our church, property on which we hope to build someday. We've had a little bit of trouble with people dumping trash up there over the years - vacant land, on the highway, hidden by trees - it's a natural spot for ne'er-do-wells hoping to avoid transfer station fees.
Note to would-be-dumpers: Next time, try not to leave so many personal letters and envelopes. They sort of give you away (hint hint)
This time we discovered something different. About five cedar trees stripped of most of their branches. One was at least a 30-foot tree, with branches stripped at least 25 feet up. Apparently around the holidays there's a market for cedar boughs, for swag and wreaths and such. And apparently somebody decided to destroy our trees and steal our branches to make said swag and Christmas wreaths.
It's a little disgusting, looking up at these trees so marred and desecrated, and knowing somebody could care less that they belonged to somebody else. I only hope that the end result helped make Christmas festive for a family somewhere.
Note to would-be-dumpers: Next time, try not to leave so many personal letters and envelopes. They sort of give you away (hint hint)
This time we discovered something different. About five cedar trees stripped of most of their branches. One was at least a 30-foot tree, with branches stripped at least 25 feet up. Apparently around the holidays there's a market for cedar boughs, for swag and wreaths and such. And apparently somebody decided to destroy our trees and steal our branches to make said swag and Christmas wreaths.
It's a little disgusting, looking up at these trees so marred and desecrated, and knowing somebody could care less that they belonged to somebody else. I only hope that the end result helped make Christmas festive for a family somewhere.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Update
We just received a call that Warren passed away a few hours ago, and is now in the presence of the Lord. Peace to his memory.
Another of our people, Maxine, was also on the verge of passing yesterday, but apparently is doing much better, praise the Lord. So today we mourn one, and rejoice that one seems to be on the road to recovery.
Another of our people, Maxine, was also on the verge of passing yesterday, but apparently is doing much better, praise the Lord. So today we mourn one, and rejoice that one seems to be on the road to recovery.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
To all our east coast friends
I was feeling a little invigorated this morning - maybe it was the beautiful sunrise over top a cloudless blue sky. So I went out and chopped some firewood, working up a sweat in the warm, spring-like weather. A few clouds rolled in, but still the sun shone brightly, revealing a small clump of crocuses poking their heads through. The kids joined some friends at the local play park where they ran around for hours in the warm weather. Everywhere we went, people were out and about, walking along the shoreline or greeting friends down in our little town.
I know it's early February, but it sure feels like spring. Did I mention all the finches that were playing in the driveway? They think it's spring, too.
So sorry about that whole snowstorm thing. Rest assured that we'll be thinking about you when we're tossing a football around, outside, during the game tomorrow.
I know it's early February, but it sure feels like spring. Did I mention all the finches that were playing in the driveway? They think it's spring, too.
So sorry about that whole snowstorm thing. Rest assured that we'll be thinking about you when we're tossing a football around, outside, during the game tomorrow.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Godspeed, WayPoint!
Shortly after I arrived here on the Peninsula, one of the local churches lost their building to a fire. The former Vaughn Church has been somewhat homeless ever since.
Tonight, WayPoint Church officially dedicated their brand-spanking-new home, right alongside the highway out of town. It's a beautiful building, and a great platform for all sorts of future ministry. God has been good to them.
And they are in good hands. Pastor Tim is an excellent, compassionate, and fun pastor. Their youth pastor isn't such a bad guy, either. I think they are poised to do some powerful work for the Kingdom.
So congratulations Pastor Tim and all of WayPoint Church - on behalf of Lakebay Community Church, we're happy for you!
Tonight, WayPoint Church officially dedicated their brand-spanking-new home, right alongside the highway out of town. It's a beautiful building, and a great platform for all sorts of future ministry. God has been good to them.
And they are in good hands. Pastor Tim is an excellent, compassionate, and fun pastor. Their youth pastor isn't such a bad guy, either. I think they are poised to do some powerful work for the Kingdom.
So congratulations Pastor Tim and all of WayPoint Church - on behalf of Lakebay Community Church, we're happy for you!
Friday, January 01, 2010
New Years Day, in the woods
The day began with three deer in the yard, two with pretty nice racks on their heads. For 10 minutes K and I watched them do the playful headbutt thing. Just as I commented "how amazing is it to live in a place where we get to watch bucks at play in our yard," a bald eagle swooped down and strafed the field, soaring high into the tree overlooking the yard.
Tonight on the drive home from our little Rose Bowl party, a red fox stood beside the road, silently watching me pass by. It's our own little nature preserve out in the woods, and beauty added to a brand new year.
Fitting, since the only wildlife we saw at the end of the last year was the drug deal I broke up in the church parking lot last night.
Tonight on the drive home from our little Rose Bowl party, a red fox stood beside the road, silently watching me pass by. It's our own little nature preserve out in the woods, and beauty added to a brand new year.
Fitting, since the only wildlife we saw at the end of the last year was the drug deal I broke up in the church parking lot last night.
Monday, November 16, 2009
See? It Can Be Done
Lakebay Community Church held its annual meeting yesterday afternoon. We dealt with a number of potentially thorny issues, including passing a budget that is 40% smaller than last year (in most areas), making adjustments to our leadership structure, and amending the bylaws dealing with membership status.
And everbody got along. A couple good questions were asked, one or two issues were challenged, but in the end everything happened that needed to happen, and everybody stayed happy. We were actually all laughing at the end. Plus our bake sale raised hundreds of dollars to support the upcoming mission trip of one of our high school students.
Get that: no yelling, no accusing, no yawning, no passive-aggressive behavior. . .just God's people endeavoring together to move ahead in service and love for God and community. Concerned, careful, discerning - yes. But faithfully trusting that God is still with us, that God is providing, and that God has a purpose for us still. And trusting our leaders, trusting each other to make wise decisions.
Believe it or not, church is fun when God's people "Love One Another" and "Serve One Another" and "Consider Each Other Better Than Ourselves" and all those things we're supposed to do. And, if anything, the way this church conducts 'business' is one more reason I love this place.
And everbody got along. A couple good questions were asked, one or two issues were challenged, but in the end everything happened that needed to happen, and everybody stayed happy. We were actually all laughing at the end. Plus our bake sale raised hundreds of dollars to support the upcoming mission trip of one of our high school students.
Get that: no yelling, no accusing, no yawning, no passive-aggressive behavior. . .just God's people endeavoring together to move ahead in service and love for God and community. Concerned, careful, discerning - yes. But faithfully trusting that God is still with us, that God is providing, and that God has a purpose for us still. And trusting our leaders, trusting each other to make wise decisions.
Believe it or not, church is fun when God's people "Love One Another" and "Serve One Another" and "Consider Each Other Better Than Ourselves" and all those things we're supposed to do. And, if anything, the way this church conducts 'business' is one more reason I love this place.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Surprises in Worship, again
Elaine had opened things up in her usual exuberant style, sharing about the "Support Sara's Thailand Trip" project. The worship team took it from there, launching into a peppy version of "He Reigns." A little faster than I would usually take it, but it seemed to be working - people were singing and clapping, hands raised across the sanctuary. It all pointed toward a wonderful morning together.
Somewhere about the bridge ("and all the powers of darkness tremble at what they just heard") I noticed a small commotion over there on the right side, about 1/2 way back. People jumping over pews, people clearing out space, people diving to the floor.
"Either a kid crawling around under people's feet," I thought to myself, "or we have a medical emergency on our hands."
Turned out to be the latter. Peggy was on the floor, having a seizure.
What happened next was quite amazing to witness. Right behind Peggy was Mike, a senior chief with the Gig Harbor fire department, a man trained in rescue response, a man used to dealing with just these situations. He was there in an instant. Across the aisle was Sean, a member of our own Key Peninsula FD 16, a man also trained in emergency response. He was there right after Mike. Peggy couldn't have asked for better medical care in that moment.
At the same time, Tracy recognized that this was no place for kids, and so quickly rounded up the children and herded them downstairs. While someone else was on the phone to 911. While Doug was on the phone with Peggy's brother. While Mike S. was out on the street to guide the EMTs in. While Duncan was leading the congregation in prayer.
And another blessing in the moment - Peggy had been standing right next to Harvey and Carla, two of the strongest prayer warriors I know. So while Mike and Sean worked to care for Peggy, Harvey and Carla and the rest were deep in prayer, seeking God's healing hand as well.
And, if I may interject my own self into the story. . .I found myself, the pastor, with pretty much nothing to do. The people were taking care of all that needed to be done, and it was to me to let them serve as God had gifted them all. It was a little disconcerting to find myself task-less, and yet it was beautiful to watch the Body in action.
The EMTs arrived (all friends and co-workers of Sean's), Peggy was loaded onto the stretcher and taken out to the awaiting ambulance, pews were put back into place, Duncan and I quickly conferred and decided to switch songs around ("On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" seemed appropriate), and we carried on.
Between Mike and Sean, I ascertained that Peggy was stable and somewhat conscious on the way out, so it seemed the crisis had passed; thus, we were able to bring assurance to the congregation; still, coming back from such an emotional, shocking place took some time. I'm still wondering what our visitors thought about the whole thing.
The good news is that I visited Peggy in the hospital later yesterday evening, and she was stable and alert, so it appears everything ended as well as we could have hoped. Which is a relief; I must admit, even as I saw Mike on the floor working, even before I knew it was Peggy, even before that initial shock gave way to action, part of me wondered if somebody hadn't just died in our sanctuary, part of me started to go down the "what if" road. Wondering how, as a pastor, to handle that situation.
But, as I said, in the end I was impressed by the way our people reacted, the way the Body worked together to care for Peggy, to care for the kids, to care for each other. It was a blessing to witness.
And it was a good chance to see guys like Mike and Sean in their element. Pastors are trained to do a lot of things; emergency medical response is not usually one of those things. But right where my gifting and training come to a screeching halt, there were our guys, used to this sort of thing, trained and capable to manage the situation. And it was a thing of beauty to seem them in action. I thank God that they were in the service today.
Really, I was left even more thankful for all our people, their quick response of prayer and action, their hearts in carrying on to worship, their sensitivity and care for the moment. While I would never wish for this sort of thing to happen again, I was blessed to go through it with this group of Lakebay people. And I think Peggy would admit there was no better place for this to happen, no better people to have around her when this occurred. And a good God watching over it all, orchestrating a beautiful morning out of what could have been a disaster.
Somewhere about the bridge ("and all the powers of darkness tremble at what they just heard") I noticed a small commotion over there on the right side, about 1/2 way back. People jumping over pews, people clearing out space, people diving to the floor.
"Either a kid crawling around under people's feet," I thought to myself, "or we have a medical emergency on our hands."
Turned out to be the latter. Peggy was on the floor, having a seizure.
What happened next was quite amazing to witness. Right behind Peggy was Mike, a senior chief with the Gig Harbor fire department, a man trained in rescue response, a man used to dealing with just these situations. He was there in an instant. Across the aisle was Sean, a member of our own Key Peninsula FD 16, a man also trained in emergency response. He was there right after Mike. Peggy couldn't have asked for better medical care in that moment.
At the same time, Tracy recognized that this was no place for kids, and so quickly rounded up the children and herded them downstairs. While someone else was on the phone to 911. While Doug was on the phone with Peggy's brother. While Mike S. was out on the street to guide the EMTs in. While Duncan was leading the congregation in prayer.
And another blessing in the moment - Peggy had been standing right next to Harvey and Carla, two of the strongest prayer warriors I know. So while Mike and Sean worked to care for Peggy, Harvey and Carla and the rest were deep in prayer, seeking God's healing hand as well.
And, if I may interject my own self into the story. . .I found myself, the pastor, with pretty much nothing to do. The people were taking care of all that needed to be done, and it was to me to let them serve as God had gifted them all. It was a little disconcerting to find myself task-less, and yet it was beautiful to watch the Body in action.
The EMTs arrived (all friends and co-workers of Sean's), Peggy was loaded onto the stretcher and taken out to the awaiting ambulance, pews were put back into place, Duncan and I quickly conferred and decided to switch songs around ("On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" seemed appropriate), and we carried on.
Between Mike and Sean, I ascertained that Peggy was stable and somewhat conscious on the way out, so it seemed the crisis had passed; thus, we were able to bring assurance to the congregation; still, coming back from such an emotional, shocking place took some time. I'm still wondering what our visitors thought about the whole thing.
The good news is that I visited Peggy in the hospital later yesterday evening, and she was stable and alert, so it appears everything ended as well as we could have hoped. Which is a relief; I must admit, even as I saw Mike on the floor working, even before I knew it was Peggy, even before that initial shock gave way to action, part of me wondered if somebody hadn't just died in our sanctuary, part of me started to go down the "what if" road. Wondering how, as a pastor, to handle that situation.
But, as I said, in the end I was impressed by the way our people reacted, the way the Body worked together to care for Peggy, to care for the kids, to care for each other. It was a blessing to witness.
And it was a good chance to see guys like Mike and Sean in their element. Pastors are trained to do a lot of things; emergency medical response is not usually one of those things. But right where my gifting and training come to a screeching halt, there were our guys, used to this sort of thing, trained and capable to manage the situation. And it was a thing of beauty to seem them in action. I thank God that they were in the service today.
Really, I was left even more thankful for all our people, their quick response of prayer and action, their hearts in carrying on to worship, their sensitivity and care for the moment. While I would never wish for this sort of thing to happen again, I was blessed to go through it with this group of Lakebay people. And I think Peggy would admit there was no better place for this to happen, no better people to have around her when this occurred. And a good God watching over it all, orchestrating a beautiful morning out of what could have been a disaster.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Something's messed up
I sent our church email newsletter out the other day, and a whole bunch came back to me as undeliverable. I tried again to all those that came back, but was rejected again. And all are either netzero or juno addresses.
So, if you didn't get the newsletter, and if you have a netzero or juno address, you may need to adjust your spam filter to let me through. Otherwise, you'll miss all that exciting information every week.
So, if you didn't get the newsletter, and if you have a netzero or juno address, you may need to adjust your spam filter to let me through. Otherwise, you'll miss all that exciting information every week.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Surprises in Worship
In case you missed it yesterday. . .
We were in the midst of our great boom-chuck medley, coming out of "I'm gonna sing, sing, sing" and going into "I'll Fly Away." During rehearsal, we had clearly worked out that, at this transition, I was to take the mandolin break. So I lept into my solo. . .and Holly kept on singing. And the congregation did, too. During my solo.
So. . .there I stood, concentrating on the fingerboard, working out the solo, all the while thinking "Now what do we do? Do they forget the solo? Will Duncan come back around and go into the instrumental section after the chorus? What's going on?"
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Duncan edging toward me. Was he trying to tell me something? Were we going to make a change on the fly? So I glanced at him (all the while still furiously playing "I'll Fly Away"), but couldn't make sense of what he was saying. I looked beyond him at Holly, wondering if maybe she and Duncan had decided to jump ahead with the song, or if she simply forgot in the moment, or if she just felt the people were ready to go on and so kept singing. . .but couldn't get a read on her.
I don't mind flexibility, you know. In fact, I think the best bands/worship teams are the ones that can communicate on the fly, and make changes as the moment needs. But this was my big mandolin solo. And my poor brain was trying too hard to process both the solo and the unexpected singing.
All that happened in the verse. We hit the chorus and I gave up, going back to playing rhythm, jumping in with the bgvs. . .and finally looked out at the congregation. It was a sea of white.
A few weeks ago we sang another gospel song - I think it was "When We All Get to Heaven." And everybody was hootin' and hollerin' and stompin' and clappin'. It reminded me of a day on choir tour, a stop in Houston, when the choir launched into "I'll Fly Away" and all the ladies in the congregation whipped out their hankies and started dancing and waving them in the air. It was a wonderful, fun, inspiring moment. It was pure joy.
So, sometime that morning a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I had this dream that someday I'd be in a church where all the ladies would wave their hankies when the music started rockin' and the Spirit started movin'.
Apparently, somebody took that to heart. Somehow, unbeknownst to me, they handed out white napkins to everybody and told them to whip them out at "I'll Fly Away," waving them in the air. Which they all dutifully, and joyously, did.
Of course, I missed it, lost in my confusion over the missed mandolin break. At least, I missed that moment when they all came out. I didn't catch on until 30 seconds had passed.
But when I looked up, ready to dive into the chorus, there they all were, waving their 'hankies' and having a lot of fun in the moment. And worship was joyful and the singing was ecstatic and it was a moment nobody will forget.
The cool thing was, they did it through the rest of the medley. It wasn't just "well, we surprised Dan so let's put them away because we all look silly." Nope, they just kept waving and hootin' and stompin' and laughing and smiling and singing, all the way to the end.
Last week I challenged our church board with the thought that we need to have more fun. We need to laugh more. We ought to be marked by joy and excitement, not dreariness and too much seriousness.
But that's the problem with challenging people. They take you seriously, and you end up with a crowd waving napkins in worship.
And I was happy. And, if I may say so, I think God was pleased.
So to whoever came up with that crazy idea, and whoever implemented it, thanks. It meant a lot to me.
We were in the midst of our great boom-chuck medley, coming out of "I'm gonna sing, sing, sing" and going into "I'll Fly Away." During rehearsal, we had clearly worked out that, at this transition, I was to take the mandolin break. So I lept into my solo. . .and Holly kept on singing. And the congregation did, too. During my solo.
So. . .there I stood, concentrating on the fingerboard, working out the solo, all the while thinking "Now what do we do? Do they forget the solo? Will Duncan come back around and go into the instrumental section after the chorus? What's going on?"
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Duncan edging toward me. Was he trying to tell me something? Were we going to make a change on the fly? So I glanced at him (all the while still furiously playing "I'll Fly Away"), but couldn't make sense of what he was saying. I looked beyond him at Holly, wondering if maybe she and Duncan had decided to jump ahead with the song, or if she simply forgot in the moment, or if she just felt the people were ready to go on and so kept singing. . .but couldn't get a read on her.
I don't mind flexibility, you know. In fact, I think the best bands/worship teams are the ones that can communicate on the fly, and make changes as the moment needs. But this was my big mandolin solo. And my poor brain was trying too hard to process both the solo and the unexpected singing.
All that happened in the verse. We hit the chorus and I gave up, going back to playing rhythm, jumping in with the bgvs. . .and finally looked out at the congregation. It was a sea of white.
A few weeks ago we sang another gospel song - I think it was "When We All Get to Heaven." And everybody was hootin' and hollerin' and stompin' and clappin'. It reminded me of a day on choir tour, a stop in Houston, when the choir launched into "I'll Fly Away" and all the ladies in the congregation whipped out their hankies and started dancing and waving them in the air. It was a wonderful, fun, inspiring moment. It was pure joy.
So, sometime that morning a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I had this dream that someday I'd be in a church where all the ladies would wave their hankies when the music started rockin' and the Spirit started movin'.
Apparently, somebody took that to heart. Somehow, unbeknownst to me, they handed out white napkins to everybody and told them to whip them out at "I'll Fly Away," waving them in the air. Which they all dutifully, and joyously, did.
Of course, I missed it, lost in my confusion over the missed mandolin break. At least, I missed that moment when they all came out. I didn't catch on until 30 seconds had passed.
But when I looked up, ready to dive into the chorus, there they all were, waving their 'hankies' and having a lot of fun in the moment. And worship was joyful and the singing was ecstatic and it was a moment nobody will forget.
The cool thing was, they did it through the rest of the medley. It wasn't just "well, we surprised Dan so let's put them away because we all look silly." Nope, they just kept waving and hootin' and stompin' and laughing and smiling and singing, all the way to the end.
Last week I challenged our church board with the thought that we need to have more fun. We need to laugh more. We ought to be marked by joy and excitement, not dreariness and too much seriousness.
But that's the problem with challenging people. They take you seriously, and you end up with a crowd waving napkins in worship.
And I was happy. And, if I may say so, I think God was pleased.
So to whoever came up with that crazy idea, and whoever implemented it, thanks. It meant a lot to me.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Peaceful Morning
I wandered out this morning to put some scraps on the compost pile; as I walked across the driveway I heard a crunching in the forest to the south.
I wandered over to the edge and peered into the trees, where I saw three deer making their way through the brush down our gulley. The mom and little one glanced up but continued on, the father kept his eyes on me until the others were safely beyond a small ridge. He and I stared at each other for five minutes, neither moving, neither feeling the need to end the moment.
But I had kids to get to school, and so I flinched first, walking back to finish the compost job and pick a few ripe tomatoes on the way back.
It was a peaceful, magical moment, and another reminder of why I'm glad we moved out into the woods, on the peninsula, across the water from the Big City.
___
On another note, today was a momentous day - Clara's first day of preschool. And so it begins. And so it ends.
I wandered over to the edge and peered into the trees, where I saw three deer making their way through the brush down our gulley. The mom and little one glanced up but continued on, the father kept his eyes on me until the others were safely beyond a small ridge. He and I stared at each other for five minutes, neither moving, neither feeling the need to end the moment.
But I had kids to get to school, and so I flinched first, walking back to finish the compost job and pick a few ripe tomatoes on the way back.
It was a peaceful, magical moment, and another reminder of why I'm glad we moved out into the woods, on the peninsula, across the water from the Big City.
___
On another note, today was a momentous day - Clara's first day of preschool. And so it begins. And so it ends.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
bikini coffee stands
It was reported in the most recent online edition of the KP News that the Key Peninsula area now has not one, not two, but three new coffee stands, all in the 'bikini barista' tradition.
Considering we had none of those just a few short months ago, the change is dramatic. (note: one of these stands, Bare Espresso, had a brief opening run and now appears to be closed again. I heard through the grapevine it has something to do with a lawsuit against the former owner, but have no personal knowledge to corroborate that story).
It would be easy to become offended at this point; in fact, most might expect we Christians to get our noses out of joint, to become righteously indignant about the decay in morals in our society. It would be all too easy to go Church-Lady on these new establishments. But, no, I'm not going to be offended. I'm not going to thump my Bible over anybody's head.
Instead I'm going to simply be honest, and say that I am utterly disgusted at the thought of these places doing business, here on the KP or anywhere else.
"Why are you so disgusted?" you ask.
There are primarily two reasons:
1) I respect women. I'm glad I live in a day when women are rising to some of the highest areas of leadership in our country. I'm glad to serve in a church that believes in full equal leadership rights and responsibilities for women. I believe women, like men, are created in the image of God, and are worthy of full respect. But even there, quite often 'respect' carries the wrong connotations. It can sound borderline patronizing. To put it simply, in God's eyes, women are the equal of men. And I'm glad I live in a world that is finally recognizing that.
To carry it a step further, believing that women are created in the image of God is also to believe they have enormous, immeasurable intrinsic worth. God's image is shown in their intellect, in their wisdom, in their leadership skills. Both women and men come to the table carrying around the image of God. We do well when we show each other respect and honor as humans created by, cherished by, loved by, and honored by our God.
All rhetoric aside, bikini coffee stands take us back to an uglier world, where a woman's primary worth is her attractiveness to men. Now, two of the managers of these new stands either lied or are just clueless, because they tried to deflect this view. "Don't be judgmental because of the bikinis,” [one] said. “The girls are nice, but our business is coffee." Sure. Go with that.
At least one of the owners was honest. "The girls will be our big draw," said Matthew, the owner. "And we aren't going to hide them. We'll have a four-foot by four-foot window to put them on display."
It is obvious to anybody paying attention that there is a backlash, a dumbing-down, if you will, against many of the gains made by women in the last 50 years. For every Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton who have risen to Secretary of State, there is a Paris Hilton or Britney Spears, plummeting right back to the world where sex appeal and 'dumb blonde' is a badge of honor. For every serious female actor, working hard at garnering respect for her craft, there are hundreds of girls getting their 15 minutes of fame in a Girls Gone Wild video. For every image calling my daughters to find their worth in their mind, in their creativity, in their skills, there are too many more reminding them it's all worthless unless they look and act hot and available.
And lest you think I would promote a world devoid of physical attraction and admiration, I would add in the many marvelous examples of female athletes. WNBA stars, track and field champions, swimmers and gymnasts, tennis players and soccer players can all be admired for "their bodies." Not as primarily sexual creatures, but as powerful athletes who have created wondrous athletic machines with the bodies God has given them.
So why am I disgusted by bikini coffee stands? Because they stand as one more reminder to women that their worth is in their cleavage and their flat stomach, and (I'm assuming here), their ability to flirt with the men who drive through. And because they once again reinforce to the men who drive by the thought that women exist for their pleasure; that women are to be admired because of their sexuality, their bodies, and the way (I'm assuming here) these women flirt with them as they drive through.
Because, in the end, I highly doubt any guy's going to drive away from Smoking Hot Espresso thinking, "Wow, I admire her for her understanding of the geo-political situation in Central America." I even doubt most will drive away thinking "Wow, I admire the way she brews a cup of coffee."
2) I like sex. But I also happen to have a very high view of sex. To do the briefest of theological sketches, humanity (male and female) were (are) created in the image of God, and that image finds fulfillment in the sexual union. Genesis says the sexual union creates "one flesh." Paul use the sexual union of husband and wife as the model for Christ's union with the Church. He also goes so far as to say even fleeting dalliances with a prostitute creates a spiritual union between the partners. The church's aversion to sexual immorality and the cheapening of sex is not borne out of overly-sensitive sensibilities or old-fashioned, victorian aversions to anything tawdry, but instead out of a grander, more incredible vision of sexuality than anything the world can imagine. There is an incredible spiritual component to sexuality.
(btw - if I had more time and space I'd work that out to include all male-female relationships, not just the sexual act itself. This is not just the plane of the sexually-active; I think there is a component of healthy male-female friendship that exists even when there isn't sexual activity. But that's for another time and place).
Thus, any cheapening of sexuality is a cheapening of the deepest part of our very selves. Any divorcing of sexuality from true, abiding friendship and relationship does damage to who we are as humans.
And any usage of sexuality as an advertising ploy does great harm to our souls. And, no, it's not just bikini espresso stands. It's also Burger King and their "Paris Hilton washes a car" ads. It's the beer ads promising instant sexual satisfaction from hot girls (or guys) for all who drink their product. It's any and all advertisement that use sex as a gimmick. In fact, it's anytime anywhere in our culture when the sexual act is removed from a committed relationship, be it movie, music, or television. When we take what is perhaps the highest, most intimate connection between human beings, an act that goes back to the highest point in pre-fall creation, and turn it into "just sex," we deny ourselves as Human and move down the ladder to pure animal.
In other words, if you use sex, especially 'hot female sexuality" to sell your coffee, you are cheapening sex, and damaging your employees and customers by denying their humanity, their worth, and their ability to truly stand as whole, healthy human beings, knowing and being known by others in respect and true love.
That's why I'm disgusted with these bikini espresso stands. Not because I'm offended by sex, not because I'm frightened of female sexuality. Instead, it's because these places at their core cheapen women, turning them into one-dimensional caricatures for the enjoyment of so many men, and because they cheapen sex, the very thing they play on to draw the customers in.
One final thought: At this point, some would say "live and let live. If you don't like it, don't shop there. Don't judge others, don't foist your morality on others." Fair enough. Except for this: what these stands do cheapens all of us, it cheapens our community, it cheapens the lives of everybody out here. If I lived on the beach, and a mile or so down the beach a company was dumping raw sewage into the water, I wouldn't settle with "live and let live." What they do "up there" affects the environment down here. Any, be it bikini espresso stand owners or TV producers who use sex as advertisement, as ratings-producer, ultimately affect the larger culture. Even if I choose to ignore it, to turn off the TV, to drive by the espresso stand without stopping, those things still end up altering the world in which I, and my friends and family, live. So while I don't plan on standing outside with protest signs, I certainly do hope others will take all this to heart, and, eventually, these places either shut down or change their business practices. After all, we've got plenty of other coffee stands that are doing just fine without putting their girls in bikinis, tassels, and pasties.
Considering we had none of those just a few short months ago, the change is dramatic. (note: one of these stands, Bare Espresso, had a brief opening run and now appears to be closed again. I heard through the grapevine it has something to do with a lawsuit against the former owner, but have no personal knowledge to corroborate that story).
It would be easy to become offended at this point; in fact, most might expect we Christians to get our noses out of joint, to become righteously indignant about the decay in morals in our society. It would be all too easy to go Church-Lady on these new establishments. But, no, I'm not going to be offended. I'm not going to thump my Bible over anybody's head.
Instead I'm going to simply be honest, and say that I am utterly disgusted at the thought of these places doing business, here on the KP or anywhere else.
"Why are you so disgusted?" you ask.
There are primarily two reasons:
1) I respect women. I'm glad I live in a day when women are rising to some of the highest areas of leadership in our country. I'm glad to serve in a church that believes in full equal leadership rights and responsibilities for women. I believe women, like men, are created in the image of God, and are worthy of full respect. But even there, quite often 'respect' carries the wrong connotations. It can sound borderline patronizing. To put it simply, in God's eyes, women are the equal of men. And I'm glad I live in a world that is finally recognizing that.
To carry it a step further, believing that women are created in the image of God is also to believe they have enormous, immeasurable intrinsic worth. God's image is shown in their intellect, in their wisdom, in their leadership skills. Both women and men come to the table carrying around the image of God. We do well when we show each other respect and honor as humans created by, cherished by, loved by, and honored by our God.
All rhetoric aside, bikini coffee stands take us back to an uglier world, where a woman's primary worth is her attractiveness to men. Now, two of the managers of these new stands either lied or are just clueless, because they tried to deflect this view. "Don't be judgmental because of the bikinis,” [one] said. “The girls are nice, but our business is coffee." Sure. Go with that.
At least one of the owners was honest. "The girls will be our big draw," said Matthew, the owner. "And we aren't going to hide them. We'll have a four-foot by four-foot window to put them on display."
It is obvious to anybody paying attention that there is a backlash, a dumbing-down, if you will, against many of the gains made by women in the last 50 years. For every Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton who have risen to Secretary of State, there is a Paris Hilton or Britney Spears, plummeting right back to the world where sex appeal and 'dumb blonde' is a badge of honor. For every serious female actor, working hard at garnering respect for her craft, there are hundreds of girls getting their 15 minutes of fame in a Girls Gone Wild video. For every image calling my daughters to find their worth in their mind, in their creativity, in their skills, there are too many more reminding them it's all worthless unless they look and act hot and available.
And lest you think I would promote a world devoid of physical attraction and admiration, I would add in the many marvelous examples of female athletes. WNBA stars, track and field champions, swimmers and gymnasts, tennis players and soccer players can all be admired for "their bodies." Not as primarily sexual creatures, but as powerful athletes who have created wondrous athletic machines with the bodies God has given them.
So why am I disgusted by bikini coffee stands? Because they stand as one more reminder to women that their worth is in their cleavage and their flat stomach, and (I'm assuming here), their ability to flirt with the men who drive through. And because they once again reinforce to the men who drive by the thought that women exist for their pleasure; that women are to be admired because of their sexuality, their bodies, and the way (I'm assuming here) these women flirt with them as they drive through.
Because, in the end, I highly doubt any guy's going to drive away from Smoking Hot Espresso thinking, "Wow, I admire her for her understanding of the geo-political situation in Central America." I even doubt most will drive away thinking "Wow, I admire the way she brews a cup of coffee."
2) I like sex. But I also happen to have a very high view of sex. To do the briefest of theological sketches, humanity (male and female) were (are) created in the image of God, and that image finds fulfillment in the sexual union. Genesis says the sexual union creates "one flesh." Paul use the sexual union of husband and wife as the model for Christ's union with the Church. He also goes so far as to say even fleeting dalliances with a prostitute creates a spiritual union between the partners. The church's aversion to sexual immorality and the cheapening of sex is not borne out of overly-sensitive sensibilities or old-fashioned, victorian aversions to anything tawdry, but instead out of a grander, more incredible vision of sexuality than anything the world can imagine. There is an incredible spiritual component to sexuality.
(btw - if I had more time and space I'd work that out to include all male-female relationships, not just the sexual act itself. This is not just the plane of the sexually-active; I think there is a component of healthy male-female friendship that exists even when there isn't sexual activity. But that's for another time and place).
Thus, any cheapening of sexuality is a cheapening of the deepest part of our very selves. Any divorcing of sexuality from true, abiding friendship and relationship does damage to who we are as humans.
And any usage of sexuality as an advertising ploy does great harm to our souls. And, no, it's not just bikini espresso stands. It's also Burger King and their "Paris Hilton washes a car" ads. It's the beer ads promising instant sexual satisfaction from hot girls (or guys) for all who drink their product. It's any and all advertisement that use sex as a gimmick. In fact, it's anytime anywhere in our culture when the sexual act is removed from a committed relationship, be it movie, music, or television. When we take what is perhaps the highest, most intimate connection between human beings, an act that goes back to the highest point in pre-fall creation, and turn it into "just sex," we deny ourselves as Human and move down the ladder to pure animal.
In other words, if you use sex, especially 'hot female sexuality" to sell your coffee, you are cheapening sex, and damaging your employees and customers by denying their humanity, their worth, and their ability to truly stand as whole, healthy human beings, knowing and being known by others in respect and true love.
That's why I'm disgusted with these bikini espresso stands. Not because I'm offended by sex, not because I'm frightened of female sexuality. Instead, it's because these places at their core cheapen women, turning them into one-dimensional caricatures for the enjoyment of so many men, and because they cheapen sex, the very thing they play on to draw the customers in.
One final thought: At this point, some would say "live and let live. If you don't like it, don't shop there. Don't judge others, don't foist your morality on others." Fair enough. Except for this: what these stands do cheapens all of us, it cheapens our community, it cheapens the lives of everybody out here. If I lived on the beach, and a mile or so down the beach a company was dumping raw sewage into the water, I wouldn't settle with "live and let live." What they do "up there" affects the environment down here. Any, be it bikini espresso stand owners or TV producers who use sex as advertisement, as ratings-producer, ultimately affect the larger culture. Even if I choose to ignore it, to turn off the TV, to drive by the espresso stand without stopping, those things still end up altering the world in which I, and my friends and family, live. So while I don't plan on standing outside with protest signs, I certainly do hope others will take all this to heart, and, eventually, these places either shut down or change their business practices. After all, we've got plenty of other coffee stands that are doing just fine without putting their girls in bikinis, tassels, and pasties.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Heavy Day
Dawn Martin is an important part of our church. Yesterday, her sister tragically died from complications of swine flu. Adding to the tragedy is the fact that, while in a coma, Katie delivered a baby daughter who she never had the chance to meet.
Watch the video - it tells the story well. And if you have a chance, pray for the family, and consider making a donation as a sign of love and support.
Lord, have mercy.
Watch the video - it tells the story well. And if you have a chance, pray for the family, and consider making a donation as a sign of love and support.
Lord, have mercy.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Church Changes
I was updating our church website the other day - not any sort of major overhaul, just checking on some of the links, making sure they still work.
On the list of "area churches," I used to have quite a few. At last check, there were seven. But in this past month, Community Bible Fellowship moved their operations over to Gig Harbor, giving up on their plan to build their own meeting center up along the highway (ironically, directly across the street from where somebody just opened up one of "those kinds" of coffee places). And, in following links, I discovered the Presbyterian Church moved off the Peninsula and in to Gig Harbor, as well. In addition, one of the local churches down here in our area no longer seems to have a website; I'm not sure if that reflects on the state of their congregation or not.
So, as far as online presence goes, there seem to be only four of us here on the Peninsula. As far as 'real' presence, I know of a couple others (Lakebay Assembly and the Historic Vaughn Church), plus I hear stories of a number of little house churches out here. But it does change the tone of the conversation about ministry out here on the KP; fewer houses of worship, fewer Kingdom members rooted in this land doing the work of being salt and light. But I have this sneaking suspicion God hasn't up and left, even if the presence of his people is less visible.
On the list of "area churches," I used to have quite a few. At last check, there were seven. But in this past month, Community Bible Fellowship moved their operations over to Gig Harbor, giving up on their plan to build their own meeting center up along the highway (ironically, directly across the street from where somebody just opened up one of "those kinds" of coffee places). And, in following links, I discovered the Presbyterian Church moved off the Peninsula and in to Gig Harbor, as well. In addition, one of the local churches down here in our area no longer seems to have a website; I'm not sure if that reflects on the state of their congregation or not.
So, as far as online presence goes, there seem to be only four of us here on the Peninsula. As far as 'real' presence, I know of a couple others (Lakebay Assembly and the Historic Vaughn Church), plus I hear stories of a number of little house churches out here. But it does change the tone of the conversation about ministry out here on the KP; fewer houses of worship, fewer Kingdom members rooted in this land doing the work of being salt and light. But I have this sneaking suspicion God hasn't up and left, even if the presence of his people is less visible.
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