In case your screen is in need of cleaning, here's a special service for cleaning it off.
http://www.actrix.co.nz/special/cyberclean.html
Give it a try - it worked for us!
Thanks, Heather
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Danger of Asking for Input
Back in the day I used to occasionally turn our youth group meetings into Question-And-Answer periods. Rather than preparing a lesson, I would open up the floor and allow the kids to ask whatever they wanted, and I'd attempt to lead the group toward an answer.
In many ways, it was a no-brainer, because the kids always asked two questions. Sure, they asked a lot of questions, but in the end, they were always about the same two things:
1) Sex
2) Other religions
And I knew enough to be able to answer those questions. "How far is too far?" "Why does the church make such a big deal about sex before marriage?" "If my girlfriend and I 'did it,' does that mean we're going to hell?" and, finally, "my friend's a Mormon. Is he going to hell?"
Everything came back to that.
So a few months ago I decided to spend a couple weeks preaching in a Q&A format. We're in between series, so I thought it would be nice to let the congregation set the direction by asking me some questions. I'm not the first pastor to do this, so I can't take credit for any originality here. I just thought it would be a nice change from the normal "Dan decides what to preach on and then he preaches on it" routine. Besides, these things are pretty easy, so I would have extra time to prepare the upcoming series, as well as taking care of some other stuff around here.
Nope.
Not this church.
Nothing easy here.
"Perhaps you could speak to refute Marcionism."
"How can I be completely contented when my loved ones are spending eternity in hell?"
"Who are the 'spirits kept in prison' in 1 Peter 3:19?"
"Is God a Republican?"
"Why do some people live perfectly happy lives, while others go through virtual hell every day?"
"Jesus only suffered for a few hours - how does that compare to those who spend years in excruciating pain and suffering?"
In fact, not one question about sex or other religions. Answering these questions has taken twice as long as my normal sermon preparation.
I guess I should be happy - I serve a thinking church who wrestle with deep issues. But how am I supposed to come across as the "expert" when I can't answer 1/2 of their questions?
I need to go back and preach on stuff I know. It's a lot less complicated.
(note - that last little bit is completely tongue in cheek, in case you didn't get that)
In many ways, it was a no-brainer, because the kids always asked two questions. Sure, they asked a lot of questions, but in the end, they were always about the same two things:
1) Sex
2) Other religions
And I knew enough to be able to answer those questions. "How far is too far?" "Why does the church make such a big deal about sex before marriage?" "If my girlfriend and I 'did it,' does that mean we're going to hell?" and, finally, "my friend's a Mormon. Is he going to hell?"
Everything came back to that.
So a few months ago I decided to spend a couple weeks preaching in a Q&A format. We're in between series, so I thought it would be nice to let the congregation set the direction by asking me some questions. I'm not the first pastor to do this, so I can't take credit for any originality here. I just thought it would be a nice change from the normal "Dan decides what to preach on and then he preaches on it" routine. Besides, these things are pretty easy, so I would have extra time to prepare the upcoming series, as well as taking care of some other stuff around here.
Nope.
Not this church.
Nothing easy here.
"Perhaps you could speak to refute Marcionism."
"How can I be completely contented when my loved ones are spending eternity in hell?"
"Who are the 'spirits kept in prison' in 1 Peter 3:19?"
"Is God a Republican?"
"Why do some people live perfectly happy lives, while others go through virtual hell every day?"
"Jesus only suffered for a few hours - how does that compare to those who spend years in excruciating pain and suffering?"
In fact, not one question about sex or other religions. Answering these questions has taken twice as long as my normal sermon preparation.
I guess I should be happy - I serve a thinking church who wrestle with deep issues. But how am I supposed to come across as the "expert" when I can't answer 1/2 of their questions?
I need to go back and preach on stuff I know. It's a lot less complicated.
(note - that last little bit is completely tongue in cheek, in case you didn't get that)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
God wants you to vote for _____!
It's generally a fact that churches don't endorse candidates. For one, it can be dangerous, since a lot of churches are made up of people who disagree on political issues. If a church were to officially endorse a candidate, it would risk dividing many of its constituents.
For another, it's illegal. Churches, as non-profit entities, are not allowed to officially endorse any candidate or position. To make such an endorsement, the church would risk losing its non-profit status with the US Government. And since many churches barely make it by as it is, to add a tax burden might just kill other viable ministries.
For yet another, things aren't always as cut-and-dried as they seem. There is hardly ever one candidate who fits every issue Christians believe is important. Pick the issue - abortion, marriage, immigration, care for the poor and elderly, environmental concerns, the economy, war, the death penalty. . .just try to come to a consensus among any group on ALL those issues, and then try to find a candidate who lines up exactly with your group on all those issues. You can't. So then you have to pick and choose exactly which of those issues should take precedence over the others, and try to find a candidate who is closest to the issues you think are important. It's not an easy task.
And for yet another, many believe the church needs to maintain some separation from the political process. God is bigger than any political party, God is bigger than the United States. So many churches want to get their people focusing on more important things. Vote, yes - it's your honor and duty. Be informed, yes - we should all pay attention and do our part to vote as our conscience guides us. But rather than being swamped by partisan politics, churches will focus on carrying out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, preaching the Gospel and feeding the hungry and fighting for the poor and marginalized and working for the Kingdom, rather than wading directly into the political pool.
Of course, astute readers will note there's a bit of a wink-wink nudge-nudge going on here. While churches may not make official endorsements, about this time every few years we're inundated with "Voter's Guides" produced by the Right-to-Life League, the Defense of Marriage League, the Christians for Environmental Awareness Association. Slick, full color pamphlets that don't make official endorsements, yet are clearly laid out in such a way to show which candidate most clearly fits their agenda. A few years ago, when I was still in Turlock, somebody showed up during a Sunday morning worship service and stuck copies of these voter guides on all the cars in the parking lot. To read the pamphlet was to get the clear idea that God only voted Republican. I had the youth group remove the flyers before anybody else saw them.
And, of course, every year at this time we're treated to news footage of the leading democratic candidate preaching at a church service of the First African Episcopal Methodist Church of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago. While these churches don't necessarily "endorse" a candidate, you get the feeling they are certainly "suggesting" the candidate they would most like to see in office. and so it goes. Churches may subtly make their feelings known, but generally don't come out and make official pronouncements.
Only this year, a group is trying to change that. According to an article in the LA Times, "Christian ministers from California and 21 other states will use their pulpits Sunday to deliver political sermons or endorse presidential candidates -- defying a federal ban on campaigning by nonprofit groups."
Their hope is to trigger an investigation by the IRS, which (they hope) would lead to a reversal of the law barring churches from endorsing candidates. By challenging the law, they hope to bring attention to it. And their long-term plan is to "'restore the right of each pastor to speak scriptural truth from the pulpit' without losing a church's tax-exempt status."
Personally, I think sometimes we've hidden behind our tax-exempt status and made it an excuse to not engage in politics. It really does make it easy for pastors to say "well, I can't make any endorsements, because it's against the law." The Church does have a prophetic voice, and it needs to make that voice clear in the U.S. Just last night I told a few people "Maybe we need to give up that tax exempt status, in order to regain our rightful place as prophet to a secular society." So I can applaud, somewhat, the general idea at work here.
What I can't applaud is the way they're going about it. Take this, for instance:
"I'm going to talk about the un-biblical stands that Barack Obama takes. Nobody who follows the Bible can vote for him," said the Rev. Wiley S. Drake of First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park. "We may not be politically correct, but we are going to be biblically correct. We are going to vote for those who follow the Bible."
See, that's where these things fall apart. There's an underlying assumption here that McCain is somehow the only Biblical candidate, that there is a direct correlation between Biblical Truth and the positions of John McCain. (To be fair, I'm assuming that, in attacking Obama, Drake is back-handedly endorsing McCain. Perhaps he'll endorse a third party instead?) But this line of "Nobody who follows the Bible can vote for him" is not just an attack on Obama, but an attack on thousands (hundreds of thousands? Millions?) of Christians who will, in fact, vote for Obama. Because their Biblical Issues are different than the chosen Biblical Issues of the Rev. Drake. Issues like caring for the poor and the elderly, issues like ending the war in Iraq, issues like justice in the marketplace - to many Christians those Biblical Issues are every bit as important as abortion and gay marriage.
You see, it's one thing to say "In the end, we believe ____ best fits the bill for how we see God working in the world, and therefore we endorse him." It's a completely other thing to say "God wants you to vote for _____." In fact, I hate to break it to the Rev. Drake, but I'm not sure there are ANY candidates who "follow the Bible." At least not like he means.
So I'm all for carrying on this discussion about whether or not Churches should be able to endorse candidates; I'd even be up for discussing the disadvantages that come with our tax exempt status. I'd just like to see some level of adult discourse and wisdom on the subject, rather than political bombshells dropped into the pool of media bites. I'd like to see the church enter into discourse about just how we might best have a voice in the United States of America. As a Christian and pastor, I'd certainly like to see Biblical values remain at the forefront of political discussion. But we need to figure out how to do that without becoming just one more shill for any particular party.
What do you think?
For another, it's illegal. Churches, as non-profit entities, are not allowed to officially endorse any candidate or position. To make such an endorsement, the church would risk losing its non-profit status with the US Government. And since many churches barely make it by as it is, to add a tax burden might just kill other viable ministries.
For yet another, things aren't always as cut-and-dried as they seem. There is hardly ever one candidate who fits every issue Christians believe is important. Pick the issue - abortion, marriage, immigration, care for the poor and elderly, environmental concerns, the economy, war, the death penalty. . .just try to come to a consensus among any group on ALL those issues, and then try to find a candidate who lines up exactly with your group on all those issues. You can't. So then you have to pick and choose exactly which of those issues should take precedence over the others, and try to find a candidate who is closest to the issues you think are important. It's not an easy task.
And for yet another, many believe the church needs to maintain some separation from the political process. God is bigger than any political party, God is bigger than the United States. So many churches want to get their people focusing on more important things. Vote, yes - it's your honor and duty. Be informed, yes - we should all pay attention and do our part to vote as our conscience guides us. But rather than being swamped by partisan politics, churches will focus on carrying out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, preaching the Gospel and feeding the hungry and fighting for the poor and marginalized and working for the Kingdom, rather than wading directly into the political pool.
Of course, astute readers will note there's a bit of a wink-wink nudge-nudge going on here. While churches may not make official endorsements, about this time every few years we're inundated with "Voter's Guides" produced by the Right-to-Life League, the Defense of Marriage League, the Christians for Environmental Awareness Association. Slick, full color pamphlets that don't make official endorsements, yet are clearly laid out in such a way to show which candidate most clearly fits their agenda. A few years ago, when I was still in Turlock, somebody showed up during a Sunday morning worship service and stuck copies of these voter guides on all the cars in the parking lot. To read the pamphlet was to get the clear idea that God only voted Republican. I had the youth group remove the flyers before anybody else saw them.
And, of course, every year at this time we're treated to news footage of the leading democratic candidate preaching at a church service of the First African Episcopal Methodist Church of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago. While these churches don't necessarily "endorse" a candidate, you get the feeling they are certainly "suggesting" the candidate they would most like to see in office. and so it goes. Churches may subtly make their feelings known, but generally don't come out and make official pronouncements.
Only this year, a group is trying to change that. According to an article in the LA Times, "Christian ministers from California and 21 other states will use their pulpits Sunday to deliver political sermons or endorse presidential candidates -- defying a federal ban on campaigning by nonprofit groups."
Their hope is to trigger an investigation by the IRS, which (they hope) would lead to a reversal of the law barring churches from endorsing candidates. By challenging the law, they hope to bring attention to it. And their long-term plan is to "'restore the right of each pastor to speak scriptural truth from the pulpit' without losing a church's tax-exempt status."
Personally, I think sometimes we've hidden behind our tax-exempt status and made it an excuse to not engage in politics. It really does make it easy for pastors to say "well, I can't make any endorsements, because it's against the law." The Church does have a prophetic voice, and it needs to make that voice clear in the U.S. Just last night I told a few people "Maybe we need to give up that tax exempt status, in order to regain our rightful place as prophet to a secular society." So I can applaud, somewhat, the general idea at work here.
What I can't applaud is the way they're going about it. Take this, for instance:
"I'm going to talk about the un-biblical stands that Barack Obama takes. Nobody who follows the Bible can vote for him," said the Rev. Wiley S. Drake of First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park. "We may not be politically correct, but we are going to be biblically correct. We are going to vote for those who follow the Bible."
See, that's where these things fall apart. There's an underlying assumption here that McCain is somehow the only Biblical candidate, that there is a direct correlation between Biblical Truth and the positions of John McCain. (To be fair, I'm assuming that, in attacking Obama, Drake is back-handedly endorsing McCain. Perhaps he'll endorse a third party instead?) But this line of "Nobody who follows the Bible can vote for him" is not just an attack on Obama, but an attack on thousands (hundreds of thousands? Millions?) of Christians who will, in fact, vote for Obama. Because their Biblical Issues are different than the chosen Biblical Issues of the Rev. Drake. Issues like caring for the poor and the elderly, issues like ending the war in Iraq, issues like justice in the marketplace - to many Christians those Biblical Issues are every bit as important as abortion and gay marriage.
You see, it's one thing to say "In the end, we believe ____ best fits the bill for how we see God working in the world, and therefore we endorse him." It's a completely other thing to say "God wants you to vote for _____." In fact, I hate to break it to the Rev. Drake, but I'm not sure there are ANY candidates who "follow the Bible." At least not like he means.
So I'm all for carrying on this discussion about whether or not Churches should be able to endorse candidates; I'd even be up for discussing the disadvantages that come with our tax exempt status. I'd just like to see some level of adult discourse and wisdom on the subject, rather than political bombshells dropped into the pool of media bites. I'd like to see the church enter into discourse about just how we might best have a voice in the United States of America. As a Christian and pastor, I'd certainly like to see Biblical values remain at the forefront of political discussion. But we need to figure out how to do that without becoming just one more shill for any particular party.
What do you think?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Fun Day at the Fair
All Aboard the Choo Choo Train
______________________________________
Clara Learns to Drive a Car
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Clara Learns to Drive a Boat
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
If you look closely, you'll note that this ride is called the "Funtastic Fahrten."
______________________________________
______________________________________
Those would be the SeaGals,
cheerleaders for the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaking of Looking Closely,
note the attentive gaze of the man on the right.
cheerleaders for the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaking of Looking Closely,
note the attentive gaze of the man on the right.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday Morning Update
The corneal transplant is a go. But it's not scheduled yet, as the surgery-scheduler was out of the office yesterday. I hope to have a date set by the end of this week.
I had a good talk with Dr. Rotkis, the man who will be performing the surgery. He says he does about 60% of all corneal transplants in the state of Washington. And that when Don Mattingly, star player for the NY Yankees, began having vision problems related to his cornea, the Yankees sent him out to meet with Dr. Rotkis for a consultation. So I think I'm in good hands.
_____
We had a nice time celebrating Karina's birthday yesterday, as well. Spent an hour or so wandering around Volunteer Park, one of the jewels in Seattle's park system. Visited the Conservatory and wondered at their cactus collection, strolled beneath the walnut trees, climbed the 100-foot-tall water tower and marveled at the view, watched artists paint masterpieces beside the reflecting pool. It was nice.
Then visited the Seattle YMCA for a short workout and chance to get spiffied up for dinner. . .
Which was at one of Seattle's finest steakhouses. We had a nice coupon, so we had a wonderful, amazing, delicious dinner (Oysters Rockefeller, NY Steak, wild mushroom risotto, caesar salad made right before our eyes, and a chocolate/raspberry ganache for dessert) for not much more than we'd usually pay at your local Applebees. What was even more fun, though, was ogling all the high-spenders around us. Like the party of 6 sitting next to us, who had, by our estimation, already spent $400 on drinks and one appetizer, before even getting to the main course (the appetizer alone was $98. . .kind of out of our price range). So much for all that news about how horrible the economy is these days.
I had a good talk with Dr. Rotkis, the man who will be performing the surgery. He says he does about 60% of all corneal transplants in the state of Washington. And that when Don Mattingly, star player for the NY Yankees, began having vision problems related to his cornea, the Yankees sent him out to meet with Dr. Rotkis for a consultation. So I think I'm in good hands.
_____
We had a nice time celebrating Karina's birthday yesterday, as well. Spent an hour or so wandering around Volunteer Park, one of the jewels in Seattle's park system. Visited the Conservatory and wondered at their cactus collection, strolled beneath the walnut trees, climbed the 100-foot-tall water tower and marveled at the view, watched artists paint masterpieces beside the reflecting pool. It was nice.
Then visited the Seattle YMCA for a short workout and chance to get spiffied up for dinner. . .
Which was at one of Seattle's finest steakhouses. We had a nice coupon, so we had a wonderful, amazing, delicious dinner (Oysters Rockefeller, NY Steak, wild mushroom risotto, caesar salad made right before our eyes, and a chocolate/raspberry ganache for dessert) for not much more than we'd usually pay at your local Applebees. What was even more fun, though, was ogling all the high-spenders around us. Like the party of 6 sitting next to us, who had, by our estimation, already spent $400 on drinks and one appetizer, before even getting to the main course (the appetizer alone was $98. . .kind of out of our price range). So much for all that news about how horrible the economy is these days.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Family Makin- Music Time
From the family reunion last weekend. That's my uncle Joe on the left, my dad in the middle, and me on the right. Note the incredible Pacific sunset out the window.
Oh, and that's my aunt Win from Montana singing along.
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Just a quick personal note, for those of you who consider yourself family or friends. . .
On Monday morning I'm going in to meet with my ophthalmologist in Seattle. If all goes well, we're going to schedule a corneal transplant near the end of October. I'm not looking forward to facing eye surgery, but I am looking forward to being able to see a little more normally.
As it is, the new contact I got a few months ago isn't really working, and if we didn't do surgery, it would probably be another 4-month process with multiple trips to the doctor, multiple attempts with different lenses, all to find one that would work for another year or two. At this point, surgery seems a lot better option.
I'll let you know more, after Monday.
In the meantime, my sister broke her foot yesterday, while at the hospital for a meeting, no less. And my brother totaled his car in an accident last week. So it's an adventurous couple weeks for us all.
On Monday morning I'm going in to meet with my ophthalmologist in Seattle. If all goes well, we're going to schedule a corneal transplant near the end of October. I'm not looking forward to facing eye surgery, but I am looking forward to being able to see a little more normally.
As it is, the new contact I got a few months ago isn't really working, and if we didn't do surgery, it would probably be another 4-month process with multiple trips to the doctor, multiple attempts with different lenses, all to find one that would work for another year or two. At this point, surgery seems a lot better option.
I'll let you know more, after Monday.
In the meantime, my sister broke her foot yesterday, while at the hospital for a meeting, no less. And my brother totaled his car in an accident last week. So it's an adventurous couple weeks for us all.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Is the men's fellowship cursed?
Back when I began at Lakebay, one of the first events I attended was the men's breakfast. About 8 of us gathered together for a fine breakfast at the New Brookside restaurant, owned by our own Ron Bustad. We met there for 5-6 months straight.
Ron passed away that summer, and shortly thereafter the New Brookside was closed, and the men's fellowship had to move.
We began meeting at the Lucky Horseshoe restaurant, at Horseshoe Lake Golf Club. It was the perfect place - they gave us their back room, all to ourselves, they treated us well, they got to know us and we had some wonderful times together with their staff.
One day we showed up to find their chef had quit, so there was no breakfast that day. We found another place to meet. That month, the Lucky Horseshoe decided to no longer serve breakfast, so we were forced into finding a new location.
We eventually settled on the Floatation Device in Purdy. If you know it, you know it's kind of a dive. Fun, with lots of character. Great staff, they treated us well, but it was always a little far to travel for breakfast.
So we were excited when the Key Center Roadhouse opened earlier this year. It was local, it offered a great breakfast menu. . .it seemed we had found our home.
After the first visit, we weren't all that impressed. But they were new, so we were willing to give them another chance. And, sure enough, the second visit, and third, were much better.
Then last month we showed up for breakfast. And the person inside said "we no longer serve breakfast or lunch - just dinner."
Anybody notice a trend here?
Now we've settled on O'Callahans, the local bar where the local bar-going folk tend to hang out. And their breakfast isn't all that shabby, and the service is pretty good, for a bar. If only I can get my head around the Men's Group meeting monthly in the local bar.
Considering our history, though, I wonder if we should warn the folks at O'Callahans that they're about to face some unforeseen disaster. After all, here come's the men's group, and wherever we go, they shut down.
Ron passed away that summer, and shortly thereafter the New Brookside was closed, and the men's fellowship had to move.
We began meeting at the Lucky Horseshoe restaurant, at Horseshoe Lake Golf Club. It was the perfect place - they gave us their back room, all to ourselves, they treated us well, they got to know us and we had some wonderful times together with their staff.
One day we showed up to find their chef had quit, so there was no breakfast that day. We found another place to meet. That month, the Lucky Horseshoe decided to no longer serve breakfast, so we were forced into finding a new location.
We eventually settled on the Floatation Device in Purdy. If you know it, you know it's kind of a dive. Fun, with lots of character. Great staff, they treated us well, but it was always a little far to travel for breakfast.
So we were excited when the Key Center Roadhouse opened earlier this year. It was local, it offered a great breakfast menu. . .it seemed we had found our home.
After the first visit, we weren't all that impressed. But they were new, so we were willing to give them another chance. And, sure enough, the second visit, and third, were much better.
Then last month we showed up for breakfast. And the person inside said "we no longer serve breakfast or lunch - just dinner."
Anybody notice a trend here?
Now we've settled on O'Callahans, the local bar where the local bar-going folk tend to hang out. And their breakfast isn't all that shabby, and the service is pretty good, for a bar. If only I can get my head around the Men's Group meeting monthly in the local bar.
Considering our history, though, I wonder if we should warn the folks at O'Callahans that they're about to face some unforeseen disaster. After all, here come's the men's group, and wherever we go, they shut down.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Coming Soon: "The Blue Parakeet" - a book review
Scot McKnight is a professor at North Park University, an established author, and a prolific blogger. I have a number of his books on my bookshelf, including:
Praying with the Church (Confession: I bought it mostly because I'm quoted in it. . .)
The Jesus Creed (A Christianity Today Book of the Year)
Turning to Jesus (I'll admit: I struggled through this one)
A Community Called Atonement (One of the books I recommend most to others)
McKnight's newest book, the Blue Parakeet, is set for release in November. And I have a copy of it on my desk.
No, I didn't get a pirated copy off the Chinese black market. A couple months ago, Scot mentioned on his blog that Zondervan was willing to give away free advance copies to 20 people who would be willing to blog about it. So I put my name in the hat, and over the weekend the book showed up in our mailbox.
So, in the coming weeks, I'll be laying aside some other reading and digging into The Blue Parakeet, offering both a synopsis of the book, as well as my own opinions and thoughts on what McKnight is saying. Should be fun. Feel free to join in the conversation.
_____
On another note, I'm still wading through Atonement for a Sinless Society (see below), but have found that it's a book that takes no prisoners. From the first word he hits the ground running, leaving the reader to breathlessly follow along, hoping to catch up along the way. I like what's he's saying. . .it just takes a lot of time to process it all.
Praying with the Church (Confession: I bought it mostly because I'm quoted in it. . .)
The Jesus Creed (A Christianity Today Book of the Year)
Turning to Jesus (I'll admit: I struggled through this one)
A Community Called Atonement (One of the books I recommend most to others)
McKnight's newest book, the Blue Parakeet, is set for release in November. And I have a copy of it on my desk.
No, I didn't get a pirated copy off the Chinese black market. A couple months ago, Scot mentioned on his blog that Zondervan was willing to give away free advance copies to 20 people who would be willing to blog about it. So I put my name in the hat, and over the weekend the book showed up in our mailbox.So, in the coming weeks, I'll be laying aside some other reading and digging into The Blue Parakeet, offering both a synopsis of the book, as well as my own opinions and thoughts on what McKnight is saying. Should be fun. Feel free to join in the conversation.
_____
On another note, I'm still wading through Atonement for a Sinless Society (see below), but have found that it's a book that takes no prisoners. From the first word he hits the ground running, leaving the reader to breathlessly follow along, hoping to catch up along the way. I like what's he's saying. . .it just takes a lot of time to process it all.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Jake and the Famous Guy
Jake Dockter was a college student when we were in Turlock. He used to come over and eat tacos at our house. His parents welcomed us into the wonderful world of homemade bluegrass jams. We've been friends ever since.
As part of a book he's writing, Jake just interviewed Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill (the other Mars Hill) Bible Church, and the interview was published in Patrol Magazine. Which you can read here.
Good work, Jake!
As part of a book he's writing, Jake just interviewed Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill (the other Mars Hill) Bible Church, and the interview was published in Patrol Magazine. Which you can read here.
Good work, Jake!
Family - you gotta love 'em
This weekend is the great big Whitmarsh family reunion out at Pacific Beach, on the Washington Coast. It's supposed to be sunny and in the 70s all weekend. And the resort where we're all staying is apparently quite nice, complete with a bowling alley, restaurant, sauna and hot tub, workout facilities, play area for the kids, and miles of empty beach to explore.
My grandparents had 10 kids, and for the most part those kids had a lot of their own kids, so there are lots and lots of cousins and second cousins and such, many whom I haven't met, and many others who I haven't seen in 15 years. As for Karina and our kids, they've met precious few of the larger family, so I expect this to be somewhat of a shock for them. I hear there are about 100 of us Whitmarsh's expected to show up.
But good stories have come out of the last few reunions - the ones I've missed - so we're thinking this should be a wonderful time to relax and reconnect, taking long walks and flying kites and maybe even playing Uno late into the night. Add in the fact that it's one of those rare Sundays I don't have to work, and it should just about be perfect.
My grandparents had 10 kids, and for the most part those kids had a lot of their own kids, so there are lots and lots of cousins and second cousins and such, many whom I haven't met, and many others who I haven't seen in 15 years. As for Karina and our kids, they've met precious few of the larger family, so I expect this to be somewhat of a shock for them. I hear there are about 100 of us Whitmarsh's expected to show up.
But good stories have come out of the last few reunions - the ones I've missed - so we're thinking this should be a wonderful time to relax and reconnect, taking long walks and flying kites and maybe even playing Uno late into the night. Add in the fact that it's one of those rare Sundays I don't have to work, and it should just about be perfect.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9/11 redux
"You have head that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)
++++
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
++++
"This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)
++++
"The present administration has adopted a sort of official Christianity, and it obviously wishes to be regarded as Christian. But 'Christian' war has always been a problem, best solved by avoiding any attempt to reconcile policies of national or imperial militarism with anything Christ said or did. The Christian gospel is a summons to peace, calling for justice beyond anger, mercy beyond justice, forgiveness beyond mercy, love beyond forgiveness. It would require a most agile interpreter to justify hatred and war by means of the Gospels, in which we are bidden to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despise and persecute us.
. . .It is useless to try to adjudicate a long-standing animosity by asking who started it or who is the most wrong. The only sufficient answer is to give up the animosity and try forgiveness, to try to love our enemies and to talk to them and (if we pray) to pray for them. If we can't do any of that, then we must begin by trying to imagine our enemies' children, who, like our children, are in mortal danger because of enmity that they did not cause."
- Wendell Berry, Citizenship Papers
++++
. . ."This is why one cannot practically believe in the second coming and also take up arms. When we take up arms, we not only disobey Jesus' teachings, but we foolishly think that we can effectively change the course of history through force. We falsely think that violence will soon end with this act of violence, just as it was thought that World War I would be 'the war to end all wars.' We think, 'The perfect world is just around the corner. We just got a pious man in office, have killed a good share of the essential evildoers, and have set up a few good governmental systems.' This is like praying 'Give us more time.' And whether it's pursued by 'the establishment' or by zealous liberationists, the desire to be 'authors of history' ultimately ends in hubris, unending conflict, and the victimization of others. Instead of trusting in the command to love our enemies, we insist that having the right people take office to direct the right bombs to fall on the right places is a more effective way to deal with evil. We can't be peaceful now, we say. So give us time to rid the world of evil; eventually it will work. After thousands of years, we haven't learned that violence begets only violence.
As much as we balk at its mysticism, the central political prayer and hope of Christians is, 'Lord, come quickly; may your kingdom come.'"
-Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, Jesus for President
++++
"Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. . .Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:12-21
++++
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
++++
"This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)
++++
"The present administration has adopted a sort of official Christianity, and it obviously wishes to be regarded as Christian. But 'Christian' war has always been a problem, best solved by avoiding any attempt to reconcile policies of national or imperial militarism with anything Christ said or did. The Christian gospel is a summons to peace, calling for justice beyond anger, mercy beyond justice, forgiveness beyond mercy, love beyond forgiveness. It would require a most agile interpreter to justify hatred and war by means of the Gospels, in which we are bidden to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despise and persecute us.
. . .It is useless to try to adjudicate a long-standing animosity by asking who started it or who is the most wrong. The only sufficient answer is to give up the animosity and try forgiveness, to try to love our enemies and to talk to them and (if we pray) to pray for them. If we can't do any of that, then we must begin by trying to imagine our enemies' children, who, like our children, are in mortal danger because of enmity that they did not cause."
- Wendell Berry, Citizenship Papers
++++
. . ."This is why one cannot practically believe in the second coming and also take up arms. When we take up arms, we not only disobey Jesus' teachings, but we foolishly think that we can effectively change the course of history through force. We falsely think that violence will soon end with this act of violence, just as it was thought that World War I would be 'the war to end all wars.' We think, 'The perfect world is just around the corner. We just got a pious man in office, have killed a good share of the essential evildoers, and have set up a few good governmental systems.' This is like praying 'Give us more time.' And whether it's pursued by 'the establishment' or by zealous liberationists, the desire to be 'authors of history' ultimately ends in hubris, unending conflict, and the victimization of others. Instead of trusting in the command to love our enemies, we insist that having the right people take office to direct the right bombs to fall on the right places is a more effective way to deal with evil. We can't be peaceful now, we say. So give us time to rid the world of evil; eventually it will work. After thousands of years, we haven't learned that violence begets only violence.
As much as we balk at its mysticism, the central political prayer and hope of Christians is, 'Lord, come quickly; may your kingdom come.'"
-Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, Jesus for President
++++
"Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. . .Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:12-21
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Conversation Overheard in the Locker Room
Hey, Steve*, right?
Yeah - John, right?
Hey, yeah. How's it goin'?
&*$%$ okay. How 'bout you?
I'm doin' %#$#$ alright. What you up to?
Nothin' %#$#$ much. Just workin' out.
You like it here?
It's %#$#$ okay. Better than that other %#$#$ place.
Yeah. You still dating that one girl?
%#$#$ no. She was %#$#$ up so we broke up.
%#$#$ man, that's %#$#$ up.
Yeah, but now I'm checking out this other %#$#$ girl.
%#$#$ yeah?
%#$#$ yeah. Met her at this %#$#$ party with all these friends? So we been hangin' out.
That's %#$#$ cool.
Not %#$#$ bad. So what you doin' these days?
Nothin' %#$#$ much. Just got a %#$#$ house with my girl.
That's pretty %#$#$ awesome.
Yeah, now we can just %#$#$ hang out and do %#$#$.
Cool. We should %#$#$ hang some time.
%#$#$ yeah.
You need to get me your %#$#$ number and we can do some %#$#$ this weekend.
Sure.
You work out here a lot?
Most %#$#$ days. How long you been a member?
%#$#$, I'm not! (har har har har har).
%#$#$ yeah? You figured it out?
%#$#$ yeah. I just walk in with a %#$#$ group and they assume I'm with %#$#$ them.
Chortle chortle. %#$#$ cool.
Okay, well, we'll %#$#$ see you around.
%#$#$yeah. Maybe this weekend.
%#$#$
______
And a couple thoughts run through my head:
1) how painful must it be to have a 10 minute conversation and not really say anything at all?
2) Do people in locker rooms somehow forget that everybody else in the locker room can hear them? Or do they just not care?
3) What I've just witnessed is the human equivalent to those nature videos, in which the male bull elks attempt to prove their virility over the others through posturing and faux-feats of strength. Nothing is actually accomplished, except that these two men proved one to the other that they are real men because a)they like women and b)they can cuss a lot.
4) Which makes me wonder - am I lacking in manhood because I don't strut around and cuss a lot?
5) Is there a record for most cuss words in a 10-minute conversation? Because I think these guys broke it.
______
*names in this story have been changed in order to protect the, ahem, innocent.
Yeah - John, right?
Hey, yeah. How's it goin'?
&*$%$ okay. How 'bout you?
I'm doin' %#$#$ alright. What you up to?
Nothin' %#$#$ much. Just workin' out.
You like it here?
It's %#$#$ okay. Better than that other %#$#$ place.
Yeah. You still dating that one girl?
%#$#$ no. She was %#$#$ up so we broke up.
%#$#$ man, that's %#$#$ up.
Yeah, but now I'm checking out this other %#$#$ girl.
%#$#$ yeah?
%#$#$ yeah. Met her at this %#$#$ party with all these friends? So we been hangin' out.
That's %#$#$ cool.
Not %#$#$ bad. So what you doin' these days?
Nothin' %#$#$ much. Just got a %#$#$ house with my girl.
That's pretty %#$#$ awesome.
Yeah, now we can just %#$#$ hang out and do %#$#$.
Cool. We should %#$#$ hang some time.
%#$#$ yeah.
You need to get me your %#$#$ number and we can do some %#$#$ this weekend.
Sure.
You work out here a lot?
Most %#$#$ days. How long you been a member?
%#$#$, I'm not! (har har har har har).
%#$#$ yeah? You figured it out?
%#$#$ yeah. I just walk in with a %#$#$ group and they assume I'm with %#$#$ them.
Chortle chortle. %#$#$ cool.
Okay, well, we'll %#$#$ see you around.
%#$#$yeah. Maybe this weekend.
%#$#$
______
And a couple thoughts run through my head:
1) how painful must it be to have a 10 minute conversation and not really say anything at all?
2) Do people in locker rooms somehow forget that everybody else in the locker room can hear them? Or do they just not care?
3) What I've just witnessed is the human equivalent to those nature videos, in which the male bull elks attempt to prove their virility over the others through posturing and faux-feats of strength. Nothing is actually accomplished, except that these two men proved one to the other that they are real men because a)they like women and b)they can cuss a lot.
4) Which makes me wonder - am I lacking in manhood because I don't strut around and cuss a lot?
5) Is there a record for most cuss words in a 10-minute conversation? Because I think these guys broke it.
______
*names in this story have been changed in order to protect the, ahem, innocent.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
When you want something cool and refreshing. . .
Do you ask for a soda? For a Coke? For a pop?
Depends on where you find yourself in this map:
If you can't read the fine print, blueish areas are "pop" areas, yellowish areas are "soda" areas, and reddish areas are "coke" areas.
Unless you're like me, who adopted "soda" while in California and just can't quite bring myself to say "pop" anymore.
Two quick highlights:
- this is not a joke, but a serious article in the journal of English Linguistics.
- according to the article, "Americans drink so much of the carbonated beverages sold under such brand names as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, and 7-Up that consumption averages 43 gallons per year for every man, woman, and child in the United States." Anybody want to hazard a guess for a cause of the rising obesity and diabetes rates?
source.
Depends on where you find yourself in this map:
If you can't read the fine print, blueish areas are "pop" areas, yellowish areas are "soda" areas, and reddish areas are "coke" areas.Unless you're like me, who adopted "soda" while in California and just can't quite bring myself to say "pop" anymore.
Two quick highlights:
- this is not a joke, but a serious article in the journal of English Linguistics.
- according to the article, "Americans drink so much of the carbonated beverages sold under such brand names as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, and 7-Up that consumption averages 43 gallons per year for every man, woman, and child in the United States." Anybody want to hazard a guess for a cause of the rising obesity and diabetes rates?
source.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Just What Everybody Needs
A Covenant Church for your model railroad set.
This model is called "Covenant Church with Parsonage." I can't seem to find it on their order form, but according to this ad on the Model Railroader website, it's only $98.25.
Oddly, that MR website flips their pictures, and actually shows this image as the "Covenant Church with Parsonage":
This model is called "Covenant Church with Parsonage." I can't seem to find it on their order form, but according to this ad on the Model Railroader website, it's only $98.25.
Oddly, that MR website flips their pictures, and actually shows this image as the "Covenant Church with Parsonage":
Friday, September 05, 2008
Why yes, you did see me on television
King 5 news in Seattle headed out this way yesterday to do a story on gas thieves who hit the local food bank. They got wind that gas thieves had gotten to our church van, as well, so they headed up the road to hear our story. Both Howard Johnson, our M&M Outreach director, and I got a little bit of airtime, with a nice shot of the church in the background.
You can go watch it here.
If you watch really closely, right at the 1 minute mark, you can sort of make out Clara running toward the back of the Jeep, as well.
You can go watch it here.
If you watch really closely, right at the 1 minute mark, you can sort of make out Clara running toward the back of the Jeep, as well.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Dan's Pet Peeve of the Day
(while listening to Worship Leader's Song Discovery, v0l. 71)
Worship leaders who say "Somebody just give God the praise."
Worship leaders who say "Somebody just give God the praise."
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Book Reports
Just before heading off to family camp, I finally finished Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw's Jesus for President.
If you spend any time searching internet discussion boards for opinions about this book, you'll realize it's struck a chord. People either love it, believing it's the answer to the malaise facing the 21st Century church, or they'll hate it, believing it twists and distorts scripture to promote a pacifist, communist, anti-american agenda. Like a Rorschach test, reactions to this book probably say as much about the reader as they do the content of the book itself.
I should begin by saying the book isn't saying anything all that original. In other words, Claiborne and Haw aren't promoting anything they've discovered for themselves. Instead, they have ingested the work of people like Wendell Berry, Gregory Boyd, John Howard Yoder, Marva Dawn, and Walter Wink, they have listened carefully to the anabaptist voice within Christianity, they have synthesized the work of those thinkers and writers and theologians and peacemakers, and they have published a manifesto to the 21st Century Church - a call to the church to return to its roots as an alternative community, a seperate, holy people, called apart from the kingdoms of earth to live as the Kingdom of God on earth.
Two quick strenghts of the book:
1) This is biblical theology as opposed to systematic theology. In other words, the book focuses on the broad sweep of Judeo-Christian history, beginning in the garden and carrying on through Abraham, Israel, Jesus, the Church, up to the images of victory in Revelation. They then take the large sweep of biblical history to paint the full picture of rebellion and redemption in which we find ourselves. Thus, rather than nit-picking what "this verse over here" means up against "that verse over there," they instead ask "what has been God's plan all along?" This, to me, is the healthiest way to let the Scriptures speak into our lives.
2) It's a beautiful book. Literally. Shane and Chris employed the work of artists to craft a book that is fascinating to look at. Every page is a painting, a photo, a stitch-work, a challenge, a delight. Thus, the book challenges not just the intellectual side, but the artistic side, as well. Sometimes the pictures, the questions, the images speak even louder than the text on the page. This is obviously a labor of love for the authors.
My take on the book: For the most part, I think Shane and Chris are dead-on. Their critique of the 21st-Century American Church nails us all. They rightfully see the ways in which The Church has sold out to a culture of shopping, a culture of idolatry, a culture of power-play, and how the church has abandoned the call to "take up our cross" and follow Christ. At the same time, they don't stop at critique. In fact, most of the book is given to suggestions on how to move forward, and examples of communities of faith who come close to reflecting Christ in their lives. So they challenge the Church, but they challenge the individual Christian as well. How, exactly, do we follow in the pattern of Christ who had no home when we spend massive amounts of money on plasma televisions and name-brand sneakers? How exactly do we claim to follow the Prince of Peace when we so enjoy violence, when we so quickly call for retribution upon our enemies? How do we show love to our brothers and sisters when we participate in an economy that is so unequitable? How do we worship both the Father of All Nations and at the same time worship the country in which we live?
To read this book is to read a call to live a different kind of life. It challenges, it exhorts, it pushes on some tight spots. But I think it's a necessary read by any who would claim Jesus as Lord. So go read it. Then let's talk some more.
______
So this is what came out of the Amazon box last week, and now is on top of my reading stack:
If you spend any time searching internet discussion boards for opinions about this book, you'll realize it's struck a chord. People either love it, believing it's the answer to the malaise facing the 21st Century church, or they'll hate it, believing it twists and distorts scripture to promote a pacifist, communist, anti-american agenda. Like a Rorschach test, reactions to this book probably say as much about the reader as they do the content of the book itself.
I should begin by saying the book isn't saying anything all that original. In other words, Claiborne and Haw aren't promoting anything they've discovered for themselves. Instead, they have ingested the work of people like Wendell Berry, Gregory Boyd, John Howard Yoder, Marva Dawn, and Walter Wink, they have listened carefully to the anabaptist voice within Christianity, they have synthesized the work of those thinkers and writers and theologians and peacemakers, and they have published a manifesto to the 21st Century Church - a call to the church to return to its roots as an alternative community, a seperate, holy people, called apart from the kingdoms of earth to live as the Kingdom of God on earth.
Two quick strenghts of the book:
1) This is biblical theology as opposed to systematic theology. In other words, the book focuses on the broad sweep of Judeo-Christian history, beginning in the garden and carrying on through Abraham, Israel, Jesus, the Church, up to the images of victory in Revelation. They then take the large sweep of biblical history to paint the full picture of rebellion and redemption in which we find ourselves. Thus, rather than nit-picking what "this verse over here" means up against "that verse over there," they instead ask "what has been God's plan all along?" This, to me, is the healthiest way to let the Scriptures speak into our lives.
2) It's a beautiful book. Literally. Shane and Chris employed the work of artists to craft a book that is fascinating to look at. Every page is a painting, a photo, a stitch-work, a challenge, a delight. Thus, the book challenges not just the intellectual side, but the artistic side, as well. Sometimes the pictures, the questions, the images speak even louder than the text on the page. This is obviously a labor of love for the authors.
My take on the book: For the most part, I think Shane and Chris are dead-on. Their critique of the 21st-Century American Church nails us all. They rightfully see the ways in which The Church has sold out to a culture of shopping, a culture of idolatry, a culture of power-play, and how the church has abandoned the call to "take up our cross" and follow Christ. At the same time, they don't stop at critique. In fact, most of the book is given to suggestions on how to move forward, and examples of communities of faith who come close to reflecting Christ in their lives. So they challenge the Church, but they challenge the individual Christian as well. How, exactly, do we follow in the pattern of Christ who had no home when we spend massive amounts of money on plasma televisions and name-brand sneakers? How exactly do we claim to follow the Prince of Peace when we so enjoy violence, when we so quickly call for retribution upon our enemies? How do we show love to our brothers and sisters when we participate in an economy that is so unequitable? How do we worship both the Father of All Nations and at the same time worship the country in which we live?
To read this book is to read a call to live a different kind of life. It challenges, it exhorts, it pushes on some tight spots. But I think it's a necessary read by any who would claim Jesus as Lord. So go read it. Then let's talk some more.
______
So this is what came out of the Amazon box last week, and now is on top of my reading stack:
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
David Gibbons on Church Building
David Gibbons is a Covenant Pastor, so he's got that going for him. And he's rethinking how we plant and build churches.
On his visit to Bangkok - "I visited other churches and discovered that the Evangelical Covenant denomination there had 4,000 people in roughly 400 churches. It hit me. Back home NewSong had about 4,000 in four congregations.
In all seriousness, I think David's getting it - smaller really can be better in the Kingdom. And considering the size of David's church, it's refreshing to hear him recognize that.
On his visit to Bangkok - "I visited other churches and discovered that the Evangelical Covenant denomination there had 4,000 people in roughly 400 churches. It hit me. Back home NewSong had about 4,000 in four congregations.
I saw four churches with 4,000 people versus 400 churches with the same number of people, and the question I felt God posing to me is, Who's stronger?"
Funny - I remember Brad and I talking about this model 5 or 6 years ago. David must have been listening in.In all seriousness, I think David's getting it - smaller really can be better in the Kingdom. And considering the size of David's church, it's refreshing to hear him recognize that.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Just a brief comment
Across the pond in Seattle, a little firestorm is brewing. It seems Richard McIver, a Seattle City Councilman, was fined $1,000 for an ethics violation, related to a time he used his position to award city contracts to friends of his. He paid the fine without much complaint. Only he used the city's own money to pay his fine. The taxpayer's money, that is. And he doesn't seem to see anything wrong in that.
"'It is regrettable that I am now caught in the middle of a disagreement over the interpretation of the law,' McIver said in [a] statement."
That's what all this comes down to: a little disagreement over legal interpretation.
And people wonder why we don't trust politicians. . .
"'It is regrettable that I am now caught in the middle of a disagreement over the interpretation of the law,' McIver said in [a] statement."
That's what all this comes down to: a little disagreement over legal interpretation.
And people wonder why we don't trust politicians. . .
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Like a kid in a candy store
I remember back in the day, back when I lived in Other Places, I'd walk into a grocery store and see these tiny little plastic containers with, say, 10 blackberries in them, for $3.99. I'd be tempted, because I love blackberries. But, that's not exactly true. I was never tempted, because it would be ludicrous to pay $3.99 for packaged blackberries.
These days, the path I walk to work and home again is a veritable smorgasbord of berries. The blue huckleberries are coming in, a few thimbleberries remain, but the blackberries. . .aah, the blackberries. Hanging in clumps for me to pick, like so many grapes hung over the emperor's cot by the court virgins. I pick one, I turn, there are twenty more! I bite into another, that delectable sweetness bursting forth between my teeth and rushing down my palette, surging a flood of delight and rapture as it flows down my throat. But another step and there are more, and more, and more! And I think, in my euphoria, of the coming days of blackberry jam, blackberry pancakes with blackberry syrup, blackberry cobbler and blackberry ice cream. And, best of all, the sun-warmed blackberry, freshly picked, staining my fingers, popping between my lips and onto my tongue. The kiss of summer.
Oh yes. These are the days I know I live in the most perfect place. The blackberries have spoken once again.
These days, the path I walk to work and home again is a veritable smorgasbord of berries. The blue huckleberries are coming in, a few thimbleberries remain, but the blackberries. . .aah, the blackberries. Hanging in clumps for me to pick, like so many grapes hung over the emperor's cot by the court virgins. I pick one, I turn, there are twenty more! I bite into another, that delectable sweetness bursting forth between my teeth and rushing down my palette, surging a flood of delight and rapture as it flows down my throat. But another step and there are more, and more, and more! And I think, in my euphoria, of the coming days of blackberry jam, blackberry pancakes with blackberry syrup, blackberry cobbler and blackberry ice cream. And, best of all, the sun-warmed blackberry, freshly picked, staining my fingers, popping between my lips and onto my tongue. The kiss of summer.
Oh yes. These are the days I know I live in the most perfect place. The blackberries have spoken once again.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
If you're sick of CNN and Fox News
And would like a trustworthy insider's perspective to this year's political conventions, check out Dale Kuehne's Convention Blog.
Dale is a professor at St. Anselm College, where he teaches Political Science, among other things. I sat through a seminar he led at the Covenant Midwinter a couple years ago, and would put it in the top three seminars I've ever attended.
And perhaps the best thing going for him is that he pastors a Covenant Church. So he's good people.
Dale is a professor at St. Anselm College, where he teaches Political Science, among other things. I sat through a seminar he led at the Covenant Midwinter a couple years ago, and would put it in the top three seminars I've ever attended.
And perhaps the best thing going for him is that he pastors a Covenant Church. So he's good people.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
And then there are the times God does show up
I think I probably first noticed it during worship team rehearsal. Something was going on. I know it can be awfully intangible sometimes, but it was there. Maybe it was just because some people had shown up for rehearsal, and they were already worshiping, kneeling, praying. Whatever it was, God was moving.
Although I didn't really become aware of it until the second or third song of the morning celebration. That was when I noticed tears in the faces of some of our people. Not just one or two, but a number of them, across the sanctuary. And, I admit, the worship team seemed filled with a passion that isn't always there. But by the time we got into "What a Friend I've Found," it was obvious. The Spirit was doing something special.
And so we finished and moved into a moment of silence. Which we don't always do. And yet, nobody moved. Nobody broke the moment. Nobody sat down in a huff, wondering what the heck was going on. In some new way, God's Spirit fell on the people of Lakebay this morning, and they were ready to meet him. So we stood in silence, and then joined together softly singing the name of Jesus once again. And I saw smiles of joy; I saw tear of pain. I saw God's people meeting God in the House of the Lord.
All of which was a good sign, because today we hit the Mark 10 passage. The Divorce passage. Which is not an easy passage to preach - anytime, but especially in 21st Century America, where it's all about personal fulfillment and happiness, rather than obedience and discipleship.
And yet, even there God showed up. Nobody seemed to take offense, nobody stormed out in anger, even when I dared call sin "sin." And, afterward, we had more requests for copies of the sermon than we've ever had. A lot of people asking how to get to the sermon online, so they can pass it on to friends and neighbors in need. So God spoke to God's people.
Doug told me later we had some visitors in the service; one filed for divorce this last week, another living in a new marriage following a recent divorce. And our church is certainly full of people who have lived that pain, and who are there now. Yet we walked today that eternal tension of calling out sin for what it is, while offering grace and forgiveness to those so hurt by this calamity.
Since then, I've received a couple comments of appreciation and encouragement. Not that I take any glory in that; it just proves God broke through into people's hearts, and they heard the Lord in spite of my fear and trembling.
These are the days you stand in awe of what God has called you to do, the days you stand on holy ground and recognize this is about something much bigger (and better) than you.
God showed up this morning, and it was sweet. Tough, but sweet.
And for those of you still struggling, may the Lord give you courage and strength to obey, even when every fiber of your being wants to give up. And may his peace guard your soul, wherever you may find yourself tonight.
Peace.
Although I didn't really become aware of it until the second or third song of the morning celebration. That was when I noticed tears in the faces of some of our people. Not just one or two, but a number of them, across the sanctuary. And, I admit, the worship team seemed filled with a passion that isn't always there. But by the time we got into "What a Friend I've Found," it was obvious. The Spirit was doing something special.
And so we finished and moved into a moment of silence. Which we don't always do. And yet, nobody moved. Nobody broke the moment. Nobody sat down in a huff, wondering what the heck was going on. In some new way, God's Spirit fell on the people of Lakebay this morning, and they were ready to meet him. So we stood in silence, and then joined together softly singing the name of Jesus once again. And I saw smiles of joy; I saw tear of pain. I saw God's people meeting God in the House of the Lord.
All of which was a good sign, because today we hit the Mark 10 passage. The Divorce passage. Which is not an easy passage to preach - anytime, but especially in 21st Century America, where it's all about personal fulfillment and happiness, rather than obedience and discipleship.
And yet, even there God showed up. Nobody seemed to take offense, nobody stormed out in anger, even when I dared call sin "sin." And, afterward, we had more requests for copies of the sermon than we've ever had. A lot of people asking how to get to the sermon online, so they can pass it on to friends and neighbors in need. So God spoke to God's people.
Doug told me later we had some visitors in the service; one filed for divorce this last week, another living in a new marriage following a recent divorce. And our church is certainly full of people who have lived that pain, and who are there now. Yet we walked today that eternal tension of calling out sin for what it is, while offering grace and forgiveness to those so hurt by this calamity.
Since then, I've received a couple comments of appreciation and encouragement. Not that I take any glory in that; it just proves God broke through into people's hearts, and they heard the Lord in spite of my fear and trembling.
These are the days you stand in awe of what God has called you to do, the days you stand on holy ground and recognize this is about something much bigger (and better) than you.
God showed up this morning, and it was sweet. Tough, but sweet.
And for those of you still struggling, may the Lord give you courage and strength to obey, even when every fiber of your being wants to give up. And may his peace guard your soul, wherever you may find yourself tonight.
Peace.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
At the risk of offending everybody
Like most pastors in North America, I've been asked about Todd Bentley and the revival with which he was a part in Florida. And while I had some concerns, I didn't want to deny the possibility that God was truly up to something down there. Now that Todd has fallen, and fallen hard, people are trying to figure out what it all means.
1. Does this just prove it was false to begin with?
2. Does this just prove that Satan has attacked the Lord's anointed?
3. Does this just prove that everybody is fallible, even God's servant?
4. Does this just prove Todd was a sham and his work a put-on?
5. Is God still causing revival, even with Todd no longer a part?
I'll tell you a little of my starting position: historically, true revival has always been marked by repentance more than healing. Changed lives, more than fixed bodies. And, from the little I paid attention to this one, I can't say I saw much of a spirit of repentance. It seemed more about "getting the goods" (be it healing or "an anointing") and less about deep, Spirit-led repentance with a parallel commitment to mission and ministry. So I wasn't completely sold.
But tonight as I read a few of the news reports related to Todd's, ahem, indiscretion, as I sifted through some "comments" pages and some blogs related to the issue, it began to dawn on me that I'd been looking at it all wrong.
What we have here is the latest in a series of "revivals" - Toronto, Modesto, Brownsville, and more. All have drawn a lot of attention, all were marked by healings (or, at least, rumors of healings). And while most made extravagant claims to "commitments to Christ," the numbers never played out. For instance, in Modesto they proudly tell of the 70,000 people who accepted Jesus there. Unfortunately, church attendence in the area didn't grow by 70,000 people. It didn't even grow by 10,000 people. If I remember correctly, church attendence didn't grow AT ALL following the event. (Well, the church hosting it grew; most of the other churches in the area lost attendence; iow, it was simply church-hopping, not conversion growth).
Yet the hosts of these revivals proclaimed loudly that God was pouring out his blessings, and tens of thousands of people flew into town, or drove in in their motorhomes; the revivals saw packed-out buildings for weeks on end as Christians showed up to take part. I know of people here in Washington who flew all the way to Florida to take part in Bentley's "anointing."
But the sad truth is, there is no long-term appreciable difference in the Church today. Those who go to these revivals have a powerful experience, they meet God in new ways. Supposedly some are healed (although it would be nice to see some hard, fast evidence, like doctors going on Nightline saying "20 of my patients came back to see me, and I can say the blind can now see, the deaf can now hear, the lame can now walk."). But when all is said and done, the Church is no different.
So here's my question: Is this not the exact same thing as when Catholics claim a vision of the Virgin Mary, and suddenly tens of thousands of people descend on some poor town, hoping to see the Virgin themselves? They believe it passionately, they claim a deep spiritual experience, they dismiss any negative voice in their midst. And we laugh at them with their silly superstition. How crazy, that they would believe Mary is there and wants to show herself to them.
But yet isn't this talk of revivalism the same? It has more to do with the "faith" of the people than any tangeable evidence or report. Any Christian who questions the authenticity is accused of "quenching the Spirit" or denying the power of God. Even when things fall apart, when healing doesn't happen, when conversion growth doesn't appear, the emotion of the moment carries everything on of its own accord.
I'm not saying God can't work through Todd Bentley. I'm not saying God doesn't show up when people seek him. I am saying I'm concerned that often we mistake our emotions, and the emotions of those around us, for a movement of God. Most Protestants would scoff at the Catholic who runs to Omaha to see Mary (or Jesus) in a piece of toast. Should we not apply the same standard to Christians who need to run off to Florida to see Jesus in a questionable servant?
I'm just asking. Feel free to disagree.
1. Does this just prove it was false to begin with?
2. Does this just prove that Satan has attacked the Lord's anointed?
3. Does this just prove that everybody is fallible, even God's servant?
4. Does this just prove Todd was a sham and his work a put-on?
5. Is God still causing revival, even with Todd no longer a part?
I'll tell you a little of my starting position: historically, true revival has always been marked by repentance more than healing. Changed lives, more than fixed bodies. And, from the little I paid attention to this one, I can't say I saw much of a spirit of repentance. It seemed more about "getting the goods" (be it healing or "an anointing") and less about deep, Spirit-led repentance with a parallel commitment to mission and ministry. So I wasn't completely sold.
But tonight as I read a few of the news reports related to Todd's, ahem, indiscretion, as I sifted through some "comments" pages and some blogs related to the issue, it began to dawn on me that I'd been looking at it all wrong.
What we have here is the latest in a series of "revivals" - Toronto, Modesto, Brownsville, and more. All have drawn a lot of attention, all were marked by healings (or, at least, rumors of healings). And while most made extravagant claims to "commitments to Christ," the numbers never played out. For instance, in Modesto they proudly tell of the 70,000 people who accepted Jesus there. Unfortunately, church attendence in the area didn't grow by 70,000 people. It didn't even grow by 10,000 people. If I remember correctly, church attendence didn't grow AT ALL following the event. (Well, the church hosting it grew; most of the other churches in the area lost attendence; iow, it was simply church-hopping, not conversion growth).
Yet the hosts of these revivals proclaimed loudly that God was pouring out his blessings, and tens of thousands of people flew into town, or drove in in their motorhomes; the revivals saw packed-out buildings for weeks on end as Christians showed up to take part. I know of people here in Washington who flew all the way to Florida to take part in Bentley's "anointing."
But the sad truth is, there is no long-term appreciable difference in the Church today. Those who go to these revivals have a powerful experience, they meet God in new ways. Supposedly some are healed (although it would be nice to see some hard, fast evidence, like doctors going on Nightline saying "20 of my patients came back to see me, and I can say the blind can now see, the deaf can now hear, the lame can now walk."). But when all is said and done, the Church is no different.
So here's my question: Is this not the exact same thing as when Catholics claim a vision of the Virgin Mary, and suddenly tens of thousands of people descend on some poor town, hoping to see the Virgin themselves? They believe it passionately, they claim a deep spiritual experience, they dismiss any negative voice in their midst. And we laugh at them with their silly superstition. How crazy, that they would believe Mary is there and wants to show herself to them.
But yet isn't this talk of revivalism the same? It has more to do with the "faith" of the people than any tangeable evidence or report. Any Christian who questions the authenticity is accused of "quenching the Spirit" or denying the power of God. Even when things fall apart, when healing doesn't happen, when conversion growth doesn't appear, the emotion of the moment carries everything on of its own accord.
I'm not saying God can't work through Todd Bentley. I'm not saying God doesn't show up when people seek him. I am saying I'm concerned that often we mistake our emotions, and the emotions of those around us, for a movement of God. Most Protestants would scoff at the Catholic who runs to Omaha to see Mary (or Jesus) in a piece of toast. Should we not apply the same standard to Christians who need to run off to Florida to see Jesus in a questionable servant?
I'm just asking. Feel free to disagree.
Friday, August 22, 2008
One short Olympic Tidbit
American Brian Clay just won the gold medal in the decathlon, the first American to do so since 1996.
Brian Clay is an alumnus of Azusa Pacific University, my alma mater.
Nice to see a Coug represent.
Brian Clay is an alumnus of Azusa Pacific University, my alma mater.
Nice to see a Coug represent.
What you doin' here?
Note to nerds - please skip the following introduction, as it will bore you. . .
I have google analytics installed on the Hole in the Wall. Which means I can track a lot of details regarding who visits this site. Not the individuals themselves; for instance, I don't know that YOU specifically are reading this right now. But it tells me how many visitors, how many are repeat and how many first-timers, whether they're using Explorer or Firefox or another, and how they got here. Say you found this blog by typing "Dan Whitmarsh the Most Intelligent Christian Commentator in the World" into your search engine; when the results came back this site was at the top, you clicked the link, and here you are. Now, say, 50 people all typed "Dan Whitmarsh the Most Intelligent Christian Commentator in the World" into their search engines, and they all followed the links here. . .then I would be told that 50 people came to this sight by searching for "Dan Whitmarsh. . ." (you get the picture). And once a week or so I check the google analytics, just to see who my visitors might be.
(Nerds - check back in here)
So, without further ado, here are the top-ten keywords for which people searched, that led them to Dan's Hole in the Wall:
1. waypoint church gig harbor
2. dan whitmarsh
3. bent meyer
4. "dan whitmarsh"
5. if I were a scientist
6. bent meyer mars hill
7. dan whitmarsh blog
8. dr goes pellucid marginal degeneration
9. independence day walls
10. more than they deserve
Okay, for a moment, let's combine #s 2,4, and 7. Obviously, people are looking for me. As to #1 - that's another church in the area. The pastor there is a friend of mine. Apparently, people are looking for his site. And ending up here instead. I hope they aren't too disappointed. #5 and #10 are both related to older posts I've made. #8, I'm not sure about the "dr. goes" part but PMD is what I'm dealing with in my left eye. #9 I have no idea.
But it's #3 and 6 that shout out at me. Because it's old news, the story of Mars Hill Church in Seattle firing Bent Meyer and another pastor under suspicious circumstances. And yet people are still searching for his story, and how it relates to that church.
Something's festering there, some people must still be unhappy with the way that all played out.
And, you may tell me, every church has its grumpy people, its detractors and naysayers, and Mars Hill has certainly attracted its critics.
Still, people seem to be looking for answers. And from what I understand, Mars Hill isn't much into "giving people answers" so much as they're into telling people what to believe. Which, in my experience, isn't a healthy way to lead a church.
I have google analytics installed on the Hole in the Wall. Which means I can track a lot of details regarding who visits this site. Not the individuals themselves; for instance, I don't know that YOU specifically are reading this right now. But it tells me how many visitors, how many are repeat and how many first-timers, whether they're using Explorer or Firefox or another, and how they got here. Say you found this blog by typing "Dan Whitmarsh the Most Intelligent Christian Commentator in the World" into your search engine; when the results came back this site was at the top, you clicked the link, and here you are. Now, say, 50 people all typed "Dan Whitmarsh the Most Intelligent Christian Commentator in the World" into their search engines, and they all followed the links here. . .then I would be told that 50 people came to this sight by searching for "Dan Whitmarsh. . ." (you get the picture). And once a week or so I check the google analytics, just to see who my visitors might be.
(Nerds - check back in here)
So, without further ado, here are the top-ten keywords for which people searched, that led them to Dan's Hole in the Wall:
1. waypoint church gig harbor
2. dan whitmarsh
3. bent meyer
4. "dan whitmarsh"
5. if I were a scientist
6. bent meyer mars hill
7. dan whitmarsh blog
8. dr goes pellucid marginal degeneration
9. independence day walls
10. more than they deserve
Okay, for a moment, let's combine #s 2,4, and 7. Obviously, people are looking for me. As to #1 - that's another church in the area. The pastor there is a friend of mine. Apparently, people are looking for his site. And ending up here instead. I hope they aren't too disappointed. #5 and #10 are both related to older posts I've made. #8, I'm not sure about the "dr. goes" part but PMD is what I'm dealing with in my left eye. #9 I have no idea.
But it's #3 and 6 that shout out at me. Because it's old news, the story of Mars Hill Church in Seattle firing Bent Meyer and another pastor under suspicious circumstances. And yet people are still searching for his story, and how it relates to that church.
Something's festering there, some people must still be unhappy with the way that all played out.
And, you may tell me, every church has its grumpy people, its detractors and naysayers, and Mars Hill has certainly attracted its critics.
Still, people seem to be looking for answers. And from what I understand, Mars Hill isn't much into "giving people answers" so much as they're into telling people what to believe. Which, in my experience, isn't a healthy way to lead a church.
Mission Story #8: What's that smell?
It was Monday afternoon. We'd been on the road since Friday morning. We'd already spent two nights in Antioch and one in San Francisco. We had 14 peoples' luggage, sleeping bags, and personal bags, we had instruments and games and footballs. We were trying to keep track of a lot of stuff. So nobody really noticed the two black bags on the van floor. They must belong to somebody, right? Or they must have important stuff in them, right?
So, back to Monday. We'd served lunch and organized the clothing shop at St. Anthony's. We'd finished the Meet-A-Need project (see yesterday). We were in the van, heading over to Naan-and-Curry for Indian food.
And everybody noticed that the van was starting to smell a little ripe.
I had noticed it earlier, but chalked it up to 8 people traveling 800 miles in an enclosed space. Add in the little pieces of trash that were collecting. And include the history of the van: it was old, it was regularly used to transport food for our church's homeless outreaches. I just figured we were smelling the remnants of all that.
But the kids in the back said it really stunk back there. And they started wondering about those black bags laying on the floor, the ones nobody had yet claimed. Those black. . .trash. . .bags. Which, upon further investigation, we discovered were full of. . .trash.
Backtrack the story.
It's Thursday night, the night before we leave, and people are dropping off their stuff to be loaded into the vehicles. Some of that stuff is packed nicely in duffel bags and suitcases; other stuff is shoved into trash bags and stuff sacks. So when Roshni notices two black trash bags by the Jeep, she assumes they're somebody's stuff. Just to be sure, she asks about them. I am in the midst of packing, and, not seeing what she's asking about, say "throw them in!" And so a week's worth of the Whitmarsh's trash (including dirty diapers) ends up underneath all the luggage. And traveling with us all the way to San Francisco. And festering for three days in the van.
Yep, that's us. We're the team who brings our trash with us!
Poor McKenzie must have wondered what kind of group she was forced to spend the week with, a group that carries its own trash across state lines.
So, back to Monday. We'd served lunch and organized the clothing shop at St. Anthony's. We'd finished the Meet-A-Need project (see yesterday). We were in the van, heading over to Naan-and-Curry for Indian food.
And everybody noticed that the van was starting to smell a little ripe.
I had noticed it earlier, but chalked it up to 8 people traveling 800 miles in an enclosed space. Add in the little pieces of trash that were collecting. And include the history of the van: it was old, it was regularly used to transport food for our church's homeless outreaches. I just figured we were smelling the remnants of all that.
But the kids in the back said it really stunk back there. And they started wondering about those black bags laying on the floor, the ones nobody had yet claimed. Those black. . .trash. . .bags. Which, upon further investigation, we discovered were full of. . .trash.
Backtrack the story.
It's Thursday night, the night before we leave, and people are dropping off their stuff to be loaded into the vehicles. Some of that stuff is packed nicely in duffel bags and suitcases; other stuff is shoved into trash bags and stuff sacks. So when Roshni notices two black trash bags by the Jeep, she assumes they're somebody's stuff. Just to be sure, she asks about them. I am in the midst of packing, and, not seeing what she's asking about, say "throw them in!" And so a week's worth of the Whitmarsh's trash (including dirty diapers) ends up underneath all the luggage. And traveling with us all the way to San Francisco. And festering for three days in the van.
Yep, that's us. We're the team who brings our trash with us!
Poor McKenzie must have wondered what kind of group she was forced to spend the week with, a group that carries its own trash across state lines.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Mission Story #7
This one had slipped my mind. . .
It was Monday afternoon, and we'd finished serving lunch at St. Anthony's. Our team of seven was sent into the Mission District for a project entitled "Meet A Need." The team is given $20 and told to wander around, find somebody with a need, and use the $20 to meet it. Hence the name. (Oh: and you couldn't meet a need simply by giving somebody the money. That's a bad way to help people.)
So we wandered down the streets, trying to discern where God might be leading us. Diane, being Diane, chatted with a few ne'er-do-wells we passed; the teens, being teens, sort of clumped up and followed along.
At one point a lady passed us in a wheelchair, headed in the opposite direction. Diane, bringing up the rear, offered her an emphatic "How you doing today?" The woman seemed shocked and confused, staring at Diane like she was off her rocker. Diane made several more attempts at holding a conversation, but finally, deciding the woman was stoned out of her gourd, walked back toward our group. "Something fishy's going on there," she commented to me.
And she was right. At the same time she was attempting to talk to the woman, I noticed a young man decked out in full gang paraphernalia, yelling at somebody over his cell phone. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but caught such brief snatches as "What corner? You said you'd be at the corner!" and "We need to get this finished!" and "Where can I find you?" Then I watched him as he noticed Diane talking to the wheelchair lady, and let's just say you could tell he wasn't happy with what he saw. So he began walking swiftly toward them, just as Diane walked away.
So, the scenario, as I surmise it: he was attempting a drug deal, and using the wheelchair lady as his mule (I think that's the right word for it. . .). He was having a hard time connecting with his buyer, and was attempting to work out the deal over the phone, and suddenly noticed a strange woman talking to his drug-carrier. He was nervous already. I'm sure we unnerved him more.
Now, you might be saying "Dan, you're reading way too much into this." And I might have agreed, except for the fact that he stalked us for the next four blocks. Every time I turned around, he was on the other side of the street, pacing us exactly. When we stopped and I looked that way, he stopped and acted nonchalant. When we moved, he moved. And any number of times I caught him looking directly at us, only to look away when we made eye contact.
Eventually, I saw him yell something into his cell phone, whirl around, and run away. It was about the same time we found our need and met it (buying a tamale from a Honduran lady). And we didn't see him again.
I will say he looked dangerous. He had the look of a seasoned gang member who "knew his business." And he looked agitated. And the whole situation was just too weird for my taste. Who knows what he was thinking - that we were upsetting his deal? That maybe we were customers? Or maybe he couldn't figure us out, either, a bunch of tourists wandering the Mission District?
Anyway, it turned out well, God watched over us, and we all had a powerful time with the Honduran lady, with the Brazilian pastor we met 20 minutes later, and with Harrold, who we met in another hour.
Still, it's not always fun and games on the city streets.
It was Monday afternoon, and we'd finished serving lunch at St. Anthony's. Our team of seven was sent into the Mission District for a project entitled "Meet A Need." The team is given $20 and told to wander around, find somebody with a need, and use the $20 to meet it. Hence the name. (Oh: and you couldn't meet a need simply by giving somebody the money. That's a bad way to help people.)
So we wandered down the streets, trying to discern where God might be leading us. Diane, being Diane, chatted with a few ne'er-do-wells we passed; the teens, being teens, sort of clumped up and followed along.
At one point a lady passed us in a wheelchair, headed in the opposite direction. Diane, bringing up the rear, offered her an emphatic "How you doing today?" The woman seemed shocked and confused, staring at Diane like she was off her rocker. Diane made several more attempts at holding a conversation, but finally, deciding the woman was stoned out of her gourd, walked back toward our group. "Something fishy's going on there," she commented to me.
And she was right. At the same time she was attempting to talk to the woman, I noticed a young man decked out in full gang paraphernalia, yelling at somebody over his cell phone. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but caught such brief snatches as "What corner? You said you'd be at the corner!" and "We need to get this finished!" and "Where can I find you?" Then I watched him as he noticed Diane talking to the wheelchair lady, and let's just say you could tell he wasn't happy with what he saw. So he began walking swiftly toward them, just as Diane walked away.
So, the scenario, as I surmise it: he was attempting a drug deal, and using the wheelchair lady as his mule (I think that's the right word for it. . .). He was having a hard time connecting with his buyer, and was attempting to work out the deal over the phone, and suddenly noticed a strange woman talking to his drug-carrier. He was nervous already. I'm sure we unnerved him more.
Now, you might be saying "Dan, you're reading way too much into this." And I might have agreed, except for the fact that he stalked us for the next four blocks. Every time I turned around, he was on the other side of the street, pacing us exactly. When we stopped and I looked that way, he stopped and acted nonchalant. When we moved, he moved. And any number of times I caught him looking directly at us, only to look away when we made eye contact.
Eventually, I saw him yell something into his cell phone, whirl around, and run away. It was about the same time we found our need and met it (buying a tamale from a Honduran lady). And we didn't see him again.
I will say he looked dangerous. He had the look of a seasoned gang member who "knew his business." And he looked agitated. And the whole situation was just too weird for my taste. Who knows what he was thinking - that we were upsetting his deal? That maybe we were customers? Or maybe he couldn't figure us out, either, a bunch of tourists wandering the Mission District?
Anyway, it turned out well, God watched over us, and we all had a powerful time with the Honduran lady, with the Brazilian pastor we met 20 minutes later, and with Harrold, who we met in another hour.
Still, it's not always fun and games on the city streets.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A couple of things of great importance
1. John Cleese is twittering.
2. Ben Witherington has posted his take on Election. The theology, not the political process. I tend to agree with the position he's endorsing.
3. Speaking of Election, I voted today. Or, I voted last night, and it's in the mail today.
4. Olivia turned 8 yesterday. And we had a nice party for her. Kids, cake, homemade bbq pizzas. If only it hadn't rained.
5. And for those with time to kill, here's a synopsis on How We Spent Our Eleventh Anniversary:
The Plan:
- Drop the kids off with sitters
- Take a long bike ride along the Seattle Waterfront
- Shower and change at the Seattle YMCA
- Dinner at Juno, the new restaurant in the Historic Arctic Club - where our friend Holly works
- Home before it's too late.
But, the day got off to a late start due to slow kids and needing to stop in Vaughn to shoot some pictures for the paper. Plus, the more we thought about it, the more complicated it became to have the bikes with us. So, after kid #1 was dropped off, the new plan was:
- Take a
bike ridelong walk along the Seattle waterfront, enjoying the summer sun.
- Shower and change at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
However,
We didn't take into account that the 405, one of the 2 major north/south freeways, was closed in Bellevue for road deconstruction, so all that traffic would slide over to the 5, meaning the freeway was a parking lot from the Michigan curves through Northgate. Meaning we got to my parents an hour late to drop off kid #2. So, the new plan was:
- Take a
longshort walk along the Seattle waterfront, enjoying a little of the summer sun
- Quick washup and change at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
However,
I didn't take into account that Saturday was the Seattle Seahawks' Home Opener at Qwest Field. Thus, after driving through the tunnel under Seattle, heading south on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and exiting at the first downtown exit, we found ourselves in more gridlock. Not a problem - I know a shortcut!
A shortcut that was blocked by a slow-moving train. Oh, and after the train passed, we had to sit for five more minutes while the police ushered in the Chicago Bears' Team Busses.
So, the new new plan:
-
Take a walk on the Seattle Waterfront
- Short workout at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
Out of the mess, to the YMCA. Which seems to be deserted. Because, as we were shortly to find out, it was closed for the weekend for maintenance. We scroll through our plans: who do we know that has a shower we can use? do we just go into the public library and clean up in their restrooms? Wait! I know where there's another YMCA!
So over Capitol Hill to the East Madison YMCA, which, thankfully, is open.
New plan:
-
WorkoutQuick shower and change at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late
We're out of the YMCA before 5:00, and head over toward 3rd and Cherry to enjoy our leisurely dinner.
Only, due to the afore-mentioned football game, all parking in the area is either taken or $40. Oh, and this: the Seattle Waterfront is extra-full due to Hempfest going on over there. So any parking left from the football crowd is used up by the pot-loving crowd. (note: between the freaks dressed up for the game (you know, the blue heads and such) and the freaks wandering over from hempfest. . .it felt like driving through an early Mel Gibson film). I drop Karina off at Juno, and attempt to find parking. . .
Which I do, an hour later.
So now the plan is:
- Attempt to relax after such a crazy day
- Rush through dinner
- Try to get home before too late.
Dinner was lovely. Juno is an amazing restaurant. It was fun to see Holly in action. We had a great conversation with the head chef. The Arctic Club is a beautiful hotel.
After dinner, we headed back to my parents' to pick up child #2. The freeway was still a parking lot. We left for home just as the football game got out, leaving us on the freeway where 70,000 drunk fans were all attempting to merge. We got home late.
Ah, well. God is teaching me flexibility these days, for some reason. And considering the suffering some of my friends are going through these days, our day was more comical than anything. God has blessed us with two wonderful children, loving parents and rich friendships. We have every reason to rejoice and none to complain.
Although I would have liked to have had that bike ride.
2. Ben Witherington has posted his take on Election. The theology, not the political process. I tend to agree with the position he's endorsing.
3. Speaking of Election, I voted today. Or, I voted last night, and it's in the mail today.
4. Olivia turned 8 yesterday. And we had a nice party for her. Kids, cake, homemade bbq pizzas. If only it hadn't rained.
5. And for those with time to kill, here's a synopsis on How We Spent Our Eleventh Anniversary:
The Plan:
- Drop the kids off with sitters
- Take a long bike ride along the Seattle Waterfront
- Shower and change at the Seattle YMCA
- Dinner at Juno, the new restaurant in the Historic Arctic Club - where our friend Holly works
- Home before it's too late.
But, the day got off to a late start due to slow kids and needing to stop in Vaughn to shoot some pictures for the paper. Plus, the more we thought about it, the more complicated it became to have the bikes with us. So, after kid #1 was dropped off, the new plan was:
- Take a
- Shower and change at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
However,
We didn't take into account that the 405, one of the 2 major north/south freeways, was closed in Bellevue for road deconstruction, so all that traffic would slide over to the 5, meaning the freeway was a parking lot from the Michigan curves through Northgate. Meaning we got to my parents an hour late to drop off kid #2. So, the new plan was:
- Take a
- Quick washup and change at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
However,
I didn't take into account that Saturday was the Seattle Seahawks' Home Opener at Qwest Field. Thus, after driving through the tunnel under Seattle, heading south on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and exiting at the first downtown exit, we found ourselves in more gridlock. Not a problem - I know a shortcut!
A shortcut that was blocked by a slow-moving train. Oh, and after the train passed, we had to sit for five more minutes while the police ushered in the Chicago Bears' Team Busses.
So, the new new plan:
-
- Short workout at the YMCA
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late.
Out of the mess, to the YMCA. Which seems to be deserted. Because, as we were shortly to find out, it was closed for the weekend for maintenance. We scroll through our plans: who do we know that has a shower we can use? do we just go into the public library and clean up in their restrooms? Wait! I know where there's another YMCA!
So over Capitol Hill to the East Madison YMCA, which, thankfully, is open.
New plan:
-
- Dinner at Juno
- Home before it's too late
We're out of the YMCA before 5:00, and head over toward 3rd and Cherry to enjoy our leisurely dinner.
Only, due to the afore-mentioned football game, all parking in the area is either taken or $40. Oh, and this: the Seattle Waterfront is extra-full due to Hempfest going on over there. So any parking left from the football crowd is used up by the pot-loving crowd. (note: between the freaks dressed up for the game (you know, the blue heads and such) and the freaks wandering over from hempfest. . .it felt like driving through an early Mel Gibson film). I drop Karina off at Juno, and attempt to find parking. . .
Which I do, an hour later.
So now the plan is:
- Attempt to relax after such a crazy day
- Rush through dinner
- Try to get home before too late.
Dinner was lovely. Juno is an amazing restaurant. It was fun to see Holly in action. We had a great conversation with the head chef. The Arctic Club is a beautiful hotel.
After dinner, we headed back to my parents' to pick up child #2. The freeway was still a parking lot. We left for home just as the football game got out, leaving us on the freeway where 70,000 drunk fans were all attempting to merge. We got home late.
Ah, well. God is teaching me flexibility these days, for some reason. And considering the suffering some of my friends are going through these days, our day was more comical than anything. God has blessed us with two wonderful children, loving parents and rich friendships. We have every reason to rejoice and none to complain.
Although I would have liked to have had that bike ride.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Our little community has been hard hit lately. I suppose it started with R.J. who went in June to celebrate his mother's birthday, only to celebrate her homegoing instead. Then three weeks ago it was R&K, losing their unborn child. The next day it was M.F. receiving word her father was dying; they are now in Montana celebrating his Final Release from this life. This week it was W.L., finding out his nephew died of a heart attack in the middle of the night on Wednesday.
And today. . .we hear that 15-year-old P.A. was hit and killed by an SUV in Florida last night.
If you're the praying type, lift up our church and those who grieve. There are yet many tears to be shed, and a long time before many hallelujahs may be sung.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.
And today. . .we hear that 15-year-old P.A. was hit and killed by an SUV in Florida last night.
If you're the praying type, lift up our church and those who grieve. There are yet many tears to be shed, and a long time before many hallelujahs may be sung.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Something new about myself
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Music, Theology, and The Saving Grace of Jesus
Not too long ago I was speaking to Mark Baker on the issue of communicating the atonement. Baker is a former professor of mine in seminary, and the author of several books, including Recovering the Scandal of the Cross and the editor of its sequel, Proclaiming the Scandal of the Cross. Because of our relationship over the last 7 years, I was able to submit a chapter for Proclaiming, which, I'm always pleased to tell people, made it through the final cut and into the book.
At heart is the issue of atonement: what exactly did the cross accomplish? Baker's premise is that today we live too strongly with one story/metaphor: Penal Substitutionary Atonement. You've heard the story: We sinned, God became really angry, we deserved God's wrath, Jesus took God's wrath into himself on the cross, God was appeased and we received salvation through Jesus.
Historically, there have been other ways of looking at the cross. Biblically, there are certainly other ways of describing the work of Christ to bring salvation to his people. Some would argue that PSA should be only one of many metaphors (a la Scot McKnight), others would argue it's an unhealthy metaphor at best, so perhaps should be set aside for awhile.
In Recovering the Scandal, Baker and Joel Green make the case that even the biblical models of atonement are metaphors at best: none fully describe the intricate inner mechanics of salvation. They argue that the NT writers were doing their best to contextualize the message of the cross, bringing home the eternal message in contemporary words to impact local listeners. They thus encourage today's pastors, teachers, sunday school leaders, thinkers and theologians to come up with metaphors for atonement that speak to today's listeners: to tell "the old, old story" in such a way that it is faithful to the biblical texts but expands the models so that they impact today's listeners. They also, certainly, encourage us all to open up the biblical models and embrace the fuller range of atonement language, rather than focusing in on the "appeasement of wrath" message inherent in PSA.
So back to our conversation. Mark's question to me was "how do we get this message out? How do we reach people? How do we get their attention? How can we begin to impact the larger church culture with this message?" The PSA model is so central to so many presentations and understandings of the gospel that almost nobody is hearing that they have a choice to look at it differently. From the days we're in sunday school, up through "decision night" at camp, into the sermons we listen to and the songs we sing. . .they are all dripping with PSA language. So Mark's written these books, Scot McKnight recently added to the conversation with his A Community Called Atonement, but on the ground, word just doesn't seem to be getting out very quickly. So how do we change an entire culture?
About that same time, I was finishing up Her Heart Can See, the recent biography of Fanny J. Crosby, and it struck me how much our music influences our theology. The songs we sing as children, the songs we love in worship - whether or not we realize it, they teach us the things we come to believe are Truth. In Crosby's day, she was often criticized by theologians and composers as being "trite" and "given to emotionalism." Her hymns were simple and spoke simple truths of hope and faith and God's love. In many ways, the Evangelical Church owes its passion for evangelism to Crosby and other songwriters, who wrote songs like "Rescue the Perishing." Much of our sentimentalism is owed to her and others who wrote songs about Jesus as friend, as companion, as dear father waiting to welcome us home. And so it struck me: as long as we're singing songs that say "And on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied," people will continue to hold strongly to a PSA model. A changing of hymn lyrics could be one of the primary methods of getting people to think about this all differently. The truth is, theologians can argue about this until the cows come home, but one or two good songs could bring about quick change across the board.
And so it was that I was excited to hear the new song "Jesus Saves," by Travis Cottrell and David Moffit. (You can listen to it on Travis' MySpace Page). They paint one of the fullest, most robust pictures of atonement that I have heard in song. What I especially appreciate is that they reflect one of Scot McKnight's central tenets, and one that I have long felt was important: that the whole life of Jesus Christ, from birth to death to resurrection, is part of the atonement story. You cannot boil the whole thing down to one transaction that took place on the cross. Instead, from the incarnation, through the life and ministry of Jesus, on the cross and in the empty tomb, all are working together to bring about salvation for us and this world. And Cottrell and Moffit get it. Look closely at these lyrics, and note how they bring the whole story into The Story:
Hear the heart of heaven beating, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves."
And the hush of mercy breathing, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves."
Hear the host of heaven sing, "Glory to the newborn King."
And the sounding joy repeating, "Jesus saves."
And this is the part where they really nail it:
He will live, our sorrows sharing, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
He will die, our burden bearing, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
"It is done!" will shout the cross, "Christ has paid redemption's cost!"
And the empty tomb's declaring, "Jesus saves!"
Do you see it? The whole life of Christ is there - birth, life (identification), death and resurrection, all in one full picture of redemption. And the cross is there, the idea of paying the cost of redemption, but without bringing in an angry God in need of appeasement. You have substitutionary atonement there, without bringing in the Penal part of it. You have the necessity of the cross, but also the importance of Christ sharing in our sorrows throughout life. And you have it all brought to completion, not at the cross, but in the empty tomb.
It also helps that it's a great song, with a very catchy, singable melody, so it sticks in your head once you've heard it once or twice.
And this is exactly what is needed in the conversation. I encourage you to take a listen, and see if you can't get it into the rotation at your church, wherever that may be. And take time to consider: what other songs could contribute to this conversation?
At heart is the issue of atonement: what exactly did the cross accomplish? Baker's premise is that today we live too strongly with one story/metaphor: Penal Substitutionary Atonement. You've heard the story: We sinned, God became really angry, we deserved God's wrath, Jesus took God's wrath into himself on the cross, God was appeased and we received salvation through Jesus.
Historically, there have been other ways of looking at the cross. Biblically, there are certainly other ways of describing the work of Christ to bring salvation to his people. Some would argue that PSA should be only one of many metaphors (a la Scot McKnight), others would argue it's an unhealthy metaphor at best, so perhaps should be set aside for awhile.
In Recovering the Scandal, Baker and Joel Green make the case that even the biblical models of atonement are metaphors at best: none fully describe the intricate inner mechanics of salvation. They argue that the NT writers were doing their best to contextualize the message of the cross, bringing home the eternal message in contemporary words to impact local listeners. They thus encourage today's pastors, teachers, sunday school leaders, thinkers and theologians to come up with metaphors for atonement that speak to today's listeners: to tell "the old, old story" in such a way that it is faithful to the biblical texts but expands the models so that they impact today's listeners. They also, certainly, encourage us all to open up the biblical models and embrace the fuller range of atonement language, rather than focusing in on the "appeasement of wrath" message inherent in PSA.
So back to our conversation. Mark's question to me was "how do we get this message out? How do we reach people? How do we get their attention? How can we begin to impact the larger church culture with this message?" The PSA model is so central to so many presentations and understandings of the gospel that almost nobody is hearing that they have a choice to look at it differently. From the days we're in sunday school, up through "decision night" at camp, into the sermons we listen to and the songs we sing. . .they are all dripping with PSA language. So Mark's written these books, Scot McKnight recently added to the conversation with his A Community Called Atonement, but on the ground, word just doesn't seem to be getting out very quickly. So how do we change an entire culture?
About that same time, I was finishing up Her Heart Can See, the recent biography of Fanny J. Crosby, and it struck me how much our music influences our theology. The songs we sing as children, the songs we love in worship - whether or not we realize it, they teach us the things we come to believe are Truth. In Crosby's day, she was often criticized by theologians and composers as being "trite" and "given to emotionalism." Her hymns were simple and spoke simple truths of hope and faith and God's love. In many ways, the Evangelical Church owes its passion for evangelism to Crosby and other songwriters, who wrote songs like "Rescue the Perishing." Much of our sentimentalism is owed to her and others who wrote songs about Jesus as friend, as companion, as dear father waiting to welcome us home. And so it struck me: as long as we're singing songs that say "And on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied," people will continue to hold strongly to a PSA model. A changing of hymn lyrics could be one of the primary methods of getting people to think about this all differently. The truth is, theologians can argue about this until the cows come home, but one or two good songs could bring about quick change across the board.
And so it was that I was excited to hear the new song "Jesus Saves," by Travis Cottrell and David Moffit. (You can listen to it on Travis' MySpace Page). They paint one of the fullest, most robust pictures of atonement that I have heard in song. What I especially appreciate is that they reflect one of Scot McKnight's central tenets, and one that I have long felt was important: that the whole life of Jesus Christ, from birth to death to resurrection, is part of the atonement story. You cannot boil the whole thing down to one transaction that took place on the cross. Instead, from the incarnation, through the life and ministry of Jesus, on the cross and in the empty tomb, all are working together to bring about salvation for us and this world. And Cottrell and Moffit get it. Look closely at these lyrics, and note how they bring the whole story into The Story:
Hear the heart of heaven beating, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves."
And the hush of mercy breathing, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves."
Hear the host of heaven sing, "Glory to the newborn King."
And the sounding joy repeating, "Jesus saves."
And this is the part where they really nail it:
He will live, our sorrows sharing, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
He will die, our burden bearing, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
"It is done!" will shout the cross, "Christ has paid redemption's cost!"
And the empty tomb's declaring, "Jesus saves!"
Do you see it? The whole life of Christ is there - birth, life (identification), death and resurrection, all in one full picture of redemption. And the cross is there, the idea of paying the cost of redemption, but without bringing in an angry God in need of appeasement. You have substitutionary atonement there, without bringing in the Penal part of it. You have the necessity of the cross, but also the importance of Christ sharing in our sorrows throughout life. And you have it all brought to completion, not at the cross, but in the empty tomb.
It also helps that it's a great song, with a very catchy, singable melody, so it sticks in your head once you've heard it once or twice.
And this is exactly what is needed in the conversation. I encourage you to take a listen, and see if you can't get it into the rotation at your church, wherever that may be. And take time to consider: what other songs could contribute to this conversation?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mission Story #6
On the last day of our journey, following our worship experience at Vally Covenant, we headed off to the Hometown Buffet for brunch.
(btw - how do you say the word 'buffet'? My whole life I've heard it and spoken it with a hard "u", as in "lunch" or "bucket." But that weekend, and yesterday once again, I've heard people pronounce it with a soft "u", as in "duke" or "rule." So it sounded like "boofet." Why have I never ever heard it pronounced that way, and then 3 times in 2 weeks somebody uses that pronunciation?)
In Eugene, the Hometown Buffet is inside a shopping mall. So we had to walk through the mall to get to the restaurant. And we had to walk through the mall to leave the restaurant.
So get this: we're on our ninth day of travel, we've just finished a hard but wonderful week of ministry in and around San Francisco, we're happy to be heading home but missing San Francisco, our hearts are broken by all we've seen and experienced, we're still processing the lessons we learned, and wondering if we ought to go back sometime soon. . .
and as we leave the Hometown Buffet, as we walk through the mall and then exit through a promenade back toward the parking lot and our final push home. . .
over the overhead loudspeakers, the background music is playing, and it slowly dawns on us that they're playing Tony Bennett, singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."
That's too much of a coincidence to purely be random. I have to think God was giving us a final "well done" for a good job accomplished on our week away, and perhaps a reminder to keep SF in our thoughts and prayers. . .and to quickly consider what comes next.
(btw - how do you say the word 'buffet'? My whole life I've heard it and spoken it with a hard "u", as in "lunch" or "bucket." But that weekend, and yesterday once again, I've heard people pronounce it with a soft "u", as in "duke" or "rule." So it sounded like "boofet." Why have I never ever heard it pronounced that way, and then 3 times in 2 weeks somebody uses that pronunciation?)
In Eugene, the Hometown Buffet is inside a shopping mall. So we had to walk through the mall to get to the restaurant. And we had to walk through the mall to leave the restaurant.
So get this: we're on our ninth day of travel, we've just finished a hard but wonderful week of ministry in and around San Francisco, we're happy to be heading home but missing San Francisco, our hearts are broken by all we've seen and experienced, we're still processing the lessons we learned, and wondering if we ought to go back sometime soon. . .
and as we leave the Hometown Buffet, as we walk through the mall and then exit through a promenade back toward the parking lot and our final push home. . .
over the overhead loudspeakers, the background music is playing, and it slowly dawns on us that they're playing Tony Bennett, singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."
That's too much of a coincidence to purely be random. I have to think God was giving us a final "well done" for a good job accomplished on our week away, and perhaps a reminder to keep SF in our thoughts and prayers. . .and to quickly consider what comes next.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Mission Story #5
The SF 2008 Video is now up on the Lakebay Community Church website.
http://www.lakebaycovenant.net/Media
On the LCC Video player, choose "2008 San Francisco Mission Trip," and then press "play." It's that simple.
http://www.lakebaycovenant.net/Media
On the LCC Video player, choose "2008 San Francisco Mission Trip," and then press "play." It's that simple.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Oh, the torture
We found out this week that The Infamous Stringdusters are playing in Ballard tonight. As in, my favorite band, playing our hometown.
But, the show doesn't start until 9:30 (about 30 minutes from now) and goes to midnight. Which doesn't really work well, seeing as how I am expected to be ready and capable to lead a church service first thing tomorrow morning. So. . .alas, we're missing it.
Perhaps not all would be lost, though. Driving through Seattle yesterday we saw a billboard for the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant tour, playing the Wamu theater in October. Ironically, we were listening to that exact CD when we drove by Safeco Field and saw the billboard. Yeah!, we thought. We get to see Allison Krauss!
Oh, wait a minute. Tickets are 70$ apiece (plus the service charge) for the cheap seats, $135 for the better ones.
I don't know about you, but I tend to balk at paying more than $50 for a concert. And even then, it better be special.
So, alas, we'll miss that one as well.
But wait! Chris Thile is playing in Seattle in October! Perhaps not all is lost. . .
But, the show doesn't start until 9:30 (about 30 minutes from now) and goes to midnight. Which doesn't really work well, seeing as how I am expected to be ready and capable to lead a church service first thing tomorrow morning. So. . .alas, we're missing it.
Perhaps not all would be lost, though. Driving through Seattle yesterday we saw a billboard for the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant tour, playing the Wamu theater in October. Ironically, we were listening to that exact CD when we drove by Safeco Field and saw the billboard. Yeah!, we thought. We get to see Allison Krauss!
Oh, wait a minute. Tickets are 70$ apiece (plus the service charge) for the cheap seats, $135 for the better ones.
I don't know about you, but I tend to balk at paying more than $50 for a concert. And even then, it better be special.
So, alas, we'll miss that one as well.
But wait! Chris Thile is playing in Seattle in October! Perhaps not all is lost. . .
Friday, August 08, 2008
Mission Story #4: a Tale of Three Churches
On the trip down to San Francisco, we stayed two nights with Brian Brown, pastor of New Hope Community Covenant Church in Antioch, CA. Brian and I became friends back when we were both youth pastors in the Central Valley, he in Stockton and me in Turlock. He (and his very pregnant wife Rachel) were gracious enough to let us all crash at their place and take over their bathrooms and kitchen for a bit.
On Sunday morning, we attended the worship service at New Hope. But it wasn't a normal service. New Hope meets in a school's auditorium, so they thought it would be a nice reflection of God's love to do a service project that morning, cleaning up trash around the school grounds. So they began with an abbreviated, 30-minute service, with the Lakebay team leading the music and Brian giving a short "talk," and then went into the service project. We joined them for a bit, and then headed off into our week of mission work in San Francisco.
On Thursday of that week, we attended the Evensong service at Grace Cathedral, the Episcopal mothership in San Francisco. Evensong is a hybrid Vespers/Compline service, made up of prayers and scriptures, some spoken and some sung. No sermon, no anouncements, just music and scripture. And the music is glorious, if you like classical music (not so much if you're preference is hip-hop or country). There is a majesty and holiness to the worship at Grace, a sense of awe and mystery that you don't usually get in contemporary music. So it's good to take part of, every once in awhile.
On the way home, we spent the night at Valley Covenant in Eugene. On Sunday mornings, they hold a short communion service before the regular worship service. It's about 30 minutes of scripture, prayer, and then the Lord's Supper. Our group joined them for this service, electing to leave before the main service kicked off, so that we could get some breakfast and then drive home. And it was a blessed time; I think our people really enjoyed the simple yet elegant format, and the opportunity to share Communion with our brothers and sisters from Oregon.
But you see the thread, right? Three churches, all "alternative" services. All focusing on music and scripture, with little or no speaking by the preacher-man. Three services that all lasted 30-45 minutes at the longest.
And so it was that one of our younger group members, one with little church experience besides Lakebay, came up to me following Valley Covenant's service and asked "Dan, do they ever preach sermons in other churches, or is that just something we made up at Lakebay?"
On Sunday morning, we attended the worship service at New Hope. But it wasn't a normal service. New Hope meets in a school's auditorium, so they thought it would be a nice reflection of God's love to do a service project that morning, cleaning up trash around the school grounds. So they began with an abbreviated, 30-minute service, with the Lakebay team leading the music and Brian giving a short "talk," and then went into the service project. We joined them for a bit, and then headed off into our week of mission work in San Francisco.
On Thursday of that week, we attended the Evensong service at Grace Cathedral, the Episcopal mothership in San Francisco. Evensong is a hybrid Vespers/Compline service, made up of prayers and scriptures, some spoken and some sung. No sermon, no anouncements, just music and scripture. And the music is glorious, if you like classical music (not so much if you're preference is hip-hop or country). There is a majesty and holiness to the worship at Grace, a sense of awe and mystery that you don't usually get in contemporary music. So it's good to take part of, every once in awhile.
On the way home, we spent the night at Valley Covenant in Eugene. On Sunday mornings, they hold a short communion service before the regular worship service. It's about 30 minutes of scripture, prayer, and then the Lord's Supper. Our group joined them for this service, electing to leave before the main service kicked off, so that we could get some breakfast and then drive home. And it was a blessed time; I think our people really enjoyed the simple yet elegant format, and the opportunity to share Communion with our brothers and sisters from Oregon.
But you see the thread, right? Three churches, all "alternative" services. All focusing on music and scripture, with little or no speaking by the preacher-man. Three services that all lasted 30-45 minutes at the longest.
And so it was that one of our younger group members, one with little church experience besides Lakebay, came up to me following Valley Covenant's service and asked "Dan, do they ever preach sermons in other churches, or is that just something we made up at Lakebay?"
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Mission Story #3
This might be my defining moment for the trip.
Our group of seven was on a city search, a scavenger-hunt type trip throughout the Tenderloin and Market District. Since I know the city so well, I chose to stay back and let the other five negotiate their way around.
From the beginning, it was a disaster. And not particularly because of anything the group did. A bus driver sent them off in the wrong direction, and from there it became a comedy of misjudgments, bad directions, unhelpful maps and pedestrians lacking in general city knowledge.
About 90 minutes into the adventure, the team was studying a map, trying to figure out where they were. The map was attached to the side of one of those automatic, self-cleaning restrooms located around the city. We were just east of the UN Plaza; it was sunny and warm. Tourists and locals were milling around us. I stood about 15 feet away from the group, watching them trying to figure out where to go next. We were growing ever more frustrated at how the whole endeavor was playing out.
Suddenly, the door of the automatic washroom opened up, and two hispanic-looking men walked out together. Both were cinching up their pants. And for a moment, just before the door slid shut, I caught a glimpse of a woman, slumped against the back wall inside, her pants down around her knees, her posture that of someone extremely stoned. Then the door shut.
The two men kept walking to the east, blending into the crowd. A chinese woman stood and yelled at the push-button on the side of the washroom. Our team, oblivious to all that had just happened, continued to study the map.
When the team began to move, I held back, hoping the door would open and we could make sure the woman was okay. But it didn't open, and we were soon in danger of losing the team. So someone went and talked to a security guard. Who did nothing. She then tried to flag down a passing police officer, but he ignored her. And, not wanting to be separated from the group, we were forced to walk away, leaving her as one more sad tale from a broken city.
What really jumped out at me, as I reflected on the moment, was how our group, so entranced by the map, so focused on the task, remained completely ignorant of this moment of such brokenness, such betrayal, such evil, a moment which occurred mere feet from where they stood. Only I saw what happened, and that only because I was standing back, silent, watching.
I don't know that anything seared my soul like that moment over the course of the week. Truthfully, the team did nothing wrong; they were staying on task, just like they were supposed to. But it became, for me, a metaphor of how much in life we miss by rushing through life, doing the things we're supposed to be doing, when, in reality, such brokenness and pain are all around us.
And it truly shocked me into the reality that this is no game, these are not all nice people. The level of pain and depravity go beyond even what we might imagine. There is a war here, and the stakes are high. At any moment we may run into the evil one, we might run into those destroyed by his games. And sometimes there's not much you can do, except pray.
Our group of seven was on a city search, a scavenger-hunt type trip throughout the Tenderloin and Market District. Since I know the city so well, I chose to stay back and let the other five negotiate their way around.
From the beginning, it was a disaster. And not particularly because of anything the group did. A bus driver sent them off in the wrong direction, and from there it became a comedy of misjudgments, bad directions, unhelpful maps and pedestrians lacking in general city knowledge.
About 90 minutes into the adventure, the team was studying a map, trying to figure out where they were. The map was attached to the side of one of those automatic, self-cleaning restrooms located around the city. We were just east of the UN Plaza; it was sunny and warm. Tourists and locals were milling around us. I stood about 15 feet away from the group, watching them trying to figure out where to go next. We were growing ever more frustrated at how the whole endeavor was playing out.
Suddenly, the door of the automatic washroom opened up, and two hispanic-looking men walked out together. Both were cinching up their pants. And for a moment, just before the door slid shut, I caught a glimpse of a woman, slumped against the back wall inside, her pants down around her knees, her posture that of someone extremely stoned. Then the door shut.
The two men kept walking to the east, blending into the crowd. A chinese woman stood and yelled at the push-button on the side of the washroom. Our team, oblivious to all that had just happened, continued to study the map.
When the team began to move, I held back, hoping the door would open and we could make sure the woman was okay. But it didn't open, and we were soon in danger of losing the team. So someone went and talked to a security guard. Who did nothing. She then tried to flag down a passing police officer, but he ignored her. And, not wanting to be separated from the group, we were forced to walk away, leaving her as one more sad tale from a broken city.
What really jumped out at me, as I reflected on the moment, was how our group, so entranced by the map, so focused on the task, remained completely ignorant of this moment of such brokenness, such betrayal, such evil, a moment which occurred mere feet from where they stood. Only I saw what happened, and that only because I was standing back, silent, watching.
I don't know that anything seared my soul like that moment over the course of the week. Truthfully, the team did nothing wrong; they were staying on task, just like they were supposed to. But it became, for me, a metaphor of how much in life we miss by rushing through life, doing the things we're supposed to be doing, when, in reality, such brokenness and pain are all around us.
And it truly shocked me into the reality that this is no game, these are not all nice people. The level of pain and depravity go beyond even what we might imagine. There is a war here, and the stakes are high. At any moment we may run into the evil one, we might run into those destroyed by his games. And sometimes there's not much you can do, except pray.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Mission Story #2
On Tuesday, we served lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Oakland. We started the day folding napkins and aprons, pouring juice, and interacting with the other volunteers there.
Karina had a long conversation with one in particular - Nivana, a high school girl from Oakland, who serves there to fulfill volunteer hours necessary for graduation.
Around 11:00 we began to serve lunch to homeless and low-income men, women, and families in the area. I found myself on the serving line, standing between Nivana and and our own Kate McCourt. Kate was dishing up a chicken cassarole, I was scooping on the salad. Nivana handled the peaches.
As we served up the food, the conversation continued. Eventually, Nivana said "My grandmother lives in Washington."
"Where?" I asked.
"Somewhere near Gig Harbor."
"We live near Gig Harbor. Do you know where exactly she lives?"
"Um, it starts with a W I think."
"Not Wauna?"
"Yeah - Wauna. That's it."
For all you non-locals, Wauna is the tiny community at the Purdy Spit, a mere 15 miles or so north of Lakebay. We all regularly drive through Wauna to go into town. Ask 100 people in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area where Wauna is, and 99 won't have a clue. Yet here we are in Oakland, California, serving next to a young lady whose grandmother lives there. What are the odds?
But it gets better.
"She sometimes leads Bible studies at the Purdy Women's Prison."
We have people in our church who sometimes serve/minister at the Purdy women's prison.
And then it got really freaky, or cool, depending on how you look at it.
As we worked it all out, we discovered that Nivana's grandmother graduated from Tacoma Community College last spring. Kate graduated from TCC last spring. In other words, they graduated together. And Nivana was there, to see her grandmother graduate. So. unbeknownst to each other, they were at the same graduation in Tacoma last spring. Nivana saw Kate graduate. And now, in late July, they were both standing on the same serving line at St. Vincent de Paul in Oakland.
If you ask me, that's pretty neat. Almost like God's sense of humor shining through for a brief moment.
________
Postscript: Later that day, our team had a scavenger hunt-type activity throughout the tenderloin and Market districts. Part of the activity was designed to force the team to interact with locals, seeking out information and directions. The first person the team interviewed was a librarian at the SF library. Turns out she's from Shelton, another small Washington town about 30 miles away. The second person they interviewed was a woman sitting by the fountain at the bottom of UN plaza. Only she was from Seattle, so didn't have much to say about life in SF.
Karina had a long conversation with one in particular - Nivana, a high school girl from Oakland, who serves there to fulfill volunteer hours necessary for graduation.
Around 11:00 we began to serve lunch to homeless and low-income men, women, and families in the area. I found myself on the serving line, standing between Nivana and and our own Kate McCourt. Kate was dishing up a chicken cassarole, I was scooping on the salad. Nivana handled the peaches.
As we served up the food, the conversation continued. Eventually, Nivana said "My grandmother lives in Washington."
"Where?" I asked.
"Somewhere near Gig Harbor."
"We live near Gig Harbor. Do you know where exactly she lives?"
"Um, it starts with a W I think."
"Not Wauna?"
"Yeah - Wauna. That's it."
For all you non-locals, Wauna is the tiny community at the Purdy Spit, a mere 15 miles or so north of Lakebay. We all regularly drive through Wauna to go into town. Ask 100 people in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area where Wauna is, and 99 won't have a clue. Yet here we are in Oakland, California, serving next to a young lady whose grandmother lives there. What are the odds?
But it gets better.
"She sometimes leads Bible studies at the Purdy Women's Prison."
We have people in our church who sometimes serve/minister at the Purdy women's prison.
And then it got really freaky, or cool, depending on how you look at it.
As we worked it all out, we discovered that Nivana's grandmother graduated from Tacoma Community College last spring. Kate graduated from TCC last spring. In other words, they graduated together. And Nivana was there, to see her grandmother graduate. So. unbeknownst to each other, they were at the same graduation in Tacoma last spring. Nivana saw Kate graduate. And now, in late July, they were both standing on the same serving line at St. Vincent de Paul in Oakland.
If you ask me, that's pretty neat. Almost like God's sense of humor shining through for a brief moment.
________
Postscript: Later that day, our team had a scavenger hunt-type activity throughout the tenderloin and Market districts. Part of the activity was designed to force the team to interact with locals, seeking out information and directions. The first person the team interviewed was a librarian at the SF library. Turns out she's from Shelton, another small Washington town about 30 miles away. The second person they interviewed was a woman sitting by the fountain at the bottom of UN plaza. Only she was from Seattle, so didn't have much to say about life in SF.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Mission Story, #1
It all begins, I suppose, with the drive from Lakebay to the Bay Area.
We left the church parking lot Friday morning at 6:05 a.m., with excitement and anticipation. The plan was to reach Antioch by 8:00 p.m. that night, getting in a good night's sleep before spending Saturday doing touristy things.
After picking up the Fishers in Gig Harbor, we drove off onto the interstate, heading south through the morning traffic.
Somewhere around Kelso, the speedometer in the van stopped working. Not a huge deal, I think to myself. We have two vehicles, so the other can pace us. We can get it fixed when we reach the Bay Area.
Then the "Check Engine" light comes on. Probably related to the speedometer, I think, but worth checking out. So off at Kalama to pop the hood. Looking at the engine, I see nothing that would cause a speedometer to stop working. But. . .I see coolant dripping off the engine to he ground below. Just overflow, I wonder?
Back on the road, we decide to stop at the final rest stop before the Oregon border. Kids need to pee, drivers need more coffee. Now we notice a growing puddle of coolant below the van. We pop the hood, Duncan and I poke around. Finally he figures it out - a steady spray coming from the top corner of the radiator.
Probably nothing fatal, but not a condition in which I want to drive over the Siskiyous. I begin to get just a little worried.
But I know people in a lot of places. So I make a phone call to my uncle Ralph in Portland, who calls his mechanic, who agrees to see us right away. And just like that, we're back on the road, heading south to Tigard.
We meet my uncle at the mechanic's shop. One quick look and we get the bad news. "Your radiator's shot. You'll need a new one." I'm thinking this means we leave the van and pay for a rental. But no, he says. "Should take 2-3 hours." And they can check the speedometer while they're at it. And. . .since we're a church group, and his dad was a minister and his brother is a minister, he's knocking $150 off the cost.
We decide to wait it out at my aunt and uncle's house. Most head over there, while Ralph and I and three guys go order Papa John's pizza for lunch. After we've ordered the Papa John's guys asks "and can I ask what kind of group this is for?" I tell him a youth group on a mission trip. He says "Okay, since it's a church group I'll knock 30% off the total price."
So we had an early break, a nice pizza lunch, the kids took a walk on the trail behind my uncle's house, Karina had a good talk with my Aunt Diane. . .and finally, three hours later, the van was up and running with a new radiator and a fixed speedometer.
That was the last trouble we had with the vehicles on the entire trip.
The rest of the drive was long, but uneventful. The mountains through northern California were smoky with fires, so we couldn't see Mt. Shasta, but when the moon came up to the east it shone a bloody red through the haze (at that time, "Hotel California" was playing on the radio. seemed like it must signify something, but I didn't know what). And, unfortunately, due to losing 3 hours with the radiator, and another 30 minutes with the first speedometer check, and losing time to road construction, we didn't actually arrive at our destination in Antioch until sometime after 2:00 a.m. Saturday. That was a long, long, long drive, I tell you what.
But we made it. And God showed he was with us throughout.
We left the church parking lot Friday morning at 6:05 a.m., with excitement and anticipation. The plan was to reach Antioch by 8:00 p.m. that night, getting in a good night's sleep before spending Saturday doing touristy things.
After picking up the Fishers in Gig Harbor, we drove off onto the interstate, heading south through the morning traffic.
Somewhere around Kelso, the speedometer in the van stopped working. Not a huge deal, I think to myself. We have two vehicles, so the other can pace us. We can get it fixed when we reach the Bay Area.
Then the "Check Engine" light comes on. Probably related to the speedometer, I think, but worth checking out. So off at Kalama to pop the hood. Looking at the engine, I see nothing that would cause a speedometer to stop working. But. . .I see coolant dripping off the engine to he ground below. Just overflow, I wonder?
Back on the road, we decide to stop at the final rest stop before the Oregon border. Kids need to pee, drivers need more coffee. Now we notice a growing puddle of coolant below the van. We pop the hood, Duncan and I poke around. Finally he figures it out - a steady spray coming from the top corner of the radiator.
Probably nothing fatal, but not a condition in which I want to drive over the Siskiyous. I begin to get just a little worried.
But I know people in a lot of places. So I make a phone call to my uncle Ralph in Portland, who calls his mechanic, who agrees to see us right away. And just like that, we're back on the road, heading south to Tigard.
We meet my uncle at the mechanic's shop. One quick look and we get the bad news. "Your radiator's shot. You'll need a new one." I'm thinking this means we leave the van and pay for a rental. But no, he says. "Should take 2-3 hours." And they can check the speedometer while they're at it. And. . .since we're a church group, and his dad was a minister and his brother is a minister, he's knocking $150 off the cost.
We decide to wait it out at my aunt and uncle's house. Most head over there, while Ralph and I and three guys go order Papa John's pizza for lunch. After we've ordered the Papa John's guys asks "and can I ask what kind of group this is for?" I tell him a youth group on a mission trip. He says "Okay, since it's a church group I'll knock 30% off the total price."
So we had an early break, a nice pizza lunch, the kids took a walk on the trail behind my uncle's house, Karina had a good talk with my Aunt Diane. . .and finally, three hours later, the van was up and running with a new radiator and a fixed speedometer.
That was the last trouble we had with the vehicles on the entire trip.
The rest of the drive was long, but uneventful. The mountains through northern California were smoky with fires, so we couldn't see Mt. Shasta, but when the moon came up to the east it shone a bloody red through the haze (at that time, "Hotel California" was playing on the radio. seemed like it must signify something, but I didn't know what). And, unfortunately, due to losing 3 hours with the radiator, and another 30 minutes with the first speedometer check, and losing time to road construction, we didn't actually arrive at our destination in Antioch until sometime after 2:00 a.m. Saturday. That was a long, long, long drive, I tell you what.
But we made it. And God showed he was with us throughout.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Maybe this answers my earlier question
One blessing of our trip home from San Francisco was spending the night at Valley Covenant Church in Eugene, Oregon. For some time I've known the pastor of Valley Covenant, Steve Bilynskyj, through various mutual friendships and Covenant activities.
Over the years I've become friends with Steve's wife Beth, as well. Only it's all been online. Beth and I are both on Abet, a Covenant e-mail discussion list, so we've interacted there for 5-6 years. Beth is a blogger, and I read her stuff regularly. And I know she checks in here at my Hole in the Wall pretty, leaving kind comments from time to time. So we've become friends without ever actually meeting.
It was thus a pleasure to find myself sitting in the foyer of her church on Sunday morning as she walked in and introduced herself to the group. It was even more a joy to worship next to her and share the Lord's Supper with her. And I think she and Karina hit it off well, too.
I guess this is an answer to all that pondering I was doing a few weeks ago, wondering if technology can actually enhance life and give aid to the things that are truly important to me. Because it was kind of like old friends meeting again, and in many ways, technology made that possible.
Or, to be more precise, it was good people properly using technology that made that possible. Maybe there's an answer there worth pursuing.
Over the years I've become friends with Steve's wife Beth, as well. Only it's all been online. Beth and I are both on Abet, a Covenant e-mail discussion list, so we've interacted there for 5-6 years. Beth is a blogger, and I read her stuff regularly. And I know she checks in here at my Hole in the Wall pretty, leaving kind comments from time to time. So we've become friends without ever actually meeting.
It was thus a pleasure to find myself sitting in the foyer of her church on Sunday morning as she walked in and introduced herself to the group. It was even more a joy to worship next to her and share the Lord's Supper with her. And I think she and Karina hit it off well, too.
I guess this is an answer to all that pondering I was doing a few weeks ago, wondering if technology can actually enhance life and give aid to the things that are truly important to me. Because it was kind of like old friends meeting again, and in many ways, technology made that possible.
Or, to be more precise, it was good people properly using technology that made that possible. Maybe there's an answer there worth pursuing.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
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