In two days we are introduced to 2008. It seems surprising we have made it this far considering all the angst created by Y2K...does anyone remember that?
Gratefully, what many feared would happen didn't happen. And if it did...I may not be writing this to post, unless it was written on paper and nailed to a door ala Martin Luther. This being said, might I share six prayers that we might lift up as we enter into 2008. I suggest we pray one a day. It might help us get the New Year off to an even better start, especially as our well intentioned resolutions begin to wane.
Good Morning, Lord. What are you up to today? I want to be part of it. Amen. (Robert Schuller).
Gracious and holy God, give me wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to mediate on you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (Saint Benedict)
Oh that you wold bless me indeed and enlarge my territory; that your hand would be upon me, and that you would keep me from evil; so that I may not cause pain. (Jabez)
Lord, take me where you want me to go. Let me meet who you want me to meet. Tell me what you want me to say. And keep me out of your way. (Father Mychal Judge)
God, give me your Spirit of wisdom for the decisions of today. Keep my eyes on you to avoid any discouragement that may come my way. Alert me to opportunities you want me involved. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Apostle Paul)
God, keep me in your glorious presence without fault and with great joy. May I keep before me that you are the only God and Savior who I will give glory, majesty, power and authority in my life. (Apostle Paul)
Whatever our prayers this year, may we find the strenght we need, optimism to keep believing and persistence to never quit. HAPPY NEW YEAR...in two days!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
GOD TUBE
YouTube.com broke new ground in connecting folks via web displays. People could express themselves in a variety of ways through web postings. People could be their virtual selves, or not!
This exploded and revolutionized connection, stardom, ideas and wierdness. Many folks of the Christian pursuasion utililzed this new medium to touch folks who might not otherwise be touched. This was done with much creativity and in some cases with the typical condemnation assoicated with the evangelistic movement. Regardless, many attempted to enter this ministry field.
Then there came GodTube.com. It is the Christian version of the "You." It was to offer an evangelical environment for videos on the Web. It is getting a hearing among believers. But here is my question: WHY?
Why do we, the Christians, need to "Christianize" everything? Why do we have to create our own version? Why can we not simply continue to wade into this ripe for harvest ministry field of YouTube and bring Christ there?
I say we can! I say we refuse to retreat into the fold of GodTube and charge forward connecting via YouTube. It seems those we would want to reach would be more likely to be there.
But it is typical of how we do outreach. Many churches must leverage all they do for the community in their church building. It is about getting people to come in and join them, as opposed of going out and joining them with the reality of Christ. Instead of continuing to move out into YouTube, we create GodTube and invite them "in" to join us. In reality, what is suppose to be used to attract those curious about God becomes a place for those who are really wanting safety to gather and share with one another. We continue to talk to ourselves and wonder why others aren't interested.
This exploded and revolutionized connection, stardom, ideas and wierdness. Many folks of the Christian pursuasion utililzed this new medium to touch folks who might not otherwise be touched. This was done with much creativity and in some cases with the typical condemnation assoicated with the evangelistic movement. Regardless, many attempted to enter this ministry field.
Then there came GodTube.com. It is the Christian version of the "You." It was to offer an evangelical environment for videos on the Web. It is getting a hearing among believers. But here is my question: WHY?
Why do we, the Christians, need to "Christianize" everything? Why do we have to create our own version? Why can we not simply continue to wade into this ripe for harvest ministry field of YouTube and bring Christ there?
I say we can! I say we refuse to retreat into the fold of GodTube and charge forward connecting via YouTube. It seems those we would want to reach would be more likely to be there.
But it is typical of how we do outreach. Many churches must leverage all they do for the community in their church building. It is about getting people to come in and join them, as opposed of going out and joining them with the reality of Christ. Instead of continuing to move out into YouTube, we create GodTube and invite them "in" to join us. In reality, what is suppose to be used to attract those curious about God becomes a place for those who are really wanting safety to gather and share with one another. We continue to talk to ourselves and wonder why others aren't interested.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
BUTT PRINTS IN THE SAND
A friend shared this with me and I had to pass it along.
One night I had a wondrous dream,One set of footprints there was seen,The footprints of my precious Lord,But mine were not along the shore.
But then some strange prints appeared,And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"Those prints are large and round and neat,"But Lord, they are too big for feet."
"My child," He said in somber tones,"For miles I carried you along.I challenged you to walk in faith,But you refused and made me wait."
"You disobeyed, you would not grow,The walk of faith, you would not know,So I got tired, I got fed up,And there I dropped you on your butt."
"Because in life, there comes a time,When one must fight, and one must climb,When one must rise and take a stand,Or leave their butt prints in the sand."
The author is unknown. But I believe she or he was on to something.
How often do I leave my butt prints in the sand? Resting may be more desirable, but we have to get off our butts and move on down the beach.
One night I had a wondrous dream,One set of footprints there was seen,The footprints of my precious Lord,But mine were not along the shore.
But then some strange prints appeared,And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"Those prints are large and round and neat,"But Lord, they are too big for feet."
"My child," He said in somber tones,"For miles I carried you along.I challenged you to walk in faith,But you refused and made me wait."
"You disobeyed, you would not grow,The walk of faith, you would not know,So I got tired, I got fed up,And there I dropped you on your butt."
"Because in life, there comes a time,When one must fight, and one must climb,When one must rise and take a stand,Or leave their butt prints in the sand."
The author is unknown. But I believe she or he was on to something.
How often do I leave my butt prints in the sand? Resting may be more desirable, but we have to get off our butts and move on down the beach.
Friday, December 7, 2007
A WARM CHRISTMAS
This past Wednesday we left from Indianapolis for Dallas. It was the day Indy got its first snow of the season. We sat over two hours on the tarmack awaiting our turn for the de-icer. Finally getting off the ground into the air it was nice to view the snow scape turn to a nice warm brown as we made our way south.
Today, in Texas, it is in the 60's moving rapidly toward the 80's. I have to say, as a native Californian who has lived the last two years in Indiana...white Christmas is way over-rated. Nothing like a short sleeved shirt on Christmas day. Warm over white is my preferenc.
I've had many native Hoosiers who have declared they "love" a white Christmas. But these are the same folks who head south for every conceivable reason in the winter months. It is my opinion they this as a method of convincing themselves it is great never having lived outside the state.
Warm, white, rainy or in whatever climes you find yourself on Christmas Day I trust you will find it enjoyable.
Today, in Texas, it is in the 60's moving rapidly toward the 80's. I have to say, as a native Californian who has lived the last two years in Indiana...white Christmas is way over-rated. Nothing like a short sleeved shirt on Christmas day. Warm over white is my preferenc.
I've had many native Hoosiers who have declared they "love" a white Christmas. But these are the same folks who head south for every conceivable reason in the winter months. It is my opinion they this as a method of convincing themselves it is great never having lived outside the state.
Warm, white, rainy or in whatever climes you find yourself on Christmas Day I trust you will find it enjoyable.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
FITNESS
“…Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (I Tim.4:7-8).
This gives insight into both spiritual and physical fitness. First, both are seen as necessary. Paul does indicate that physical exercise has value. But in context of what we know today it may have a higher value then he placed on it.
Second, Paul values spiritual fitness more highly than physical fitness. The primary reason is that spiritual fitness is in two dimensions: Our present reality and our future realization. The physical exercise is limited to our present reality.
Third, Paul would not be balanced in these. Since he places more importance on the spiritual this would seem to indicate that if one was to suffer it should be the physical. I am not sure I can wholeheartedly agree with this.
Yes, I know it is the Bible, but we have information today that Paul did not have. I believe that if Paul were to write to leaders today I think, I think, he would move toward balance. Both physical and spiritual fitness are needed. A leader who can find that balance will be leveraged for the long haul here and prepared for the even longer haul of eternity.
The realistic view is we have anemic leaders in both categories. We have leaders who have little exercise and also have minimal investment in spiritual endeavors. Currently I am lopsided to the physical side: Very diligent there, not so much on the spiritual. My ideal world would have me spending time in spiritual fitness for every minute for physical fitness. If this were my reality I would be investing fifty minutes, five days a week, in some form of spiritual activity. At this point, I would be thrilled if I simply invested five days per week for any amount of time.
This gives insight into both spiritual and physical fitness. First, both are seen as necessary. Paul does indicate that physical exercise has value. But in context of what we know today it may have a higher value then he placed on it.
Second, Paul values spiritual fitness more highly than physical fitness. The primary reason is that spiritual fitness is in two dimensions: Our present reality and our future realization. The physical exercise is limited to our present reality.
Third, Paul would not be balanced in these. Since he places more importance on the spiritual this would seem to indicate that if one was to suffer it should be the physical. I am not sure I can wholeheartedly agree with this.
Yes, I know it is the Bible, but we have information today that Paul did not have. I believe that if Paul were to write to leaders today I think, I think, he would move toward balance. Both physical and spiritual fitness are needed. A leader who can find that balance will be leveraged for the long haul here and prepared for the even longer haul of eternity.
The realistic view is we have anemic leaders in both categories. We have leaders who have little exercise and also have minimal investment in spiritual endeavors. Currently I am lopsided to the physical side: Very diligent there, not so much on the spiritual. My ideal world would have me spending time in spiritual fitness for every minute for physical fitness. If this were my reality I would be investing fifty minutes, five days a week, in some form of spiritual activity. At this point, I would be thrilled if I simply invested five days per week for any amount of time.
Monday, December 3, 2007
CHICAGO
Last night my wife and I went to our first Chicago concert. We have friends who are HUGE fans. This was their fifth concert. The core band memebers have been together for forty years. The newer memebers have been with them 10 to 12 years. A great confirmation of long tenured team.
Anyway, it was a great concert! Akin to a religious service, but with much better music they are have ever heard. The music elicited memories. Yet at the same time we were very much in the present. They played for two hours. It went by quickly. It was a good investment of time.
Anyway, it was a great concert! Akin to a religious service, but with much better music they are have ever heard. The music elicited memories. Yet at the same time we were very much in the present. They played for two hours. It went by quickly. It was a good investment of time.
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