Liam's Blessing

I love the idea of a moment of blessing. When it comes to Children, typically more conservative churches have shunned the idea of blessing infants in a public way because it looks too much like dedicating or baptizing babies. I guess this is bad because when it comes to infants the baptists dedicate and the catholics baptize. I reference these two because deliniating one segment of christians from the other usually lies in areas of practice right? And we all know that practice makes perfect right? ( I hope you see the sarcasm in that statement.)

Of course we know that Jesus blessed the children. (Mark 10) How, we're not sure. Many Christians are intimidated by things that they don't know much about. Moments of Blessing are found throughout the bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament. My opinion is simple. Blessing occurs when your words give encouragement, direction and a realization of power. My son was blessed at our church on April 13th of this year and this is what was said. I'd love to hear your comments.

Some More Pics

I thought I'd go ahead and publish some more pics our experience.  I'm working on a short piece on our adventure...I'll publish that soon. But for now...here are some more pics. 

 

He's Here!

We've been waiting quite a long time and he's finally made his appearance.

He Showed up at 4:04 on Tuesday APRIL 1st.  Can you believe it?  Liv showed on Halloween and Liam is here on April Fools day.  God is Good...too slow sometimes for my impatient self, but I'm not complaining.  I feel fortunate to have captured his attention.  He loves us...And as I look at my son, I can see how much he loves mankind.  Wow... Thanks for your prayers.  Here are some pictures. 

We're ready to come home.  It's been a wonderful experience.  More soon...

Horton Hears a Who.

"I said what I meant and I meant what I said; an elephant is faithful One Hundred Percent." This tale from the mind of Dr. Seuss weaves a story of faithfulness and forgiveness.

Horton, voiced by Jim Carrey, is an unassuming character who seems to be more in tune with his he hears a sound from a passing speck. He recognizes the sound as a small voice calling for help. He immediately drops everything to investigate this sound and save the speck from certain doom as it flits and floats helplessly through the jungle. Those around him are seemingly unaffected by this sound except for the local self-appointed morality police/kangaroo voiced by Carol Burnett. She sees Horton as one who would disrupt the status quo of the serene jungle life with fantastical tales about a speck bearing life. The main character, Horton, is loyal and simple. And his best trait seems to be that he does not regard his neighbor's view of his seemingly crazy behavior as something to deter his quest to fulfill his vow of faith. Meanwhile, in the middle of the speck, the mayor (voiced by Steve Carell) is faced with questions about the fragility of life in his seemingly serene world of Whoville. Unexpectedly, he meets a disembodied voice that, interestingly, only he can hear. When near catastrophic events occur in Whoville, the mayor risks reputation and family to save his world by putting a little faith in his new, but unseen friend.

Horton Hears A Who is a story about characters who discover that their worlds aren't as large or small as they seem. It's a story about a journey of faith and courage. Interestingly, both main characters never actually see each other. In moments they can hear what the other is saying, but without sight must rely on this faith to save the day.

I'm a fan of both of the actors in this film - Jim Carrey and Steve Carell – as is my family. I decided to take my wife and my 5 year old daughter to see the film and didn't see or hear anything that caused me regret. The film wasn't as funny as I had hoped, but what it did provide was a great opportunity to discuss what it means to keep your word even in the most difficult of situations; especially in a world that fights against those who would do right regardless of the cost. Horton Hears a Who is playing now in a theater near you. Horton Hears a Who is Rated "G."

Love this Video

I'm an office fan. I recently came across Jenna Fischer's my space page and saw this video. It's very intriguing for the production quality. Plus, I just like the song. Take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVpBw5V7sPU

Dogmatic

I was looking for some similar words to Dogmatic today and this is what I came up with. "Rigid. Inflexible. Unbending. Strict. Narrow. Authoritarian. Dictatorial."

I grew up in an independent, Fundamental, Bible believing Baptist world. (I get tired just typing that phrase.) And yes, it did shape my beliefs a bit. I was raised to think that a few arguments and questions could be won and answered by just a few well selected scripture references. I was taught (informally) that once a question was answered, then you really didn't have to think about it again. You knew the answer. Therefore, the focus became making sure that others know the answers you know. Just the facts.

Yes…I really was sure of myself for quite a while. When people asked about Revelation and the end of the world, I knew the answer. In fact, I knew exactly how it would play out. I could type it up for you now in all its literal detail, but I would probably lose the few of you who actually take time to read this stuff. You want to know what happens when you die? I knew it! What about those in the world who have never heard about Jesus. Those who have never even heard the name of Jesus? Well, I knew…and frankly, it's really too bad for them. Bummer.

Of course, we were taught about God's grace, but weren't really taught that we should show such grace. There was a time when I was, sad to say, DOGMATIC. Rigid…Inflexible…Unbending…

But a bit later in life I discovered something about myself. When someone lacks Grace, there lacks personal experience. No grace…No experience. And I really had not experienced normal, living-in-the-world people. Fortunately, from knowing such people I've learned that there are fewer and fewer Black and White areas anymore. Grayness seems to be moving in like a typical April day on the shores of Galveston. Does this mean my faith is shaken? No. It means that I have more experiences now. I have several friends that weren't raised in a little fundamentalist bubble. And that is good.

So, why should you care about this? After all it is a bit of personal discovery really. I think you should care because at any given moment what someone needs more than a proof text or a solid, though out answer is this. A hug. You were expecting more weren't you? Actually to break it apart…what people need are words that encourage, arms that comfort, tears that sympathize, and feet that will meet them where they are. They need the real love of God showed from a living body. When you hug someone fully…dogmatics aren't present. Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever experienced a rigid, inflexible and unbending hug.

CHAIN EMAILS - AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

I recently received a chain email from someone who 'usually doesn't forward these things, but thought I would be blessed.' What the email included was facts about people who rejected christ and how their lives came to a horribly abrupt end. Those 'endings' included being shot to death, burnt alive, drowning in their own vomit, car accident and overdose... Yes...I was definitely blessed! It ends by telling you that if you love Jesus then you should forward this on to 8 people. Something I'm sure Jesus would have done had he had access to email...

I am not a fan of these emails. Frankly, I hate them...yes I said hate. They always seem to generalize the facts. In this case, they treat these sad stories as a 'turn or burn' example of someone's bent out of shape idea of evangelism. These are people who were the beloved of God. There’s always a bigger story than someone’s final rejection of Christ. I hope it’s something that can serve as a sad reminder of how dependant we really are instead of a joyful cry of how God zaps those who reject him.
The first story was about John Lennon. The email says,

"Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:
"Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

Yeah...God Zaps those who don't follow him doesn't he? I have a real problem with this type of conversation being spread through christian emailers. I also have a message for them...STOP IT!!!!! This is not full of love, but of condemnation. John 3:17 says that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." We are not to be condemning either. So STOP IT!!!

I’ve always been fond of John Lennon because, he was a seeker. More so than many so-called Christians today. He searched for that thing that constantly eluded him. If you want to read an interesting article about his struggle with Christianity visit http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/januaryweb-only/001-22.0.html It gives an interesting insight to this guy whose insecurities kept him from accepting the truth. Not to mention that his comments about being more famous than Jesus wasn't an egocentric statement, but rather a sad commentary about the decline of spirituality and religion in America.

Yes, there is always a back story...a bigger story than someone's horrific end. I tell you, if God zapped everyone who rejected him, how many of us would still be here?

Thanks for reading and by the way, if love Jesus, then please send this blog post to 8 people :)

Not Sure...

This week...I'm not sure what to write about. So, as any author would tell you, it doesn't matter what you write necessarily - just write. Things will flow. So, ok..I will. We've got about 4+ weeks to go until baby is here. Lord willing, it will go smoothly.
Other news...I'm currently in the beginning stages of two book ideas. One I'm working on with Michael Harbour, our preaching minister. It will be a rather exciting look at 'funerals.' Yes...very exciting stuff.

The other book is finally developing into a pretty solid idea. I think it could help more traditional congregations move forward into creating a more productive learning environment for their Sunday Worship services...Blah, blah, blah...it won't be a new york times bestseller, but hopefully a few people will read it and make some of the ideas their own. We'll see. I'm going to need a lot of encouragement though. My goal is to have a rough version by the middle of '09.

As far as other life goes, I just got a wii and I absolutely love it. Best thing ever. I'll let you know more about that later...once I get pics of me and Liv playing it together. Shelly...well, she's a bit too pregnant to care about playing tennis or golf, but Liv on the other hand is having the best time beating me at boxing. Also, I purchased the game 'Hannah Montana.' Pretty exciting I tell ya. The object is simple. Pick out your clothes that you will wear for the concert...do the dance moves at the concert...and then get money to shopping at stores across the world so that you can pick out more clothes to wear at the next concert. What else is there really?

Thanks for reading...more later.

What are we doing?

The question of the day is, what are we really doing? I've been reading a new book...actually a second edition (updated with a cooler cover) called Pagan Christianity. If you want to read an interesting take on how the modern day church arrived in their current situation then please read. If you aren't quite ready to have your religiously conservative mind blown, then I suggest you wait a while. It's definitely not for everyone.

But the question remains...what are we doing? I've been a minister for the past several years...9 almost ten to be exact, and I still wonder occasionally what we are trying to accomplish. Is it teaching and experiencing the life of Jesus through Scripture and relationships? Is it to become good people? Is it to promote the values of Moralistic America?

I'd love to hear your take on this. Because, once we discover what we're trying to accomplish for an hour or two on Sunday, then maybe we'll also discover better ways to communicate that answer. I'm not a pessimist by any stretch, and I think that there are some great things about worshipping together in a building on a Sunday morning...but honestly, when it comes to communicating the truth of Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the dependance of his people...I don't think we're even close to communicating well.

So, the question on the table is this...'What are we doing?' Please let me know your response and it should give way to some good discussion.

For God so loved

I've been studying about our upcoming sermon series on John 3:16. This was probably the first verse I learned as a child growing up at Bethel Baptist Church. It was all about 'Belief.' You didn't have to do anything except 'believe.' I wasn't sure what that meant exactly, but I knew I wanted to believe. When I came into the churches of Christ, I didn't hear that verse alot. I heard acts 2:38 and a few others that are C.O.C. standards, but John 3:16...I rarely heard mentioned. Maybe it wasn't spoken of because the premise behind the verse seemed a bit fuzzy. You know, many people look at the bible as instructional. They want to know What to do and in what order to do it. This verse is pretty simplistic and offers no real instruction on how one should 'believe.'

It says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

After being involved in the churches of christ, I can see why this isn't a focal point. It's pretty basic. I'm sure people would say, "well of course we know that God loves us. That's a given. Yes you should believe. But if you want to know how to believe you have to read this verse...."

I'm not a proponent of taking one verse and hanging my christianity on it's principles because I think the bible should be looked at as a whole, in context. But the context behind this verse did change everything. Love is explained and an alternative to death is offered. It doesn't explain it all, but then again, which verse does explain everything?

I'll be writing more about this...these are just a few of the things I'm thinking.

Amazing

It’s amazing really. To think that the picture on the left is actually my little boy safely growing inside my wife. Our doctor recently got her new machine and we weren’t expecting this, but when she started the camera, he started the show. Legs flailing. Arms moving. Mouth opening and closing. Actions we would be trying to stop were it 5 years later in a doctor’s office…but now, it’s magnificent.

We’ve been waiting a long time. Makes me wonder about the sending and arrival of God’s son. I wonder if he was excited about the stir his Son would cause when he placed him right in the middle of the world? He knew that he would cause commotion even as an embryo. God only knew what a baby that created that much uneasiness while in the womb would do once unleashed into the world. I also wonder how he could have parted with him. How he could have sent him to endure so much…it’s not that he couldn’t stand the pain or the solitude or the life set out before him. I think the difficulty was that he was coming to help. He was coming bringing truth that anyone in their right mind would be glad to listen to. His love for his people was about to be rejected in huge ways. To send your son into a world that is overflowing with fear and hate. That kind of love I can only hope to partially understand.

I look at this strange picture and I know what he is in for. The heartache, disappointment and trouble. But, I also know that one day he’ll meet the God I’ve met. He’ll meet the Jesus who has saved me from myself. He’ll know the lineage and history of those who have come before him…their mistakes, problems and successes both spiritually and physically. I also know that he’ll experience love so profound that he will not know how to process it. And one day, God-willing he’ll be sending his son into the world too…with prayer and expectation.