Welcome to the Journey

You're Still Losing Me

2011-11-07T14:48:00.004-06:00

So, I'm reading another book that is talking about the fact that today's church is losing university students in droves. Honestly, I can't disagree, but I don't think we are losing college students, I think we're losing Jr. High students.

One of the things I was always aware of as a youth pastor were the relational warning flags for students in my ministry. You know, it was that shift that takes place where their friendships change, their sphere of influence goes from their more committed friends at church, to their friends at school, or from church that support their chosen new view on life.

I used to say, that if I could keep students connected and active in our youth ministry through the 10th grade, then chances of their faith sticking beyond the high school years jumped incrementally. Notice I said connected and active, not attending. The reason is that I think we lose students in Jr. High, emotionally, and then they start voting with their feet once they can drive.

I mean, for most Jr. High and young High school students, they'll put up with bad preaching for 30 minutes to be able to see their friends. Chances are, if they have begun to check out the party scene, their experimentation began with the friends they hang around with at church anyway. So their church can still meet their needs socially, but somewhere along the line they have checked out spiritually, and I'm growing more and more convinced that it happens at a much younger age than some are suspecting.

So, how do we address the Jr. high disconnect? Not the answer-all, but from this youth pastor's perspective, these three wouldn't hurt.

One, engage their parents. If you have their parents, if they buy-in to what you're selling (maybe a bad metaphor, but you know what I mean) your chances of keeping their students around increase. But parents can't do it alone, and statistics also show that you can't do it without them.

Two, connect them relationally with an adult, who isn't their parent, of the same gender, that is a strong person of faith. Three of the four of those should be fairly easy, the last being the most difficult, but not impossible. They need an adult that invests in them, mentors them, loves them, allows them to question, make mistakes, and chases after them when they try and walk away. Adults that don't give up on Jr. high and early high school students are crucial to saving this generation of college students. Listen, the day of teaching one hour of Sunday School, and believing that is enough is gone. It's time for adults to step up, and fight for our students like a lioness for her cubs. If we don't, someone else will.

Three, have this adult live in community with them, and two or three of their peers. I believe in the importance of community, and the role their friends play in their lives. I don't believe, anymore, in student-led small groups until college. Jr. high and high school students need adults investing in their lives, mentoring them, showing them what it means to be men and women of faith in this world, because they don't know, and somebody has to show them.

Now listen, this isn't new. I'm not saying anything radically different than what has been said over the last ten years. It's basically what every book I've been reading is saying, from Christian Smith's Soul Searching to David Kinneman's You Lost Me; to just name two. So why aren't we doing something about it?

Now, that's a good question.

Lowering Our Standards?

2011-08-21T09:17:00.007-05:00

I was in the car Friday night driving to talk with our football team, while listening to ESPN1000. The talk show host this particular night was talking about the growing situation at Miami U. I jumped on at the tail end of his conversation, so need to give that disclaimer, but heard him finish his comments by saying:

"Is it fair for us to think that any 18-22 year old young man, if put in the same situation, wouldn't have done the same thing. Isn't that what you do when you're 18-22?"

I shouldn't have been, but I am still amazed at the lowering standards we have for our university students and the group commonly called "Emerging Adults". I realize there is a lot going on related to university sports, standards we have related to the mixed messages being sent by a billion dollar business that won't give their students a meal stipend, but really, that is what 18-22 year-old young men do? Is that where we have landed?

I want to think that isn't the case. I want to think that we have handed some young men in our culture over to "men" who aren't mentoring, but are piling on to an already disintegrating situation in college sports, football in particular, and life in general for emerging adults. I don't consider what has happend in Miami, Ohio State, and other places, as mentoring. So I told 105 young men last Friday, that they don't need to go that way, as if they needed my permission to make better choices for their life. There is another way; isn't there?

What should our expectations be for the young men on our university campuses? How do we align what this talk show host said, compared to Jesus saying that he wants us to experience, "life to the full"? Is God just a cosmic killjoy, wanting to keep us from "having fun", or is the life he calls us to really one that leaves us feeling complete, satisfied? Maybe that is "life to the full"? Could there something more?

My opinion is that we have just to continued to lower our standards for young men, and actually young adults, who can be trusted and invested in. We don't need to throw our hands up in the air, believeing there is nothing we can do to turn this tide, that all emerging adults are destined to live this life to some degree, but instead can let them know there is another way to live, different than what this talk show host insinuates, any red-blooded american 18-22 year-old would do. Or, maybe we don't believe that anymore.

Now, I rant.

The 25 years I spent in youth ministry, I actually believed that the life we call them to live, they could actually experience, here and now. They didn't have to go the way of places like "the U", or "the Ohio State University". I actually believed high school students didn't "have" to drink, and they could live lives of purity, not perfection, but desire other things for their lives than what our culture says is out there for them.

I also don't believe that as university chaplain we have to throw my hands up in the air, saying, 'boys will be boys" or, "that's just the way girls are". If I was 20, and I know I'm not, I would be insulted with some of the attitudes that are pervasive in our culture. I don't buy this, and I don't believe, deep down inside, many of our 18-22 year-old university students do either. I believe they all sense there is something inherently wrong with this. I believe there is something that causes them to long for more. I believe they can live from a different place, listening to a different voice, living a different life.

Or, we can just choose to continue to lower our standards, believing the life we call them to is beyond them, not possible, too difficult, accepting that is just the way it is. We can do that, I'm just hoping we won't.

Thanks Dad

2011-06-19T12:52:00.004-05:00

My dad taught me to ride a bike. . .
My dad taught me how to collect sap for maple syrup. . .
My dad taught me how to ride a horse. . .
My dad taught me to fly a kite, kind of. . .
My dad taught me how to use a hammer. . .
My dad taught me how to build and drive a soap box derby. . .
My dad taught me how to use fiberglass. . .
My dad showed me how to live in a house with women. .
My dad taught me to love the Ohio State Buckeyes. Period.
My dad taught me how to drive a motorcycle. . .
My dad taught me how to hunt. . .
My dad taught me how to drive a clutch. . .
My dad taught me how to play basketball, kind of.

My dad showed me how to love God. . .
My dad showed me how to love my neighbor. . .
My dad showed me how to love a woman. . .
My dad showed me how to be a man.
My dad showed me how to shepherd people. . .
My dad's been gone for almost 8 years now, 7th fatherless father's day. . ., kind of.

Because. . .
I see my dad in my grandsons,
I see my dad in my daughters ,
I see my dad in my wife,
I see my dad in my sisters,
I see my dad in my mom,
I see my dad in my nieces,
I see my dad in my nephews,
I see my dad in my brother-in-laws,
I see my dad in his friends,
I see my dad in the mirror.

Thanks Dad. I love you too.

It's a thumb ring!

2011-05-16T21:36:00.006-05:00

I have a thumb ring, which is a ring you, or I, wear on your, or my, thumb. So, I have a friend that looked at the ring, and said, "what's up with that, trying to be hip".

And of course I said, yep, cause that's what I do. And if you know me, you know I didn't say that, wanted to, but didn't. My wife says I'm just too nice.

So, then I have a relative look at it and ask me when the tatoo is coming? People, it's a thumb ring. It's a ring I wear on my thumb.

Then last week, I had someone look at it, and ask me what it meant. I told them that when I was in Brazil, I was hanging out with my friend who is a pastor down there, and we went shopping. They had these really cool rings, that were stainless steel for only $10. I'm not a "ring" guy, but thought for the price, I'd get one that fit on my thumb, so that every time I spun it, played with it. took it off, looked at it, or heard annoying comments about it, I would pray for the church in Brazil. That's it, it reminds me to pray for my friend and the church in Brazil.

Man, was I ever relieved to have someone actually ask for the explanation of what the ring meant. It's a thumb ring!

I was thinking about that, and some of the conversations we are having in the church; er, not really conversations, because those have to go two ways. So for the sake of argument, and since I'm the one writing, we'll just call them conversations, even thought they're not. Anywho, before I digress too much, let me just say that my thumb ring makes me think of the way we communicate these days in the church. We don't seek to understand by asking questions, or getting to know someone, because we're not concerned with understanding or knowing, we're just concerned about being right.

Let my thumb ring serve as the example; very few people start with asking the explanation of why I wear a ring on my thumb, they just guess, or accuse, or imagine, which for many is very, very dangerous. When it seems to me it would be much easier to just ask, they choose instead to speculate. Instead of conversing, they do all the talking. In place of entering into relationship, they choose instead to stay away because, well, the wierdo wears a ring on his thumb!

Maybe the next time you wonder why someone says something, and you wonder what they meant, you should just ask them? Or if someone who claims to believe like you says something that sounds nothing like you believe, how about calling them instead of posting it on facebook or twitter? Or, if you claim you want to be in a dialogue or conversation with others, how about you make room for those you might not agree with, you might just learn something new about them and yourselves.

So, the next time you see me, and you see the ring on my thumb, you can feel free to ask me why I wear it, cause there might be more to it than a guy wearing a ring on his thumb.

Olivet FLASH MOB

2011-04-30T08:59:00.000-05:00

A Story, a Song, a Verse, and a Dance.

2011-04-30T08:33:00.005-05:00

We just finished our academic year, including chapels, at Olivet, and it was a year that I think can be summed up in four words; story, song, verse, and dance.

It all started with a story, the story of the Prodigal, where we found ourselves dealing with the question, "who has our heart".

The song that was helping to shape our semester was, You've Stolen My Heart by Leland. A story, and a song helped us to discover that we don't have to move God's way, because he is constantly moving our way.

The verse we have been living in this semester is Philippians 4:8, responding to the call to think about and be shaped by words like truth, purity, honor, excellent, and humility. These are words we don't sit in a closet and think about, but words that shape how we live in relationship with each other. It's a call for us to "be" these things as we "think" about them.

There were many other "moments" this year, and this doesn't do justice to any of them; but it was capped off the last day of chapel by a dance; actually two.

One was an interpretive dance by 7 ladies to the song, You Are For Me by Kari Jobe. The other, a flash mob that interrupted me as I was closing my last message of the year, but there was no better way to end the year than watching 150 of our seniors dancing in the aisles of our new Centennial Chapel, celebrating their time at Olivet. It's worth the watch by the way. Check it out on youtube.

It was a day; it was a year. Story, song, verse, and dance. Not a bad rhythm to life.

Better not to write when tired.

2011-04-01T21:04:00.003-05:00

I'm tired. I have some strong opinions about some things going on in my world, but I'm tired tonight, and want to be a person who writes with care, brings dignity to the conversation, seeks common ground, with the goal being to love.

So, I won't write what I feel like saying, because I'm tired, and don't want to be thrown into the same camp as some I've critiqued. I don't want to be misread, or not be able to think things through well enough so I don't misrepresent what I'm trying to say. Know what I mean?

Cause when you say something and post it, or tweet it, or update it, you can't take it back. I mean, you can delete it, or edit it, but some will have read it, and then your stuck with what they read. When you're tired, if you're like me, you can get the stupid's, and say things when you're not real concerned with what you're saying, or how you're saying it, you just say it. The stupid's are dangerous. I get the stupid's when I'm tired.

Tonight, I'm tired, and the best thing to do when tired is to sleep. Makin' me wonder if what we say, and how we say it, would change if we just took a good nap, or got a good night's sleep. So I'm going to stop typing before I say something dumb, that I later regret, and take a long, early spring, nap.

When is Opinion not Enough

2011-03-19T13:58:00.016-05:00

I find myself thinking about this comment this week because of two different current debates in my world; heaven or hell, and homosexuality. Now that I have your attention, I just want to say that there are times when opinion isn't enough.

I'm sitting here as I type watching the NCAA tournament, the Florida/UCLA game to be specific, with my brackets filled out. NCAA brackets are choices based on opinions. Do these opinions matter when concerning issues in life; I say no. My rabid basketball friends from Kentucky, Duke, Ohio, or Kansas might not agree, but can we at least agree that in these cases, opinion is adequate. But that isn't always true.

The halftime report has just come on concerning the bombing taking place in Tripoli, Libya. There has been much discussion between multiple countries, opinions shared based on shared beliefs. There are differing opinions here as well, but they are based on a set of fundamental beliefs that are more important than how I fill out my brackets.

Regarding the debate about a book that we can now read, before we could read it, opinion just wasn't enough. Protection of doctrine, that often time is based on "opinion", or at least "interpretation" of texts, when done in a vacuum, or outside of community, just isn't enough. Especially when we really don't know what is said. But I'm not sure that matters anymore, does it? Or does it.

Regarding the conversation on homosexuality, can I just say that semantics matter. In regards to a topic this important and volatile, words used in a way to reflect opinions just aren't enough. Saying "defer", in place of "refer" (see article) really makes a difference when commenting about how we treat each other.

Let me explain why these thoughts today.

Our campus newspaper that is full of opinion (I think I can say that, since the University's stand on homosexuality was called opinion in the article), needs to be careful and wary to how words are used in our text-driven society. For instance, using words like "quarantine"(see article), or phrases like finding someone to "deal with him" (again, see article), can sensationalize and escalate an already difficult topic to discuss in evangelical circles. I don't want to think I'm indifferent to those struggling with gender identity, or with those choosing homosexuality outright, I'm just indifferent to bad journalism. I'm indifferent to the careless misuse of words to make a point. I'm indifferent to absolute claims based on ones opinion or choice. (note to self on both sides of the argument, since there are real people involved).

I wonder how Rob Bell felt when he was being banished from the orthodox church because of a two-minute video. I wonder how he felt about being quoted from a book that hadn't been released.

I also wonder what the banishers were thinking by their banishment. Doesn't something like this justify at least an e-mail or a phone call before going viral? Is this all we care about each other anymore? Am I misreading Matthew 7 and James 2? Somebody help me, cause I'm asking?

I think my greater concern is that we live in a time when we're content to swim around in a pool of opinion. It's my opinion against yours, so, like the Buffalo Springfield song says, "nobody's right if everybody's wrong".

Well, everyone can't be right, and everyone can't be wrong. I think that is a true statement, that happens to be more than just opinion, cause in things that matter most, opinion just isn't enough.

That's as much a caution to me, as it is to those reading and reading into what is being written here. May I just say, this is my blog, these are my opinions; I own them. The quotes here are taken directly from an article, or are my words. Can I also say, that I need you to be in this conversation with me. I can't do this on my own, because, what if my opinion is wrong? Then I'm boogered!

So, like Paul admonishes us all, we continue to work out our salvation with reverence (fear) and humility (trembling). Because in things that matter most, opinion is not enough. At least I'm aware that mine isn't.

Lent is here

2011-03-09T18:33:00.005-06:00

It's grown apparent over the past week, with the blow up concerning a book that isn't even for sale yet, that the church is in need of reconciliation. I read this today, and hope that these words can begin to reshape the church, bringing us back to a place of humility, and realize that there is only one God who can do whatever he chooses, whenever he wants.

"O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing." (Jonah 4:2)

Remember how ticked off Jonah was at God because he "changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it." (Jonah 3:10) Just a subtle reminder to us during the Lenten season, that God is God, and we are not.

May his Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven. Sooner than later would be great, maybe before Rob Bell's book is out?! I'm just saying.

New Year, so what?

2011-01-06T15:05:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting in my office, reflecting on this past year, and wondering about the next. There is a lot going through my mind as I try best to prepare for this next semester of chapels, and the future for our office.

In case you don't know, I was made chaplain at Olivet late last Spring, and my heads been spinning ever since, in a good way. It's been a joy to be in this position. I hadn't realized how much I missed the day-in day-out grind of ministry, especially the relational trust that comes from those you are doing life with. So what will this year bring? Who knows for sure. I'm realizing as I write there is much more I'm uncertain of than certain, and from where I sit, I guess I'm okay with that. Convinced?

For me, it's about trust and faithfulness. I trust that God will be faithful, regardless. That's my statement for the next year.

I need to lose 20 pounds. Will I, not taking bets. Will God be faithful; absolutely. On that, I'll bet my very life.

Harvard is Exempt

2010-09-26T21:05:00.005-05:00

So, this week, I guess Harvard was able to do what no one else can, because, well, it's Harvard. When the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military wasn't changed, Harvard decided they had enough, and will no longer allow ROTC and it's members access to their campus. Don't get me wrong, they have every right to run their institution however they want, but it's their arrogant way of doing things that I struggle with. Are they the only ones who can take a stand without being called intolerant?

Their way of arguing is no different than the way any of us try to make a point. They make decisions based on a core set of values that in turn drive the decisions they make as an institution. We all live from a core set of values that shape who we are and the decisions we make. Whether we're pro-choice or pro-life, an advocate of traditional family values or a more liberal definition of what it means to be a family, a Quran-burning preacher from Florida, or a flag burning Muslim from Iran; we are all shaped by a core set of beliefs that shape how we live and react to our world.

So, this week, Harvard acted on theirs. They have their critics, sure, but there are many that aren't even aware that this decision was made because the press didn't tell us, unlike the story about a preacher from a small church in Florida who's one act created an international stir. For the record, I don't agree with what he was threatening to do, or attempting to say, but I think he has the right to express his opinion, just like Harvard.

I find myself growing weary of this conversation, where one side is justified in their argument. I say again that there has to be a more hopeful voice in this and it often comes from those who, more times than not, remain silent so they won't be labeled one thing or the other. Extreme sections of our tribe already make it difficult for us to be intolerant for the things we should not tolerate. More times than not we choose silence and grace over picketing and arguments; but you won't read about that in the press either.

Extremist are everywhere

2010-09-10T15:51:00.006-05:00

So, no one should be shocked by what is taking place this week. Threats from extremists, hiding behind their faith, have been around since man got themselves kicked out of the garden. People have been burning flags and holy texts for centuries, all in the name of freedom of expression.

Remember Timothy McVey, not like we could forget him. He was an extremist who was ticked off at our government and the way they handled, well, extremists. Remember David Koresh, he was an extremist who used the same Bible I do to justify what he did. Who is right; one can only hope he isn't, right?

So, the Muslim cleric that wants to put the Mosque in the same proximity of the former World Trade Centers, who one might call an extremist, is ticking off the other extremists, and now they are coming out of the woodwork. Pastors from both Tennessee and Kansas vow that if Terry Jones won't burn a Quran, they will. A man from Wyoming, who apparently no one knows very much about, is going to burn a copy of the Quran on the steps of the state house. For years, Muslim's have burned the American flag, with dummies dressed to look like everything from presidents, to now Terry Joneses. Crazy you say.

Well, it's just beginning. Now Muslim's in the Gaza strip are burning copies of the Bible, and threatening Christians that live in their city and region. Christians are calling out for help and protection, not the first time this has happened either, is it? And here we all sit, Christians, Buddists, and Muslim alike.

I don't want to believe that any of us think this is what God intended when he created us, in his image. We argue all the time what we think he did create us for, and what he is moving us toward, but I want to think we can all agree, this isn't it.

If this isn't it, then what is? Is it possible for us to find a more hopeful way to live in this life? Will the extremist always get all the press?

The reality is that abortion clinics will continue to be bombed, as well as government buildings, churches, mosques, shopping centers, with people getting in the way all the time, because extremists are everywhere. But for what? For what end? The glory of God? Really?

Here's one person who hopes, that the hopeful end we all lean into while living life in the here and now, can some day play a role in helping us understand heaven a little better on this side. And here's one person who hopes, and prays, that what we see and hear today, isn't it. Is that too extreme?

Big Brother living

2010-08-25T21:05:00.005-05:00

The big brother. The one who won't go into the party, let alone welcome his little brother back, 'cause he would not be seen with "him". This is a tough one for me, since I tend to lean this way.

See, I was a pretty good kid growing, and too often was told how good a kid I was. Although I had it all together on the outside, there were some things that I was really struggling with, that I had to hide, because I was a good kid. I was living the life of the older brother.

In some ways, this life is tougher, because it is often a life filled with secrets. It's not that we want to live with secrets, but because we are so good and everyone knows it, we have the pressure on us of not letting anyone down. I'm a firm believer in boundaries for those that don't know any better, and believe me, when I was 15, I didn't know what I knew, let alone what I didn't know; boundaries, and a healthy fear of my dad, saved me many times. It's when you have to grow up that this become complicated.

See, you've always been the good kid. You've never questioned authority, hasn't really been a reason to; until a little brother comes around, and your confronted, smack dab in the face, by the reality of grace. Then you deal with all kinds of feelings, like they don't deserve it, you've lived a life by the rules and expectations, so why do they get all the favors; why do the breaks all fall to them. It just isn't right. Big brother living.

It's alive and well in the church too. Here's what I mean. I remember being a sophomore in college, and feeling called to youth ministry. We had an evangelist in for revival, who was going to share his story, and talked about it all week. Saturday night was the night to bring your non-Christian friends to hear his story. Long story short, he shared a dark, sordid story of his past life of sin, and how God had saved him out of that life. We all applaud the great displays of God's love and grace, but what about those who are living every day, simply, step-by-step. I remember leaving that service thinking not only did I have nothing to offer students, but I didn't have anything to offer God.

I hadn't had multiple affairs, I had barely dated. I never drank a drop of alcohol, let alone been a clubber. I hadn't gone through divorce, been a drug addict, slept with multiple women; my story was pretty puny. Had I missed out? Was my life cheapened? Did I have a testimony? Those were the questions I was wrestling with, and am too ashamed to tell you some of what I thought about that evangelist. IT JUST WASN'T FAIR!! Big brother living.

I found myself focusing on the wrong things; it wasn't so much the great life I was living in relationship with God, it was the puny one that I had to live. It wasn't a celebration of the things God had saved me from, but I was left wondering what that life was like, and if my testimony would be better with a little spice thrown in, if you know what I mean. Bitter, resentful, fanticising, and unhappy. What a way to live.

Big brother living. Never happy with where you are. Always wondering where they are.

Glad I don't have to worry about that any more; it's just you're problem.

Okay, seriously, there has to be another way.

The Seinfeld Post

2010-08-20T07:53:00.005-05:00

I was sitting in my living room this morning watching the news, and there were some things being said that created some emotion to be felt by me. So I thought I would write about them.

The first concerns an issue that is affecting all of us, and many of us are currently concerned about, it really upsets a lot of us, and makes some of us very upset.

That made me think of something that happened in Walmart last night, that also ticked me off. I hate how it made me feel about myself and the other people involved, and I talked about it all the way home, so thought I'd write about that too.

That made me think about other things going on not only in my community, but also things related to stuff that will be happening this fall, that also could affect a lot of people.

Then they had an interview in one of the large cities in the US about something going on at a very sacred place, and it made my heart hurt. That made me think of the book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wishing we would all read that book again.

That is what created the desire in me to write this, and even while writing, to have emotion about what I'm writing and how I'm writing, or not writing, because I realized that I can't really say anything of significance anymore because someone would think me a bigot, racist, elitist, fundamentalist, from the wrong political party and group of people, (oops, sorry if that offended someone).

So I hope all 3 of my followers are okay with the way I write today, in the hopes that I can vent, or rant as I've called it in the past, yet hopefully not offend anyone with anything I may say, er, write. I know this blog is vague and obtuse, but I guess that's where we currently reside in our global society, where any opinion anyone may have that anybody else may disagree with is not welcomed. So, I choose to write in this way, so I won't offend anyone with my opinion concerning anything. Have a wonderful day, unless of course something bad happens to you or your loved ones, then I hope your day is not so wonderful.

Little Brother Living

2010-08-10T11:34:00.008-05:00

I'm prepping for my first message as chaplain, and have been living within the 15th chapter of Luke. The story of the prodigal God is an amazing story, and so I thought I'd just share some of my thoughts from it over the next couple of weeks as I'm challenged by the text.

I'm sure many of you are aware of the implications of this text, so I will spare you all the details, but want to focus on the dangers inherent for me that I'm realizing from my reading and study. I see some of me in the text. This text is really about heart, what it is that motivates me.

Little bro living, if I can call it that, is more than a story about a very indulgent, irresponsible kid, because I find some of him in me.

I remember when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer, living with the reality that not only was his tumor inoperable, but his life wouldn't last more than a year, short of a miracle. We were all reeling from this news, and its in moments like these that people say all kinds of things, most of which we can shake our heads at; except this one.

A well-meaning person, at least that's what I'll call them for the sake of argument, went to visit my dad in the hospital. In the course of their conversation, they proceeded to tell my dad that the reason he contracted cancer, was because there was unconfessed sin in his life. Well, my dad didn't know how to respond. He took that persons name to the grave with him, telling me this story without revealng who that person was. Where do statements like that come from?

I want to call it a result of little bro living, from this perspective. Too often in the church, we base our faith on our experience; did it feel good, was it pleasureable, do I feel better or worse about myself, does this confirm the life I live. etc. I'm not talking about sensuality, as much as I'm talking about a form of emotionalism that has invaded our churches. Maybe it's behind some of the worship wars that we find ourselves in, or the reason we respond to some preaching the way we do. I find myself too often complaining because the music wasn't my worship language, or the preaching was less then desirable for me.

It even translates into our thinking that our life should be without pain, sorrow, and struggles. I must admit some anger when my dad wasn't healed of his cancer. Why are some people, and he wasn't. My dad didn't deserve this, but in reality, who does?

I've heard it said that if I pay my tithe, that God can be tested and will never leave me wanting anything. Oh really? Or I've based how real my faith is on what I feel. Or I've believed that if God wants me to do something, it would "feel" a certain way. I've also believed that if we are sick, it's indicative of another issue in our lives, because God certainly wouldn't allow us to be sick if all was well.

Really? The Elmer Gantry's are alive and well in the church today, and people still flock to them. Don't think so, watch some religious TV, and that will take care of that.

There is an old Saturday Night live skit now, at least two years, where the answer for every problem, was just to "fix it". I've joked about that with friends, but I think we have allowed that to become a part of our personal theology, where we think God is just the great "fixer" in the sky. He is there to make me feel good, to meet my every need, and if I don't feel good, to fix what doesn't feel good, so all is good again.

Little bro living.

I don't want my faith to be based just on what or how I feel. Maybe for Wesley, that's why scripture is primary, and experience is secondary. I certainly don't want to fall into the same trap the little brother does, thinking it's about me, my wants, my desires, and getting what feels right at the moment. I'm glad there is another way.

Who's responsible?

2010-07-27T22:06:00.003-05:00

I watched the news tonight, and felt bad for the many people in the northwest suburbs who were hit hard by this past weekend's storm. Many of their basements took on water, and their loss, in some cases, were pretty substantial. But I also listened to them ask for help in a town meeting; wondering when assistance would come from FEMA or the government to help them repair their homes. It made me wonder, who's responsible?

How have we gotten here, that when tragedy happens, as it often does, that we don't know how to help each other and ourselves anymore; instead, we look for a bailout. I know that may sound harsh, but I don't know what else to call it. Since when is it the governments responsibility to financially help us when our homes are hit by flood, tornado, hail, or other tragedy strikes? How have we gotten here?

I remember growing up, and if a flood would hit like this in our neighborhood, we would all come together to help each other out, and we would make repairs as we had the money to make them. I thought that was the normal way of doing things. When has it become anyone's responsibility, besides mine and our insurance company, to make the necessary repairs to anything damaged, least of all the government?

This all just seems rather odd to me. It's like we don't know how to take care of ourselves anymore. Does this strike anyone else as odd? I'm just saying.

One minutes makes all the difference

2010-07-20T21:33:00.013-05:00

I've heard it all my life, but probably never sensed it like I did yesterday. Standing in between these two walls, with the time right before the bombing, and the time right after engraved on those copper walls freezes that one moment, 9:02, for it seems like forever; well, for us it was 2 1/2 hours. Ever lived a minute for 2 1/2 hours?

It gave me a new perspective on the fact that one minute can

make a world of difference. Pictures say things like nothing else can, so I've posted some pics that were especially moving for us.

A Day to remember about a day to forget

2010-07-19T22:03:00.002-05:00

We spent the morning at the National Memorial in Oklahoma City where the bombing took place in 1995. Can't believe it's been 15 years. From the reflecting pool to the chairs, it an experience that I can't begin to describe here. I'll post some pics tomorrow, and let them speak for us.

It's incredible to stand between those two walls, one with a 9:01 on it, and the other with a 9:03 on it, and stand in that moment, 9:02, for as long as you can. You get lost in the scene, reading people's names on chairs, set up in rows, representing those that were killed from all 9 floors. It's an emotion I'm not sure I've experienced in a while. It's somber, with hardly anyone talking once you enter that land between the walls, where today I lived one minute for 3 hours. 9:02.

After spending 3 hours there, not even noticing that it was 98 degrees at 10:30 in the morning, we headed to Leo's Barbecue. It's located at 38th and Lincoln Ave., and let me tell you, that was some eats. We split a 1/2 pound brisket plate, with beans, macaroni salad, cole slaw, and we finished it with their classic strawberry/banana cake; to die for. I know some don't think there is barbecue outside of Kansas City, just like we think there isn't pizza outside Chicago; but let me tell you, there is some great barbecue on Oklahoma City. Check it out.

Tomorrow we head for Dallas, and Terry begins to prep for her seminar. I'm planning on attending in the evenings with her, and spending some time by the pool with a book. Look for pics from today on tomorrow's posting.

Chicago to Dallas, and back again

2010-07-18T21:52:00.005-05:00

Well, we started another trip to Dallas for Terry's Mary Kay convention, and I thought it would be fun to eat at some out of the way places, and visit some places we've yet to see.

It all started today at Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK. You can check out Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives for more about this place, but apparently the owner and the restaurant were some design incentives for the Pixar movie, Cars. They have a signed poster in there from the producers from the movie. It's on old route 66 in Stroud, and just like in the movie with the new highway being built near the town, Terry commented that this place looks like it was dying. Well the town might be, but the restaurant wasn't.

Fried pickle wedges, alligator burger, and jagerschnitzel with spaegnel (never figured out what that was) were just some of the foods on our plates for this lunch. Sorry, no pics. We also had deep friend apples ala mode. Good stuff. Tomorrow we're going to the Oklahoma Citybombing memorial in , and Leo's Barbeque for lunch (another recommended stop from DDD). I'll let you know how lunch goes tomorrow, but as far as the Rock Cafe goes, Terry and I give it two thumbs up. Exit 179 off of 44 in Oklahoma, around 40 miles NE of OKC. Worth the stop; at least once in this life.

An honest response to a broken city.

2010-07-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

A harsh reaction from a city that is tired of losing. I'm not a Cav's fan, but here's hoping it spills over to our beloved Browns!

Cavaliers: Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Not sure why a majority owner should be this bitter when they are the ones responsible for creating the climate and system in which the players and their lawyers operate. It is the nature of the beast, so Dan, as bad as I feel for Cleveland tonight, it's difficult for us to feel terribly sorry for any of you.

I'm over it!

2010-07-07T22:23:00.002-05:00

I'm over it! I don't care where Labron plays; don't care how much money Wade and Bosh make; don't care if they are all in Miami; I just don't care.

I'm over it. I'm over it because I don't like pro basketball; easy. I'm over it because I'm tired of what gets attention in our country. I'm over it because no one cares how they spend it, just where they play. I'm over it because they are all full of themselves; come on, an hour to announce where you'll be playing basketball next year. The sad thing, is that might have higher ratings then the world cup. I'm over it, even as I type listening to Wade talk about how emotional it was to walk away from Chicago, saying "you know, that's my home."

So I'm over it. Only 20 days til training camps open for the NFL.

Wall Street Journal Article

2010-06-28T11:07:00.004-05:00

"The US needs the World Cup, the World Cup doesn't need the US." That's a line in a Wall Street journal article before the matches in this year's Cup began, related to the buying power and capital in the US compared to other countries, and our bid to host in 2018 or 2022. Is that a true statement?

I think that statement in itself is one of the problems with the stigma attached to the World Cup and FIFA by all Americans. Sure there was a flurry of activity and frenzy attached to this years team because of the way they were playing and finishing games, but now that we're out, I mean really, will we mourn this for four years like the Brits will? In my radio market, the top story this morning is about what Zambrano did in the Cubs dugout Saturday, not the soccer loss to Ghana. So, does the US really need to World Cup?

I say, no. I hope I'm not coming across as an arrogant American by saying that. The furor created by this year's Cup and the media hype was simply because we like cheering for an American team, I mean, this is like the Olympics on steroids; all of us cheering for one team, at one time, with one voice. How many times do we get to do that?

But now we move on: Cub fans get to mourn another year down the tubes, as they watch the White Sox surge, and they begin talking about next year, again; Bear fans wonder what this year will be like since they are picked pre-season to finish third in their division; from my sports perspective, I wonder how much Terrell Pryor will mature this year, with the eternal hopes of finishing a season undefeated, a feat we haven't accomplished since 2002? That's Ohio State if you're wondering.

See, the World Cup was fun sure, and I'll still watch through the knock-out round as a curious bystander, but does the US really need the World Cup? I watched a terribly missed call on goal in the England/Germany match, a brutal no-call on an off-side in the Argentina/Mexico match, and then listened to fans from both sides say, as purists, that's the way the game is played. Oh, how about getting the calls right?

Maybe during the fall of 2011 when the NFL is locked out, and World Cup qualifying is in full swing, we might care; but I doubt it, we will have college football.

Nuff said

2010-03-03T15:25:00.002-06:00

P.S. Tweeting

2010-02-23T08:39:00.003-06:00

I gave up tweeting for lent. Still trying to determine if that was sacrificial or not? But I couldn't give up e-mail, cause I know that wouldn't have been.

Storytelling

2010-02-23T08:05:00.003-06:00

I'm just coming out of general church meetings this week, where there have been some incredible stories of the church being told. As much as we complain about the stagnating church in the US, the church is alive and well, and growing at rapid rates at places all over our world.

Stories like the one of a little girl that wandered into a church in the Philippines. She was naked, nameless, and it was obvious it had been a while since she had bathed. They found out that she was living in a burned out car with her drug-addicted mother, and father was not a part of her life. This church has not only clothed her and bathed her, they also gave her a name, Ella. For the first time in her young life, she had a name. Ella is now a regular at this church, and they are ministering to her mother, who is still a drug addict and living out of that broken-down car. Every week, they bathe Ella, and put a clean set of clothe on her. She is coming to understand that she is loved by a God to whom she has never been nameless.

I heard another story about the miraculous stories of redemption that are coming out of Haiti. When the earthquake hit, and people were scrambling for answers, they went to the village witch doctor for answers, food, and water. The witch doctor said that no god he could call on would be able to do anything about this, but they needed to call on the one true God that could be found in "that" church. "That" church happened to be the Nazarene church on the hill, that was still standing. The witch doctor went to "that" church with his whole family, and they all entered into a new relationship with the one true God.

Another church in Haiti was near one of the tent camps that are becoming common among the citizens of this island. 1000 of the people that are living in this particular refugee camp gathered around the church in that community, and after the service, 250 responded to the call for them to enter into new life found in the one called Jesus.

I heard missionaries from the Philippines share about how they are a part of a house church that runs about 25, that they hesitated starting because the oldest member is 17. He also happens to be serving as the pastor. Does he have his theology figured out; no. Has he been educated to know how to properly interpret scripture; no. But these missionaries said they know how to pray and who to pray to, and shared how God is using this group to reach their friends who live in their community.

As I was listening to these stories, and more, it made me wonder why we don't hear more like this in our church. I've watched our university students respond generously to the rising needs in Haiti, that won't go away any time soon, and know they want to be involved in something, want to give their life away, but find myself wondering if we give them anything to invest their lives in and to.

Sitting in church doesn't capture their imagination; stories of what God is doing does. Talking about missions doesn't motivate them to action; serving along side them does. Waiting until we leave the country to be involved in "real" missional activity is selling short the need and responsibility that is ours to reach across the street and back into our cities. These stories moved me, and I think you're no different than I am.

We need to learn ways to tell and create our own stories of faith. We need to make the stories come alive by making them local, not just something that happens "over there", but also happens here as well, when we look around. We also need to expose them to the opportunities that are presenting themselves to use their multitude of gifts in other countries to put in fresh water wells, help create small independent businesses, work as communication coordinators, IT supervisors, create computer support systems, teaching English as a second language, etc. The day of our students going to preach are diminishing, because we're raising a whole generation of indigenous pastors. But building contractors and medical professionals will be needed in Haiti for years and maybe decades.

Story. Telling the stories of God's faithfulness. Telling the stories of what God is doing in his church. Pointing this generation to a giveaway lifestyle that I believe they will embrace, if we just give them opportunities. How do we do this?

We tell the story, and let God speak to them about how the stories we tell are theirs to live as well. Like Kenda Dean says, they want to give their lives to something worth dying for, so their faith becomes something worth living for. I'm just wondering if the church is willing to tell the story and let them go to the places where God will take them. What do you think?

I love my church. It's time we tell its story.

So what does tweeting mean?

2010-01-26T19:49:00.003-06:00

I don't need anyone to define what twitter is all about, I tweet, but I've just begun to wonder in the last couple of weeks what it means to tweet. Is it arrogant for me to think that you actually want to know what I'm doing every hour of every day? Is it selfish of me to promote things that I'm involved in, thinking you care too? I know what you might be thinking, that if I'm just now starting to ask these questions, then I'm really ignorant. Maybe I am.

I was caught up in the twitter craze like everyone else; I watched my followers grow; I even followed someone when I was confronted about not following him when he was following me. I'm wimpy, I know.

Like living to see everyone's facebook status changing on the live feed isn't enough, now I tweet. And as you well know, it's much more than just a "status update". Here's what happens in my twitter world.

I know when someone is hunting, when someone is at the driving range, when someone is in class, working on their resume, in an accident, or taking their kids to swimming lessons. But I also know when someone is publishing a new book, speaking about the new book being published, blogging about what they said at a speaking engagement about the book they're publishing, and talking on the radio about their blog, where they write about a time they spoke to a group from a new book they are publishing. Oh, by the way, his book is coming out in March.

I'm just not sure what tweeting means anymore. Is it purely self-promotion in its various forms, be it talking through various mediums about your book, or just letting someone know you just got off the toilet. Do I really want to know that?

I was scolded this week for tweeting while driving, which in my state is against the law, and they were right, I was tweeting while driving, thereby breaking the law. (Glad Terry doesn't read this, and if you're her friend on facebook, don't write on her wall, this will be our little secret, 'cause I guarantee you, I'm not tweeting about this blog, although maybe more people would read my blog if I tweeted about it; and then maybe I could write a book, and speak on a radio station about the time I spoke at a university about what the book I was thinking about writing, that I'm sure would be published, and then I'd have something to really blog about, huh?).

See what I mean. So, what does tweeting mean anyway? Man, do I feel better.

Thanks for reading, and, er, would you tell someone about this, maybe even tweet my blog address so they will start reading more of what I write. That would really make me feel good about myself and the time I just spent writing this blog.

Hey, that'll tweet! And it's less than 115 characters (or whatever that number is), yahtzee. See you in twitterland.

A Story of Giving

2010-01-22T15:33:00.005-06:00

Our campus is no different than many groups of people all over this country, being moved by the scenes coming out of Haiti because of the earthquake. I know this is going to sound like I'm bragging, and I'm not, I'm just sayin'.

Because of this tragedy, we began to look at ways that our students could appropriately respond to the tremendous need represented now in Haiti. Last semester a student organization had already raised funds for the Haiti Water Project, a venture to build fresh water wells in Haiti. For every $4500 raised, a fresh water well could be placed in strategic locations to serve the community. They raised $2200 last semester. 100% of the proceeds go directly to this project.

They were pretty excited about that, so we decided to pick that up this semester to help address the present need. Our students were already familiar with the project, and it goes directly to where it is needed most. With the situation as it is on ground in Haiti, and no groups being allowed in for at least 6 months, we wanted to do something. This will be on our radar screen for the entire semester, and we already have an MIA trip planned there for March 2011. Serendipitous, we all know. That's just the way God works, isn't it? Anyhow, this week in chapel, we began to put the need, coupled with the project, in front of our students again. We didn't set a goal, we just decided to allow God to speak, and students to give as they felt led.

As of this morning, our campus has raised, in just three days, $9100, added to the $2200 raised from last semester, and we're just getting started. We did make the ask for each student to consider giving $10 throughout the semester, which would allow us to dig five freshwater wells, and as you can see, there is a reason we don't put caps or limits on what God can do in and through the lives of students. We have a running total, not a thermometer, because we are never done giving, are we?

We are an incredibly blessed country, university, and we've seen giving flow out of this blessing this week. So, in the midst of pretty lame statements being made by some, I believe in their hearts, well-meaning people, we continue to give, as the need continues to grow. We give out of our abundance, not a reaching down, but a reaching across to brothers and sisters who are no more deserving of this tragedy than we are, and no less deserving of basic needs than us either.

May God help us to never forget the less fortunate, marginalized, poor, disenfranchised, abused, neglected, and forgotten; who are recipients of the same gracious move of God their way as we are ours.

Cleaning up God's messes

2010-01-21T22:05:00.004-06:00

I'm sure you've all heard by now the comment made by Pat Robertson giving his reason for the earthquake in Haiti. If not, you can see it on youtube, under "pact with the devil". I don't want to comment anymore on his statement, but an observation from one of my students.

I teach a youth ministry class on Thursday nights, and we were talking about the theological constructs that are used for ministry, and how what people do and say gives us glimpses into their view of God. When talking about the Robertson video, he said:

"It was interesting to me that Pat Robertson believed God caused the earthquake as punishment for the Haitian people and their pagan beliefs, but at the same time was collecting money to send relief to them as well. Kind of like, God did this to them, but now we'll go in and clean up his mess. We'll rescue what God isn't willing to."

I thought that was very interesting.

I'm baack!

2010-01-20T16:35:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I've been taking some serious, uh, let's just say stuff related to my lack of posting on my blog. I will blame it on twitter, although it has much more to do with my just being lazy, I guess. No better time to start again, at least for today, than by introducing you to the two newest members of my family.

No, Terry and I didn't get a dog, nor did the immaculate conception happen, our daughters each had a baby, 13 days apart. It's fun doing things in pairs, and Terry and I are already looking forward to Christmas 2010, with two one-year-olds, Jackson and Bradley, and one 3 1/2 year old, Brayden.

Well, here are the pics from today. See you again real soon; promise.

In Kansas City

2009-08-27T06:16:00.003-05:00

Well, kind of. Actually I'm in Lenexa, KS this week for USA Canada Council meetings. They have graciously created space to keep me around for four more years, really had to twist my arm. I love this group who help to shape events like Nazarene Youth Conference and District Leadership Conference. Besides the work, they are a fun group to be around. We work hard, laugh hard, and sometimes even play hard when time permits.

This week we begin planning on NYC 2011 in Louisville, KY. Head to the GMC this morning, and work all day today and tomorrow.

Couldn't sleep very well last night. Finally gave up the fight and got up at 5:00, and by 6:00 was already on my second cup of coffee. Might be a four cup morning before 8:00, that should keep me wired for a while.

I'll fly home Saturday, and Terry is picking me up to go downtown Chicago and spend some time with Chris and Kelli. In case you haven't heard, both of our girls are pregnant. Kelli is due some time in December, and Kristin is due some time in January. Gonna be a fun month for the Holcomb clan.

Also, I'm glad to report that as of September 24, we will no longer own a home in Indy. We sold it this past week, after four years of trying, so needless to say, Terry and I are thrilled. We are cutting our last material ties to a town we thoroughly loved living in, but have friends that give us a reason for return visits.

I've also gone public with the fact that this is my last year to be an RD. With some of the other responsibilities I've taken on at Olivet, there is too much going on for me the first couple of weeks before school starts and the first week. The fact that I'm writing this from Kansas City the first day of my Fall classes verifies that. I love what I do, and love being an RD, but something has to give, so that is it.

Well, guess you're caught up for now. Finishing my second cup of coffee, ready to fill it up again. Today I'll need all the artificial stimulant from caffeine I can get.

The summer is over!

2009-08-06T17:10:00.003-05:00

Well, yours might not be, but mine definitely is. Terry and I got back last Thursday, and I hit the ground running. I'm excited and overwhelmed with what the Fall has for us. It will be busy, but life with college students is always exciting. Let me get you caught up on the new things that have taken place this Summer into this Fall.

Both of our daughters are expecting. Kelli is due the end of December, and Kristin is due early to mid January. Needless to say, our Christmas break will be more than eventful.

Luke, our son-in-law has been in Iraq since June 6, 2008, with the exception of a three-week leave, explaining #2 coming in January. Well, after a long wait, he finally arrived home on Tuesday. Terry and I made time on Sunday to welcome home a National Guard reserve group from this area on Sunday, and both stood on the side of the road, crying like babies thinking ahead two days to the homecoming that would be taking place in Killeen, TX with Luke, Kristin, and Brayden. Welcome home Luke!!

I took on a new role at Olivet last year, to develop leadership initiatives on campus. They won't fully kick in until next Fall, but I am taking on some responsibilities that I've not had before, like training student mentors for our incoming freshman class, the largest in the history around here. It's fun, challenging, and scary all at the same time; but I'm having a blast.

I'm still teaching, looking forward to a hopeful deer hunt in October, counting the days to welcoming into the world two new grandbabies, and hanging out in the NYI world of our church. Life is good, Terry is still just as beautiful and fun as ever, our girls are healthy and happily married, (duh), and we're about to become grandparents again.

Pics later. Hope you're life is full as well. God is good.

Santa Fe

2009-07-28T20:22:00.008-05:00

There are two places that words and even pictures can't do justice; Sedona and Santa Fe. They are both incredibly beautiful towns, and filled with history. Santa Fe is preparing to celebrate it's 400th birthday next year. Names like Coronado, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, and the Trail of Tears, bear some of the history that is centered on this town.

This is where the Santa Fe trail, that starts in Olathe, KS, ends. Guess you don't have to be a brain surgeon to figure that out. This is where the army came over the Santa Cristo range and drove the Navajo nation into what might have been the first concentration camp. 90% of the Navajo people died in that camp.

One of the oldest missions is here, and it's surrounded by incredible scenary. It's just a great place, full of a wide variety of people. This is one of the places we would like to return. The picture show you why.

Not much from me over the next couple of days, just some hard driving. Home on Thursday. I'm ready for regular life to kick in. Happy trails.

Flagstaff to Santa Fe

2009-07-28T20:08:00.007-05:00

Yes, that's a really big hole in the ground!

Being true to our "catch phrase", we made a 5 hour drive into a 10 hour adventure. We decided at the last minute to go to meteor crater in no man's land Arizona. We had already planned on going to the petrified forest and the painted desert, but made the crater an extra stop. We also drove through "Winslow, AZ," where the Eagle's sung about standing on the corner, and some chick in a flat bed Ford checking them out. I know those aren't the words, just didn't want to sing the whole song, you get the point.

What we discoverd was the crater was worth the trip, Winslow wasn't. The petrified forest was worth the trip, and had the painted desert not been included, we probably could have done without it, especially experiencing the drive through the valley between Gallup and Albequerque, New Mexico; never get tired of looking at the mountains and those incredible red rocks.

We were tired when we arrived in Santa Fe, but had a blast, as you can see. Day two, one more to go before our trip changes gears.

Payson to Flagstaff

2009-07-28T19:47:00.010-05:00

Terry and I started our journey home after working on her mother's home in Casa Grande, AZ. It has been quite the journey, I might add. We're spending three days playing on the way back, with our catch phrase, it's more about the journey than the destination, then changing gears and playing from the other side of that coin, making it more about the destination then the journey. We want to be home by Thursday, the 30th. Then life kicks in.

I'm a couple of days behind, so bear with me. We'll pretend like today is Sunday, with our trip from Payson to Flagstaff, AZ. By the way, Arizona is much more than dessert. It's quite the state. And for the record, Sedona is B-E-A-Utiful!! Terry and I have decided that much beauty in one place is just not fair.

Check out these photos, and come back tomorrow to check out some more on our trip from Flagstaff to Santa Fe. Have I told you it's hot out here? Oh yeah, but it's a dry heat, sorry, I forgot.

2009-07-19T22:20:00.003-05:00

Hey, made me laugh. Two posts in one week, beggars can't be choosey.

In Dallas this week for Terry's Mary Kay Seminar. We head to Phoenix arriving on Thursday to get her mom's home ready to sell. Meeting her sister and one of the brothers there to work on Saturday, then head home on Sunday for life to get as back to normal as it gets.

Had a great couple of days playing with "Bubby", that's Brayden if you're not aware of the nickname. He is talking up quite a storm, and Kristin has done an incredible job holding the fort together with Luke in Iraq. They sold their home this month, so Terry was there the last couple of weeks helping Kristin move into their new/old rental home until Luke finishes his four years of service to the army.

I'm very proud of my daughter, and my son-in-law for the sacrifice they have made for country and freedom, whatever you think of this war. He has served well, and she has lived well. He'll be home in the next three weeks, and then life gets back to normal for them as well, or as close as it gets when your husband is in the army.

Hey, what's up?

2009-07-15T21:11:00.003-05:00

I was scolded today by one of my friends, reminded that some of you actually come to this for, whatever; comic relief, information, ranting, etc. Well, there has been a lot going on in my life over the last month, as their has been yours. I'm currently on my way to pick up Terry in Killeen, TX, to take her to her Mary Kay convention, then go to Phoenix to get her mother's home ready to put on the market. Not my idea of fun, especially driving through west Texas and southern New Mexico and Arizona in July.

What's been going on the last 30 days: Kristin and Luke have sold their home, and we've re-listed ours; General Assembly has come and gone, with one of the most eventful ones in the history of our church, with Dr. Bowling elected, accepting, and rescinding the nomination. It was truly one of the most courageous things I've ever seen done. I can't help but admire a man that has the integrity to remain true to who he was created to be and do. Way to go!

I was also honored by being elected the Global President for NYI, one of the greatest honors of my life, next to marrying Terry, the birth of my two daughters, their marriage and gaining two sons, finally, and the birth of my grandson (think I sufficiently covered the family). It will be an absolute honor and privilege to serve the young people of the church for the next four years. I get to stay around, and I'm thrilled with the opportunity.

I was able to reconnect with many friends, and be a part of the best NYI convention ever, with 7 sites outside the US, with full voting and floor privileges. It was incredible.

Well, I'm driving the other half tomorrow to see my wife, Kristin, and Brayden. Excited to be with them, but already thinking of what is waiting for me when I get back home on the 30th.

To the four of you that read this, I'll work on being more consistent, and more substantial. For now, know that I'm alive and well.

We Still Have Work to Do

2009-06-03T07:08:00.003-05:00

Read an article from the New York Times about a high school in Georgia, that still has segregated proms. Guess I've been living with my head in the sand, but thought those times were long gone. You know what the sad thing in this was, and I guess not surprising to me, it wasn't the kids that wanted it that way, it was the parents.

Can you imagine, as an American person of color, showing up to a prom on Friday night to take pictures of your friends as they walk on the red carpet, into "their" prom, and after taking pictures, having to leave, and wait until Saturday night for "your" prom.

They talked with frustration about how they wished their friends, who were now 18, would stand up and change this, but confused by the acceptance of the way things were, especially considering some of them wouldn't be able to attend prom with the person they were dating, because they were at the "other" prom.

A couple of things.

One, WOW!

Two, it reminded me that there is no ministry to students that doesn't include ministry to parents.

P.S. The white students were invited to the Saturday night prom, the students of color were not invited to the Friday night prom, and would be escorted out by parents if they tried to go in. No white students showed up.

Penn Says: A Gift of a Bible

2009-05-05T08:11:00.001-05:00

Thought this was pretty interesting.

Olivet Pong Shots

2009-05-01T16:07:00.001-05:00

You've got to check this out, seriously.

NW Nazarene

2009-04-23T07:51:00.003-05:00

I'm heading tonight to Boise, ID, and the regional event for NW Nazarene. Never been to that part of the country, and I'm looking forward to being with old friends, and making new friends.

I'll give you a full report. Pray for me that God communicate his heart as I have the privilege of speaking at their event, and in chapel for the university.

REPORT: Two of my new friends from the NW Regional event. I had a blast, thanks Ed for the invitation. My faith and confidence is always affirmed in our church when I'm exposed to the younger set. They can be trusted.

Concerned Nazarene

2009-04-22T10:30:00.004-05:00

I just went to the web sight called, Concerned Nazarenes. I have heard a lot about it from friends, and wanted to go there to form my own sense of what it was about. Not sure I was able to do that, and here is why.

I don't doubt their love and passion for the church, it is shared by me and many others I know. I'm a fourth generation member of this great group of people called Nazarenes. We all love our church, and share our indebtedness to her. Does our church have issues and problems? You bet. Doesn't make me love her any less.

I do doubt the sincerity of the dialogue, because as far as I can tell, it isn't one. There is no where to post a response to what is written without being edited out if not agreed with. The sight is quite clear that this isn't the place to "debate" emerging church issues, to post disagreement with their opinion, so my question is, what is it?

So, am I to assume that those on the Concerned Nazarene sight have the theological debate all figured out? Is this an open dialogue or closed?

Am I to assume that there is nothing good in the emerging church movement? Have you read Dallas Willard's book, Divine Conspiracy?

Am I to assume that any form of spiritual formation and Christian practice that even predates the Roman Catholic church is heretical and/or New Age? Do you realize that if it weren't for the Monastic movement, the church as we know it and the reformation might not have happened?

Am I to assume that anyone who I may disagree with doctrinally has nothing to teach me?

As one who loves my church, am forever indebted to her, and believes in heart holiness, I also believe that this is against the Reformed and Wesleyan spirit our church is built on. So, I am doing what I was directed by those on the Concerned Nazarene sight, blogging about some of my concerns as a fellow Nazarene.

I don't lay claim to having all my theology figured out, but like one of my friends likes to say, at best I'm reformed, and at the least orthodox. I don't agree with Borg's assessment of scripture either, so on that I'm with you. But I have read Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones, and Dallas Williard. Do I agree with everything they say, no. Not agreeing with them doesn't diminish their place in the conversation or in the body of Christ. My hope is that as I continue to grow, listen, read, learn, that we are as gracious with "them", as they are with "us".

Easter in Michigan

2009-04-11T20:30:00.009-05:00

It's been a long two weeks for our family. It's almost been two weeks now since Terry's mom has passed away, and a week ago was her funeral. It was a tough, long day.

With Terry in Phoenix for the better part of the month, I decided to come to my mom's for our Easter break. I did something from my bucket list, if I had one. I've heard everyone talk about Redamak's, a burger joint in New Buffalo, MI. So I stopped and got a burger. Not disappointed at all.

Also took some time out tonight to do some deer watching. Again, not disappointed at all. They are creatures of habit, and I was able to get pretty close before some crazies decided to chase them with their video camera. It has been a restful, fun 24 hours. It's always relaxing to come to mom's.

Three more weeks of school, and then we're out for the summer, crazy. Time flies when you're having fun, and as fast as this semester went, we must have had a blast.

He is Risen!!

2009-03-23T18:08:00.000-05:00

Saw this on another friend's blog, and stole it. Thanks Darrel.

To journey without being changed is to be a nomad.
To change without journeying is to be a chameleon.
To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.

Mark Nepo, The Exquisite Risk

Last Full Day in Florida

2009-03-13T21:26:00.007-05:00

We head home tomorrow. Here are some pictures from our last day. We had a great week, the weather couldn't have been better. Rain moves in tomorrow, just in time for us to head home. We're driving all 15 hours tomorrow so I can teach Sunday School, and then back to the grind Monday. We're ready to come home, not sure about coming home to winter, but we're ready to be in our own bed.

This next week I'm staring down at Makom, our on campus, student led revival. I will be speaking four times, two on Wednesday, two on Thursday. I'm looking forward to working with Joel Bubrink this week too. Should be a great time.

Like I said last week, I'm feeling the weight again of this. I love our campus, our students, and would love for God to make himself known in a new way this week. I don't want to get in the way. I guess it's official, vacation is over.

It's Crab Trap Day!

2009-03-12T20:29:00.013-05:00

This has been the calmest day yet on the beach. The first two days, the red flag was up and you couldn't wander out past your knees unless you wanted to be knocked over by the rip current. It was pretty intense, but the surfers loved it.

Today, it was really calm in the morning and as the tide moved in continued to get rougher throughout the morning until around noon when the tide was highest. It was a lot better than earlier in the week. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful the surf is when its up.

Our tradition is on Thursday night of our trip here to eat at a great place called The Crab Trap. I don't like Crab and Terry ate her fill at the buffet the other night,(I know, I know) so tonight, she got fish toes, and I ate some incredible shrimp. We ate until we were full, bought a couple of t-shirts, so we're doing our part to help the Florida economy.

We've met some great people down here, and this time of year the mean age is 70, seriously. They like to fish, shell, and walk the beach. They also like to talk. Met a couple today from Toronto who live here every February/March, and head home before the pricing jumps for all the spring breakers.

We also met a Korean vet, who spends his days watching the end of his fishing pole. I guess the Pompono are just starting to run, and he said he's been out there most every day the last two months, and has caught 4. Two of them were too big, and he had to throw them back. The others were "quite tasty", to quote him.

Again, today was around 72, sunny most of the day. Fog rolled in today around 1:00, and hung around until 3:30, so Terry and I got a pretty good nap in, her after reading, and me laying on the couch watching conference tournaments. I go from spring break, to March madness, what a life (oh, back to work too).

One more day on the beach, and then we head home and back to "real life". A couple new pics taken today, but basically it's the same pretty much every day. Sun block, a beach chair, my shelling net, a book and reading glasses, and the sun. What more could a guy ask for.

Fourth Day in Florida

2009-03-11T21:57:00.005-05:00

Another perfect day in Florida. We actually saw dolphins, but I didn't have my camera with me on our morning walk. I'll not make the same mistake tomorrow.

I'm reading a great book by Eugene Peterson, Tell it Slant; you'll have to read it. He is teaching on the parables and prayers that are unique to Luke. As usual for Peterson, it's a great read. Giving me a lot to think about.

One of the things I'm learning here on this trip is just how little I need to be content. Just give me a chair, sun block, a shelling net, a good book, Terry, and oh yeah, the ocean, and I'm good. Seriously, I'm learning some valuable lessons on humility and contentment. Still thinking and reading, so will write more later.

Thought I'd share a couple more pics from today. The pace of this trip is perfect. Not too fast, not too slow. The scenes and weather have been perfect. Today, I'm burned, and very happy.

From Morning to Evening

2009-03-09T19:58:00.010-05:00

Got some incredible shots beginning this morning, and ending with the sunset. The colors were incredible.

This has been exactly what we needed. Tonight we ate crab and shrimp at one of our family's favorites, Captain Kids in Destin. It was one of the places my dad loved to eat at, and a buffet to boot. Drank some sweet tea and ate some hush puppies for dad.

Two full days in the sun, and not burned too badly, at least not for this northerner's lilly winter white skin. Day three tomorrow, and supposed to be 74 and sunny, can't wait.

Also bought a net today so I can join the ranks of the sea shell collecters. I'll post some of my booty tomorrow. It's another excuse to get me in the sun and water.

Thought I'd throw in a shot of our first "dolphin" sighting. Hoping to see the real thing soon. Our balcony is a great place to look for them, but the seas have been a little too rough for us to see much to this point. Not seeing many dolphins, but the surfers are a plenty loving the surf.

First Day in Paradise

2009-03-08T20:11:00.009-05:00

Well, Terry and I are on a much needed vacation. Here are some shots from our first day, and some scenes of our balcony view.

This is a much needed vacation for both of us. Terry's Mary Kay business in Brasil is going better than we ever dreamed. We were hoping to go back together in May, but it looks, now, like she will have to go back in April. That's good, but bad for me, cause that means she's going without me again. Toni and her team there in Brasil are growing like gangbusters, and Terry wants to support them, and the best way to do that, is to be there. Frequent flyer miles, here she comes.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch. 74 today, sunny most of the day, and the same for the next four days. As I type this, I'm listening to the waves, watching Monk, eating kettle corn, and looking at the pictures from my new camera. Man, do I ever love Florida in March.

Feeling it!

2009-03-04T20:34:00.003-06:00

I'm feeling it again.

I've been asked to speak at Makom, the student-led, on-campus revival. So I'm feeling it again.

The weight.
The anxiety.
The concern.
The need to draw near.
The nerves.
The closeness.
The desire.
The inadequacy.

I feel like I know where I'm going, planned from this end, but I'm excited about where God is going to take us. Places where none of us could have planned to go. I don't want to get in the way of what God wants to do, and where he wants to take us.

So, I'm feeling it again.

Mark Freezing, Terry Melting

2009-02-22T17:42:00.002-06:00

Well, such is the way of the world. Terry is doing great in Brazil, having met with over 300 women yesterday at their meeting. They gave away door prizes, and she said it was like The Price is Right, when they would call a name with no reponse, they would start shouting, draw again, draw again. She is having a blast. She and Toni are doing some follow up meetings today, as well as attending all their services, which I'm sure are changing her view of the church.

She did say that her face is melting off. It's summer in Brazil, which to many who are reading this post would not mind in the least. Winter has been brutal. Terry is melting, which means she's having a bad make up and hair week, with the temps around 90 every day, and extremely humid; whereas it's all of 25 here today, and at home they got about 4 inches of snow.

No wonder I'm ready for Spring break, and no wonder Terry loves air conditioning. I look forward to pictures, and will share with you all when she gets back.

Terry in Brazil

2009-02-15T20:15:00.008-06:00

Well, Terry is on her flight to Brazil. She will will arrive around 5:00a our time, and be there for 10 days, continuing to work with the women there sharing the Mary Kay opportunity, while spending time at camp for Campinas Central Church. They take approximately 2000 people to a camp the last weekend of Carnival (Mardi Gras) because of what happens in the city before the beginning of Lent. Kind of a sick time of the year.

She's learning portuguese, and is acclimating herself to her new friends. Or maybe I should better say, they are acclimating to us. They continue to be gracious people, who will be friends for life. They are stuck with us, and I hope they're okay with that. For more on them, you can read our original Brazil postings from May of last year.

I'm praying for a safe journey, for safety while there, and many good days as they continue to build the Kingdom in their corner of the world.

Whirlyball is life!

2009-02-14T11:44:00.005-06:00

Had my first go around with some real hacks on a Whirlyball court, or whatever you call it, while in Kansas City. One, I didn't realize that the wickets you use to throw and catch the ball should be registered weapons; thanks for teaching me the tricks of the trade Kenny.

I also didn't realize that life lessons on power and authority play throughout this game. You know, like once you get someone trapped in a corner, you don't let them out. Or if someone has the ball in their wicket, you whack them with yours until you get the ball out or cut their hand off, whichever comes first. Or when you score, you catch the ball, and keep scoring until someone rams into the back of your car, giving you whiplash, and causing you to drop the ball. Oh, and my favorite, blood means nothing.

It's also a safe zone for saying things about and to people you probably wouldn't other wise say and do. This isn't an activity for building community or for the faint of heart, it's all about stress relief.

So, have you played? Are you a Whirlyball 'playa', like Tim? Aficionado, like Kenny? Rookie, like me? Biggest loser, like Brooklyn? Expert on maneuvering their car like Stu? Passing wizard like Blair? Scoring machine like Chad? Or maybe a 'playa' in waiting? Either way, I'm sure it won't be long before there are volumes of books written on this, sport? Because like I discovered earlier this week, for some, whirlyball is life!

P.S. I love my wife!! (it is Valentines Day, you know, and she might read this)

I heard this yesterday, and I cried!

2009-02-10T12:43:00.007-06:00

How baffling you are, oh Church, and yet how I love you!

You have made me suffer, and yet how much I owe you!

I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence.

You have given me so much scandal and yet you have made me understand sanctity.

I have seen nothing in the world more devoted to obscurity, more compromised, more false, and I have touched nothing more pure, more generous, more beautiful. How often I have wanted to shut the doors of my soul in your face, and how often I have prayed to die in the safety of your arms.

No, I cannot free myself from you, because I am you, although not completely.

And where should I go?

- From The God Who Comes - Carlo Carretto

Thanks Brooklyn!

2009-02-05T10:09:00.000-06:00

"Defending mediocrity is exhausting"

Seth Godin, Tribes

Mary Kay in Brazil

2009-01-31T20:45:00.005-06:00

Just read my blogs from our trip to Brazil last May. Made me miss my friends, and also realize that I haven't updated you on Terry's exploits.

Well, if you remember, she was going there to see if she could share the Mary Kay opportunity with some of our friends down there. Well, not only was she able to, but went back there last November, and we just booked her next trip. She leaves on Sunday the 15, and comes home on the 26.

During Carnival down there, or Mardi Gras as we know it, they take people to a camp, away from the city because it isn't safe to stay in the cities during the partying. While there, Terry, Toni, and the other four consultants she has down there, will be teaching on outer beauty with the ladies, and potentially doing the faces of up to 500 women. She is going to have a blast with over 1000 people from Central Church in Campinas, as well as work to continue to help Toni build her business.

Pretty exciting stuff for Terry, Toni, and her other consultants down there. I'm really jealous that the timing hasn't enabled me to go with her, cause I'm more than ready to go back. Er, to hang with Alex, Flavio, Tiago, and Lico, not for the facials. I'm hoping to go with her when she goes back in May.

Terry, the new world traveler. You go girl!

If we must!

2009-01-28T11:05:00.003-06:00

I sat next to a guy, who happens to be the father of one of our basketball players here at Olivet. I never met him before, but have seen him at every game, so I proceeded to introduce myself. We moved from the name exchange to some casual conversation about what we both did, and I told him I was a prof, teaching in the School of Theology. He said, "Great, at half time we can talk about Calvinism vs. Arminianism."

I think he could tell by the look on my face that wasn't what I expected him to say. Being a quick reader my response, which I tend to wear on my sleeve anyway he said, "You know, as iron sharpens iron. It will be a great conversation." My response was in the classical, jousting, early english mode; "if we must. . .!"

After again, wearing my feelings on my sleeve through my deep sigh, I proceeded to watch the first half of the game, not really able to concentrate on what was happening on the court, but more distracted by the conversation we were about to have. When the buzzer sounded, I so wanted to get up and go to the bathroom, which the coffee I had been drinking through the first half had created a desire for me to do, but I decided to sit and see what was next, not wanting to be rude and obvious in my deflection of confrontation. He opened the door with a "well", so I decided to jumped through.

I told him of a friend that I had in Ohio, a youth pastor at a southern Baptist church. We both had a large number of students who attended the same high school, and were talking about doing some events together. Our conversation began by talking about how our relationship could be defined by focusing on what we have in common, which is greater than the sum of our differences. I didn't want to have the "once saved always saved" debate with him, for the sake of our kids and the students we were trying to reach. We came to an agreement, that reformed and wesleyan men could have a relationship that was more about the Kingdom, than our own.

Well, it was a great thought that was not too long afterward headed off by the powers that be saying they thought it better that we keep things localized to our own churches. We maintained our friendship, but never did any of those events together, choosing instead to keep things "localized". Not sure what could have happened on the campus of Butler High School in Vandalia Ohio had we combined our resources, guess we'll never know.

I wish some of our lines were a little softer, like the grassy line above. It's apparent to me that there will always be some who are more concerned with our differences than what we have in common. I guess that's the reason why on our 2-mile jaunt every Sunday, we drive by 7 churches on the way to ours. And we do it because we "must"!?

Shaping Culture with Language

2009-01-23T11:12:00.006-06:00

Call me slow, but this week has just raised my awareness concerning the way we shape culture and belief around how we use, or misuse, language.

Much of what someone believes can be quickly misrepresented by the way we use language. I was made aware of that the last two days as I listened to the language on TV regarding Sanctity of Life week.

This week is typically the week that those who are pro-life, or against choice depending on your side of the argument, try and raise awareness of the tragic practice in our world called abortion. It's a practice that has been around for centuries, not just since Rowe vs. Wade, and one that has strong opinions represented from both sides.

One of the issues I see with this whole discussion is how we label each other in the process of working through it as a society and world. For instance, have you noticed that if your position on this is pro-life, the other side labels you against choice. If you are pro-choice in your position, the other side labels you pro-abortion. I hear a difference in the language that tends to place the chosen position in a place, and representing a position they might not want to represent.

Maybe someone who would be pro-choice, would argue that they aren't pro-abortion, they just believe that "every person has the right to choose what they do with their body." They might state that, while at the same time counseling against abortion in favor of other options, but having the fundamental belief that it is ultimately the persons choice.

If the shoe is on the other foot, and someone is pro-life, they are seen not only as anti-abortion, but anti-choice and anti-liberty (I didn't list one more here to express a bias, its just the way I see it). Again, this same person might be stating their belief in the sanctity of life, while honoring the God-given freedom that we all have to make choices, even though, from my perspective, they may be destructive and harmful. These are the kind of choices that are made every day in every realm of life.

The problem I see in these arguments, is there is cruelty on both sides. One believes in procedures performed even late in the third trimester, while others are exercising their "rights" by blowing up clinics where abortions take place. Every position has it's extremes that doesn't necessarily represent the argument accurately. Language and story not only influence how we are perceived, but also how we are shaped as people and as a society.

For me, I write today a firm believer in the right to life, for everyone. After yesterday's chapel message, it's even clearer to me why I am this way. If I can quote my friend, "I am pro-life because I believe in a God who redeems bad situations and makes good out of them, regardless. There is nothing that has been done that is too bad for God to redeem." He then led us through the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheeba.

I encourage you to check out the message I'm talking about. This doesn't do justice to the shape and spirit of our service yesterday It's the chapel from Thursday, January 22. You can get the podcast on Olivet's web sight.

I want to give a shout out to Dr. Q, and his conviction to speak the truth. I know what you might be thinking, "who's truth". Again, there's that "language" thing. I realize we all hear different things for different reasons when words are spoken. I get that, but I encourage you to give it a listen. Ask God to open your heart and ears to what He is saying through this servant and his Word. If our culture is shaped by language and story, then this is the story I choose to be shaped by.

Thanks Q!

P.S. Do you think we can find this restaurant with the "dancing sandwiches?"

"We're all Ethnic"

2009-01-18T20:02:00.005-06:00

This week I was able to spend time with some good friends, who happen to represent the church I'm a member of from 20+ countries. We are having a global convention this summer, with 10 sights all over the world in places like Manilla, Philippines; Quito, Ecuador; the Dominican Republic; to name three. We have been experiencing growing pains the last 10 years together as we try and see each others as equal members of the church.

I don't think, or at least I don't want to think there has been anything done to make anyone feel not equal, but that would be ignorant. Even the fact that we call everyone from outside the US when they come to this convention, "International", leaves the impression that "they" are and "we" aren't, whatever that means. We have a room for "international delegates", where they can eat, but if you're from the US, you can't go in there.

So, I'm already thinking about this stuff spinning out of last week, and I start reading a new book called, Culture Making, and read this:

"In many American supermarkets you can still find an 'ethnic food' aisle - as if only some kinds of food participate in a particular cultural tradition. Nonsense - all food is 'ethnic.'"

So are we, my friends, so are we.

Great Day

2009-01-17T22:18:00.002-06:00

Had a great day with some youth workers in Indiana. It's one of my favorite things to do, talking with laymen about youth ministry.

Taking some down time tonight, writing from a bed in the Courtyard in Valparaiso. Going to church with some good people here tomorrow. It's good just to veg before the sprint starts Monday. Did a little reading tonight, watch Juno, and plan on falling asleep really fast.

Terry is in Phoenix this week, so I'm trying to fill the time without her here. I usually find ways to divert my attention in her absence, but I certainly don't have much of a life without her around. I realize how fortunate I am to still be married to my best friend after 27 years.

Don't want to bore you more with my life tonight, just leave you with a quote from the book I just finished:

"Perhaps it's time to go beyond the 'love the sinner but hate the sin' and simply become accepting of sinners - as Jesus was."

A Week to Remember

2009-01-15T22:29:00.002-06:00

This has been an incredible week with my friends. The friendships I've been able to make through my involvement on the Global NYI Council have been special, and will be missed. I'm in my last global council meeting in Orlando this week, or have been, it just ended today. Mixed emotions on this one.

Also get to fly back to the tundra today. For the first time in history, Olivet has cancelled classes for the second day due to the cold weather. It's been cool in Orlando, only 55 today, but even as I type, I'm looking at my weather bug temp for Bourbonnais, and it says -13. Can I just say, I don't want to go home.

Lots to reflect on from the last 8 years, but that will come later, and possibly often. For now, hitting the hay, and trying to psych my body up for the cold I'm going home to tomorrow.

Saturday I'll be in Indy for a training event, Sunday in Valparaiso to spend some time with good friends, and then home for some football and my regular life. Haven't missed much at Olivet with classes being cancelled, but haven't been able to take advantage of the down time that comes when the weather shuts everything down. Hope there is one good snowstorm left this year for me.

Leaving friends and warm weather. Guess I should stop complaining or move, and like my job too much to do that, so it's grit my teeth and bear it.

2009-01-12T22:52:00.003-06:00

While the upper midwest is getting slammed by snow and cold weather tonight, I'm in Orlando, where it's still around 60 at midnight. I guess I picked the right week to leave town.

Thought I'd share a quote that I read today from the book I'm reading. It's a quote from How to be Evangelical Without Being Conservative, catchy title, huh? Frederich Buechner said it, and I thought it was worth sharing.

"Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith; they keep it awake and moving."

Taking that one to bed with me. Night.

P.S.

2009-01-11T18:58:00.002-06:00

I refuse to lower myself to the level of mediocrity that it appears Notre Dame fans have by celebrating a 7-6 season, with a win over Hawaii, by being happy that we beat the spread with Texas this year, and were "at least close", as one of my friends said.

Well, I appreciated the words intended to be comforting, but I'm tired of losing bowl games. Yes, I know, we've been in the national championship game the last 3 out of 6 years, but only won one of those three, and lost the last 3 BCS games. Can't blame Beanie for leaving.

Can I just ask:

Why are you bringing the safety's up when all we have to do is keep them out of the end zone!!!???
Why are we going for two, when if we go for one, a field goal wins if they score, doesn't just tie!!!???
Why can't we build a helmet that keeps Beanie in for a complete game!!!???
One of my friends suggested we take a knee three times, taking time off the clock, and kick a field goal. I objected, until I saw Texas streaking into the end zone.
And Big Ten; 1 and 6, PLEASE!!

There, I feel better. Not really, but kind of. At least until we kick off against USC in the shoe next year. Oh, please, please, please, show up.

I'm alive

2009-01-11T18:49:00.002-06:00

No problems, I'm alive. I've been on Christmas break, and I guess I decided to turn the brain off too.

I'm prepping for a trip to Orlando this week, and as cold as it's supposed to be in our beloved tundra, that will be a nice break from the weather, although I love the snow. Going there for Global NYI council meetings. I love that group, and sadly, this is my last meeting with this group since we have sights outside the US for convention this summer, and they won't be coming to Orlando.

Read a couple of books over break, The Shack, and Sex and the Soul. Both books were really good. I'd recommend The Shack, and if you're interested in sexual behavior on college campuses, Sex and the Soul is a pretty quick, easy, and informative read. It fits with some of the other research coming out. I like the way it was written.

I'm currently reading, How to be Evangelical without being Conservative. Not bad so far, don't agree with everything, but there isn't much I read that I do.

Well, I'll try and catch you up from warmer climates later this week. Thanks for checking in.

2008-12-15T16:09:00.001-06:00

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2008-12-15T12:05:00.001-06:00

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What a week!

2008-11-08T21:26:00.004-06:00

Had a great week, I think.

-Started with the uncertainty of the political process that is America, can't say I miss those ads, and talk of the "what ifs".

-Next was election day voting, and a free cup of Starbucks; by the way, the worst cup I've ever had from there.

-Then the results, with a feeling of hope for some, and despair for others.

-Then went to the city to get Terry's visa for her upcoming trip to Brazil. Chicago had a renewed sense of pride Wednesday.

-Then spent two days with a former student for the purpose of officiating her wedding; thanks to Greg, Glenda, Lindsey and Brandon for the invitation. It was a fun day.

-It ended with the reception, and more political talk with some older Christian folk. I heard some things.

We talk like God is sovereign, yet we say we struggle with whether we should pray for President-elect Obama.

We believe our government is corrupt, yet are admonished by Paul in his letter to the church in Rome to pray for a government and it's leaders that were more corrupt than what we have, at least, that's my read.

We talk about where our country is in big trouble following "this" election, to be honest, I'm not sure what we've been watching the last two years, because it appears to me that we have sufficiently arrived in that city.

Why is it that we are all quick to judge the motive of "them", and always give "our guy's" motive the benefit of the doubt, even when given good reason to question it?

I struggle at deep levels with issues like abortion, same gender marriage, infanticide, and government controlled anything. At the same time, it seems like we could all use a little more compassion.

We either believe that God is at work everywhere at all times, or we don't. If he is, that means my prayer for a "place" or "position" shouldn't change because of a "person". Maybe it means I should pray more.

2008-10-25T08:22:00.002-05:00

"O-H"

Go Bucks, Beat Penn State!!

I hate that sound!

2008-10-22T11:43:00.003-05:00

Well, I recently lost my battle to remain out of a chair that I don't like to sit in; the dentist chair. It's one of the areas I'd rather not have to maneuver in my life. It's complicated by the fact that my brother-in-law is one, you know, one of those guys. I'm always afraid of what will be found, I'd almost rather live without knowing.

So, last week, I went. It was a rainy, gloomy, cold, damp day. Just the kind of day it should have been when you're going to the dentist, at least, that's how I think. Now my dentist is a great guy, and the ladies who work with him are just as nice. It's just, that sound. I hate that sound.

Probably not the one you're thinking of, I'm not referring to the drill. Thankfully there was no enamel and decay being drilled into while I was there. It's that sound of scraping off the plaque. The sound of metal against bone. It makes me weak in the knees to think about it as I write. It's a sound that keeps me out of the chair, to be honest with you. And when the sound deadens, sticking to the "soft spot", that makes you want to jump out of the chair, oh you all know what I mean.

Well, the first time in 5 years found me cavity-free. Nothing showed up on the x-rays. My fillings seem to be holding up. The only thing I was told was to go a little easier on my gums. The scrubbing only weakens the enamal that's left on my teeth. But the result is I feel better about my mouth, the floss goes through easier, and I'm using a softer brush.

Now, that wasn't that bad, was it. So what do you think happened when I went home; Terry asked me if I'd scheduled my next appointment. Are you kidding?!?! Give me a break! A week to recover, please.

It probably won't be five years before I go again, I'm sure of that. But I'm not looking to go back next month either.

What's next for me; can you say colonoscopy?

2008-10-17T11:51:00.002-05:00

I have blogger block. Just thinking more about the church, how much I love it, and how I'm worried about our game tomorrow with Michigan State.

Is that random enough for you?

Looking out my window at the beautiful colors of fall starting to pop out. I love this time of year. I have a friend yesterday tell me that you are naturally drawn to the season in which you were born. Maybe that's why Fall is my favorite; and the fact that I get to wear my sweatshirts.

Happy weekend to you all. I'll be in Lombard, IL on a Faculty retreat with around 200 other faculty and spouses this weekend from ONU, and we are heading into "Homecoming" week here on our campus. I also get to go see my cousins new daughter, Abby, on Saturday. So this should be a great weekend. Hope it's the same for you. Go to an Apple orchard with the fam, drink some cider, throw some hay, eat some candy corn, and smell the decaying leaves. Fall is alive and well.

Something to remember. . .

2008-10-08T21:01:00.006-05:00

I have a good friend who commented on one of the posts, saying that he hopes our "standards" are always founded on scripture and not on the opinions of man.

I agree, but it's impossible to get away from our "opinion". I want what I believe to be based on sound interpretation of Scripture, but it's my interpretation. That's why it's important that we do this in community, with the best, albiet not always the safest place, being the church. I need to work this out with your help. I need accountability, I need friendship, I need correction, I need your insight. That can only happen in community.

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking there is a perfect place for that to happen. If you read church history, there has possibly never been a time when that was done "perfectly". Ever read Galatians or Corinthians. That's the church, the church many of us say we'd like to "go back" to. Not the church at its best and/or worst, its just the church.

The church is messy because the church is you and me. There have been times in its history when it was more institutional and mechanistic, read its history. There have been times when it was less forgiving, read its history. There have been times when it was more violent, read its history. There have been times when they way Scripture was interpreted was downright scary. I don't want to lose perspective on what the church is and what its gone through. The church is what it is, ours. Ours to love, ours to change, ours to pray for, ours to live within, ours to cry over, ours to own. Its us.

I want to remember today that humanity will always be a part of the church, as long as we are. So because of that, there will be times we don't get it right. There will be times we fail. There will be times we have to seek forgiveness. There will be times we need to redefine ourselves. But we cannot survive as people of faith, without the church. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking we can.

What a group!

2008-10-08T20:55:00.002-05:00

I've been privileged over the last three days to spend a lot of time with some incredible people, our regional NYI council. They are passionate about their relationship with God, the students they minister with and to, and the church. My faith is always stronger after spending time with this group.

Just want you to know that I believe in the future of our church, because I've seen it's heart this week. Thanks!

100 years old!

2008-10-05T14:13:00.002-05:00

I love my church! I believe in what my church is about! Today, my church is 100 years old. This morning, we were reminded why we were here.

Let me give you a little personal history lesson from my past, as I recall it. See, I'm a 3rd generation Nazbo, but my own spiritual heritage comes from the heart of my church.

Some time during the 19 somethings, Chicago 1st Church reached out to a 19-year-old young man, asking him to play in their basketball league. They believed that their message and resources weren't just for themselves, but they were intended to be shared. So they did. They built a gym, shared it with those from their community, and one 19-year-old was loved into that church, and it all started on the basketball court.

That's the beginning of my spiritual heritage. That 19-year-old was my grandfather.

I come from a church that understands that it wasn't, and isn't created for it's own purpose. It wasn't and isn't for those who are already there. It has been and is for those who aren't. A church that reached, and is still called to reach out, to prostitutes, drunken men and women, the homeless, gay, and many other marginal groups, inviting them to join us on this incredible journey of rediscovering who our God is, and how much he loves us. A church that started with 10,000 members, and has grown to 1.8 million in 152 countries. That's still a blip on the screen, but the reality of a dream for those called Nazarenes. It's the realized dream of a group of people who believed that their purpose for being was for "them".

It's been a great 100 years. Not perfect, but God has used the people called Nazarenes to work with our other brothers and sisters in the faith to redeem our world. As good as the first 100 has been, with God's help, may the second be better.

Praise be to God!

. . . more thoughts today.

2008-10-04T13:02:00.005-05:00

Can I throw something else in the hopper today. (Not like you can stop me, it's my blog)

I'm reading a book my friend wrote called, A Century of Holiness Theology, which is an historical look at what Entire Sanctification has meant to my particular tradition. Can I quote from a part of this book to add something to what I'm thinking about these days related to the church? (I know, I did it again, sorry)

The first quote is a warning from 1979 by Dr. Rob Staples, who was my theology prof at seminary. He is not speaking of universal creeds, but of our particular denominational creedal statements.

"Creeds are but the church's human articulation of the message of the Bible. . .The church (Nazarene in this particular reference) must keep alert to the priority of the gospel over the creeds. The church's demand for loyalty to the creeds must basically be a demand for loyalty to the kerygma." (parenthetical emphasis added)

He goes on to say; "Attitudinally, we must draw upon Wesley's 'Catholic Spirit' and reaffirm that when we cannot think alike we may still love alike, and when we are not of one opinion we are still one of heart."

May it be so for us.

Go BUCKS!!

2008-10-04T10:41:00.005-05:00

Okay Aaron, this is for you.

GO BUCKS!!

BEAT WISCONSIN!!!

It's the way it is

2008-10-04T09:41:00.007-05:00

Sometimes we spend our life apologizing for the decisions we have made in the past, for a variety of reasons. Parents, friends, and children. Sometimes apologies are very appropriate. Sometimes, they're not needed.

When talking about how everyone was raised in the church, at least those who grew up in my era, not going to movies, dances, not smoking, or drinking; I don't think an apology is needed for the decisions that were made, it's just the way things were. That was how we lived if we were Christians, these were the new "disciplines". Those boundaries defined what it meant to be holy. Be it right or wrong, and thank goodness the church continues to mature, it was just the way things were.

That's probably why when I was growing up we, at least from my tradition, had problems with the Lutheran minister who lived down the street from us and was an alcoholic. Or that's why we struggled with the Catholic family, who's son happened to be one of my best friends, but whose dad smoked. The issue wasn't that they were "bad" people, it was because of the "things" they did, that were different that what we did.

I remember when I had that conversation with my dad about not being able to go to Jungle Book that Saturday afternoon with Eric Friedland. I was 9. I remember where I was standing in the front lawn of our home in Hillsdale, MI. I remember how much it hurt; but that was the way it was. My dad, as a minister in the church, had to uphold the standards of the church, which not going to the theater happened to be one of. I didn't understand it, may not have agreed with, was inconvenienced by it, but it was the way it was.

Here's where I want to get with this conversation: isn't that the way it always is? Shouldn't there be standards that "mark" us as people of faith, and distinguish us from those who aren't. No, we haven't always done it well (orthopraxy), but I think we've really been trying. Is it still okay to try? Is it still okay to "work out our Salvation with fear and trembling"?

Oh, maybe movies and dancing weren't the issue, is that safe to say? Maybe smoking and alcohol aren't either, which is more controversial to say. In saying that though, there will always be standards that mark us, and some mark us even more distinctively as different members of the same Body. Some will think nothing of drinking wine, or more than wine on occasion, while others have deep convictions related to the drinking of alcohol. I hope that's okay, because it's just the way it is.

In my Christian Formation class, we use one of our creeds, called the Apostles Creed, to unite us. When I take a poll in that class, I have a variety of denominations represented, from the most liturgical of traditions, Catholic and Lutheran; to those identified more as evangelical; EV Free, Baptist, and Nazarene. Yet, in that class, there are certain truths that keep us one. There are also certain "truths" for each of us that distinguishes one from the other. I think I'm okay with that. We need to hear from all sides in this, don't we. I just don't want us to start thinking the eye is more important than the nose, if you know what I mean.

So all that being said, as I sit and write on this Saturday and continue to reflect on the church and my childhood, I'm the first to admit that there were some quirky issues the church had when I was growing up. There always have been, ask your kids. My parents did make mistakes, and I followed right in their footsteps with my kids. Yet in all that quirkiness, I never doubted the heart of my parents, I knew they loved me. And with all the blemishes in the church, these same issues make us who we are. I hope today, we remember that. It's the way it is.

Bread Breaking

2008-10-02T20:18:00.007-05:00

I hear a lot these days about emergent, and some of my friends align themselves with the Emerging movement, I just don't know what it is.

We react to it, respond to it, critic it, argue with it, argue over it, read about it, confront it, disagree with it, and resent it. We also admire it, resemble it, agree with it, talk to it, wonder about it, wish we were it, and a whole host of other "its". I just wish I knew what it was?

Oh, I've read the books. I know what they say. I just don't hear anything that new. I really don't. Sometimes I'm amazed how we become so enamored with "their" churches, thinking they are so perfect. They aren't perfect, they're just young. Young things always have their advantages.

Marriages, children, franchises, stores (Walmart Grand openings, please), restaurants (can't wait for the new Culver's to open here); see what I mean. New smells different, looks different, tastes different, because it's new.

But I really don't hear anything coming from this segment of the Church that a lot of us haven't felt for a long time, we just weren't eloquent enough to write about it. I see new churches popping up in the name of emergent, but they're trying to figure this out like the rest of us. Tell me, how is that different?

I mean, come on. Haven't a lot of us been frustrated with the church for a long time. It's unwillingness to even allow a certain type of song to be sung. I remember when I was growing up, we weren't allowed to sing choruses, not because they were too fast or too loud, or we couldn't have "those" instruments in the church, but it was because that's what the Charismatics sang. Ridiculous, I know, but true. Am I the only one that remembers this.

Back to the Nazarene history, "Pentecostal" was dropped from the name because that was beginning to refer to the group that spoke in tongues. We've been isolating ourselves from each other for a very long time, long before you or I were on the scene.

Maybe what emergent is, is a way to actually get us all in a room talking. Maybe it's a way we begin to major in the majors again. Maybe it's a way for me to appreciate that the Roman Catholic church has something to offer the greater body, that the Baptists can teach us a thing or two about security in Christ, that we can learn from the Episcopalian's that those in the homosexual community are humans too, a place where I learn that Democrat's aren't sinners, a place where I realize that God transcends government, politics, economics, and gender. A place where we can learn to love each other again.

I remember something my dad used to do, "back in the day". He wouldn't announce it, because I think he was afraid no one would come. But when they got there, they knew what was up. They'd see the loaf of bread (one loaf was enough, we were a small church) sitting in the front, and they knew we were in for an interesting evening. Ever been a part of a "love feast", like my dad used to call them.

The object was this; everyone would gather in the sanctuary, and once the initial formalities were taken care of, my dad would announce that we were breaking bread with each other. The purpose was reconciliation. My dad always had a sense when his congregants needed this most, and he'd say something like this.

Maybe there is someone in here that you need to seek forgiveness from. Maybe there is someone in here that needs to seek forgiveness from you. Maybe you haven't talked to someone for too long because of a grudge, or maybe you just need to tell someone you love them. Then he'd turn them lose, and it was always a beautiful thing. I, as a child, never fully understood what was going on, except there were a lot of tears, hugs, and back slapping. We guessed that was a good thing.

If emergent can be our "love feast", so be it. But I'm just tired of us thinking it's an either/or proposition. Maybe emergent can help our churches, in their present form, experience a healing as well. Maybe it's not just for the macro church, but it's for the micro churches as well.

I say it's about time we break some bread.

Is God big enough?

2008-10-01T22:18:00.002-05:00

I heard a sermon one of my friends preached, and he was talking about the things we used to believe. One of them was, that God was bigger than sin.

There was a lot more to that than just that, he said it more eloquently than I'm writing, and I'm representing him poorly. But it did make me think.

Do I really believe that God is big enough? Bigger than my backache? Bigger than my financial woes? Bigger than my worries? Those bigs seem so small. What my friend was talking about was much bigger than these; like. . .

Is God bigger than sin. . .really? I guess there was a day that people in the church believed that. I'm wondering if we still do; cause if not, then sin wins.

What kind of a God is my God if sin wins?

Being a Kid

2008-10-01T21:47:00.005-05:00

I remember early on my faith being shaped by things that I'm not sure were really all that important. You know, or maybe you don't; stuff like not being able to go see Jungle Book when I was in the third grade because it was in the theater (sorry mom). I remember what that town was like, and I remember what the church was like. There were a lot of people doing a lot of things because they thought they were the right things to do. No one was permanently scarred because of what we were doing, or maybe better said, what we weren't doing; at least I didn't think so at the time. I don't think we were legalistic, we were just doing what people did.

It wasn't long after this when my dad moved to another church in another town, and not because he wanted to, or because he felt God was moving him, but because his superior thought he was ready and it would be a "good move" for him. Well, let me tell you, it wasn't good for any of us. So, what was I supposed to make of that?

Well, one is that I grew up. For reasons I'm not sure I'll ever fully understand, I was never one to question whether God existed. I never really wanted my life to be without God. Not sure whether that was driven by my strong sense of hell (after all, I did grow up in the Thief in the Night era), or whether I was afraid of my dad finding out, or whether I just had an incredible sense of who God was at a young age, and never wanted to walk away from that. That sounds good, let's go with that.

At any rate, the things that happen to you when your young shape you, never leave. Sometimes for the good, and sometimes for the not-so-good.

You know one thing I realize, reflecting on what it was like for me to be a kid, is that I grew up in an era when our parents understood that part of their role was to protect us from what might harm us. They were stern, you bet. But it was for my own good, at least that's what they told me, and I think I believe them. Using discipline for protection; sounds like sound advice to me. Not a bad picture of God either, is it?

Thanks mom.

Looking to fry the bigger fish!

2008-09-30T10:52:00.003-05:00

I think I'm on to a book idea. I'm reading Mike King's book, Presence-Centered Youth Ministry, and I'm kind of getting ticked off, again. Not at Mike, because I think he's really one of us now, but he's really making me think about us.

I'm tired of my church getting blistered. I'm tired of good people in the church getting blistered by the church (maybe that's why the church is getting blistered, but I don't think that's the only reason). I think we've just gotten away from who we are. Call me Captain Obvious if you must, but roll with me as I rant, hopefully more than once a month.

Before I go any further, can I just say, I'm speaking for myself. I love my church, and I love what I get to do in the church. All that being said, here's what I'm feeling today.

We don't have an orthodoxy problem, I think what we believe is sound. Not sure I'd still be here if I didn't believe that. You can go to sound bites from guys ranging from Ghandi to Tony Campolo on that. Ghandi's quote is classic, Tony was quoted in 1987, saying that he believed that the Nazarene's have it right doctrinally, they just don't live it out. Ouch! And what did we do with that? We made that a matter of pride in our doctrine instead of that leading us to some serious self examination.

Like I said, we don't have an orthodoxy problem, from where I sit, we have a problem with orthopraxy. Here's my question for the day. Will you chew on it with me?

Have we compromised our "orthodoxy" in our attempt to bring correction to our "orthopraxy"?

Again, I'm not saying that I'm even the first hundredth person to ask this question, but I'm thinking about it now. I hope there are some out there who will think about this with me. What would it look like for us to live out who we claim to be? And come on, please, let's not water this down to whether we can drink alcohol or not? Please? I think there are bigger fish to fry.

Owning my Stuff

2008-08-14T09:45:00.001-05:00

My mom had to tell me that I spelled cabbage wrong the first posting (cabage)! Guess I have to own my stuff, and maybe own the statement as well.

Thanks Mom.

. . .stupid as a cabbage,

2008-08-12T15:14:00.005-05:00

Read something today that made me laugh, then think. Wanted to post it to see what it's effect might be on you as well.

I'm reading a book by Kelly Kullberg, called Finding God Beyond Harvard. She is a former chaplain at Harvard. Not very far into the book to be able to recommend it, but she quotes one of my favorite authors, Dallas Willard, and like I said, it's worth sharing.

"We live in a culture that has for centuries now cultivated the idea that the skeptical person is always smarter than one who believes. You can be almost as stupid as a cabbage, as long as you doubt. . .Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists."

True that!

It's a Sad Day

2008-07-23T11:56:00.004-05:00

I'm not going to say too much. Olivet lost one of it's recent graduates this morning, and it's a sad day for many in our extended community. No answers for this one. How do you explain a 22-year-old athlete dying in his sleep. This just sucks, so I'm leaning on the words from Psalm 46; maybe you can too.

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in
trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though
the earth give way,
and the mountains fall into the
heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with
their surging.

There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most
High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar,
kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth
melts.

Come and see the works of the
Lord,
the desolations he has brought on
the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of
the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters
the spear.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our
fortress.

Today, be assured friends, that as we mourn and cry, our God cries with us.

2008-07-14T17:20:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a while since I last posted. All is well. Wedding plans for Kelli and Chris are progressing along quite well, with the invitations going out this week.

I'm tired, think I'm fighting a summer cold.

I've been able to connect with some old friends this past month, see family, visit Chicago with a friend from Australia, and spend some time with Terry. I'm not around much over the next couple of weeks, so thought I'd check in to let you know I'm still alive.

Hope all is well with you too.

Can a Church be Changed?

2008-06-25T10:03:00.003-05:00

Sang a song Sunday for the first time, and I'd like to share the words with you:

Can a nation be changed?
Can a nation be saved?
Can a nation be turned back to you?
(repeat)

We're on our knees,
We're on our knees, again.
We're on our knees,
We're on our knees, again.

Let this nation be changed.
Let this nation be saved.
Let this nation turn back to you!
(repeat)

We're on our knees,
We're on our knees, again.
We're on our knees,
We're on our knees, again.

As I was singing this song, I started crying, wondering why we're praying for the nation, when the church is in need of the same prayer.

I'm reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. On a side note, it's a long walk to the end of the book, over 600 pages, so I find it appropriately named. What I read this Sunday morning had to do with the way Mandela maneuvered between those loyalist in the ANC (his political party), and the new generation of protesters, that were mostly responsible for the 1976 riots, connected to the oppressive government, known as Apartheid.

The thing that intrigued me most about this part of his journey, was his steadfast determination that he would stand in the gap between the old guard, his comrades who had been in prison with him for 40 years, and the new guard, the active protesters, willing to use violence when and where needed. Not easy, considering that Mandela had taken many of his cues from Martin Luther King and Ghandi, who both insisted on the path of non-violence.

It was his standing in the gap, his unwillingness to let the younger "rebels" go unheard that caught my attention. He listened to and respected them. They were angry, didn't always think things through, and were very young. So, he listened to those that had been a part of the struggle on the outside, while for 40 years he was imprisoned for the same.

He wasn't near as concerned to convince someone that his argument was the right one, as much as he was that they remain together, because in the end, they all wanted the same thing; a unified, equal, and just government where every person had a vote.

I was checked and challenged at the same time, realizing we are at the same place in our church. Too many of our young voices have been alienated for the sake of proving someone right or wrong, when in the end, just like the struggle against Apartheid, we all desire similar outcomes.

So my prayer for myself today is that I am an ear, and not just a voice. That I'm in a conversation, not an argument. That I seek the common ground and unity, and not "theological pride", if I can quote a friend.

I believe there is more common ground than not, and my prayer is that for the sake of the Kingdom, and my church, that we hold fast to our core beliefs, but also listen for the new prophetic voices crying in the "wilderness". I don't want to miss them.

I Tried Again

2008-06-22T23:02:00.001-05:00

I tried again, being at the same place for the second week in a row. I had people telling me that I looked familiar (couldn't be from the week before, since I didn't meet anyone), but they weren't sure if I was new, if regular, they just weren't sure.

That's okay, we have the same problem at my church. I'm not sure who is new, old, or indifferent. Just not sure that's how I want to do church.

Three Cups of Tea

2008-06-19T14:49:00.009-05:00

Just finished this book by Greg Mortenson. It's a pretty fascinating read, and I'm more intrigued about the subject about which he wrote. He is raising money and building schools in the poorest locations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, places not to popular around here.

He was reflecting on his travels, how many of the areas he has been able to travel into both before and after 9/11, and how they have been war torn by both American carpet bombs looking for Bin Laden, and Taliban missiles killing their own. Here is what he says in regard to conflict and war:

""In times of war, you often hear leaders - Christian, Jews, and Muslim - saying, 'God is on our side.' But that isn't true. In war, God is on the side of the refugees, widows, and orphans."

Check it out yourself at www.threecupsoftea.com

Shoe on the Other Foot

2008-06-15T21:58:00.004-05:00

Had an interesting experience today; I went to a church I had never been to before. Got a very awkward greeting, you know, one of those that said, should I know you, have you been here before, but no direct question. No introduction. Just a handshake, and a hello.

I then proceeded to walk into the foyer, not knowing where to go. They had two services, no one explained the difference between the two, so I guessed. That didn't matter much since they had the sermon from the sanctuary simulcast into the venue I was in, which I figured was the contemporary option since there were guitars and drums in place of the piano.

I met no one, got no ones name, even after hanging around a while after the service. I got nothing.

It was intimidating and awkward, and I know the songs, the language, and even the slang. No wonder "they" don't come to "our" stuff much. I wasn't sure when I left whether I wanted to go back or not.

Balancing piety and justice

2008-06-13T10:17:00.002-05:00

Again, Foster has offered some good words for me today, and I thought I would pass them along. I think it helps bring shape to what I was trying to talk about yesterday.

"We can no longer allow people to engage in pious exercises that are divorced from the hard social realities of life. Nor can we tolerate a radical social witness that is devoid of inward spiritual vitality. Our preaching and teaching needs to hold these elements in unity. If our teaching is centered in the Biblical text, we will find literally hundreds of examples to follow."

Thanks again to Foster for helping bring some shape to me, and some of what I've been feeling this past year. I've ranted about just this issue, and what I see happening on a university campus when students get these two out of balance. He says this much better than I do.

Is justice to be a part of who we are, you bet. But not at the expense of our inward spiritual life. The opposite is true as well. Like it says in James, "faith without works is dead". Or Paul in Corinthians, when he talks about love being spoken without being lived as just banging on a drum. I'm praying that these words come to life for me today.

What are we doing with sin?

2008-06-12T11:00:00.004-05:00

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." Romans 6:12

There is a lot of debate in our culture today concerning what is and isn't sin. The debate is also alive and well in the church. Again, I think we are asking the wrong set of questions. I read an excerpt today from Foster's book, The Freedom of Simplicity, and I'd like to share it with you. He says:

"Thomas Merton writes in the introduction to his Wisdom of the Desert, 'Society. . .was regarded by the Desert Fathers as a shipwreck from which each single individual man has to swim for his life.'"

He goes on to say, "They were seeking to revive true Christian devotion and simplicity of life by intense renunciation. Their experience has particular relevance, because modern society is uncomfortable like the world that they attacked so vigorously. Their world asked, 'How can I get more?' The Desert Fathers asked, 'What can I do without?' Their world asked, 'How can I find myself?' The Desert Fathers asked, 'How can I lose myself?' Their world asked, 'How can I win friends and influence people?' The Desert Fathers asked, 'How can I love God?'"

Sound familiar?

6º Dia da Colheita

2008-06-11T17:12:00.002-05:00

This is a video from our "Day of Harvest" in Campinas, at Brazil's NYC. The song is in Portugal, but thought you might like the pics.

Pretty cool, besides, I like Donald Miller.

2008-06-11T16:53:00.001-05:00

The Journey of the Hat

2008-06-10T10:28:00.011-05:00

Thought I would have some fun with this. I was looking through some pics that Joice sent from the NYC in Brazil, and realized that the hat Pastor Obaulio gave me had made its rounds. Here are a few pictures to show what I mean.

Hey Alex, maybe that smell was more than just leather!

Luke off to Iraq

2008-06-08T20:51:00.007-05:00

Our thoughts and prayers have been with our kids from the south, even more than usual today. We think of them often, with that sweet little boy down there, but especially on this day. It's the day that we haven't been looking forward too, but knew was coming. Luke leaving for Iraq.

His travels take him from Ft. Hood, to Maine, Germany, Kuwait, then into Iraq. He is going to prepare and set up a camp for the arrival of several platoons of ground troops. Luke's batalian, at least as far as I understand it, is ground support for the troops. He provides supply and service for all their vehicles and equipment. The above picture was taken on the family's last day before he left for his one year deployment.

Kristin and the family have big shoes to fill with "daddy" gone. Like Kristin has shown in her blogs, Luke and Brayden are, to use her words, "thick as theives".

We praying for protection for you Luke, as well as a year that goes by so fast your head spins. We look forward to your return, even though you have just left.

We're also praying for you Kristin, as you try and wear the hat of two parents for the next year. We'll help you check off days on the calendar.

We're also praying for Brayden, that your memories of the first year with your dad are lasting and deep. We're praying that pictures like these are ingrained deep in your mind, and when Luke comes home, you pick up right where you left off. Who wouldn't remember a dad like this one!

We're also praying for the Sanders side of the family. Our emotions are shared, although not equaled. Luke is the man for our daughter, the father of our grandson, and adopted by all of the Holcomb's. Thanks for the gift of your son to our family. You aren't walking through this alone.

We're also praying for both families as we work together to make life as easy as possible for Kristin and Brayden as their husband and dad are gone.

We love you Luke! See you soon.

How do I know I'm right?

2008-06-06T14:21:00.006-05:00

Had a conversation yesterday with some great people, about the church's response to the homosexual community. Almost wrote, "or lack of response", and caught myself, because we've not been short on our opinions, have we. The conversation revolved around all of our desire to be as convinced that we are right in our view, as much as the homosexual community is that they are. How do we know we are right?

I'm not sure that is the "right" question. Is being "right" all that matters these days? Don't get me wrong, I believe that there are some things that are core and central to what we are about, as Christians, that we don't need to apologize for, but also can't prove.

Can anyone prove the virgin birth; really?

Can anyone prove that Christ rose from the dead, or for that matter, if he was ever dead in the first place? Is there physical evidence proving that; really?

Can anyone prove that God literally created the earth in six days; really? Could he have created it in six days and made it look like it took thousands if not millions of years, you bet. Did he, who knows?

Can anyone prove that Jesus was as much God as he was man; really?

These are some of the questions that are core to shaping who we are, but there are a whole host of other questions that we ask as well, such as:

Did Jonah really live in the belly of a fish for 3 days; was there really a Job; were Adam and Eve's names Adam and Eve; did a donkey really talk?

Or how about, why is one person healed of cancer, while another, praying for the same thing, dies?

Or, why when a hurricane hits New Orleans, some statements are made in the name of Christianity regarding the punishment of debaucherous behavior, while injustices continue to occur in the Darfur with seemingly no response from the same God?

I'm sure you are thinking of your own list of questions as I've written just a couple of mine. The reason for these questions, is that how some of them are answered doesn't necessarily change what we believe, while others are core and central to who we claim to be and believe in.

See, if Jesus wasn't physically dead and raised, then I'm wasting space on this blog. But at the same time, determining how many were at the grave following his resurrection isn't ever going to be known, even though the account is told in all four gospels, nor will the number of angels present ever be clear. What is clear, is that he was dead, and was then raised; on that I have chosen to put my trust, and on that the four accounts do agree.

So, back to our conversation of yesterday; being right shouldn't always be what this is about. Being faithful is. What that means for me, is that for too long the church has failed an entire segment of the population in our attempt to prove ourselves right. Because of that, we have lost our voice to speak into their lives any message of hope and joy. We have failed to love in the name of Jesus. We have given a message that says there are some sins that are worse than others, and I think that goes against one of the messages that is pretty core to who we are as well; we've all sinned, falling short of God's glory.

So who is "right" is the "wrong" question, who will be faithful is the one we should be asking. I'm praying that God enable me to be faithful to his calling to every man; black, white, man, woman, gay, straight, single, married, young and old.

I confess to you there are some things I need to own about this issue, maybe even before my desire to be faithful in all things can happen. I sure am glad I don't walk through this alone. Thanks for the conversation, friends.

Power Supply

2008-06-03T14:01:00.005-05:00

Heard a message this morning at a conference that made me think about how I live my life. I've been living reflectively since returning home from Brazil, and have a couple of thoughts today.

One, now I love my church, but man, I really struggled this past Sunday. One of our board members got up after worship, and talked more about the band, and the person leading worship, than the one we were there to worship. It was the _____ ______ show, not worship. Now, maybe our worship leader needed strokes this past week, but my re-entry didn't handle that well. Was I there to be entertained, to feel good? Is church just a show? I'm not sure.

I'm also growing tired of how stale my faith has become. Don't get me wrong, there are times I feel extremely close to God, and actually, this is one of those times. I'm not feeling down, not struggling, my marriage is great, my family is healthy, generally life is good. But I don't want my faith to be bland.

Have you ever wished that maybe your faith was actually a threat to the enemy, so much so that he had to come against you? Well, that's where I'm at. I'm not looking for a fight, I just want my faith to be on the map when it comes to the adversary. I want the enemy to know that Mark and Terry are out there. I want to be driven to my knees because of my need for dependence, not because of my independence and it's convenient. I want to need it. I want to "need" to pray!

This morning our speaker talked about 2 Peter 1:3, the fact God's "divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." Everything we need. Do I believe that? Do I live like that? Do I resemble that?
I watched a group of people who believe it, live like it, and resemble it. Don't get me wrong, they aren't perfect, but I want the faith I saw them live out. I didn't listen to them debate theology, not that there is never a place for that, but they don't have time for that. There's too much to do for the Kingdom, and they're about building it. They were delivered from alcohol addictions, the occult, witchcraft, so why would they debate whether they could flirt with destructive behavior, like we do. I didn't see them question God's ability to deliver someone from cocaine, witchcraft, alcohol, tobacco, or disease, they just believed he would. I didn't see them reading books about how to pray, I watched and heard them pray. I didn't hear anyone complain about the music being too loud or too fast, and it was; they just sang.

I want that in my life. I want to live from the reality of God's presence giving me what I need. I want it.

I've heard a lot of talk recently about how we shouldn't ask God to be active where we are, but we should look and seek out places where he is already active and join him where he is at. I think that is good, sound, theology. I know one place where he is active, I saw it, but my prayer is that I see another much closer to home.

Will you pray for that with me? Any takers?

Day 12, We're home. . .

2008-05-29T20:04:00.007-05:00

. . .and missing our friends already.

We made it home, well most of us. My suitcase is somewhere between JF Kennedy Airport and Midway, hopefully here by tomorrow.

We are back safe and sound, showering and resting from our 18-hour trek. The way we were reintroduced back to the US, we were ready to jump on a plane and head back to our friends. Between the lady in immigration yelling at our Brazilian visitors, losing all my luggage, having our first attempt at take-off aborted in Cincinnati because the "computer sensed a problem", and almost getting a ticket while trying to get our stuff in the car in Indy by a Nazi Airport Security officer, our arrival was filled with fixed emotions. They were quickly matched, though, by the sound of our daughters voices and the use of our cell phones to "reconnect". Terry missed hers, I'm not sure whether I did or not. At any rate, we're back in Bourbonnais, and I hope my luggage isn't far behind.

I'll be reflecting on this trip for a while, so tonight I'm heading to bed; later on the thinking. I'm too emotional and tired right now. Just wanted all our readers to know that we made it back in one piece.

Thanks Fonseca's for one of the best weeks of our lives! Can't wait to be introduced to Juliana.

Hats, hot dogs, and new friends

2008-05-27T22:40:00.010-05:00

Our Last Night in Brazil

This is my friend, a pastor from northern Brazil. The first day he was at the camp, he had this really cool hat on. He was told I thought it was cool, and at the last service, he gave it to me. Again, putting the unbelievable generous spirit of the people down here on display. It's a traditional hat worn by them to keep their head cool, because where they live it is exceptionally hot. He if from the same part of the country where the girls who led worship with hats, gloves and winter coats on when it was 65 degrees outside. Cracked me up. Thanks Pastor, love the hat!

Had a great day. Went shopping in a little town called Petreira, known for their glass, and man did we shop. I have some pics, but will have to post them later, I'm having problems downloading them from the memory card. Technology.

Back to the shopping. Terry kept saying that we didn't want to take any of our money back with us, and I think she about kept her word. It was just another fun, relaxing day. I'm really glad we stayed around for another 3 days.

The evening was just as much fun, and now I'm working with Alex to get his blog set up so Toni's family can keep up with the what for here, and we will be able to as well. Writing this while he's playing with his.

How did I spend my last night in Campinas? Well, we went to church, ate prendado dogenos, pressed hot dogs. They basically take two hot dogs, and a whole bunch of ingredients, smash them together, and cook them like a calzone. Mine was stuffed with chili, except down here it's shredded beef, unbelievable. Another 10:00 dinner, again, more unbelievable. I've eaten later here, more nights in row, than I can ever remember doing before. We eat and laughed together, having an absolute blast. Tonight I was there with Alex, Gary Hartke, Walmir and his wife Daisy, Lico, Maria, and Pastor Pedro. We ate dogs, drank guarana, and told stories. I'm so glad that we were able to come to this place, and already can't wait until we can come back.

This is probably my last blog from Brazil. I'm meeting with the administrator from the new university down here, eating lunch, and then we have to get on the bus around 4:00 to head for the airport in Sao Paulo. Our flight leaves at 9:00 tomorrow night, or I guess that's later tonight where I presently sit. We arrive in New York at 6:00a, fly through Cincinnati, and then land in Indy around 2:30. The 2 hour drive home should be a blast after spending that much time in the air. I'll get you caught up on our flight as soon as I recover.

I'll recover from the flight, but meeting these people is something I hope I never recover from. Thanks Alex, Toni, Gabbi, and Becka. Like you said Alex, you're stuck with us. Thanks also to Tiago, Rachel, Lico, Debroah, Chris, Daniella, Alexandre, and all our other Brazilian friends for making this one of the best 10 days of our lives. We hope to see you again real soon.

Day 9 in Brazil; Bar-b-que

2008-05-27T05:46:00.008-05:00

Sunday was another incredible day here, very relaxing, went to church in the evening. The young adult service was Saturday night, and we didn't get to bed until around 2:00a, not eating dinner until midnight at McDonalds. The young adult service was packed to the gills, with over 800. Their NYI here goes from 16 to 45, and they are alive, energetic services.

This is how their services run weekly: Saturday afternoon, their teens have their service; Saturday night, their young adult service, ranging in ages from 20-40; Sunday morning, very traditional service, orchestra, choir, running around 4000 in two services, 8:00 and 10:15; Sunday night, exciting praise and worship service for everyone, much like the Saturday night service, packed to the gills, around 3500 in two services, 6:00 and 8:30; Monday night, city-wide young adult service, around 5-600; Tuesday night, Prayer and Deliverance service, again packed to the gills with over 2800 in attendance. Wednesday-Friday, they recover and get ready to do it all over again. Alex plans all the services except the Saturday afternoon service and the Sunday morning service. Most of the young adults who attend Saturday services don't come to a Sunday morning service, and the teens just attend Sunday School. Being out as late as they are, I can understand why. Crazy week, huh?

Today we're heading to a village about 2 hours from here to shop. We're still loving it here. Terry and I were talking last night before we went to bed, and there is something special about this place and these people. You know how when you've been somewhere for a while, and you get antsy to go home? Well, if it wasn't for our family, we wouldn't feel that at all.

Yesterday, we had our first real Brazilian barbeque; chicken (flango), steak (filet), sausage, rice, beans, and guarana (Brazil's version of Vernors). Yummmo! We're really kind of sad this is almost over, and yes, it's for more reasons than just the food, although I will say we have eaten incredibly well here. The one thing that I've had to adjust too is the hours that we eat. Always late at night. I haven't been eating breakfast, lunch usually around 1:30, and then we eat after the services, which is usually around 10:00, crazy.

Terry, Gabbi and Becka made a blanket for Julianna, helping them as they prepare for the arrival of their new sister. They had a lot of fun as you can tell. You notice that Terry isn't in the pictures, that's because she hasn't been "Mary Miracled" yet, as Alex likes to say.

Dia a Cohleita

2008-05-24T16:53:00.024-05:00

Don't have a lot of time tonight, we're heading for the closing service of the congress, can't believe it. This was an incredible day, working at the street carnival sponsored by Central Church, and the NYC. They call it the "Day of the Harvest". I'll let some of the pics speak for themselves. I will never be the same.

45 converts from the evangelistic teams that went door to door, in the area that Alex called the worst in the city of Campinas. We were 200 yards from the cocaine center, and 500 yards from the marijuana center, with a Nazarene church right in the middle of it all. Alex called the pastor of the church a hero, and I believe him.

WOW!

2008-05-23T11:35:00.002-05:00

What a day I am having in Brazil! It was an incredible privilege to preach this morning, and see the response of these obedient, tender people. I'm humbled again by their spirit, and by the fact that God chooses to use me; unbelievable. I don't know what else to say, except that I always come back different after traveling, and this is no different. I'm receiving so much here, that my life is richer because of my new friends in Brazil.

I told Alex after the service, that this a sermon I'm planning on preaching this summer at a camp, but I'm not sure I'll be able to speak, because I will recall the response from here. Alex said to me, that maybe what God is saying, is that it's time in the states we quit settling. Stop making living this life so difficult. Sometimes we complicate things so much it's next to impossible to live. We're numb to the truth, because we can't see it, when it's right in front of our eyes all the time. The problem may not be that we can't find truth, maybe we are cold and blind to it.

I'm going to chew on this for a while. In the mean time, I cry for the same passion in my church, with our young people, that I see here. May it be so, for the sake of the Kingdom.