Well, here we are...one/twelfth of the way through the new year already. I think it is good to have a discipline of looking back. Sometimes in our immediate context, we can't figure out what God is doing (or if God is doing anything at all). Looking back at the positives and the negatives can help us be aware both of His presence, and maybe our own areas of struggle. Here's the highs and lows in my first month of the new year.
Highs
-Shaina and I were introduced to Wadsworth United Methodist Church. I have come on board as the Young Adult Minister, focusing on the 18-30 age group. We have been well-received and I have met individually with a hand full of young adults to get to know their hearts and passions.
-Shaina and I got away for a weekend up to Cleveland. We stayed at the Hyatt (probably a once in a lifetime deal) and had a chance to relax. It was much needed.
-I have been working through Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest." It is a challenging devotional. I have been journaling through the process.
-I joined a basketball league in Wooster and have got to connect with a few guys through that.
Not-so-Highs
-Shaina and I both got hit with the flu at the beginning of the month.
-I am already lagging in my seminary work. (Not really because of procrastination...just really busy.)
-Because of the above 'not-so-highs', I am also behind on my devotions. I am staying positive about this though. Sometimes in the past I have felt guilty about not spending X amount of minutes with God each day. This is not from God. The main thing is to be pursuing my relationship with him. If it happens 5 out of 7 days in a week, thats better than 2 or 0.
Have a good rest of the week. Stay tuned for the next chapter...I will deal with why I agree with those who CHEAT THE CHURCH.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The genius of Ozzie II
Entry for January 18 (I know I'm a week behind in my devotional!) "The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for him." The Lord sort've slapped be upside the head with a brick on this one. There is a difference between serving out of my own striving and serving out of the overflow of being with God. Think of the image of a well. If I see the great needs of the people in the village and try to quench their thirst by running to the well, getting a cup and running back to the village, I end up tired (and thirsty myself), and the goal of reaching the people is inefficient. But if I simply take the time to drink deep from the well and then go to the village filled up, telling the people of the rich taste of the well, people will go to the well out of their own thirst (not because I tell them they are thirsty.)
Reminds me of Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
What if Jesus followers stopped at the Well to drink deep?
Reminds me of Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
What if Jesus followers stopped at the Well to drink deep?
Monday, January 21, 2008
MLK Day
Heard something interesting from my boss today...he said that giving kids the day off of school for Martin Luther King Day was dumb and that we'd be better off having school, but orienting programs/teaching around who MLK was. I have to agree with the heart behind this argument. Beyond race, MLK offers us a great example of the power of non-violent resistance. The idea that someone can stand up against injustice without participating unjustly against the unjust (is this clear?), is exactly what this revolution a la mustard seems to be centered on.
Where have the prophets gone who stand up against injustice in Afghanistan, Iraq or Cuba and say...'This is wrong...I love you...and will pursue peace at all costs...but this is wrong."? Where is the church, absent of political stances, void of subtitles or surnames that incorporate 'republican' or 'democrat' allegiance? Where are the peacemakers, who ache as God aches at the sight of injustice? MLK was NOT a black rights advocate first and foremost. He was a prophetic agent of peace and change.
I'll leave you with this. I read a book a couple years ago that you simply must read. It is called "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. He challenges us to rethink 'church' in so many ways. At the outset of the war in Iraq, when the U.S. began bombing, Claiborne and others travelled to Iraq and dwelled with some Iraqi Christians. He tells of a birthday party for one of the kids when planes flew overhead and began bombing. The message Claiborne and his fellow travelers sent is "We are God's church...we will stay here and be bombed with you." This is the way of the mustard seed...little acts of revolutionary love, that defy injustice, that make peace, and that change the status quo.
May we, like King, Claiborne and so many others ask God to allow us to be agents of kingdom change in this world. And when God opens the door, may we bolt through without hesitation.
Where have the prophets gone who stand up against injustice in Afghanistan, Iraq or Cuba and say...'This is wrong...I love you...and will pursue peace at all costs...but this is wrong."? Where is the church, absent of political stances, void of subtitles or surnames that incorporate 'republican' or 'democrat' allegiance? Where are the peacemakers, who ache as God aches at the sight of injustice? MLK was NOT a black rights advocate first and foremost. He was a prophetic agent of peace and change.
I'll leave you with this. I read a book a couple years ago that you simply must read. It is called "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. He challenges us to rethink 'church' in so many ways. At the outset of the war in Iraq, when the U.S. began bombing, Claiborne and others travelled to Iraq and dwelled with some Iraqi Christians. He tells of a birthday party for one of the kids when planes flew overhead and began bombing. The message Claiborne and his fellow travelers sent is "We are God's church...we will stay here and be bombed with you." This is the way of the mustard seed...little acts of revolutionary love, that defy injustice, that make peace, and that change the status quo.
May we, like King, Claiborne and so many others ask God to allow us to be agents of kingdom change in this world. And when God opens the door, may we bolt through without hesitation.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Get-Away-Weekend
For Christmas, Santa brought Shaina (my wife), a weekend trip to Cleveland. Last night we arrived at the Hyatt at the Arcade for a two night stay. This morning we had a complimentary breakfast at the Hyatt restaurant and now Shaina is on her way to a Day Spa for a haircut and a massage. This is completely and totally out of our comfort zone! I am chillaxin' in the room until she returns, getting some class reading done. Tonight we are going to the restaurant we went on our first date to (Buca di Beppo's) and then to Severence Hall for the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.
This is a much needed break for both of us, as we are usually on the go 24/7...but I will admit, the extravagant pampering is awkward to me. It is hard to let people serve me. (To park my car...to carry my luggage.) Granted these people do it because it results in a paycheck, but in general, it is hard to be served. Does anyone else feel that way?
So, the minister in me says...this is a big piece of the Mustard Revolution. (Not hotel bellhops)...But serving...and being served. I wonder if humility starts when we consider others before ourselves and seek to serve them...but if it comes to its climax when we get comfortable with letting others serve us as well. When people serve me in the body of Christ, my instincts are prideful..."I could do that myself." But what happens, when we humble ourselves and allow the Lord of the Universe to wash our feet?
Is Humility best experienced when we serve and are served?
This is a much needed break for both of us, as we are usually on the go 24/7...but I will admit, the extravagant pampering is awkward to me. It is hard to let people serve me. (To park my car...to carry my luggage.) Granted these people do it because it results in a paycheck, but in general, it is hard to be served. Does anyone else feel that way?
So, the minister in me says...this is a big piece of the Mustard Revolution. (Not hotel bellhops)...But serving...and being served. I wonder if humility starts when we consider others before ourselves and seek to serve them...but if it comes to its climax when we get comfortable with letting others serve us as well. When people serve me in the body of Christ, my instincts are prideful..."I could do that myself." But what happens, when we humble ourselves and allow the Lord of the Universe to wash our feet?
Is Humility best experienced when we serve and are served?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
do u tube?
Alright, so I have a slight confession to make. I have gone through spurts of youtube addiction. Its not healthy. I am currently in recovery...rarely getting on there to see what bizarre things people post. But I wondered if you had an all time favorite youtube posting? If its G rated, go ahead and put the link in here. I have to admit that there are a couple 'dub-overs' of the old 1970's "Swedish Jesus" movies that I get a kick out of. Here are five that I just really think have either made me laugh, think, or reflect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvMhXh1xH8E Is this what Jesus and the disciples were really like???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhlUVyDBusg Check out this Big Mac Freestyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc John Piper's thoughts on the Prosperity Gospel...WOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBU5e2HqcrA The funniest thing I have ever heard. (Probably more PG-13...but hillarious)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVJqRLU3J0I The most powerful skit I have ever seen...Tears every time...It seems cheesy at the beginning but just keep watching!
Let me know of any videos you've come across that have stayed with you. Have a great week!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvMhXh1xH8E Is this what Jesus and the disciples were really like???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhlUVyDBusg Check out this Big Mac Freestyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc John Piper's thoughts on the Prosperity Gospel...WOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBU5e2HqcrA The funniest thing I have ever heard. (Probably more PG-13...but hillarious)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVJqRLU3J0I The most powerful skit I have ever seen...Tears every time...It seems cheesy at the beginning but just keep watching!
Let me know of any videos you've come across that have stayed with you. Have a great week!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Prayer Requests
I thought if you wanted, you could pray for me in these areas. Prayer is the only lasting agent of change. Do you believe that? Does your prayer life indicate that you believe that?
1. I am just now beginning my adventure at Wadsworth United Methodist Church as the Young Adult Minister. I have a great deal to learn and more importantly, a large number of people to meet and fellowship with. Pray that I would be diligent with my time, but also that I would find myself in authentic relationship building moments.
2. I am back at school taking Ecclesiastes, Communication and Conflict, NT II, and Church Administration. I am going to be a full time student, working at the church 20-25 hours a week and continuing as pizza dough boy about 15 hours a week. This is a full calendar to say the least. Pray that I budget my time well and say no when I need to.
3. Pray for Shaina and I as we begin to investigate the process of adoption. Ask the Lord to really lay it on our hearts and open doors if we are supposed to adopt, particularly if we are to go overseas (China?).
Thats good for now. I am desperate for intercessors on my behalf. If you're one who is willing to commit to that, you should let me know!
1. I am just now beginning my adventure at Wadsworth United Methodist Church as the Young Adult Minister. I have a great deal to learn and more importantly, a large number of people to meet and fellowship with. Pray that I would be diligent with my time, but also that I would find myself in authentic relationship building moments.
2. I am back at school taking Ecclesiastes, Communication and Conflict, NT II, and Church Administration. I am going to be a full time student, working at the church 20-25 hours a week and continuing as pizza dough boy about 15 hours a week. This is a full calendar to say the least. Pray that I budget my time well and say no when I need to.
3. Pray for Shaina and I as we begin to investigate the process of adoption. Ask the Lord to really lay it on our hearts and open doors if we are supposed to adopt, particularly if we are to go overseas (China?).
Thats good for now. I am desperate for intercessors on my behalf. If you're one who is willing to commit to that, you should let me know!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Health and Wealth
O.K. Here is my soap box. I suppose I'm allowed to get on it from time to time since this is my blogspace. I'd like to hear your response.
I have some friends that are big believers in the Prosperity Gospel version of Christianity. The belief is based largely in that if one asks in faith and believes they have received it, they will indeed receive it. This obviously filters into wealth (if I have need, I will get it), and health (if I am sick, I need to believe I am healed and it will be realized.)
The issue was brought to national light in a recent Time article, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533448,00.html . Some well known names on the tv circuit are found in the article to be highly in favor of a God who desires to bestow wealth on His people.
John Piper sums up his view of the prosperity movement in Christianity in one word...hatred. I agree. There are millions of faithful Christians around the world, in poverty stricken areas that do not live lives of abundance and wealth. It is absolutely sickening to think that Christians are telling the poor that they should be a Christian so they get wealthy...Or telling the sick that if they have enough faith, they will be healed.
Am I rejecting that God blesses people? No, in fact, God bestows blessing all over the place in scripture. But the primary purpose of such blessing is to bless others. (Check out Genesis 12:1-3). Am I saying that God does not heal? No, in fact, God is the source of many great healings...but how dare we confine God to some sort of finite equation..."if I do this...then God will do this." It seems that the creation controls the Creator in such an equation.
The bottom line is what do we do with what we are given? Joel Osteen bought a multi-million dollar estate in the wealthiest area of his town. Rick Warren gave away 90% of his income to fight poverty and the AIDS pandemic, and also paid back his church his salary for each year they paid him. Who is following the way of Jesus more? What do you all think about this subject?
I have some friends that are big believers in the Prosperity Gospel version of Christianity. The belief is based largely in that if one asks in faith and believes they have received it, they will indeed receive it. This obviously filters into wealth (if I have need, I will get it), and health (if I am sick, I need to believe I am healed and it will be realized.)
The issue was brought to national light in a recent Time article, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1533448,00.html . Some well known names on the tv circuit are found in the article to be highly in favor of a God who desires to bestow wealth on His people.
John Piper sums up his view of the prosperity movement in Christianity in one word...hatred. I agree. There are millions of faithful Christians around the world, in poverty stricken areas that do not live lives of abundance and wealth. It is absolutely sickening to think that Christians are telling the poor that they should be a Christian so they get wealthy...Or telling the sick that if they have enough faith, they will be healed.
Am I rejecting that God blesses people? No, in fact, God bestows blessing all over the place in scripture. But the primary purpose of such blessing is to bless others. (Check out Genesis 12:1-3). Am I saying that God does not heal? No, in fact, God is the source of many great healings...but how dare we confine God to some sort of finite equation..."if I do this...then God will do this." It seems that the creation controls the Creator in such an equation.
The bottom line is what do we do with what we are given? Joel Osteen bought a multi-million dollar estate in the wealthiest area of his town. Rick Warren gave away 90% of his income to fight poverty and the AIDS pandemic, and also paid back his church his salary for each year they paid him. Who is following the way of Jesus more? What do you all think about this subject?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The genius of Ozzie
I am reading Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" and today I came across something interesting. He says that if we are not troubled, bothered and perplexed by the teachings of Jesus, then we have not ever been in God's presence. I had a conversation about Jesus' parables the other day. What is the purpose of these sayings? It doesn't seem that they were for clarifying (because even his disciples were clueless). It doesn't seem like they were simply analogies, (if they are, Jesus did a poor job!) Maybe we have to start with the acknowledgment that some of what Jesus teaches is not just difficult to understand, but also to put into practice.
Yet if we hunger to even begin to understand...that is when we see change, first in our hearts, then in a dying world. So are we hungry? Even to the point of starving for Jesus to change us, for God's word to speak? There has to be more to this life than what the church is living, doesn't there? This two thousand year journey has been shaping, breaking and restoring hearts for too long, for this to be all there is to it. "There must be more than this"...-Tim Hughes.
To the hungry, the starving, the aching for something transforming. To those who desire to be the city on the hill, not because of a self righteous magnification, but because they are involved in bringing change, peace and hope to a hopeless world. Seek and we will find.
Yet if we hunger to even begin to understand...that is when we see change, first in our hearts, then in a dying world. So are we hungry? Even to the point of starving for Jesus to change us, for God's word to speak? There has to be more to this life than what the church is living, doesn't there? This two thousand year journey has been shaping, breaking and restoring hearts for too long, for this to be all there is to it. "There must be more than this"...-Tim Hughes.
To the hungry, the starving, the aching for something transforming. To those who desire to be the city on the hill, not because of a self righteous magnification, but because they are involved in bringing change, peace and hope to a hopeless world. Seek and we will find.
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