...Interesting

One of my favorite bands back in the day was Everclear. I stumbled across their site today and saw a free download of a song called "Jesus was a Democrat". You don't even have to download it, you can just click on it to sample it if you want. Here's their myspace link.. **Note that their are some abrasive lyrics in this and John McCain has devil horns!

Let me know what you think. I am not endorsing or discrediting the song. Just want to hear some perspectives on this?

Theology of Rest

You know what, I'm tired.

We had a giant fundraiser event known as the Mission Auction two Saturdays ago. It was great, but it took a lot of work/effort out of many people.

The Monday after the event...I had a meeting to gear up for the next fundraiser we're doing, the city-wide softball tournament.

This month I'm preaching Good Friday. I've got a progressive dinner April 11 which is a huge event. I have somehow found myself in the middle of planning a Leadership Summit for April 25. Then I've got the tourney fundraiser on May 1-2.

I've got a full work load this quarter which is in English, Greek and Aramaic and all has to be done in 9 weeks instead of 10 because of our trip to Kenya.

I will submit my final assignments and board a plane for two weeks to Africa.

These things are all great/important things. But what I'm convinced of is that more important than these is Sabbath Rest. Not just 7th day set apart stuff, but seasons of the year where withdrawing from the routine is the end goal. I plan to do this the third week of June. No church work. No school work. Just me and the Lord. Of course as I write this I begin to think that June is the prime month for young adult ministry...we will need to host a "Thanks for the Support" Kenya celebration dinner event...

There is something startlingly wrong with a theology of 'drivenness', even if it is "Purpose Driven". It's no wonder so many in our churches are zapped of energy, fresh/creative synergy and vibrant ministry. We need to reclaim a theology rest. But I can't do that now...I've gotta go read for class.

When's the last time you Rested in the Lord?

Teaching the Word II

Earlier this week I mentioned my preference to empower Bible teachers rather than Discussion Facilitators. I wanted to react to a point from the sermon at church, which has to do with teaching as well. The Pastor mentioned the importance of sound teaching, which got me thinking. 2 Timothy 1:8-14

We need to
1. Find Sound Teaching to be entrusted to us.-Worship Leaders/Preaching Pastors who marinate/ruminate themselves in the Word and then speak out of that overflow are people we should want to be around. This is perhaps the part of seminary I value the most: Wise, humble, leaders who approach God's Word as an act of worship and with expectation that God will give them their portion. Have you found sound teaching?

2. Hold to the standard of Sound Teaching-It's one thing to find the sound teaching, its another to let that teaching transform our way of life. If you are encountering the Word of God and do not feel a chiseling away of our old habits and ways of life, then we should be nervous. Too many times we are hearers of the word and not doers of the word. Does God's Word influence how you live?

3. Entrust sound teaching to others.
-If someone invests the Word into our lives, we have a responsibility to pay it forward. We do this in the context of our spouses, children, friends, and those we lead in church contexts, etc. Too often the Word stops at our ears and we do not let the Spirit of God penetrate to our hearts, which enlivens our hands and feet, which reaches the world. Have you entrusted Sound teaching of God's Word to your family? To your friends? What impact has this had?

Adventures in Lukewarmness

I believe God is capable of huge things. At least mentally I can ascribe to that. But the way I live my life doesn't always mesh with that belief.

I wonder if God were to sit down with our churches, our ministries, even us individually and give us an annual review, what the verdict would be.

There is a passion that stirs inside me sometimes that I can't seem to pass on or articulate to those around me.

Some days I get so bored with this Christian faith that I/we live that I don't really know if its worth it.

Some days I should probably change my blog from mustard revolution to mustard indigestion.

This is one of those days.

back to the grind

Why is it that my spring break goes by like an hour?

Monday begins the last round of classes. Combine a lack of motivation to do this anymore with the fact that I have to do it all in 9 weeks so that we can head to Africa, and I am pessimistic about finishing strong.

Leading off this final quarter will be a course on Worship on Mondays. On deck? A night class on Christian Theology. In the hole, Greek III...Considering that I put forth minimal effort in Greek I-II, this could be the most challenging course. Batting Clean Up...Biblical Aramaic. That's right, I will be able to read Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic after this quarter.

If you think about it, pray that I would find motivation.

Well, I'm done thinking about classes...I have a date with March Madness.

Teaching the Word

Here's a concern of mine. More and more, people tell me that they do not teach their small group/bible study/sunday school class. Instead, they facilitate discussion. I think I have wavered back and forth on this in the past, but I know where I stand on this now.

Facilitating discussion does not often make disciples. Yes it is good to have dialogue, to be comfortable enough to share your thoughts. But what I find is that people are not challenged to go deeper than where they are and that includes the 'facilitator'.

When I teach, I spend tons of time in study and prayer, because I know that one person is going to ask the hard questions about the text. If I haven't done any quality study, I cannot teach and that bothers me. People have questions and want answers and I have not done any preparation so I can't help them.

For me, these communities of Bible Study had better be Word and God centered and not opinion centered. James says that not many of us should be teachers because our judgment will be stricter. So people who 'facilitate discussion' may feel they are off the hook from this warning, but I am apprehensive to any group that gathers and just shares their opinions on issues, God and the Bible.

We who are called and gifted for teaching need to be passionately engaged in the Word and considering how that Word applies to us. Then we can facilitate, not discussion but Bible Study, authentic community and the making of disciples! Take teaching seriously and humbly as a gift and privilege from God!

deer, skunks and groundhogs oh my

One of the coolest parts of moving to our new place is the wide variety of creatures that are roaming around. At least once a week, I see a pack (or herd...or flock...) of deer hanging out by the driveway. There's anywhere from 3-10 of them just chillin' out, eating, or laying down in the field next to our driveway.

Then there's the groundhogs. If I can identify my life with any one animal its this guy. Short, stocky and always close to the ground (ask any of my basketball buds about my vertical jump!) These guys are a menace to farmers and even to our yard, but they are hilarious to watch.

Shaina has seen a skunk roaming around too, which I have not yet met, but I am just waiting for the day our dog meets up with him.

Add to that all the birds, chipmunks, squirrels and toads and it is definitely time for spring. It is neat to see new things being birthed after a season of stillness and barrenness. Tulips, daffodils and other things Shaina continually tells me the names of are starting to emerge.

This means more walks, golf, and cookouts. We're almost there!
What's your favorite part of spring?

thought provoking

Got this from Pete Wilson's blog. What happens when the worlds best violinist plays one of the world's best violins in a Metro transit?

Not a whole lot. Two people stopped.

What happens when the people of God fail to hear his voice or see his handiwork because of our own chaotic 'schedules' 'routines' 'agendas'?

Maybe the more challenging question for us, why, when God has done such redemptive work through Jesus Christ to make us distinctly his, do we fail to be remotely distinct from the world at large?

Winter/Camping Neccessities

Have you been suffering with a prehistoric warmth provider like a blanket, afghan or sleeping bag? Well its time to get updated. Join the 21st century warmth revolution.

Buy a "Selk", an awesome sleeping bag made for optimal movement, comfort, and style.

Or if you are looking for comfort around the house, why not go for a Snuggie, in one of these fashionably friendly colors!

Random thought. If we spent half the time that is spent finding creative ways to maximize comfort and convenience, actually trying to make a difference in a world that would kill for our 'prehistoric blankets', drinkable water and a safe place to call home, I wonder what would happen.

How's your bracket?

I filled out four different brackets and all of them are middle of the pack. If Oklahoma wins it all, I have about a 1 in 5 chance of getting a free 2009 membership to Chippewa Golf Club.

If Pitt wins it all, I have a decent chance of claiming bragging rights with my family.

If UNC, Syracuse and Purdue all win and then UNC keeps winning, I have a good chance of claiming bragging rights with some of my buddies.

If Purdue beats UCONN and Memphis, and Pitt wins it all, there is a slim chance I could win bragging rights with the Real Men of Genius.

Here's my predictions...

whoever comes out of the SOUTH bracket will probably win it all. UNC is tough all over the court, Oklahoma is strong in the paint and Syracuse has veteran guards who are keeping them rolling. I think it is the toughest region in the tournament. I am not impressed with Pitt or Louisville so far in the tourney, but UConn has been strong. I think UConn vs. UNC is a likely final, though I am rooting for Purdue to help my brackets.

Who's your early favorites to be in the championship? How's your bracket?

Attention all Ballers

IT'S TIME TO COME OUT OF HIBERNATION! GRAB SOME FRIENDS AND PUT TOGETHER A SOFTBALL TEAM FOR THE 2009 WADSWORTH ALL CITY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT! THE DATES ARE MAY 1-2 AND THE WINNERS TAKE HOME THE TROPHY AND TEE SHIRTS!

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO OUR KENYA MISSION TRIP. WE ARE SHOOTING FOR 20 TEAMS! COST IS $200 PER TEAM (20 PER PERSON).

SIGN YOUR TEAM UP BY RESPONDING TO THIS BLOG POST, EMAILING ME (BTHOMPS4@ASHLAND.EDU) OR CALLING ME 330.464.5795.

GET YOUR TEAM TOGETHER BY APRIL 15!

God is faithful

There is no way that people should be fundraising in the midst of recession. There is no way that mission trips to Kenya, New York and Iowa should reach their funding goals in the midst of economic crisis. There is no way that a people who has lost portions of savings, investments and 401k plans should be open handed enough to support these kinds of 'unneccessary endeavors'.

That's why God is the Provider and Not us! Saturday was our Church's Mission Auction and in one night, $13,000 was raised for these three trips which brings our Kenya Team even closer to boarding the planes in June.

It was neat to see the Church come together in so many solid ways. From servants who spent countless hours putting together booklets, sending out letters to businesses, shopping and preparing food, serving at the mission auction, and cleaning up afterwards, to those who gave generously during the auction to acquire some stuff, but also to support a worthy cause.

God laughs at our panic in recession. God provides in the midst of scare provision.

It was a good weekend and this is a good church.

Sigh of Relief

Finals are officially done. 35 pages of sheer brilliance, a Greek final that only had 10 questions but took two hours and a presentation on war and pacifism and my quarter is in the books. I am officially 8/9 of the way to the Promised Land. One more quarter to go.

But first a break. You ever have something where you had low or minimal expectations and then the reality turned out to be fantabulous? Well last week I had finals all week and then knew I had to come back for class today (Monday) so I was looking at a short spring break from tuesday-friday and then back at it the following Monday. It turns out that I have a whole second week off! Life is good.

I have ordered my books for the last quarter of my master of divinity. I am taking the max of 4 courses: Worship Design, Theology I, Greek III and Introduction to Biblical Aramaic. I wish I was ending with theology of naps or sports ministry 101, but this will challenge me instead to end strong. The thing I will miss about seminary more than any other thing is studying the Hebrew of the OT. I can't believe I'm saying that but I have loved it!

Time for bed.

My Boy Dave

Shaina is taking a study at the church called Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. She is taking the class and then I listen to the audio lessons during my travels.

This is good stuff. We are 4 or 5 weeks into the 13 week course, but it has been an empowering class. For the first time, I feel like we have our head above water and better control of our finances.

FPU is a solid way to enable people to get out from under the cloud of debt, control spending, and be able to better give towards kingdom impact.

In a time when the economic outlook is bleak and the main role model we have (namely our government) is the worst role model to have in terms of spending, this is a great way to think in alternative ways.

So if money always seems tight or non-existent, or if debt is piling up on credit cards, then ask yourself if a class like this might be a liberating experience. Part of the upfront catch is that you have to pay $100 to join the class which creates a stronger sense of buy in.

Week's Meanderings

-This was finals week so my blog life has been on hold. Here's some highlights.

-I wrote about 25 pages of final papers and have another 10 due on Monday. By yesterday I was running on fumes, but the tough part is over.

-My church office is painted. Pictures will be forthcoming.

-Last weekend was my nephew's birthday party in Dayton. Got to go down and spend the weekend there. (Redeemed myself by beating my sister in pig...Lets just say she needs to work on her off the roof, catch and shoot off the backboard shot. haha.)

-Found out I'm going to be an uncle for the fourth time. My other sister, down in South Carolina is expecting her second in October!

-Enjoying Championship Week in the NCAA bball world. Got to watch some games yesterday including part of maybe the craziest game in basketball history, a 6 overtime thriller between Syracuse and UConn.

-Going to my alma mater's game tonight to see if they can win their district and head to regionals. They are the number one team in the state right now in division III. Should be fun to watch.

Legacy

I found this random site while trying to find out information about the high school basketball tournaments.

The name Thompson appears pretty frequently on this list...just happens to be my dad...every time...but once. But I blame the lack of prevalence of my name on this list to a couple main reasons. I am 5'9. The guys I play with openly admit I have a 2 inch vertical. My brain for basketball did not fully develop until age 23.

There ya have it. My cop outs for mediocrity haha.

It is cool though to see the sort of basketball legacy my dad left in high school.

I guess that begs a question of us. What will be your legacy? Maybe even more significantly, what is our legacy? In an era where obscenity is deemed normalcy and war is increasingly destructive (to the land, the combatants, the noncombatants and those who have to deal with it after the fact), when moral conscience is a term that has more to do with a political agenda than a God-driven perspective, what will they say about the Church? Will she fold? Will she run?

If you could write the epitaph on your own tombstone based on what you hope others say about you, what would it say?

My biceps crushed your syringe.

You can't contain me.

Yellow Fever? I laugh at you.

Malaria? You've got nothing on me.

Typhoid? Your mom called and said she wants you to come back home.

Tetanus? Your tactics are a little...rusty.

Explosive Diarrhea? I'm your worst nightmare.

Shots went well. Got some bonus meds to take as well. Crazy thing? I met a lady named Mary who is a nurse in Medina (an hour away from the seminary I attend in Ashland.) Mary hears me sharing what we will be doing in Kenya, and she busts out a picture of her son, Bill, who happens to be a key visionary leader for Pumphouse Ministries in Ashland. Pumphouse Ministries you ask? They just happen to be the group that Empower Worldwide Outreach had been under the umbrella of for the past few years. Bill and another guy Bruce happened to start the microenterprise chicken coop projects in Kenya that we are partnering with.

I won't even tell you about the random guy who came and sat down next to me in the student center at the seminary while I was working on an assignment...He just happens to be a Kenyan native. Go figure. God is anointing the steps of this trip.

Oh and the vaccinations for the team today? Just happen to have been paid for by a generous brother in Christ who has been setting aside money given to the church specifically earmarked for shots for a mission trip!

If God calls, God provides.

Innoculation Day

Getting my shots to travel to Kenya today. I don't have a mega huge problem with needles...But, I am a little nervous about mega huge needlees repeatedly jacked into me, haha.

Its going to be a good day...One step closer to sharing Christ's hope in Kenya.

Schnauz

You ever been locked in on a project or a game? So dialed in that if someone wanted to stop you, they wouldn't be able to?

That was my night last night. I play in a weekly basketball league and our team is pretty miserable. But we were playing another team near our record so we had some hope.

Everything I threw up at the basket was going in. 3 pointers, and-1 layups, freethrows...at one point I thought there were some Cavs Scouts looking at me, but it was just some old guy.

Then halfway through the second half, when people were whispering that I may be the next LeBron, I was playing defense (my first mistake) and a guy crushed my Schnauz with his forearm. Instant blood on the floor, blood all over me...good times.


Needless to say I wasn't quite locked in the rest of the evening. The Lord humbles the haughty. Meanwhile I had a couple more bloody nose moments then after the game. We did win by 20 however and I notched a career high (haha) 37 points. We are now tied as the second worst team in the league. Look out top seeds in the tourney, we're coming for ya...even if I have to look like Wally.

On the plus side, Cavs beat the Heat in Miami to finish up a tough road trip 3-1. They have taken over as the best record in the East, knocking the Celtics out of the top spot. Something special is happening in Cleveland this year...does anyone care?

It's a new day.

We had 15 new members introduced to the church this morning in worship, including a couple of men who were baptized. There is something refreshing about seeing new people enter covenant with a community.

It shows us God's movement in the world. New Creation is sprouting up all over.

It gives opportunity for new faces to offer new and fresh perspectives in ministry.

It reminds the people of God of their own commitments and hopefully challenges us all to recommit to the body of Christ.

The challenge of course is to ensure that these men and women of faith find opportunities to serve in redemptive ministry and belong to authentic community. It is really cool that this sums up my job description! Here we go!