Everything Is Spiritual

The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center is a very switched on place. From the art on exhibit in the lobby, to the auditorium that was big enough to seat over a thousand, yet intimate enough to make you think you were in a living room, to the wooden stage. It was all good. It was a bit of a shock to discover that Mitchell is on the same time as Grand Rapids – once we realized this, we had time to use the bathroom and grab a seat. But, just like she said, Charity from NOOMA had saved us a spot and we were good to go.

I need to be careful here not to over-analyze Rob’s teaching, or put words to something that was meant to be experienced. I almost get the feeling that this was like when Neo had visited the Oracle, and Morpheus told him, “What the Oracle said was for you, and for you alone.” I don’t want to kill a moment by hanging words on it, so I’ll just say a couple of things.

One, I think that Mark and Guy had, in some measure, their respective journeys with Jesus confirmed. Even on the drive up, they were sharing conversations that directly mirrored some of the stuff Rob talked about, which was pretty cool. I was honored to share this time with them, and I suspect that is was time well spent for all.

Two, while the whole 1 ½ hour teaching was incredible (just as it was in July!), the thing that has jumped out at me this time was Rob saying, “You will find what you are looking for.” Do I have a tendency towards negativity because that’s what I’m looking for? In being critical, do I miss the positive, good things that God is doing? Much to chew on there!

Lastly, I am a fusion of the physical and the spiritual, and that creation gives God much joy!



Much later that night, I took a turn at the wheel while the others tried to sleep. Bono was singing to me, saying, “Take my mouth, a mouth so quick to criticize; take my mouth, and make it kiss.” I will find what I am looking for – this haunted me on the drive home from GR, and put a quiet exclamation point on what God showed me on our Road Trip.

Peace Out.

Breaking Bread

We made it to Michigan City, IN and rolled to a stop at Countryside Christian Church, where our bud Kevin Galloway is the Lead Pastor. Kevin gave us a quick tour of the church, and then offered to buy our lunch. And you know I said yes, right?





We sat at Culver’s and had great sandwiches, but more than that, we got to hear some stories of how God is moving in his people’s lives at Countryside. Flat out, people are meeting Jesus through CCC. I am excited for Kevin as I see his passion for Jesus lighting up his face (it could have been smeared cheese curd, but I don’t think so), and I’m trusting that passion for the Kingdom knows no bounds or limits, whether it’s Michigan City, Grand Rapids, or Mitchell. Come Lord Jesus!

I left Michigan City that afternoon as thankful as ever that I have a friend to share life in Christ with named Kevin.



More to come . . .

View from the Road

Zipping down an interstate at 75 mph, with nothing to do but sit and talk, can be a good thing. You learn stuff about people. Everyone has stories. Some are really interesting, like when someone shares about their past hobby of hunting with falcons. Some are wacky, like an in-depth discussion on preferred urinals (for the record, someone in the van likes the shorter, low riding urinal, as he ‘pees with great force.’). We talked of towns we’ve visited. People we know. On and on we talked, and sure enough, the miles melted away.

Here is the view from the back seat of the Road Trip Express. Have Starbucks, will travel.

Our guide for the trip was the silky smooth voice of the Garmen Lady. She won’t do you wrong, and is clearly the exception to Ulysses Everett McGill’s comment to “never trust a female.”

More to come . . .

Scooby Snacks

Three grown men can only be expected to go just so far before needing to stop for a scooby snack. And for a road trip of our importance -- Grand Rapids to see Rob Bell -- just any old scooby won't cut it. At Exit 130 on I-65 North, in the form of a combination Starbucks and gas station, we found relief. We had decided that we wouldn't be "clock watchers" and would try to just roll with whatever came our way. So, a multigrain bagel and a grande Christmas Blend in hand led to a few moments hanging at Starbucks, where we decided that the Starbucks smell would be a cool cologne. Deep conversation, I'm tellin' ya! :)

With a full tank of gas and a fresh cup of coffee, we loaded into the van to head North, at a high rate of speed, since our next pit stop was to be with Kevin Galloway for lunch. And we'd already proven that our tolerance for hunger pain was low.

It was proving to be as good a day as we'd hoped. Cool.

More to come . . .

May This Find a Home in Your Heart

From "O Holy Night" . . .

"Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."

May you understand in a life-changing way that you have value. Value beyond what this world can measure or what it whispers in your ear. And the source of that value springs from a God who came near. Immanuel, God with us. AMEN.

Resolutions

Solomon's Prayer, and a Prayer for Us Too

"May God, our very own God, continue to be with us just as he was with our ancestors—may he never give up and walk out on us. May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors."

~ Solomon, in 1 Kings 8:57-58 (Message)

Person of the Year: You!

Congratulations!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/16/time.you.tm/index.html

Praying With the Church

As an elder of Tulip Street Christian Church, I have the privilege of praying for God’s people who gather there, as well as for needs in our community as they arise. I want to begin posting these concerns weekly, and ask that as you read them, you would join with the great cloud of witnesses that comprise the Kingdom, and make these prayers your own. Simply mouthing the words “Lord, hear our prayers” will be our collective offering of unity under the name of Jesus. May we pray boldly . . .

Mark Hardman – Cindy Zajac, Bedford, has cancer. Lord, hear our prayers.

Jeanna Hill – All of my family members. Lord, hear our prayers.

Samantha Johnson – My family in general. Lord, hear our prayers.

Angie Williams – Please continue to pray for my sister and her family. Lord, hear our prayers.

Theresa Banks –Sylvia Jewell. Lord, hear our prayers.

John Ferrell – My family and friends. Lord, hear our prayers.

Georgia Slaughter – Richard Reed. Lord, hear our prayers.

Bob Thayer – Daughters Barbara and Charlotte. Lord, hear our prayers.

Ignition

Why a Roadtrip to Grand Rapids in December? Good question. It started with this email:

Friends of NOOMA,

Some of you know that this past summer, Rob Bell traveled around the country for his Everything Is Spiritual Tour. I wanted to give you an update about the filming of it and how you can help us with the project. Although we filmed it this past July, we are filming it again to get the best possible material for an upcoming DVD. There is going to be one more night of Everything Is Spiritual here in Grand Rapids:

Friday, December 15th
Forest Hills Fine Art Center
600 Forest Hill Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

2 shows: 7 & 9:30 pm - Admission is free.

This is a FREE event and we want to have as many people as possible come. We are asking you to help us spread the word about this event so that we can have a full house and great film. If you missed it over the summer and were looking for a second chance, here it is. If you’ve already seen it, please come again and bring friends. If you live a little ways away and want to make the trip we would love to see you. If you are in another part of the country/world but know people here in Michigan, please encourage them to come.

Back to me now. So I'm thinking, "Hmmm. Rob Bell is teaching. Free show. Bring friends. Cool. I'm in."

So Mark Hardman, Guy Mundy and I turned the key on the Road Trip Express (um, kind of an unofficial name for the Mundy's van), and North we went.

More to come . . .

Praying With the Church

As an elder of Tulip Street Christian Church, I have the privilege of praying for God’s people who gather there, as well as for needs in our community as they arise. I want to begin posting these concerns weekly, and ask that as you read them, you would join with the great cloud of witnesses that comprise the Kingdom, and make these prayers your own. Simply mouthing the words “Lord, hear our prayers” will be our collective offering of unity under the name of Jesus. May we pray boldly . . .

George Miner – Mike is responding well to the chemotherapy; keep him in prayer. Praise God! Lord, hear our prayers.

Jeanna Hill – both of my children have been sick & missed a week of school, the adults are fighting it off. There is a lot of hardship in the families surrounding the death of Pauline’s father. Lord, hear our prayers.

John McBride – my family at this time – loss of my father. Lord, hear our prayers.

Dawn Lee – Derek Smedley in Afghanistan during the holidays. Also his parents & my mom. Lord, hear our prayers.

Theresa Banks – Sylvia Jewell. Lord, hear our prayers.

Ken Delaney – my daughters’ salvation. Lord, hear our prayers.

Blaize Edwards – my uncle Dan Terrell. He is going through hard times. And my mom. Lord, hear our prayers.

John Ferrell – for my family and friends. Lord, hear our prayers.

Rita Hinkel – Mark Lindsey. Lord, hear our prayers.

Brooke Roll – Josh Roll to come to church. Lord, hear our prayers.

Georgia Slaughter – Richard Reed. Lord, hear our prayers.

For Fans of "24" - Happy Holidays!

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2804648/channel/viralvideo

Roadtrip

It's GO time; stay tuned for thoughts from the road . . .

Living Water: UPDATE

Hey, how cool is this?

We kept the collection 'open' on the Rwandan well offering through last weekend, and a check is now in the mail to fermiproject for $6,008.92. That's enough for 2 complete wells, meaning 1,500 people will now have fresh, clean, healthy, safe water because of God's people at Tulip Street Christian Church!

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul

Psalm 131 - A Song of Ascents. Of David.

131:1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001

Praying With the Church

As an elder of Tulip Street Christian Church, I have the privilege of praying for God’s people who gather there, as well as for needs in our community as they arise. I want to begin posting these concerns weekly, and ask that as you read them, you would join with the great cloud of witnesses that comprise the Kingdom, and make these prayers your own. Simply mouthing the words “Lord, hear our prayers” will be our collective offering of unity under the name of Jesus. May we pray boldly . . .

Connie Belmont – Prayer of Praise! Rick Slade, Jr, my nephew, is home safely from Iraq. Lord, hear our prayers.

Susie Hamilton – Connie Matthews has cancer. Lord, hear our prayers.

Roger Swayer – Family of Jonelle Archibald. Lord, hear our prayers.

Jeanna Hill – Our family needs prayers over many things. Lord, hear our prayers.

Theresa Banks – All my family. Lord, hear our prayers.

Ken Delaney – My daughters' salvation. Lord, hear our prayers.

Sally Miller – Regina Briscoe recovering from infection. Lord, hear our prayers.

Brooke Roll – I want my husband Joshua Roll to come to church. Lord, hear our prayers.

Georgia Slaughter – Richard Reed. Lord, hear our prayers.

What happens when an ignoramus reads the Good Book?

David Plotz is a writer for Slate.com. He is also, as he describes himself, "a proud Jew, but never a terribly observant one." In an interesting turn of events, Plotz has undertaken a project entitled "Blogging the Bible."

Relevantmagazine.com has this to say about Plotz's project: "The writer, who describes himself as a proud but non-observant Jew, is reading through the Bible, chapter by chapter, and blogging about his reactions. He described the project as a look at what happens when "an ignoramus reads the Good Book." Though irreverent in places, it's an interesting look at an outsider's interpretation of the Bible ..."

As Tulip Street continues to ask how we as a people of God can more effectively engage the world with The Message of Jesus Christ, it would seem that this would be an interesting and fruitful exercise, to work through some of Plotz's posts. We might just discover that by listening to another's words, we'll have a better picture of how to share the unchanging story of Jesus in ways that will ring true with those outside of our church walls.

Rob Bell Video Interview

Abbasfriend recently pointed me to a video interview with Rob Bell that is available on the web.

If you’re interested, you can see it here.

Chips Ahoy!

From the Viriginia-Pilot Newspaper:

A cargo container that apparently fell from a ship washed up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Thursday and spilled thousands of bags of Doritos brand tortilla chips on the beach. People collected the chips, which were apparently still fresh due to their airtight packaging. It was unknown which ship had lost the cargo or to what port it was bound.

Inflection Point

I'm a big fan of Jim Collins and his book Good to Great. As well done as that book is, Collins realized that its principles don't correlate directly to the social sector. So, he published a monograph (which is a fancy way of saying "booklet"), entitled: Good to Great and the Social Sectors -- Why Business Thinking Is Not the Answer. If you are involved in church leadership, I highly recommend that you read both of these books, as an understanding of the principles from the book help cement the ideas that the booklet, er, I mean "monograph" suggest.

But none of that is exactly why I'm writing this post. Today, Tulip Street Christian Church begins a 3 day consultation with a church health/growth organization. It is my deep belief that these next 3 days will be for our church an "inflection point" as Collins describes in his book and this graph demonstrates:

As I enter into these days, I am walking in to them on my knees, as it is my hope, my desire and my prayer that as a people of God we go from Good to Great. May it be so.

Will we look back at this time and see that the inflection point was positive or negative? Time will tell.

Come Lord Jesus; Your people need You!