Wild January Weather

Sooner or later - and for all of our sake's, I hope it's sooner - we'll have to come to grips with the Inconvenient Truth before us of Climate Change. As Al Gore said in his excellent documentary, this is not a political issue, it is a moral issue. What kind of life do I want to leave for my children?

Articles like this one in USA Today continue to point to mounting evidence that we should listen to Gore.

I'll be sharing more about the environment and the global climate crisis in the weeks ahead. I'm just tossing this out to get you thinking.

Matthew 8: The Power of Our Life

I was reading in Matthew this morning, and in chapter 8 of The Message found something cool in the story about Jesus healing the leper.

After healing the leper, Jesus tells him to keep the healing on the down low. Jesus says, "Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done." That has really struck me as powerful today. The old cliche sounds corny, but it's true. "Your life may be the only Bible someone ever reads." What will people learn about Jesus, his love, grace, mercy - and his Kingdom - by how I live today? Will I choose to live gratefully?

May the power source of my life be the power of the resurrected Christ! May each of your lives TODAY bear witness to what Christ has done for us, in us, and through us. AMEN.

Diggity Diggity

$1 for my caffeinated goodness? Free refills? Somebody pinch me.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080123/starbucks.html?.v=4&.pf=banking-budgeting

Right on (to be said in your best Uncle Rico voice).

How to Listen to a Sermon

A long time ago, I heard Dr. Charles Carter, then pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, give a message entitled "How to Listen to a Sermon." I remembered what Dr. Carter said, when some friends and I were talking recently about getting everything out of the Sunday teaching that God intended. So here is Dr. Carter's 4 point "How To" along with some thoughts that I'm throwing out at 'cha as well.

Let It In - Am I open to hearing a Word from the Lord? Am I attentive? Am I fully present? Some things related to this include: Getting a good night's rest on Saturday (no Halo after 11 pm); try to not to fight as a family on Sunday morning (is it just me, or is that the prime time for arguments at our homes?); have I asked God to give me "ears to hear?"; have I prayed for the worship service beforehand?

Write It Down - Take notes; write down texts that are used. Listen for the Holy Spirit to bring thoughts/questions to your mind, and capture them before they float away. It's really a matter of engaging the teaching mentally. Here is a link to a picture of Edgar Dale's Cone of Learning - everyone involved in disciple-making should be exposed to this idea, and integrate it into how they teach. I do realize that writing down information is only slightly better than simply hearing it, but it is better.

Think It Over - Test what was said! Check out the Scriptures that were taught from with your family on Sunday night. Meditate (chew on) the application from the teaching - how will Jesus' words show up in your life? Pray! Pray some more! Really, most of us need to rediscover the idea that prayer and bible study are intimately related. Be still with God and allow Him to teach you. Take your questions to your Small Group for discussion; allow iron to sharpen iron.

Live It Out - Now, Dale's Cone bears the most fruit! When we "learn by doing" we retain 90% of what we were taught, even after 2 weeks. The essence of discipleship is understanding that how we live out the teachings of Jesus are outward demonstrations of the inward transformation that is taking place in our hearts. May you live abundantly as you live for the King!

So there it is: Let it in, write it down, think it over and live it out. I'm ready to start changing our world, and to do so, I need to follow my Rabbi, one teaching at a time. If you're up for it, I'll see you Sunday at Tulip Street.

Jim and Casper Go To Church

Give this a look, and share your thoughts. I can imagine that this book would provide some interesting commentary and insight into why people don't come to our churches on Sunday mornings.



My small group spent a portion of our gathering on Sunday evening talking about the difference between making converts vs. making disciples. I think we could learn something from Casper.

V-Dub Jesus

Thanks to Jeff Brothers for sharing his art!

Rock Band and New Year's Eve

We celebrated New Year's Eve at our house this year, with friends from TSCC. To begin the evening, we watched IU get ran over by OK State - hey, at least they made it to a bowl. Maybe better days are coming for IU football (I sound like a Cub fan!). But the true highlight was when The Simpson family brought out their "Rock Band" game.

I had a flash back to School of Rock, and likely used every quote from the movie. And the highlight, at least for me, was when me and my posse (Jacob on guitar and Tanner Simpson on drums) pulled off Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Sadly, there are no pictures of the New Year's miracle. Maybe that's for the best, as a picture just couldn't have captured the electricity in the room. Especially as I belted out “I’ve seen a million faces and I’ve rocked them all”. Of course, that line really only works if you are on the floor, down on one knee, while giving the “hook em horns” rock and roll salute, as demonstrated here by Yassir Arafat:

After my signature performance, we made coffee (yes, we're getting old), and played Sequence right up until it was time for Ryan and Dick to drop the ball. Kids were running everywhere beating wooden spoons against pots and pans, and "ringing in the New Year." Guy closed out our party by reading from Philippians 3, and he challenged each of us to know Christ more fully in 2008 and to live in the power of His resurrection.

Again, I am reminded that when friends fill your home, you are blessed. It's already a good year.

Glassbooth

If you're like me, you likely scratch your head every now and then when you consider the upcoming Presidential Election, all of the candidates, where they stand (heck, who am I kidding? I struggle sometimes with where I stand on some things!), and how to cast our votes.

A friend passed on this web site to me, called Glassbooth. In just a few minutes, this site helps guide you through a series of questions, and then points you to the candidate(s) that most closely support the issues that you feel are important.

To check it out, go here.

Christian Infants and the Marks of Maturity

On the blog Out of Ur, Gordan MacDonald writes in his post So Many Christian Infants these thoughts:

"A definition of a mature Christian is lacking.
Best to say that you know a mature Christian when you see one. They’re in the
New Testament. Barnabas is one. Aquila and Priscilla are others. Onesiphorous
impresses me. And so is the mother of Rufus of whom Paul said, “she has been a
mother to me.” That’s a short list.

The marks of maturity? Self-sustaining in
spiritual devotions. Wise in human relationships. Humble and serving.
Comfortable and functional in the everyday world where people of faith can be in
short supply. Substantial in conversation; prudent in acquisition; respectful in
conflict; faithful in commitments."

Read that paragraph about the marks of maturity again. WOW. Does that describe you? How 'bout me? Does it describe those we worship with on Sunday mornings? And now, for the $1,000,000 question - "Why?" or "Why not?"

How do we spur people on from spiritual milk to the solid food of a life fully surrendered and committed to Christ? I ask, because I know I struggle with consistently living the kind of life that Jesus would call "best." And I want to see our church bear the marks of spiritual maturity, not as an end in itself, but so that we can all play our part in helping "Kingdom Come."

If you're looking for a New Year's Resolution try this: Maybe we could strive to become mature Christians. The world would be better for it.

Anonymous Invitation

On Christmas Day, someone left a comment on this blog, and signed it "Anonymous." I would like to extend an invitation to meet with that person to discuss their comments. If we are to take seriously the teachings of Jesus and his claim on our lives, then it would seem right to share openly, face to face, as Scripture suggests. So, to "Anonymous" - give me a call or drop me an email. You've been to Tulip Street, so you know my contact info is on the worship folder. I'd love to sit down with you and, together, grow in our relationship as Christians. And I'll buy the coffee.

Happy Birthday!

Jacob is our Christmas baby. He was born on December 25, 1993. It's hard to believe that he turned 14 this year.

Rachelle made him a giant iced chocolate chip cookie for our family party, which lasted just about long enough to snap a picture.

A few days later, Jacob had some buds come out to our house for a Halo party. The Master Chief adorned his cake, and then we had some 4 on 4 mayhem. No prisoners were taken!

For the last 14 years, Jacob has made my heart happy. Thanks Bubba - I love you!

Bows of Holly

The Tulip Street Children's Ministry put on a great Holiday program this year, called Bows of Holly. The program had some really good teaching on generosity, and was very well done.

I wanted to share a picture with you of a pretty special young lady who brings joy to my life every day.

Thanks Sis - I love you Punkin'!