Takin' a Break

A wise young man once posted this on his blog: "What is without rest will not endure." He attributed the quote to an ancient Roman poet named Ovid. Well, I think Ovid was a pretty sharp cat. So much so, that I have taken 2 weeks off of work, and the Collins' are hitting the road.

Over the next 2 weeks, we'll camp at Turkey Run (which means great food, hiking, canoe trips, horses, and lots of chillin'). Then we blow it out at Holiday World, with lots of roller coasters, rides and water park action. TSCC is hosting a "ServeFest" on August 2, and we'll share in that experience. Then we're back on the road to Gatlinburg, TN for a white-water rafting trip. I wrap up the 2 weeks with Willow Creek's Leadership Summit. Can I get a WOO HOO!?!

So, peace out and I'll check in on the blog world down the road a bit.

Later.

Psalm 46

This summer, I have spent time thinking through Psalm 46. You can buy T-shirts, key chains, coffee mugs - who knows what else - with "Be still and know that I Am God" on them. That verse, 46:10 is quoted often and is a really special verse. But when it's read and considered in the context of the whole chapter, God's command to "be still" simply radiates.

What I never understood before is that Psalm 46 tells us that we live in a world marked by violence and upheaval.

* There is the violence of nature (v. 1-3). New Orleans is still scarred by the violent power of Katrina. The Asian Tsunami of December, 2004 was devastating. We've seen the violence of nature played out, and even now, those in Texas and Mexico are holding their breath as Hurricane Dolly heads to shore.

* There is the violence of geopolitical turmoil (v. 6). Are we in recession? Depression? How will our country vote this fall? Does it matter or is it too late to change? And what about problems that the rest of the world is facing? Inflation in Zimbabwe is at 2.2 MILLION percent. In Zimbabwe, a four-pound bag of sugar cost about 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars, or $1 US.

* There is the violence of war (v. 9). Afghanistan. Iraq. Now Iran is rattling sabers. War is real for our country and our world.

I am stunned by the relevance and power of Psalm 46. Pretty much anytime that I've read or heard it, the devotional message revolved around v. 10. The power of the passage now seems to be positioning God's call to "be still" against the description of a world in chaos in the earlier verses. Psalm 46 seems to know that I am burdened by global climate issues . . . that terrorists are dying for their cause . . . that the world economy is on pretty shaky ground . . . on and on.

And yet, God beckons me - and you - to "be still and know."

* Gas is $4 a gallon! "Be still and know that I am God . . . "

* My son is away from home at CIY! "Be still and know that I am God . . . "

* Is our church ready to impact our community? "Be still and know that I am God . . . "

* Cement shipments are down! "Be still and know that I am God . . . "

So what about you? How would you fill in this blank? If I had to bet, I'd gamble that you can fill it in with something. Spend a minute, write out what's filling your life with noise, and hear the Word of the Lord.

* __________! "Be still and know that I am God . . . "

AMEN.

Left-Over Casa Brava

So what do you do with 5 day old Casa Brava? I can tell you that you don't throw it out. No sir. Just toss it all in a pot, warm it up, and voila, instant Mexican goodness.

Now that's good livin'!

CIY - Move

This afternoon, 26 High School students and 5 adults pulled out of the Tulip Street parking lot heading to Carbondale, IL, home of Southern Illinois University, and the CIY Move conference.

My son Jacob will enter Mitchell HS as a freshman next month, and this is his first CIY trip. It would be very cool if you could lift him, as well as the rest of the TS group, up in prayer. Thanks in advance for praying!

I'm sure there will be pictures to share when they return next Saturday.

(Oh ya, while you're praying - could you pray for Rachelle and I? As cool as CIY is, it was a little hard to watch our son pull away in a van for 8 days! ~ Thanks!)

HOPE, COFFEE & MELODY Tour

To read more about this awesome evening, click HERE.

Jedi Gym (or, Never Give Up)

Church Signs

Okay - can anyone top this as maybe the worst church sign of all time? :)

The Privilege and Gift of Leadership

For all of you involved in leading a group at your work place, or leading a church, or leading your baseball team, or leading ________, may the weight of these words impress you:

"Every leader has burdens and difficulties and complaints, but nobody forces you into leadership. It is your choice and if you are given it - it is a privilege and a gift. And if you don't feel that way you should step down."

~ Rabbi David Wolpe