Seeing the people of Iraq vote for the first time in overwhelming numbers with a higher percentage than we did in the past election is WONDERFUL.
30 January 2005
Being relevant to the culture...
I was honored yesterday to be invited by my good friend Dan K to attend with him a luncheon that was an annual men's luncheon with some Basque farmers & ranchers and other men who have faithfully meeting for about 46 years or was it 63... Anyway it was impressive that these men gather together each year , the weekend before the Superbowl, to fellowship and do a good deed by raising money for a worthy cause, like Children's Hospital of Central California.
This was, as Dan said, a bit surreal. I felt like I was in a different world. First it was all men (except for the waitresses). But they were very well behaved, except for a few F-bombs and other explicatives. Very tame.
The Food. We started by a fellowship hour in the bar, which was packed with men of all ages talking about all the things that took place since the last time they gathered. Then we were called into dining room with a bull horn's siren. We were met with Barley Vegetable Soup and bread. Then came the courses... First pickled cow tongue, which was very good. Then came the potato salad, which was good as well. BUT then came a cavalcade of the bazaar. First came what was told to us by our new friends, Matt and John, "Lamb Fries." Dan asked if it was a special cut of meat and Matt told us it was from young lambs. I asked the waitress what it was and she unabashedly said, "lamb testicles." Alrighty, I ate a scoopful, tasted like chicken... testicles. Then came chicken livers, I ate two pieces, not too bad, tasted like... yup chicken. I thought, "alright what else could they bring out that would give me an experience..." BLOOD SAUSAGE. I thought I was on Fear Factor. But then they brought out some Lamb Chops and Pork Chops. Those were incredible. Last was the dessert, Vanilla Ice Cream on Sponge Cake with Caramel sauce and nuts. We were having a great time.
Then, they had a raffle and auction and raised about 2-3 thousand bucks for the hospital. Dan gave a great short thank you to the men and we went home. All the way home we reminisced about the meal.
I thought will the emergent church people include these people in "the dialogue?"
Thanks Dan
This was, as Dan said, a bit surreal. I felt like I was in a different world. First it was all men (except for the waitresses). But they were very well behaved, except for a few F-bombs and other explicatives. Very tame.
The Food. We started by a fellowship hour in the bar, which was packed with men of all ages talking about all the things that took place since the last time they gathered. Then we were called into dining room with a bull horn's siren. We were met with Barley Vegetable Soup and bread. Then came the courses... First pickled cow tongue, which was very good. Then came the potato salad, which was good as well. BUT then came a cavalcade of the bazaar. First came what was told to us by our new friends, Matt and John, "Lamb Fries." Dan asked if it was a special cut of meat and Matt told us it was from young lambs. I asked the waitress what it was and she unabashedly said, "lamb testicles." Alrighty, I ate a scoopful, tasted like chicken... testicles. Then came chicken livers, I ate two pieces, not too bad, tasted like... yup chicken. I thought, "alright what else could they bring out that would give me an experience..." BLOOD SAUSAGE. I thought I was on Fear Factor. But then they brought out some Lamb Chops and Pork Chops. Those were incredible. Last was the dessert, Vanilla Ice Cream on Sponge Cake with Caramel sauce and nuts. We were having a great time.
Then, they had a raffle and auction and raised about 2-3 thousand bucks for the hospital. Dan gave a great short thank you to the men and we went home. All the way home we reminisced about the meal.
I thought will the emergent church people include these people in "the dialogue?"
Thanks Dan
29 January 2005
Tamales and jelly...
Living in a small mountain town I have come to find a rhythm that is delightful. Labor and Memorial Days brings the Peddler's Fair, Spring brings the Concours de Elegance and Elegant Auction, Fall brings the Chocolate Festival, the Sierra Arts Trail with visits to the studios, homes, and galleries of many of the artists in the area, Summer and Winter brings tourists or as my friend Kathy Watts use to say, "tourons" for camping, skiing, etc. People that you see at the market you see at Clayber's Coffee, the local espresso house, you will probably see the music teacher at the cinema (with 5 screens), there is never a time that you are in the grocery store that you don't see someone you know... it is a small town. There are the movers and shakers, Nancy who is dedicated to the education and culture of her children and others, David - the attorney who is married to the editor of the Sierra Star, the local newspaper, who is in charge of the Elegant Auction and use to have Simon, my son, drive him to the court house in Madera because he has trouble staying awake, Christine who is a checkout clerk at the market and she is on the school board (great checkout conversations), another schoool board member owned the cigarette shack, we have the drummer of a major rock band from the 80's, Louie and Coke Evans, who have been the pastor of National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, La Jolla Presbyterian Church, and the founder of Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Coke was a movie star, an author, a renown speaker to christian women and was on the board of directors for World Vision and Billy Graham. There are great artists, musicians, photographers, entrapenuers, chefs, writers, mothers, and such in this community. I love living here.
But I have got to tell you about someone whom I always kept an eye out. The Tamale and Jelly Lady. She would make great tamales (Mexican tamales (tamal is the Mexican "singular" use of the word) are packets of corn dough with a savory meat or sweet filling and typically wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves.) She would be at all the events and between events I would find her stand near the market or on the corner. Skid marks would always be found in front of her stand as people noticed her and slammed on their brakes to buy these great tamales and jellies. She would always have pomagrantes Jelly, (my favorite), elderberry, and many of the usuals ones like strawberry, peach, apricot, etc.
Well, last Sunday, I was driving home from camp and I saw the Tamale and Jelly Lady's signs. I drove around for about an hour looking for her and could not find her. I stopped off on the way and saw Jim and Amy Smith's new house, which is majestic, but I could not find the Tamale and Jelly Lady. My mouth was watering and my mind was focused on the wares and the whereabouts of this fine woman. NO TAMALES. She wasn't to be found.
The next day I left for my SoCal interviews in Azusa, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Midday on Tuesday, I get a call from one of my favorite people, Amy Smith, who's new house I stopped and peaked in the windows on Sunday, and she told me that the Tamale and Jelly Lady was arrested for murdering her husband. The Tamale and Jelly Lady Arrested! That sounds like something you would find on Arrested Development!
Then I started thinking, what was in the tamales...
But I have got to tell you about someone whom I always kept an eye out. The Tamale and Jelly Lady. She would make great tamales (Mexican tamales (tamal is the Mexican "singular" use of the word) are packets of corn dough with a savory meat or sweet filling and typically wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves.) She would be at all the events and between events I would find her stand near the market or on the corner. Skid marks would always be found in front of her stand as people noticed her and slammed on their brakes to buy these great tamales and jellies. She would always have pomagrantes Jelly, (my favorite), elderberry, and many of the usuals ones like strawberry, peach, apricot, etc.
Well, last Sunday, I was driving home from camp and I saw the Tamale and Jelly Lady's signs. I drove around for about an hour looking for her and could not find her. I stopped off on the way and saw Jim and Amy Smith's new house, which is majestic, but I could not find the Tamale and Jelly Lady. My mouth was watering and my mind was focused on the wares and the whereabouts of this fine woman. NO TAMALES. She wasn't to be found.
The next day I left for my SoCal interviews in Azusa, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Midday on Tuesday, I get a call from one of my favorite people, Amy Smith, who's new house I stopped and peaked in the windows on Sunday, and she told me that the Tamale and Jelly Lady was arrested for murdering her husband. The Tamale and Jelly Lady Arrested! That sounds like something you would find on Arrested Development!
Then I started thinking, what was in the tamales...
27 January 2005
Home for a brief time...
I put almost a thousand miles on the car this week, about 500 last week and next week I head off to Boulder, CO, Seattle and Spokane, WA for 8 days. That will just about wrap up my interviews with students applying to be on staff this summer.
I don't do CAMP FAIR type events to RECRUIT for staff. I have found in the past 13 years or so of doing this that the best person to find is someone who heard from someone who was on staff who knows what we do and loved it. When I have gone to camp fairs before, we all just line up our tables and people come by and comparison shop. That just brings people by who are looking for a job, most of the times, and not someone who is interest in what we do.
We have about 110 apps for 80 positions and for the most part we will not have too difficult time filling them. We are always looking for strong men to be Lead Counselors for our HighSchool, JuniorHigh, FamilyCamp program. Let me know if you know anyone who is interested.
I don't even want to talk about Teddy Kennedy or Barbara Boxer...
I don't do CAMP FAIR type events to RECRUIT for staff. I have found in the past 13 years or so of doing this that the best person to find is someone who heard from someone who was on staff who knows what we do and loved it. When I have gone to camp fairs before, we all just line up our tables and people come by and comparison shop. That just brings people by who are looking for a job, most of the times, and not someone who is interest in what we do.
We have about 110 apps for 80 positions and for the most part we will not have too difficult time filling them. We are always looking for strong men to be Lead Counselors for our HighSchool, JuniorHigh, FamilyCamp program. Let me know if you know anyone who is interested.
I don't even want to talk about Teddy Kennedy or Barbara Boxer...
20 January 2005
On the road...
I am out recruiting and interviewing for the summer staff positions. I love this time of year. I get to sit and talk for a half an hour to over 100 people. I was in Pacific Grove yesterday, Modesto today and tonight I drove to Sacramento.
Incredible people.
To take a side road...
Let's quit talking about the church as "those guys" but instead let's use the Body of Christ. Would that make any difference? I wonder if we stop looking at it as an institution and more as the incarnate manifestation of the Spirit of Christ and spend more of our time listening and obeying. What if pastors started to pastor which means to lead instead facilitate. I don't say this to criticize my dear brothers and sisters of the clothe, but instead of relying on your education as the mark of anointing, we rely on the direction of the Spirit. The Spirit may use something you read or something someone said, but instead we listen and move in faith only where He leads.
What if we spent more time smelling the coffee before we drink it?
It is late and I am in a hotel lobby typing up this blog. And someone is looking over my shoulder...
Peace.
Incredible people.
To take a side road...
Let's quit talking about the church as "those guys" but instead let's use the Body of Christ. Would that make any difference? I wonder if we stop looking at it as an institution and more as the incarnate manifestation of the Spirit of Christ and spend more of our time listening and obeying. What if pastors started to pastor which means to lead instead facilitate. I don't say this to criticize my dear brothers and sisters of the clothe, but instead of relying on your education as the mark of anointing, we rely on the direction of the Spirit. The Spirit may use something you read or something someone said, but instead we listen and move in faith only where He leads.
What if we spent more time smelling the coffee before we drink it?
It is late and I am in a hotel lobby typing up this blog. And someone is looking over my shoulder...
Peace.
18 January 2005
The fluff...
AnneB, I think the fluff is anything other than what God has called us to. Is our worship about Him or us. I can tell when it is fluff by when there is a power outage church is cancelled. When we can't use our powerPoint (and by the by I was joking when I referred to using PP at the Pina wedding) electric guitars, overheads, mood lights, wireless microphones, organs, parking ushers' orange vests, tape recorders, children's message, hearing adaptors...
I have sat in more committee meetings that talked about color of carpet, hymns vs praise songs, budgets, parking lots, worship service times, curriculum, prayer conferences, vision statements, church sign policy, wedding policy, sanctuary policy, youth room policy, key checkout policy, policy font policy, choir robes and bells, ... than I have meetings of sitting and listening to what God has to say. We usually announce those days with a special bulletin (there was a meeting on the bulletin once), and give it a spiffy title, usually very old testament sounding, and outlined with key people to do the different parts of the evening, who let us know they are the elders instead of believers. It is not normal for us to just gather, sit down, shut up and listen, there is usually announcements to let people know when the next Christian troopers are meeting, what music the old group is going to exercise to next Thursday, the name of the men's breakfast rightwing speaker who will be speaking on the trouble with the youth of today...
I think we add a lot of meetings to fill up the void of being still and knowing He is God. We have replaced the mystery with fellowship and reading the latest book that explains the formula of happy living. We substitute pain with short concise answers which sound great in the daylight but when you are alone on your pillow at night it seems like it is salt instead of life. We think we are doing wrong when we don't have the answers but I think the questions get bigger and the answers come over a long walk with the Teacher instead of a writer who tells us what the Teacher taught her but isn't necessarily relevant to us. Sometimes we have to discover the answer for ourselves instead of getting something that worked for someone else. One size does not fit all.
Fluff is putting numbers to salvation without rejoicing when one comes to know Him. It is more important to work on the name than the content. Rewarding someone for memorizing scripture but never putting them in a place of risk to use it.
This lifeFAITH we have must be alive and dynamic and can be quiet and brought out and liveout and can't be explained easily and looks different but when view from a distance one sees the same DNA of Christ.
It is alright to like a raspberry mocha as long as you can distinquish between the taste of the coffee and the raspberry, the chocolate, and the milk. But it is not coffee, it is coffee with stuff. I am not trying to be a coffee snob rather I want to become aware of the coffee again.
That is kind of what I mean by fluff. Good night AnneB.
I have sat in more committee meetings that talked about color of carpet, hymns vs praise songs, budgets, parking lots, worship service times, curriculum, prayer conferences, vision statements, church sign policy, wedding policy, sanctuary policy, youth room policy, key checkout policy, policy font policy, choir robes and bells, ... than I have meetings of sitting and listening to what God has to say. We usually announce those days with a special bulletin (there was a meeting on the bulletin once), and give it a spiffy title, usually very old testament sounding, and outlined with key people to do the different parts of the evening, who let us know they are the elders instead of believers. It is not normal for us to just gather, sit down, shut up and listen, there is usually announcements to let people know when the next Christian troopers are meeting, what music the old group is going to exercise to next Thursday, the name of the men's breakfast rightwing speaker who will be speaking on the trouble with the youth of today...
I think we add a lot of meetings to fill up the void of being still and knowing He is God. We have replaced the mystery with fellowship and reading the latest book that explains the formula of happy living. We substitute pain with short concise answers which sound great in the daylight but when you are alone on your pillow at night it seems like it is salt instead of life. We think we are doing wrong when we don't have the answers but I think the questions get bigger and the answers come over a long walk with the Teacher instead of a writer who tells us what the Teacher taught her but isn't necessarily relevant to us. Sometimes we have to discover the answer for ourselves instead of getting something that worked for someone else. One size does not fit all.
Fluff is putting numbers to salvation without rejoicing when one comes to know Him. It is more important to work on the name than the content. Rewarding someone for memorizing scripture but never putting them in a place of risk to use it.
This lifeFAITH we have must be alive and dynamic and can be quiet and brought out and liveout and can't be explained easily and looks different but when view from a distance one sees the same DNA of Christ.
It is alright to like a raspberry mocha as long as you can distinquish between the taste of the coffee and the raspberry, the chocolate, and the milk. But it is not coffee, it is coffee with stuff. I am not trying to be a coffee snob rather I want to become aware of the coffee again.
That is kind of what I mean by fluff. Good night AnneB.
17 January 2005
My espresso machine broke...
I love coffee. Strong and pure. I hate flavored coffee... hazelnut sucks, raspberry is obnoxious, I like straight coffee. I love espresso shots. The only other type I like is a sugar-free vanilla, breve, latte.
For Christmas, a few years back, I received from my family a Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine. It was great, used it every day, made my wife lattes, used it for Thanksgiving when the entire Biasells were eating at our house, and many other times. It was a valued piece of my morning structure. Well, it broke. Seems I blew out the gaskets on the boiler. It is out of warrenty, would cost almost $200 to fix. So I couldn't afford to replace it with the same same. So for my birthday I asked for a cheap Target, Mr. Coffee kind of espresso machine, to which I got one. It is not as good. But it makes a good shot of espresso which I like.
A good shot of espresso gives one the full flavor of coffee. No other flavors added. No fluff, no augmentation of flavor, just the coffee bean delivered in the medium of water. I started thinking this morning, after a few shots, (which is why this may be a dumb post) that I like a faith that is basic, no fluff, no augmentations, it isn't about the froth of the milk but the crema of the coffee. I have been told that good espresso must have good crema. The Barista used to give great crema! The mixture of gases and oils which emulsifies to give a good foam and keeps the flavor in is what I look for in a great cup of coffee. And I look for it in the life of a believer. The mixture of the SPIRIT and the yielded life of the DISCIPLE will always produce a great crema.
I think that the more stuff added the less the real flavor comes through. Then it is no longer about the coffee but the accoutrements. We add all this stuff on top so we don't taste it anymore. It is no longer coffee but coffee is nothing more than an ingredient. We get the buzz but not the full flavor. The buzz is a by-product not the full intent. I long for the fullness of the Spirit in a fellowship and not just the buzz. We hype up the buzz too much instead of the life with Christ. Sometimes I think people are more attracted to the stuff instead of Christ. Whether it is new stuff or old stuff it is still just stuff. I prefer Christ straight... strong and pure.
Time for another cup...
For Christmas, a few years back, I received from my family a Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine. It was great, used it every day, made my wife lattes, used it for Thanksgiving when the entire Biasells were eating at our house, and many other times. It was a valued piece of my morning structure. Well, it broke. Seems I blew out the gaskets on the boiler. It is out of warrenty, would cost almost $200 to fix. So I couldn't afford to replace it with the same same. So for my birthday I asked for a cheap Target, Mr. Coffee kind of espresso machine, to which I got one. It is not as good. But it makes a good shot of espresso which I like.
A good shot of espresso gives one the full flavor of coffee. No other flavors added. No fluff, no augmentation of flavor, just the coffee bean delivered in the medium of water. I started thinking this morning, after a few shots, (which is why this may be a dumb post) that I like a faith that is basic, no fluff, no augmentations, it isn't about the froth of the milk but the crema of the coffee. I have been told that good espresso must have good crema. The Barista used to give great crema! The mixture of gases and oils which emulsifies to give a good foam and keeps the flavor in is what I look for in a great cup of coffee. And I look for it in the life of a believer. The mixture of the SPIRIT and the yielded life of the DISCIPLE will always produce a great crema.
I think that the more stuff added the less the real flavor comes through. Then it is no longer about the coffee but the accoutrements. We add all this stuff on top so we don't taste it anymore. It is no longer coffee but coffee is nothing more than an ingredient. We get the buzz but not the full flavor. The buzz is a by-product not the full intent. I long for the fullness of the Spirit in a fellowship and not just the buzz. We hype up the buzz too much instead of the life with Christ. Sometimes I think people are more attracted to the stuff instead of Christ. Whether it is new stuff or old stuff it is still just stuff. I prefer Christ straight... strong and pure.
Time for another cup...
12 January 2005
Fifty-one years...
Today I turn 51. I have decided to make some changes...
Soften my heart for people. Become less critical and try to see their heart before judging them based on their behavior. Let the things that Christ says be more from my mouth instead of what has been downloaded by doctrine and decree. Become a disciple of Christ instead of the men of the pen. To know Him... not just know about Him.
Harden my intolerance for lies and deception. I think there are a lot of paths that are being carved out today that don't lead to anywhere but dispair and ruin. It is time to speak up, create, engage, and evaluate the message that would be as the angel told the shepherds, Simeon and the prophetess told the parents, and the Spirit testifies to us about this Christ who has come to bring peace and abundant life.
I don't want to give up on the body of Christ but I also don't want to tolerate a message of works, style, division, fear, arrogance, academics without the Spirit, towing a line because of affiliation rather than truth...
It is time to not be depressed, tired, apathetic, cynical, helpless, etc. He has not given us a spirit of fear but of boldness... I believe it is so that we would love and make disciples of Christ. I think at this point in my life I have more experience, understanding and I hope His discernment to carry on the next point in my life. So I am not young, trim, good looking with flowing curly hair as I was in my 20s but I think that fades so that it is more about our heart and spirit than our abs and checkbones.
To the next fifty-one...
Soften my heart for people. Become less critical and try to see their heart before judging them based on their behavior. Let the things that Christ says be more from my mouth instead of what has been downloaded by doctrine and decree. Become a disciple of Christ instead of the men of the pen. To know Him... not just know about Him.
Harden my intolerance for lies and deception. I think there are a lot of paths that are being carved out today that don't lead to anywhere but dispair and ruin. It is time to speak up, create, engage, and evaluate the message that would be as the angel told the shepherds, Simeon and the prophetess told the parents, and the Spirit testifies to us about this Christ who has come to bring peace and abundant life.
I don't want to give up on the body of Christ but I also don't want to tolerate a message of works, style, division, fear, arrogance, academics without the Spirit, towing a line because of affiliation rather than truth...
It is time to not be depressed, tired, apathetic, cynical, helpless, etc. He has not given us a spirit of fear but of boldness... I believe it is so that we would love and make disciples of Christ. I think at this point in my life I have more experience, understanding and I hope His discernment to carry on the next point in my life. So I am not young, trim, good looking with flowing curly hair as I was in my 20s but I think that fades so that it is more about our heart and spirit than our abs and checkbones.
To the next fifty-one...
09 January 2005
To the emergent...
I wake up every Sunday at 5:55am to watch my favorite television show, CBS Sunday Morning. I know, I know, "wake up to watch television?" But this is not just television, it is a class in the culture of the world today. This is what is going on outside of the 6:00 news. It has to do with art, music, dance, architecture, cinema, etc., but always about people. I love it.
This morning they had an article on the modern art museum in New York'’s Hudson Valley. The conversation between the journalist and the curator always seemed to come back to, "Is this really art or just a pile of junk?" And with a great smile on his face the curator just said that is the question and these artist answer it in their own way. And to the contemporary artist many feel that modern art is passe and now art takes form within a space not defined by the canvas but by the experience. I loved the art work and enjoyed the discussion.
It made me think of the conversation we find ourselves in constantly... "Is this worship?" Many answer it as the curator does. What defines worship? Is worship an artform or a precise form set out by The Worshipped and not the worshiper? Have we lost touch with that which pleases The Worshipped? I don't think only the worship of the past few decades pleased Him (or for those who are emergent Her/Him/It). We do a lot on our feelings instead of the Worshipped's feeling. What pleases The Worshipped is a true worshiper found in John 4:23, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." I don't think it is stylistic or requires equipment or candles or whatever, but it does require a heart of worship. (An side story - I heard Matt Redman's Heart of Worship done with so much studio arrangement that it lost the entire message and much of his credibility.)
I have been leading people in worship for over twenty-five years and was just told by someone that I shouldn't be doing it now because her son isn't interested in coming to church unless there is someone his age leading. She also excluded a twenty something that leads periodically. I immediately thought we must get someone in here his age. Then, I thought what are we doing, I've seen this kid "lead" worship and all he did was play the songs and not bring us to worship. We are more concern to day about bringing people to church than we are about bring them to the throne.
I am all for using contemporary methods to bring our hearts into the throneroom of the Worshipped as long as the heart is engaged and not just the flesh. Is worship only in the liturgy of the 60 - 90's, I don't think so. I love the quietness that is arranged in some of today's liturgy but I wonder if when we give room for reflection have we taught what is to be reflected? I think we haven't taught the purpose of the liturgy to those and so they are lost. Instead of defining, we throw out.
I am tired of the discussion, I am ready for the action. What new charities, programs, businesses, clinics, etc. have been started by the emergent community? Let's begin telling stories of action instead of philosophy of deconstruction. What new things have been started by this emergent community other than worship services? Tell stories, I would love to hear them. I know Steve Hart started a church that reaches out to a disregarded people in Spokane, the Cosbys are training up young people in a program THEY started at Calvin Crest. What else? What are people doing with their $100,000.00+ educations they have gotten from private or public schools?
And...
One of my resolutions is for this year and for my life is to get rid of the foul language that has been erupting from my lips as of late. I heard someone say that what they like about me is that I wasn't afraid to cuss. I have been ruminating on that for the past few days, I have been hearing people I love break out with the f bombs and other "foul" language and thought, "that is what they like about me?" I hope they would like me for my heart, mind, spirit, and words that would bring peace and instructions, instead of words that should never be used around my mother or my wife.
Just some thoughts...
This morning they had an article on the modern art museum in New York'’s Hudson Valley. The conversation between the journalist and the curator always seemed to come back to, "Is this really art or just a pile of junk?" And with a great smile on his face the curator just said that is the question and these artist answer it in their own way. And to the contemporary artist many feel that modern art is passe and now art takes form within a space not defined by the canvas but by the experience. I loved the art work and enjoyed the discussion.
It made me think of the conversation we find ourselves in constantly... "Is this worship?" Many answer it as the curator does. What defines worship? Is worship an artform or a precise form set out by The Worshipped and not the worshiper? Have we lost touch with that which pleases The Worshipped? I don't think only the worship of the past few decades pleased Him (or for those who are emergent Her/Him/It). We do a lot on our feelings instead of the Worshipped's feeling. What pleases The Worshipped is a true worshiper found in John 4:23, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." I don't think it is stylistic or requires equipment or candles or whatever, but it does require a heart of worship. (An side story - I heard Matt Redman's Heart of Worship done with so much studio arrangement that it lost the entire message and much of his credibility.)
I have been leading people in worship for over twenty-five years and was just told by someone that I shouldn't be doing it now because her son isn't interested in coming to church unless there is someone his age leading. She also excluded a twenty something that leads periodically. I immediately thought we must get someone in here his age. Then, I thought what are we doing, I've seen this kid "lead" worship and all he did was play the songs and not bring us to worship. We are more concern to day about bringing people to church than we are about bring them to the throne.
I am all for using contemporary methods to bring our hearts into the throneroom of the Worshipped as long as the heart is engaged and not just the flesh. Is worship only in the liturgy of the 60 - 90's, I don't think so. I love the quietness that is arranged in some of today's liturgy but I wonder if when we give room for reflection have we taught what is to be reflected? I think we haven't taught the purpose of the liturgy to those and so they are lost. Instead of defining, we throw out.
I am tired of the discussion, I am ready for the action. What new charities, programs, businesses, clinics, etc. have been started by the emergent community? Let's begin telling stories of action instead of philosophy of deconstruction. What new things have been started by this emergent community other than worship services? Tell stories, I would love to hear them. I know Steve Hart started a church that reaches out to a disregarded people in Spokane, the Cosbys are training up young people in a program THEY started at Calvin Crest. What else? What are people doing with their $100,000.00+ educations they have gotten from private or public schools?
And...
One of my resolutions is for this year and for my life is to get rid of the foul language that has been erupting from my lips as of late. I heard someone say that what they like about me is that I wasn't afraid to cuss. I have been ruminating on that for the past few days, I have been hearing people I love break out with the f bombs and other "foul" language and thought, "that is what they like about me?" I hope they would like me for my heart, mind, spirit, and words that would bring peace and instructions, instead of words that should never be used around my mother or my wife.
Just some thoughts...
02 January 2005
Pina's wedding...
What a great wedding and reception. The Spirit was there and so were a lot of other great friends and family. No PowerPoint, though...
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