just click the pic...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And the computer programmer.
Our youth group here at church is working through a month long series on identity: how do we see ourselves?
How do we think others see us?
How do we wish that others saw us?
And most importantly, how does God see us?
How in the world can teenagers develop healthy answers to those kinds of questions when all the images they see in media basically lie to them about what beauty is?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Another great quote...
Erwin McManus said,
"When are we going to realize that the church does not exist to serve us. We ARE the church and WE exist to serve others.
"When are we going to realize that the church does not exist to serve us. We ARE the church and WE exist to serve others.
Two Tragic True Stories
Number One:
Craig Groeschel tells a story about being a guest preacher at a small church while he was in seminary. He is talking to the secretary a few days before he is scheduled to come preach. She tells him, "You better be good. We've got a visitor coming this week and we desperately need a few new tithers to be able to pay the bills."
So Craig shows up on Sunday morning and he's standing outside a few minutes before church starts. Then he sees "the visitor." She staggers out of her car. Looks like she slept in what she is wearing at that moment. She looks scared. But she makes herself head for the door.
Craig says that his first thought is that he wonders what's going on in this woman's life to make her seek out church. And this church.
But as Craig sympathetically watches her make her way towards the door, suddenly a greeter steps towards her. And the greeter says, "Young lady, we dress up for God at this church."
The woman breaks into sobs and runs for her car.
Number Two
Julia Druin tells a story about Matt. He islegally blind and unable to drive, but he used public transportation to live a very productive life. Matt is a deep thinker and loves Reformed theology. He has a massive library and loves to have heady conversations about God.
Matt has struggled to find a church. There aren't many churches in which Matt fits theologically that are within walking distance of the bus route.
Matt finally found a church he liked. And the church leadership agreed to try to find a family to give him a ride. They did for awhile. Then the family began to forget on occasion. Matt would get dressed and go wait outside. They'd never show. When Matt called the church staff, they told him he was on his own.
Matt hasn't been back to church since.
Question: Who are we here for?
Craig Groeschel tells a story about being a guest preacher at a small church while he was in seminary. He is talking to the secretary a few days before he is scheduled to come preach. She tells him, "You better be good. We've got a visitor coming this week and we desperately need a few new tithers to be able to pay the bills."
So Craig shows up on Sunday morning and he's standing outside a few minutes before church starts. Then he sees "the visitor." She staggers out of her car. Looks like she slept in what she is wearing at that moment. She looks scared. But she makes herself head for the door.
Craig says that his first thought is that he wonders what's going on in this woman's life to make her seek out church. And this church.
But as Craig sympathetically watches her make her way towards the door, suddenly a greeter steps towards her. And the greeter says, "Young lady, we dress up for God at this church."
The woman breaks into sobs and runs for her car.
Number Two
Julia Druin tells a story about Matt. He islegally blind and unable to drive, but he used public transportation to live a very productive life. Matt is a deep thinker and loves Reformed theology. He has a massive library and loves to have heady conversations about God.
Matt has struggled to find a church. There aren't many churches in which Matt fits theologically that are within walking distance of the bus route.
Matt finally found a church he liked. And the church leadership agreed to try to find a family to give him a ride. They did for awhile. Then the family began to forget on occasion. Matt would get dressed and go wait outside. They'd never show. When Matt called the church staff, they told him he was on his own.
Matt hasn't been back to church since.
Question: Who are we here for?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Back in the days of slavery...
What time frame do you think of when you hear that phrase in the title?
It think of the antebellum South.
Did you know that today, October 2nd, 2008, there are more people held in slavery than at any other time in the history of the world.
Today.
When you think about that fact, where do you imagine those slaves are?
Cambodia? Darfur? Chicago?
I met one once. In Los Angeles. She had escaped. But prior to that, she was held by a guy who made her work in the sex trade. She was forced to dance at night. He took most of what she made. Then he locked her up every night inside the barber shop he owned. She slept on the floor. Her life wasn't her own. Actually she didn't own anything. She was owned.
In America.
There are 27 million people held in slavery right now.
Just thought you might want to know.
Click here to learn more about it:
Call and Response
It think of the antebellum South.
Did you know that today, October 2nd, 2008, there are more people held in slavery than at any other time in the history of the world.
Today.
When you think about that fact, where do you imagine those slaves are?
Cambodia? Darfur? Chicago?
I met one once. In Los Angeles. She had escaped. But prior to that, she was held by a guy who made her work in the sex trade. She was forced to dance at night. He took most of what she made. Then he locked her up every night inside the barber shop he owned. She slept on the floor. Her life wasn't her own. Actually she didn't own anything. She was owned.
In America.
There are 27 million people held in slavery right now.
Just thought you might want to know.
Click here to learn more about it:
Call and Response
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Melissa in Malawi, part 2
Just heard from Melissa again.
Her suitcase finally turned up today (3 days after she arrived).
She said that she and her dad are having a phenomenal trip. One suprising thing they've discovered: there are virtually no NGO's (non profits, aid groups, etc) in that particular part of Malawi. On the one hand that is tragic because the folks there just aren't getting much help. On the other hand, though, that's great. It feels like we are definitely heading in the right place.
She was able to arrange a partnership with a local hospital that will provide the leadership for digging wells in the region. That is another win/win. It guarantees local knowledge of the need. It ensures adequate local support for upkeep of the wells. And it means that local contractors will be the ones hired to do the actual digging.
Melissa also had a great day of visiting with the Opportunity International representatives in Mulanje. She was asked to share with one of the Trust Groups (a partnership of loan recipients) about her hopes for this Meet Malawi project. Melissa told me she broke into tears sharing about the amazing hospitality and welcome she had received and about how her heart for others was expanded by the heart of the group she was sitting with.
Those folks in Mulanje are incredibly excited about the group of us coming back there next year!!!
Melissa is spending the next 3 days building relationships with local churches in the region. She has stumbled across a fantastic friendship with a young couple who are being incredibly helpful. The wife is a health worker (trained in the U.K. thanks to a church partnership). She is going to drive Melissa into several small villages a bit further away from the population center. Some places that don't get alot of attention. But some places where the church in Malawi is active. Melissa is awfully excited about the possibilities.
One funny story. Most of the people they meet just naturally assume her dad is in charge and they talk to him. Her dad has started answering them all by saying, "I'm just here to carry her luggage. She's the boss."
Keep her and her dad in your prayers.
Her suitcase finally turned up today (3 days after she arrived).
She said that she and her dad are having a phenomenal trip. One suprising thing they've discovered: there are virtually no NGO's (non profits, aid groups, etc) in that particular part of Malawi. On the one hand that is tragic because the folks there just aren't getting much help. On the other hand, though, that's great. It feels like we are definitely heading in the right place.
She was able to arrange a partnership with a local hospital that will provide the leadership for digging wells in the region. That is another win/win. It guarantees local knowledge of the need. It ensures adequate local support for upkeep of the wells. And it means that local contractors will be the ones hired to do the actual digging.
Melissa also had a great day of visiting with the Opportunity International representatives in Mulanje. She was asked to share with one of the Trust Groups (a partnership of loan recipients) about her hopes for this Meet Malawi project. Melissa told me she broke into tears sharing about the amazing hospitality and welcome she had received and about how her heart for others was expanded by the heart of the group she was sitting with.
Those folks in Mulanje are incredibly excited about the group of us coming back there next year!!!
Melissa is spending the next 3 days building relationships with local churches in the region. She has stumbled across a fantastic friendship with a young couple who are being incredibly helpful. The wife is a health worker (trained in the U.K. thanks to a church partnership). She is going to drive Melissa into several small villages a bit further away from the population center. Some places that don't get alot of attention. But some places where the church in Malawi is active. Melissa is awfully excited about the possibilities.
One funny story. Most of the people they meet just naturally assume her dad is in charge and they talk to him. Her dad has started answering them all by saying, "I'm just here to carry her luggage. She's the boss."
Keep her and her dad in your prayers.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
"See through" faith
Been wrestling with the idea of grace alot lately. We spent a month this summer talking about GRACE at the Launch. At first, I was a bit bothered with having to come up with 5 different sermons about grace. But on the back side of that series, I feel like we barely scratched the surface.
My latest thought on grace: We simply cannot experience grace in the parts of our lives that we hide from others.
The more I think about the culture of church, the more I see how we all too often create an atmosphere where TRANSPARENCY is not really allowed. Joy is allowed (at least at the Launch). Emotion shows up on occasion. Thoughtfulness is encouraged. But if we're honest, TRANSPARENCY is discouraged.
Transparency means we let people see us as we really are. It means we're honest with ourselves, and with God, and with those around us.
The scriptures talk about being in the light; walking in the light. In the light, you can see. In the darkness, you can't see.
Have you ever seen someone try to hug a kid who doesn't really want to be hugged? That's what I think it's like to try to live in the embrace of Jesus when there are these parts of our life that we are trying to hide.
Grace is such a better way to live. It is the heart of God. It is embrace, full and unrestrained embrace, regardless of what we've done. And you can't really enjoy that embrace while your arms are crossed on your chest because you don't really want to be honest about what's going on deep down.
How do we carve out safe places in our family of faith where we can lay it all on the table and even still be reminded of the great big hug of God, garbage and all?
My latest thought on grace: We simply cannot experience grace in the parts of our lives that we hide from others.
The more I think about the culture of church, the more I see how we all too often create an atmosphere where TRANSPARENCY is not really allowed. Joy is allowed (at least at the Launch). Emotion shows up on occasion. Thoughtfulness is encouraged. But if we're honest, TRANSPARENCY is discouraged.
Transparency means we let people see us as we really are. It means we're honest with ourselves, and with God, and with those around us.
The scriptures talk about being in the light; walking in the light. In the light, you can see. In the darkness, you can't see.
Have you ever seen someone try to hug a kid who doesn't really want to be hugged? That's what I think it's like to try to live in the embrace of Jesus when there are these parts of our life that we are trying to hide.
Grace is such a better way to live. It is the heart of God. It is embrace, full and unrestrained embrace, regardless of what we've done. And you can't really enjoy that embrace while your arms are crossed on your chest because you don't really want to be honest about what's going on deep down.
How do we carve out safe places in our family of faith where we can lay it all on the table and even still be reminded of the great big hug of God, garbage and all?
Monday, September 29, 2008
Melissa in Malawi
Just talked to Melissa. She called from Lilongwe, Malawi. Her and her dad are having a great trip so far. The trip there was long but fairly smooth. Until they arrived. Melissa's luggage is nowhere to be found. Pray that turns up. But its really just clothes. She'll be in phone contact for another day or so until they drive over to Mulanje where they'll be for 3 days before starting the long trip back. Keep her in your prayers.
Monday, September 22, 2008
My new favorite song EVER!!!!
Sorry about the long delay between postings. But we're back with a doozy.
Jaron's been working on some new tunes for worship. What do ya'll think of this one?
What's really revealing about this song is that it reminds us: Jesus is like a "Mountie".
That's quality.
Jaron's been working on some new tunes for worship. What do ya'll think of this one?
What's really revealing about this song is that it reminds us: Jesus is like a "Mountie".
That's quality.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A time for eveything - especially for partying
Write it down:
September 7th: One Year Anniversary Celebration
and Fall Kick-off for
THE LAUNCH!!!
During worship - we're gonna celebrate what God has done this past year. It will be a nostalgic look back at the year that was. And an awe inspiring challenge for the year ahead. We'll laugh; we'll cry; we'll eat donuts.
And after worship - we're gonna party. Hope you can join us for catered BBQ. Tons of games and activities for the kiddos. And, rumor has it, a dunk tank where you can show your pastors how much you love us!!!
Remember - we're back to our normal schedule starting this Sunday!
9am - classes for all ages
10:30am - worship in "sanctuteria / cafetorium."
11:45am - BBQ / Party under the big tent in front of Barkstall.
Hope to see you there!
September 7th: One Year Anniversary Celebration
and Fall Kick-off for
THE LAUNCH!!!
During worship - we're gonna celebrate what God has done this past year. It will be a nostalgic look back at the year that was. And an awe inspiring challenge for the year ahead. We'll laugh; we'll cry; we'll eat donuts.
And after worship - we're gonna party. Hope you can join us for catered BBQ. Tons of games and activities for the kiddos. And, rumor has it, a dunk tank where you can show your pastors how much you love us!!!
Remember - we're back to our normal schedule starting this Sunday!
9am - classes for all ages
10:30am - worship in "sanctuteria / cafetorium."
11:45am - BBQ / Party under the big tent in front of Barkstall.
Hope to see you there!
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