Balance

Already this week, I’ve mentioned what I do not love. In order to bring some much coveted balance to the week, things that are loved must be mentioned.

• We live ~ 1 mile from church. I love that.
• Shari was recently adding up how much a few items would cost. As she was adding, she counted with her fingers. I love that.
• It’s allergy season and I sneeze a lot. I don’t like that. But when I sneeze Kyla says “bless you Daddy.” That’s the best.
• Kyla’s pure delight when she sees a monkey in her book (as captured on my bad cell phone camera).
  

What do you love?

Simply Christian = Simply Good

I recently re-read Simply Christian by NT Wright. It continues to be one of the more beneficial books that I’ve read in the past year. It says things well without using big words.

In the book, Wright does not set out to prove that Christianity is right; he intends to demonstrate how Christianity is salvific.

Along the way, he describes the Kingdom of God, salvation, the mission of Jesus, and the mystery of the trinity in ways that resonated pretty strongly (for me).

The book may not be as good as Surprised by Hope, which I could read over and over again for the next year, but it is still really good.

Here is one of my favorite quotes. In this quote, Wright is discussing the nature of the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God:

Despite what you might think from some excitement in the previous generation about new spiritual experiences, God doesn’t give people the Holy Spirit in order to let them enjoy the spiritual equivalent of a day at Disney Land. Of course, if you’re downcast and gloomy, the fresh wind of the God’s Spirit can and often does give a new perspective on everything and, above all, grants a sense of God’s presence, love, comfort, and even joy.

But the point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into all the world the news that he is Lord, and that he has won the victory over the forces of evil, that a new world has opened up, and that we are to make it happen. (122)

Good.

Tedious

Normally this little piece of the internet strives to be positive. Or, when critical, at least constructive. This will not be either.

Is there any process more tedious than packing/moving/unpacking?

Don’t get me wrong, we couldn’t be happier with where we are moving to: the community is nice, the church is full of gracious people, etc.

Packing, moving, and unpacking, however, does not fit my definition of a good time.

But that is probably because we have too much stuff!

Calling All Phone Experts

In a month I’m free: my phone contract expires. At that point, in order to get the phone discount, I’ll probably enter into 2 more years of bondage.

I know next to nothing about cell phones so I’m asking for your help. Unfortunately, the phone needs to be compatible with Verizon. Shari’s entire family uses Verizon and they talk a lot so the in-network calling is essential.

Here are the features that I would like:

• Full keyboard
• Ability to use Gmail
• Can store lots of contacts
• When you call, I can hear you and you can hear me
• Not bulky
• Won’t cause cancer

Phone experts, what are my options?

Donald Miller Prayed

With the beginning of the Democratic National Convention, political season is in full swing. Generally, this blog will shy away from political issues. While the issues are important, commentary on said issues is best left to political analysts. Plus, politics are naturally divisive.

But last night something happened that lends itself to discussion via this blog.

Donald Miller, author of wildly popular among evangelical twenty-somethings books (Blue Like Jazz and others), prayed the benediction at the Democratic National Convention last night.

Here is the full text of the prayer:

“Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Help us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments-but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen.”

I would love your thoughts on Donald Miller’s prayer and, specifically, on these two questions:

If asked, would you agree to pray at such an event?

If you were given opportunity to pray at such an event how would you have prayed?

Ground rule for discussion: be kind.

Week 1

If you have been a regular reader, you know that our family has been in transition. A few months ago we agreed to become the Sr. Pastor at Lafayette First Church of the Nazarene. Yesterday was our first Sunday.

It was a great day.

Lafayette First Church of the Nazarene is a great church and we’re so glad that God has connected our journeys.

Yesterday we talked about how the real presence of Jesus can live within us and how our lives can be caught up in the life of God. The beauty of the Christian life is that our journey with Jesus is through the Holy Spirit - which means that the very presence of God fills us.

We often talk about our relationship with God as if God is our companion - and that is a good thing - but that doesn’t entirely paint an accurate picture. For the Christian, God has become who we are so we can become who He is. God lives within us.

That is good news.

Supermarkets Have Long Lines

I’ve had a little bit of extra time lately. So, I’ve used my extra time to help Shari by picking up random things at supermarkets. There are two supermarkets right by our house - Kroger and Superwalmart.

I have very strong feelings about Superwalmart and they are not good. Yes you can buy food for your lawn, food for your pet, and food for yourself all in the same place while getting your car’s oil changed. But, you might as well make it a day trip.

Today’s chart pays homage to my recent shopping experiences.

Back At It

It’s been a long time. Shari and I were able to sneak away and visit family over the past couple days. We drove from Indy to St. Louis to Springfield, IL to Indy.

Spending time with our family was great. It is really enjoyable to watch Kyla interact with Grandma and Grandpa. And, on this trip, I got the opportunity to visit the church I grew up in. Really cool to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones and to reconnect with some friends.

Things I Learned at the Indiana State Fair

Yesterday Shari, Kyla and myself were good Hoosiers. We went to the Indiana State Fair. It’s a journey (maybe even a religious pilgrimage) every citizen of this great state should make. When you are there, you learn things.

It is the best and the worst smelling place on earth. The combination of roasting corn and grilled meats is phenomenally good. However, the aroma produced by the swine hall is not so good.

People sleep next to their cows. The cattle halls are littered with tents. People, I’m assuming, spend the night in those tents right next to where their cows are hanging out. I told Shari that it was like a modern day ‘Noah’s ark.’

You can grow corn in a street median. The medians of the streets of the State Fairgrounds have corn growing in them. How clever. I think cities should adopt this. Instead of concrete or grass weed-filled lane dividers, medians could be used as spaces for corn. Residents, neighbors, and animals could help themselves to a delicious ear for dinner!

I’ve included some photos. Enjoy!

We love corn!

Happy!

Country Girls

Luke 15 and the Olympics

Yesterday I preached out of Luke 15 and, although it didn’t play a large part in the sermon, I was personally struck by these words of Jesus: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven…” and “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God…”

We celebrate what is meaningful to us: birthdays, anniversaries, new life, new marriages, promotions… At District Assemblies in the Church of the Nazarene we celebrate increased membership and budgets paid in full. At our jobs we celebrate new clients, earnings reports, and deadlines met. In our homes we celebrate first steps, successful potty training, and report cards.

Last night, Michael Phelps and the rest of his teammates won the gold medal in the 4×100 relay. Their reaction upon winning was almost better than the race itself - pure celebration. And millions of Americans, screaming at their televisions, celebrated with them.

At the risk of drawing too spiritual of an analogy, the Kingdom of God celebrates too. People lost at the edges of society reclaimed by love, outcasts included, despair filled lives reclaimed, broken families and broken communities restored…the Kingdom of God celebrates these things.