Good Week...not too many tears

My brother is here. Tim is one of my favorite people on the entire planet. Throwing darts, snack'n on chips and salsa, and shooting pool are a few of my favorite things to do with him. This week we actually played backgammon and chess. It is so cool to hear my kids screamin "Uncle Tim, Uncle Tim!" I'm not sure how he feels about the chaos that is our house, but I am so thankful for the extraordinary effort he makes each year to come to California.

I had breakfast with Journeyman. Over two hours of some of the most refreshing listening and sharing I've done in a long time. The coffee was good and so was the stuffed french toast. I love being with passionate people. I asked a question like... "Hey, What's up with Riverside..." and watched his face light up and whole countenance come alive. Very valuable stuff as I consider ministry in a formally rural area that's currently very suburban but trying very hard to become increasingly urban (not Riverside but similair in some ways). "Quintessential example of a post modern urban center"... I think those were his exact words. Good times.

I had a great meeting with my sp. Very Positive. Several at-a-boys. Good advice. Hope for tomorrow. More Good stuff.

I had four meetings with students this week. Tuesday night Christmas party. Campus ministry at the middle school on Wednesday. Main youth meeting on Wednesday night. Annual mall shopping trip on Friday. I had many chances to think about my own strengths and weaknesses in youth ministry. I also had many chances just to enjoy serving some of the finest young people on the planet.

You can see why there's been few updates. Big announcements are happening over the next eight days, and my emotions are out of control everyday. Look for a major summary a week from now. I can't believe this is really happening. I have no reference points for swimming through this. It feels good, but I'm scared.

Do I really have to navigate Christmas in the middle of all this? HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Jesus is LORD! Ho Ho Ho. For some reason I feel a little like the Santa in "A Christmas Story". HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Saying the words, but stepping on a kids face with my boot. Seriously, Merry Christmas.

Breaking of Bread or Compartmentalized...continued.

I am encouraged (and slightly overwhelmed) by the diversity and depth of meaningful relationships God has allowed in my life right now. Last night the feast of thoughts continued. Leah and I had some long time friends and mentors to our house for a time of shared carne asada, shared hurts, and shared dreams.

Why does scripture speak so much to "breaking bread together"? The closest we came last night was breaking tortillas, but I'm always amazed at how food facilitates fellowship. In my efforts to get smaller I am really trying to move away from the idea that food=fun, but have you tried the new Dryers "Loaded" line of ice cream? It's really fun! I guess I need more friends that like to discuss theology at the gym. I wonder how much the disciples learned walking town to town with Jesus?

Today I'm wrestling with ideas like purpose, confession, integrity, mission, and friendship. I really just want to walk with Jesus. I'm so thankful that others are on the same journey. It may come with different labels (charismatic renewal, multiplication movement, or the emergent church) and even different demonstrations. But with in all these "movements", I see some common thoughts and goals working together across old borders and separations. Despite the ugly disagreements and accusations, there is this overwhelming desire to know Jesus, and to make Him known. This is genuine and authentic with the folks I hang out with, and I just feel like it's exactly what we need. I am hopeful for tomorrow.

Wall of Gratitude...Pipergirl77

Ever since I heard Zig Ziglar and his motivational mobsters I have tried to be intentional about thanking those who have made a difference in my life. Pipergirl 77 is the #1 referer to my page. For this I say thank you. And by the way... her and her hubby celebrated 5 years of marriage yesterday. Way to go Mr. and Mrs. G. Also, Thanks for training our dog and being fantastic friends.

Night of Elegance

I slept for 8 hours last night. I got up, checked my grass, started the Tigger movie for Isaac and went back to bed. This didn't last long, but still, today I feel like a human being again. Sure I have to work on my normal scheduled holy sabbath, but next week... I'll be hang'n with Journeyman listening to the cool sounds of Cobalt Season. I am so excited the church I work at has lasted twenty years. I will be more excited when this silly anniversary celebration is over. Anybody want a free tri tip sandwich? Come celebrate with us on saturday if you're not doing something else.

So last Saturday was, Night of Elegance, our annual prom alternative. This was one of the most frustrating and challenging events I've ever put together. It all started with an extremely unpleasant situation on the reservation line with a dinner theater, which was quickly resolved by a restaurant and catering representative. So I thought. When I called Friday to confirm our reservations they couldn't find us, and then told me the representative we'd been working with no longer worked there, and we had not been scheduled for any tours. WHACK! This only added to the nail biting that started two days before when the nice lady who was going to donate limo service called and said "I'm sorry. It's not going to work out. There's nothing I can do." BOOF! So on Saturday, the actual day of, our photographer got stuck in traffic and the Super Strecthed Excursion, we were paying full price for, couldn't make it. "BAZOOKO!" Do you ever feel like you must be the evil villian in an old Batman show?

I certainly did. Anyway the night came off wonderfully. We ended up having one way transport to the Queen Mary in an H2 Limo (goes against my acute Ford affections) which was really nice and our driver "G" was awesome. All the students looked fantastic and Eric was able to get some fantastic shots which we gave to the students for free. Dinner at Sir Winstons' was awesome and none of us encountered the paranormal aboard the ship (supposedly it's haunted). It was great to hear students ask questions like "Filet mignon...What's that?", or "What's the point of a sorbet palette cleanser?", and "Oops...Did I use the wrong fork?".

This is the nicest place I've ever eaten. Introducing fine dining, and Crem burlee to students is just as fun as when you take them to see snow or the ocean for the first time. Besides the obvious spiritual growth that I hope occurs because of my "job", My favorite thing about what I do is helping students create lifelong memories. After dinner we took a moonlit walk around the boat and headed out in the W.C.A. 15 passenger van. Thanks for the hook-ups Pastor Ben! It was perfect. So we showed up Silicone Valley Style (Limo) and went home Moreno Valley Style (old church van with no radio and a noisy a/c). The van gave us freedom to crash Hunnington Pier and In-N-Out burger before getting home at about 2AM Sunday morning. The pier was very romantic and alot of fun (Ever seen a student catch a fish with his hand while he's wearing a three piece suit?) So Like I said, the night came off wonderfully. Several parents even said thank you and as far as I know...no one got drunk or laid.

A Special thanks to Ben Schoening (if any of you graduated from Vanguard University, he's your new alumni asst. director guy) and Eric Hedman (New Life Photography). these guys made the night both affordable and memorable. If anyone is looking to give away any money please call these guys. If you need VU alumni relations please call Ben and if you need photos please call Eric. To them, as promised, I am eternally grateful.

Check Out the Links

I'm officially hooked on this blogging thing. I'm gonna try to make things not so generic... in my free time. Today I added some links of folks I follow through the blogoshere. Some of these folks fall into more than one category. I did my best to not just have a typical list of links. Hopefully the creativity doesn't thwart the functionality. There are a handful of other folks in my reader, and a few who are still trying to figure out RSS, I might add them later. Enjoy the love and expand your horizons. Check them out.

I don't own a storage unit.

I received some research results from Focus on the Family this week that suggests Clergy have greater happiness and job satisfaction than most other occupations. The irony in that is the award winning percentage was like 67% are happy at their job! Isn't that great! Only 33% of those who have the call of God on their life are miserable and unsastified! And most of those are probably Baptists (there's no research for this, I'm just guessing). All jokes aside... I do like my job, and I am priveledged to be friends with some of the most gifted communicators on the planet. The problem is, I'm always working when they are preaching. This creates a real conflict when I go on vacation and want to visit 7 different churches on one sunday and my wife is thinking we should just do church in the car. So I came home from conference on Saturday and was catching up on all my bloghead buddies and found out my friend Dan was preaching at the Grove this last weekend. I was mildly dissapointed I couldn't be there but I had to play the "guy in charge" at our church this last weekend. Divine appointments? God brought the same message to our church via Dave Ruiz, (the coolest trumpet playing Russian missionary you'll ever meet)! Of course, I had to listen to Dan's message via the streaming video and BAM, it was like getting hit again (but in a good way). So here's a snapshot of the conversation that took place in my kitchen.

"So maybe adoption is not just, like maybe we should consider that, if we can't have kids... maybe this is how we as christians should be living out our faith." says my wife.

"Dan Lance and Dave Ruiz would certainly agree with you." says me.

"But do you?" asks my wife.

Why does God always hit me with the one two punch? Why is Pastor Dan hitting me with this spiritual uppercut? Why during a week when my checking account is a mess, and I'm scheduled for a vasectamy on Thursday, is God speaking to me about growing my family? I guess it's time to "prayerfully consider" being a little less comfortable. What will it look like to care for the orphans and widows? I somehow feel like Dodgeball for Rwanda is not enough.

"I-bot-a-hon-da-I-should-a-bot-a-yah-ma-ha"

Today's post has nothing to do with my lack of interest in motor cross, but it is a suggested theme for some Jesus Junk I was re-introduced to through my friend Dan.

I spent the past week at the 2007 Fellowship of Christian Assmeblies International Conference at Church for All Nations in Tacoma, WA. Not the coolest conference you could go to, but a breath of fresh air into my spirit. The theme was Live a Legacy, Leave a Legacy... and I am so thankful for the history, and legacy, and traditions, that have brought me to the place I am. I was moved by Bishop Joseph Garlington's message from the Emmaus road ( a re occuring theme in my devotinal life as well as a major launch point for the BLC retreat I did around Easter). "Dance with the one who brung you" was his application point. I get so tired of christians being wierd...especially petecostals. Like who thinks it's a good idea to print "tongue phrases" on a white t and then sale them for $50!?! I get just as fed up with the guys on TV that claim Jesus wants everybody to be healthy and wealthy. Casey Treat and Bishop Garlington, speakers at the conference, I'm sure are friends with those guys, but I did appreciate their balanced perspective and approach, at least at this conference. Somehow I left this conference realizing these weird people are my brothers and sisters, some of them are spiritual fathers and mothers, and for that...I'm happy to be connected to these weirdos!

I remember sitting in a room with Brian Mc Laren and hearing him say something to the effect of "there is nothing wrong with charasmatics, they're just like 4th graders". Like "they have a good foundation they just haven't learned the 6th grade curriculum yet." I know it wasn't his intention, but I strangely felt he was saying he was better than me. I have found heart harmony with Mc Laren and other emerging authors like Tony Jones and Len Sweet. I've been capivated by the writings of folks like Mc Manus, Bell, Nouwen, Willard. I have found friendship and grace among those in the "emerging conversations", and I have yet to meet someone who is really for moral realivitism. Many of my friends have found wholeness, peace and rest in more orthodox mainline churches. I look at the freedom, resources, and tools available to church planters in other traditions, and all of these things lead me to ask the question... "Why am I serving in the church I grew up in?" Perhaps I should not only jump ship, but like Cortez... burn the ships so I don't ever go back.

And then I spend this week at this conference. There were alot of other young people there. Granted, most of them are related to someone on the national board, but there were alot of other young people there. There was a diversity of races at these meetings. Workshops were directed at politics, cultural events, and some were specificaly focused to youth workers. Issues such as race, justice, and the excessiveness of word faith teaching were at least addressed, albeit much differently than I would have liked to seen. These are good signs. It seems like this old white gentleman's club is at least looking for a different horse than the dead one they are riding. I feel hopeful that this purposefully unorganized and non authoritive organization is moving through some exciting changes. I am hopeful that this fellowship of automous churches would begin working together to plant many new autonomous churches. I am hopefully that there will be enough grace extended to emerging thinkers like myself that the "young fellowship ministers" don't feel compelled to become Baptists or Vineyarders or Presbyters. Maybe I'll start a new group... "The Reformed FCA" or "FCA village" or maybe some cool name like "FOUTH WAVE". Maybe not. For now I am content to dance with the one who brung me. This sometimes confused "post-charasmatic" is hopeful. I am thankful to recieve a legacy of purity, faithfulness, and mystery. And I am committed to leaving a similair legacy that leaves more room for inclusion, education, diversity, disciplines, and mystery.

I think I'm going to download that old Petra song... "Dance with the one you know who got you there, Dance - with the one who brung ya, Don't change hats. You know which one you wear!" Does anyone still have the "Unseen Power" cassette?

Cobalt Season releases a new album...

Check it out here.

"Voting Divides"

Feel like you're looking at a bunch of word snapshots? Just a few more. In our small group Sunday night we were discussing what "may your kingdom come" might look like. My friend Paul brings up something we teach in our 101 class, voting divides. He expresses his joy that our church votes on so little, mentions his hurts from being in churches that vote on so much, comments on how the Kingdom is not a democracy, and then takes it to the next step that I don't always hear from folks in our church... "just look at our country".

We have to be citizens of Heaven first, Americans second and Republicrats last.

Even if you think Obama is the antichrist... we have to work together.

My name and the word "sex" in the same post

So Topherspoon gets some major love from Journeyman and Journeyman gets some major love from Marko. Are there seven levels of seperation?... or only three?

Me and Los writing about the same stuff...

So there's this guy, who leads worship at this church, that is way cooler than me. What do you mean the guy or the church? Yes...they're both way cooler than me.

But he wrote this...

And I wrote this...

Makes me feel way cool! But then says cool isn't important.

More than Missions Minded

Recently, through the acts29 network, and also through a good friend of mine, I've stumbled upon the writings of a reformed, church planter, who seems to be contributing a valuable perspective into this "emerging" conversation we find ourselves in. His name is TIM (to those who went looking for John, I apologize) Keller. In his article "The Missional Church", he identifies five key elements found in a missional church. I thought they were worth displaying here...

1. Discourse the Vernacular.

2. Enter and Retell the culture's stories, with the Gospel.

3. Theologically train lay people for public life and vocation.

4. Create Christian Community which is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive.

5. Practice Christian Unity as much as possible on the local level.

Any thoughts?

7 in 1

I feel like I could leave a million entries today. But seven is a number of completion; so I will limit myself to one scattered and unorganized entry that goes in approximately seven directions.

1. My Brother is home from his trip. He seems much more healthy, and for that I rejoice with him. He also came home with a new found love for Portland, OR. I've never really spent time in Portland but I find it interesting that despite having more Restauraunt/Brewerys than most cities, Mens Fitness rated it one of the "fittest cities" in America.

2. 303 - the magic number
This is what my scale read this morning. Down 57. 53 to go by Labor Day. I'm hopeful, and I feel good.

3. Went to my first ever book club meeting. I was there about three and a half hours. Felt too short, kinda like listening to Rob Bell. I am so thankful for the fellowship, challenges, and even just the space. It was wonderful! I tell my geek friends it was Thursday night D & D gathering. My cohorts are named Damien and Dan. Looking forward to a larger group next month. Just one thing I wish had been said... see #7.

4. One story I shared at the book club...
I have the great privledge this year of being someone's mentor for the notorious Valley View High School Senior Project. I had taken my mentee along with me to do campus ministry at the local middle school, (in all fairness he drove so I guess he took me). Any way, this is one of my core kids, one who I feel like "gets it", who's actually thinking through stuff, and hearing God speak. We were sitting in his car, between the school's lunches, eating our own lunch, just chillin, talking about life, dreams, ministry, etc. And this truck pulls up and offers these four girls a ride. I made some comment like, "get a load of this guy, what do you think his real motivation is?" Sam (not the student's real name) says, "I know that guy. He goes to my school. He's the coolest guy! I would totally trust my sister with him. He's probably just trying to help. More than anyone else I know he totally goes out of his way to try to help people" I said, "that's cool, sounds very Christ like". Sam says, "Oh there's no way he's a christian, he cusses all the time"

I was dumbfounded. I have failed. In hindsight I wish I'd gone off, "What the @#$%! Thats Bull@#!%" But I didn't. I largely let it go to be followed up on later. See #7.

5. My son Isaac, recently watched Charlotte's Web giving him a highly tuned radar for all the cobwebs in our house. Leah was cleaning them, and Isaac was helping with his questions and encouragements. Why are you taking those down mama? Why don't ours' have letters in them? Where is the spider going to live? Did you get it all? There's some! Get that! You did it mom! Finally, they were done, and Isaac waves his hands in the air and says "Praise Mama!" Leah quickly corrected him and said, "Isaac, We praise Jesus...not mommy".

Got me thinking of a metaphor for Jesus... Is he LORD? Is he my Homeboy? Maybe he's my MAMA? Like a mother hen protecting her nest...I think that's in the Psalms. Anyway... Who's yer Daddy? And what kind of legacy am I leaving my kids?...see #7

6. So last week I finished three books, (add a check mark next to "read more"). One was by a "fallen minister", one was by a "catholic priest", and one was by a guy who knocks suburbia but lives in the OC. After removing my tongue from my cheek, I realize God is using these three distinctive books to collectively speak to me where I am.

"Fly fishing, Dog Training and Discipleship..." by Ted Haggard was tough to finish. Mainly statements like "No one on our staff has secrets" and "I get frustrated when ministers don't handle their own issues first" were difficult to swallow in light of recent events. HOWEVER, I enjoyed the book. The idea of "free market" groups, was intriuging, and I'm ready to think of discipleship differently.

"In the name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen is a classic that cut to my core. It really is all about Jesus. I was reminded of the importance of doing ministry...together...with others and was totally refreshed and renewed. Everyone considering christian leadership should read this short but weighty book.

"The Jesus of Suburbia" by Mike Erre was the launching point for the book club. This book had few original ground shaking ideas, however it was an effective summary of many other voices I'm listening to. Mike comes across as a real person and presents the material in a easily accesible manner. Drawing all these thoughts together, connecting the dots in a sense, and pointing to this false Jesus, was helpful though, and I appreciate his observations. Like alot of what's out there, it was lacking a little in the "what should we do different category" but at least it seemed headed in the right direction. It was a great read...see #7

#7 So here it is... #7. In Erre's book, I was most captivated by the statements that began something like "As a parent, I hope...".

While I struggle to find answers to what "church" should be like now, maybe the better questions are; "What kind of church do I want to leave for my kids?", "What pre-conceived notions, if any, do I want them to have when they face their own challenges of faith?", "What legacy, heritage, and traditions, am I leaving that might direct my kids to Jesus, the Kingdom, and being a blessing?"

Through out our discussions last night, It kept coming up... "How are they paying for that?". "What about providing for your family?", "Can I be SURE, because my decisions are going to affect other people?" With three kids, these questions are ones I've asked and carry with me most days. This morning the fear I'm feeling is not so much "not providing", but "not demonstrating Jesus". I want to introduce my children to the wild and dangerous adventure that is following Jesus! I want them to know what it's like to be the friend of sinners, and to face head on, the risk involved with that. I want them to know that being a Christian is so much more than "not cussing or drinking". I want them to know why they believe what they believe. And I hope they never stop asking "Why Daddy...?" May it be so.

"It Smells Like Beer"

My wife, and kids, and I were at Wendy's after church last sunday visiting with some long time friends of ours. Brian and Paula, are missionaries home on furlough, and both have had quite the impact on Leah and I. Brian is one of the deepest, most profound, persons I know. There's times when he takes these long breathes, and then he makes this face, this face that might look mean if you didn't know him well, and following those long breathes he speaks these words that seem like radio transmissions directly from Heaven. He has been a prophetic voice in my life and I can recall the times he has prayed over me better than most other times. Paula has a smile that cuts to the heart and brings encouragement with out words even being spoke. These two are some of my favorite people.

So Brian had mentioned to me that his family would be partaking in their annual Christmas tree burning ritual the following day. I was intrigued by this unorthodox practice, and was sure that this must be a deep, powerful, and moving experience for his family. I approached Paula about it and asked several times... "but what is the signifigance of the ceremony". Finally she explained... "nothing, I'm just married to a pyro!" Laughing she insisted that we smell their van. Hesitant, because ours often smells of old chicken nuggets and french fries, I did. The van, stuffed with fir branches, was full of Christmas conifer aroma, and I felt like they were some how sharing their family tradition with us. Isaac, wanting to do whatever his dad does, also smelled the van; and in his loudest four year old voice proclaims... "It smells like beer!"

Now I have not been able to figure out why Isaac associated the smell of tree branches with the smell of fermented beverage, but in a group of fundalmentalist, charismatic, recovering pharisees this was about the funniest thing anyone could have said! We said good night, got in our own van and drove home. Laughing... Quietly... then outloud, and again quietly. I was so encouraged by the fellowship of other believers. Why is it I sometimes expect God to only work in profound deep "aha" moments? Why is it I sometimes miss the general revelation he has intentionaly placed with in creation?

I am reminded once again, and I am so thankful, that God has created us to be in relationship, not just with Him, but also with others... and sometimes those relationships or at least the places where those relationships grow... are very ordinary and somewhat routine. I am reminded that if I'm not careful I might miss these moments. I am reminded that these messages of encouragement often come from unexpected places and that sometimes...well, they may smell like beer.