Abundant Life

"...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" - John 10:10

I remember watching a VHS of Mark Lowry when I was a kid. He described the ups and downs of life using a wavy motion with his hands. He then went on to the describe the abundant life of a christian using the same but much bigger wavy motion with his hands.

Is that the best we get? higher highs? lower lows? I feel like I am at an abundant low. A messy pit I may never really climb out of. At the same time I feel like I'm racing to a peak and am hopeful it doesnt "peak" but keeps climbing. Make sense?

Perhaps the good shepherd is calling us to a way that is not just bigger, but also different, and also infinetly better. I long to know his voice, to experience his means of grace, and to share it with others. May it be so.

It's not a "oneafta"...

Normally youth pastors always get to speak on the same sundays; the "oneafta" Christmas, the "oneafta" Thanksgiving, the "oneafta" New Years. There's also the "onebefor"s... labor day, memorial day, etc. I think you get the picture. Topherspoon gets to preach this Sunday. Here's a peek at my title and the "Green Day-esque" background I'm thinking of using for my power point. What do you think?

Morality

This week I killed a gopher (with my kids watching), stole a vacum belt from Wal-Mart, and watched the movie "Flightplan". The movie is probably not worth your time, but when it was over, I thought, "all that for only $50,000". The bad guys do what they do (trying not to be a spoiler here) motivated by $50 Grand. It just seemed like not much money for all the planning, personal sacrifice, and killing of others.

I remember when I worked for Brown. Some of my co-workers got fired for eating cherries that fell out of a box. The premise was; "if they'd eat some one else's fruit, what would they do if a diamond ring fell out of a box?" Does anyone besides me think this is a poor premise?

This week I read the story of Rahab (from the book of Joshua in the Hebrew scriptures). She's the harlot that God spares for lying about the spies she hid. SPARED FOR LYING.

So glad there is grace in Jesus. So glad he looks at our hearts. So glad I'm not the judge.

Happy Father's Day... I did knock!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's that read TTSM.

Last night I watched Nanny McPhee with my kids. Fun movie! Kinda like Mary Poppins but it stars Emma Thompson. Reminded me that our true beauty comes from how we bless others. It also has some other great themes approriate for today. "Children, Obey your parents" and "Fathers, don't exasperate your children". Anybody else see this?

Heaven, Exodus, and Ordination

I finished Simply Christian yesterday... before the book club. This represents a small miracle. I actually had a wonderful opportunity to sit in a manicured courtyard at University of San Diego and read for over an hour. It was cool. The birds were singing. The breeze was blowing. And I could smell the low tide. I sat at a table with a virgin Mary statue reading over my shoulder while I went through the second section of this meaningful work by an Anglican Priest. This is about as multi-cultural as I get. I'm kidding. NT Wright is wonderfully balanced, gracious, and on views of biblical history, seems fairly conservative. I enjoyed his book and the discussion at the book club immensely.

N T Wright communicates this re occurring theme through out his book. There are circumstances where heaven and earth intersect. With out getting too far out there (some of our book club discussion was on witching hours, Constantine, and Celtic thin spaces), I think this is a beautiful and accurate picture of kingdom living. While we wait for the second coming, be it a "left behind" type rapture or a more ahmillennial "new heaven and new earth", may we live our lives in such a way that heaven can intersect with earth. May HIS will be done on earth as it is in heaven, even here and now.

Another reoccurring theme is the scriptural idea of exodus and return. This was an encouragement to me. Even when we seem like we are lost in the desert, God's plan is still the promised land. This was something I needed to here.

So much of our discussion at book club was not related at all to the book. As we were all cleaning up I find out Rev Rock, well he's not really a Rev. In fact, he's kinda opposed to ordination. I spent all morning trying to find the biblical example with certificates and clergy cards and inscribing REV on your Bible. Those specifics aren't there! My own ordination service was a wonderful time of confirming what God had already spoken in my life, alot like the laying on of hands we see in Acts. Licensing was done behind closed doors but my ordination was out in the open alot like baptism is a public confession of faith. Kevin suggested that licensing you can get out of, but ordination is for a lime time. I know this is irrelevant to most of you, but it's got me all stirred up. I'll post more later. Your thoughts?

We heaped a bunch of rocks!

There's this passage in the Hebrew scriptures. God's chosen people are being pursued by an enemy and the Jordan river flows between them and freedom. According to the scriptures, the river drives up just as the priest carrying the ark of the covenant set foot in the water and then God's people walk across on dry land. Once everyone crossed, God tells His people to make a heap of rocks, 12 to be specific. The rocks were to be a monument, a reminder of what God had done. The rocks were an inspiration for future generations.

Yesterday the church where I serve celebrated it's 20th anniversary. This is the church I grew up in. I was there in the early years, for 10 years before leaving to help at a church plant. We've been back for five years already. All that to say, this 20 year history largely connects to my own history, story, and testimony. Through all the challenges and frustrations, it has been a wonderful ride and I am so thankful for the foundation that has been built in my life. It is a joy to serve where I grew up, and to be a part of an exciting future full of wonderful changes, new births, and I'm sure, more challenges and frustrations.
It was a blast to show my kids the pictures of when their Daddy was ten and building a church, or having class in a bus, or eating outside at our camp (that now has a beautiful indoor dining hall). It was a joy to introduce them to old friends and to let them hear and share in the old stories. It was almost like they were asking... "Hey Dad, What's up with those rocks by the river?" I thoughly enjoyed the weekend celebration.

A Biblical Limerick

(inspired by Judges 1:12-14)

Othneil captured Kiriath Sepher
Acsah married him and called him dear
She desired a field
An agreement was sealed
When she got off her ass and her rear.

Devour Someboby Else... Not me

This was the main application point from our guest's sermon at church tonight. Pastor Ted delievered a whole message on avoiding the enemy. Point number two...steer clear of those false doctrines. Came home and saw this from Dan Kimball...

Which one is truth? Truth? Common? Sacred? Profane?

Can we at least put the pick ax away until we figure it out? I have good friends who might be described as "rampaging fundamentalists". I also have good friends that some might call "hyper-Calvinists". (see previous post) It makes it really hard to have a bithday party. The first group freaks out if you serve beer and the second group freaks out if you don't. Neither of them have enough grace for O'douls, not even the amber! What would it take for us all to hang out on the same rock and try to show the rest of the world Jesus?

"Are you a Nazi?"

So tonight during our home group he had two points of discussion. Fasting and Materialism.

Quote of the night... "I'm from Germany. People always ask me... Do people joke around in Germany? Do they have candy in Germany? Are you a Nazi?"

I have no idea what this has to do with fasting or materialism, but it was the comment that impacted me. Why are we so insulting when we are trying to learn about others? May God bust open our boxes and give us new eyes to see people the way He sees them.

"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?

I spy a Gideon...with out a tie.

Friday was the California State Gideon's International Convention Pastor's Appreciation Banquet. This really is a cool thing the Gideons do at all their conventions and I've had the privilege of attending at the local, state, and national levels. It always involves a catered meal for both my wife and I. So I arrange for a sitter and make it a hot date. In all honesty there's this sweet old guy named Ray who always invites us and I just can't tell him no. My wife and I are always by far the youngest people there. It is also always an adventure in Christian sub culture. Friday night, my wife somehow got to the hotel with two left shoes. So we headed to San Berdoo's fabulous Carousel Mall (worth an entire post in itself) to search out a new pair of matching shoes. This caused us to be about 30 minutes late, and the Gideon's always start on time. Our hosts were so gracious in getting us a seat, but everyone at our table had already eaten. This set off a whole situation comedy as the other 6 people at our table communicated to the help; "These two haven't eaten", "Those two right there, they need plates", "I already told them! It should be here by now", "I'm sorry you're waiting so long...I told them you needed plates", "Can we get plates for these two?", "Who's in charge here?", "I would prefer decaf", "Does she have a dessert?", "Excuse me, they haven't eaten". It was hillarious and mildly embarassing. Makes me wonder if Christians are the service industry's worst nightmare. I'm pretty sure the wait staff was not leaving the hall talking about the graciousness of these Christ followers. Gideons are so quirky. After almost three decades of hearing Gideon presentations I'm still not sure what qualifies you as a "Christian business or professional man". Also the whole "MAN" part is a little freaky to me. The way they seemingly disciminate against women, hold the King James Versions in such high esteem, and become strangely territorial about their camps are all reasons for suspicion in my book. But despite these suspicions, I have a hard time not celebrating an orgaization that works so diligently to distribute scripture. Did I share that they usually only give away half the Bible (a testament), and that what they call "the plan of salvation" fits on two testament sized pages? Despite these additional frustrations I love these guys! They "get" the whole narrative concept... and I love to hear Gideon testimonies, when they don't put me to sleep. This last bash was so refreshing and fun because the speaker was captivating and entertaining. I found out the Gideon's were working hard to change the image of the old school boring Gideon presentations, and were actually doing some training intensives to make sure they were "on their game". Big news... they are now printing some testaments in the NKJV! Also found out some old friends of ours are part of the state leadership. She is the state president of the Gideon Auxillary (where Gideon's send their wives to pray for them and not teach men). All right I'm taking my tongue out of my cheek. Sounds like the Gideon's are getting a little bit progressive. If this wasn't enough we had the State V.P. at out church this morning for a 10 minute presentation (Thank God, they don't get the whole sermon time anymore). During our contemporary service he took off his jacket and tie! A Gideon with no tie, holding a NKJV, and nobody fell asleep, it was a beautiful morning! Why doesn't everyone go here and make a donation just because you're thinking of me?! May God Bless the Gideon's International!

Another Haiku... and some jewish prophecy

working together
recieving more than vision
may Your kingdom come

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness
like a never-failing stream! - Amos 5:24