A Cup of Rich

2004-10-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Taking spiritual temperature

While my Dad was here, he shared a story that really spoke to me. He told how his Priest and good friend, Father Joe had once had a marvelous collection of religious icons. They were gathered from Russia and all over the world and worth thousands of dollars. But there was a point at which the desire to get more and more artifacts to add to this collection became to great and Father Joe gave away all the icons. That's right, gave them away. He told my Dad that when one's possessions possess you that it is time for a change.

Every now and again it is wise to stop and do a self assessment. Where am I in the "in the world but not of the world" equation. This is not an easy thing to ration out. And I am not going to run out and give away all my books and CDs I assure you. But it is a sobering thing to contemplate. To stop and meditate and pray "How am I doing with you today God?".

2004-10-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Moving the archives today.

2004-10-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Sabbath

My Dad and Step-Mom came up from Vegas to visit. We've had a great time! It's so good to see them. Especially after the loss of my Father in Law it has made me ever mindful of the preciousness of life and the value of loved ones.

We went to a Roman Catholic mass today as my Dad and Step Mom are Catholic. Heck I would go anyway. Anyhow it rocked. I love the liturgy, strong symbolism, and the power of belief in the sacraments. They are so full of substance! And I was suprised at how many people of all kinds of different ages there were present. In this town, most of the old style churches are dying out (just a hand full of old folks clinging on). But not the Roman Catholic church. I'm only guessing but I'll bet the young folks are into it b/c of the power of the liturgy and symbolism and mystery. Intriguing.

Well, it's been a good weekend. I hope all of you are having a blessed and restful Sabbath. It's back to the grind tomorrow...and the the mighty peace of Christ be with us all.

2004-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Touchable

I have just begun reading Robert E. Webber's new book: Ancient Future Time, and before I was hardly into it had me pausing and ruminating. Right away Webber postulates that the immersing oneself in the seasons and feasts of the Church can lead to a centering on Christ. Lead to a deepening of faith. Not through superficial observance, but through the exploration of these deep themes revolve mightily around Jesus.

It harkens to the process that Paul describe so well of "putting on Christ" and "dying so that Christ can live in me". These are very profound processes that can be distinctly difficult in our tyranny of hurry culture and our natural tendency toward self centeredness. Oh how it robs us.

So it gave me to pause these thoughts. It's like waking up one morning with a aching thirst. It's at poignant moments like these that you realize again that the only important thing in the world is Jesus. Not the mystical and the magical. No...the earthy, gritty, touchable nature of this God we serve. That is the mighty part of the presence of God. The approachable nature of God. That's why I signed on. Because he loved me first. Because he came after me.

2004-10-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Suit twins

Did anyone else notice that Bush and Kerry were wearing nearly identical suits in last last nights debate? I mean same color and style of coat, same white dotted red tie, even identical flag pin on their lapels (and in the nearly identical locations). Weird.

2004-10-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Prayer

Found the following prayer out of a neat little children's book that I found at the library:

Lord God, you took great big handfuls of chaos and made galaxies and stars and solar systems and night and day and sun and rain and snow and me.

I take paint and crayon and paper and make worlds, too, along with you. It's fun. Thank you.

- Madeleine L'Engle and Maria Rooney, Anytime Prayers

2004-10-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

Free download?

Hey, I heard that Sarah Mclachlan (sp?) is offering a free download of her song "World on Fire" from itunes. However, after going over there I didn't see any such offer. Does anyone know anything about this? Is the offer past due?

2004-10-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Don't look now, but me ol' blog is moving and will soon have a new look. Iggie has generously offered to resign it and I am moving to...errrrr....I think XML. If you miss my final announcement never fear, there is supposed to be a banner coming soon announcing the change and I'll probably send out a blanket e-mail to everyone in my blog roll.

2004-10-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

wild dreaming

This morning I recalled a couple stories I was told years ago of some American POWs who were held in North Vietnamese prison camps. To survive, they both came up with wild and imaginative plans. The first fellow had a two fold plan: 1. He pretended to be crazy so the guards would leave him alone and 2. He memorized every persons name that he came into contact with. After his release he was able to confirm hundreds of people as being alive still. Another fellow kept himself by building an imaginary house...nail by nail, dry wall by dry wall. When he was released, his dreaming was so intricate that he built that house without a single plan written down.

And it's these stories that are inspiration to me today. That though you (figurative you) might be in a confined and dark situation, you can still dream wild dreams. Still dream intricate dreams that will one day come to fruition. Though waiting on God is occurring, not only can activity occurr, it can be a very productive time. And Perhaps the intenseness of suffering can be a crucible/catalyst for this.

So, I'm going to begin to start examining what wild dream might be within me. Who knows what might happen. And when I am finally released...look out!

2004-10-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Positive portrayal

Last night, as I trekked off to bed, Deb was watching Without A Trace. It's not a show that we watch religiously. But I couldn't help but notice the portrayal of the woman who was missing. The opening scene of the program shows a nurse cleansing the burns of a patient and a shiny silver cross hangs outside her scrubs. Driving home she gets a flat tire and she goes missing. The FBI agents are called in and are talking to a coworker nurse who says of her that she "it would take God breaking the 10 commandments for her to leave. Most nurses last 6 months here as it's the hardest ward in the hospital. But she has been here for 7 years." The FBI agent says something like "I guess it was her faith that kept her going". The nurse says something like "it would have to be".

Then, I went to bed and have no idea what the outcome of the show was. But it doesn't matter. In between the usual media portrayals of "Christians" as being pedifiliacs or narrow minded bigots etc., every now and again there is one of these gems. Whatever the reason for it coming into being, I'm grateful.

2004-10-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

Peeved

I ran into a friend of mine at a funding conference for non-profit organizations. He runs a ministry in town that cares for people in prison. He expressed to me his frustration in the difficulty in trying to get funding for his ministry. He told me how funding keeps getting scarcer, full of more paperwork, and how people generally don't care about other people in prison. He's so frustrated that he's strongly considering moving to Denver. And I don't blame him.

Running a para church ministry can't be easy as it is. But being in VERY conservative rural Colorado compounds the problem I'm sure. The prevailing attitude that I've experienced is that we should lock these people up and throw away the key. But Jerome, my friend, quoted a statistic that is telling, that 80% of those inmates will return to prison after committing crimes again after they get out. And that's just plain sad.

It's also sad that the Church won't own up to this problem. Jesus told of this responsibility several times. More then that, it's at the heart of the Gospel. At the heart of the call. We are called to those less fortunate than ourselves. Called to even bless our enemies. Told that when we visit those in prison that we visit Jesus himself.

Don't know where I'm going with this. I'm just getting more and more peeved at stuff like this I guess.

2004-10-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Eternal Sunshine

Watched the new Jim Carrie (sp?) film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Yeah, try and say that title 10 times real fast. It was a trippy offbeat film but quite profound. It reminded me somewhat of Vanilla Sky for it's surrealness. Jim does an excellent job of acting in this non comical work.

For me it was the message that really makes the film. I don't want to give too much away but it speaks loudly of appreciating what you have and about grace. And that message alone is worth the cost of rental.

2004-10-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Broohaha

In light of all the political broohaha of late...this campaign is most welcome.

2004-10-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

Belated celebration

Finally, today is the official celebration of my B-day. Friday was just too busy with Yours Truly working 12 hours *ack!*. Yesterday was equally as harrying as Deb cleaned her Mom's house (or should I say Mansion) that takes 6-8 hours to clean. Add on the 3 hours travel time, obligatory visits to other relatives, and Rich caring for a baby and two wild-things and You've got a recipe for French fried Rich!

So, today I'm looking forward to serious rest. NO work...just rest. And if that occurs, it will be a good B-day indeed. :^)

2004-10-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Moving Where?!

And in other recent news, it looks like Andrew Jones is going to move yet again, this time to the Orkney Islands. Yep, that what I said...the Orkney Islands! The same Orkney Islands that are at the tippy most tippy top of Scotland (and all the British Islands). I'm told that these islands are windswept, devoid of trees, and will freeze your keester off even in the Summer. But they have ave tons of Celtic heritage and history behind them. And, Andrew tells how there has been a significant about of Prophetic utterance about these islands foretelling there significance for today. So, I'm thinking Andrew is both whack and yet I'm intrigued by this prospect. It should be interesting to see what happens next. Who knows, maybe I'll visit one day!

2004-10-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Grief

Recently, Jordon Cooper wrote in his blog about the difficulty in relating to others over the death of his Father (back in June). As you may know, my Father-in-Law died about a month ago. So, I wrote this in response:

...like you, we have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of caring from friends and aquaintances. But already, that outpouring has trickled away. Insanely, most people seem to expect the grieving to have ceased now scarcely 1 month later. They will commonly ask how's Deborah (as if it were the common cold)? And I feel like shaking them really hard and asking them in return "Her Daddy died, how do you think she is???!!". Equally, if not more insipid is the occasional Church'ian expectation that we who are Followers of Christ should have instant shiny peace that shuns even the smallest shred of grief.

I actually don't truly hold anyone to accountable for either of the two responses above. Unless you go through this, it is difficult to know what it is like. And I know that people have to get on with their lives. And I'm not even sure how I want them to respond. Maybe they are doing their best.

But the point should be made, and forgive me if I've said this before, but we MUST go through grief. It is part of the healing process...a part of life. REALLY bad things happen if we don't grieve. And for that reason, strategies to pretend that it doesn't exist are very, very dangerous.

2004-09-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Young at heart

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I am turning the big 40 (also commonly known as the "black" birthday). But as I approach it, it does not seem so ominous. I have to say that 40 doesn't seem so old after all. Sure, agewise I guess I can't be considered chronologically "young" any longer. And I wince at the term "middle aged". But I feel good. And I think I'm pretty young at heart.

I love what Robert E. Webber says in his book the Younger Evangelicals that "younger evangelicals" are those who, agewise, are either actual 20 somethings or those who are "young at heart". I'm glad that I still have an in with the latter.

2004-09-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

Labyrinths?

I'm trying to find a labyrinth somewhere close by. There used to be a good list at http://www.labyrinth.co.uk but it no longer appears to be active. Does anyone know where I can find a labyrinth in Colorado (preferably close by to Zip Code 81212)? Thanks!

2004-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

New Look?

After over two years of rocking the same look on my blog I am starting to grow weary of it. But I don't currently have the technical know how and don't know where to begin. Probably such a venture would be a good time to move over to a different server (is that the right term?) rather than blogger. Blogger's been good to me, and you can't beat free, but I've just heard there are greener pastures with more capability.

I'm probably going to start with my Brother (genetically speaking)Brent who is very wise in the way of techie stuff. Then I'll start planning. Which ever way you slice it, this is going to take awhile as I just don't have much time. But, it gives me something hobby'ish to work towards.

Your advice is valued. Thanks and blessings 2U on this Sabbath.

2004-09-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Detour

Last week I made a very difficult decision. Deb and I have been feeling it for awhile. We decided to go back to the established church. Not permanently mind you. Though we've had significant pressure from others stuck in old models to go back...that's not why. And it isn't b/c we no longer dig emerging stuff. Nope, it has everything with how hard it's become trying to "do" something emerging in the midst of all that's been happening.

I don't consider it a defeat in any way. No matter where we go, we will "be" emerging. As I mentioned before, the time will come again when we will "do" something emerging. Already I'm feeling God shut up His fire of this call in my bones. So, this change shall be truly interesting. Perhaps it's best considered a detour.

2004-09-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Great TV

Last night's episode of Joan was hard. As she struggled with doubt, faith, etc it was very real I thought. Something that all of us can relate to at some point and some degree. When she said goodbye to God it was very difficult to watch. In fact, I related to the level of struggle that Joan's family is going through.

What was nice was to see the light emerging out of the darkness. It was a delightful surprise to see Joan's Mom journey ever closer to Truth and Adam encouraging Joan that her faith is well founded. Good stuff.

2004-09-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

Love your neighbor?

I watched a snippet of a very interesting show on PBS Wed night (the title escapes me for the moment) that compared the lives of Sigmund Freud and one of my heros, C.S. Lewis. The show contrasted the povs of these two individuals and then consulted with a group of experts that vary int their povs. Freud was a staunch atheist and Lewis, naturally a devout Christian.

The topic came up on the panel as to the legitimacy of "loving one's neighbor". Freud criticized this notion by asserting that human beings are incapable of this kind of love as they will always seek their own gratification (usually sexual in nature). The Lewis response on the program floored me. In the mock dialogue Lewis essentially told Freud that he was right, that human beings are incapable of agape love (spelled out in Lewis' famous tome The Four Loves) but that it takes God to enable men to do so (and a willful decision on the part of humans to allow God to act).

I was equally surprised that the panel, composed of mostly people that weren't Christ Followers that almost unanimously agreed that loving one's neighbor is to be sought after. Only one fellow who is a self avowed Atheist himself disagreed. Fascinating stuff.

I could go on...and probably will...but I have to get to work.

Thoughts?

2004-09-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

Hurry up and wait

Right now I'm sitting in an internet cafe' in Denver on a biz trip. I am grateful to have found a place to blog. Colorado is remarkably devoid of these kind of places.

Please forgive the lack of blogging lately. I recently took a second, temp consuting job and it takes up some time. That and just life has been CRAZY of late. Many of the same circumstances continue...which brings me to today's thought.

I keep thinking about the words from a friend who said:

I am where I am...I am not somewhere else. Whether or not I am satisfied with it, I am where I am. I can be upset about it, or I can enjoy God and be attentive to his Love.

Words to live by those. Sure, they can be taken to the extreme which can lead to inactivity. And God does indeed expect activity out of me. It reminds me much of my military days mentality of hurry up and wait. I am in the "wait" phase of that. And I don't know about you, but my life is NOT lacking for inactivity. I could use less not more busy-ness.

I'll be chewing on this for quite some time. Till then, take care of yourself. Shalom!

2004-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

I'm baaaack...

I have returned from break-neck-speed-sojourn to Socal and back. Man, I don't want to do that again for a long, long time. 18 hours alone in my car was BORING! There was copious amounts of prayer time though. Lots of time spent listening to, talking to, and singing to God. I was really hoping for some definitive guidance from him on some things that I've been slogging through...but mostly I just got "trust me" and "wait on me".

But I did come away with an enlarged vision of sorts. The trip itself was quite a bit like stepping back in time. In case I haven't explained, I grew up in Socal, and haven't been back there is, oooooh...6 years. Definitely kind of weird.

More to come....

2004-09-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Quiz time

Every now and again it's a good idea to inject some mirth in the mix here. Soooooooo, here' s an interesting quiz that Stef from the Exwitch forum posted. Here's my results:

What RELIGION BESTS SUITS YOU?"

Holy Roller
Jumping, dancing, praising and speaking in tongues are just some of the many things you do to honor your god. If you meet one of the un-saved, you pray for them. You are kind, caring and full of Christ's love. Perhaps a bit obsessive, but at least you're true to your faith. PRAISE THE LORD!

Lol! So, where did I put that tambourine? ;^)

2004-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

I surrender all...

I was answering a good friend's message this morning asking how I and my family are doing after the death of my Father in Law. And as I wrote it, I thought that part of it might be good as an update on my blog. So here it is:

Y'know, the mourning really comes in waves. We're doing ok (emphasis on just ok). My wife is still really broken up. But she's a strong woman and doing her best to cope. A girlfriend of hers recently lost her father (about a year ago) and told her that Deb should feel free to grieve and not listen to others (often other believers...though well meaning) who offer drive by platitudes and speed on their way.

You asked what you can, and the answer is continue to pray. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. The devil is on the rampage...and the entire family is under tremendous assault right now. But, sometimes I can actually FEEL the prayers. And most people have been awesome with their shows of caring and support.

One thing I am doing right now is just trying to surrender constantly to God and his will. Not trying to figure things out...just surrendering. I think we Christ followers so often pay lip service to "surrendering" (in fact I think it's in the Christianese lexicon along with "burden", "blessed", "saved" and the ever popular "I got a check in my spirit"). But, I don't know about you, in practicing this "surrendering" I've found it much harder to accomplish than what I have often been led to believe. Usually my process of surrendering is more akin to a wrestling match with God.

Thanks for coming by, friends. Btw, pls remember I will gone Saturday, Sunday, and Monday driving from SoCal to CO. Your prayers for traveling mercies wouldn't suck.

2004-09-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Oops!

Bill or Jeannie Nowell....if you're reading this send me an e-mail please. I lost your e-mail and don't know your addy.

2004-09-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

U2 news

U2's website recently revealed that:

U2.Com can exclusively reveal that completed tracks from the upcoming album include: Vertigo,Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own,City of Blinding Lights,A Man and A Woman,Yahweh and Crumbs From Your Table.

The project is slated for a November release and as yet has no name. Count me as drooling for a copy.

2004-09-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Road trip

Next weekend I am going to fly down to my Mom's house in Socal. She is generously giving me her 1997 Saturn coupe. The only catch is that I'm going to have to drive it back to CO which is going to take somewhere around 16 to 18 hours of drive time. That's not counting stops and hotel time. I'll be leaving Saturday the 11th and won't be back until Monday the 13th.

I'm kind of looking forward to it...and kind of not. That's a long time to be gone from my family, leaving Deb with 3 small children, one a baby! But in a way, I'm looking forward to the time alone. Time on the road with just God and I. Time to talk to and to just listen to him.

Life has been so crazy and overwhelming lately...I could use the time away. I'm really needing and hoping to get some clear direction from God on some important things.

2004-09-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Gift dream

So much of my sleep of late has been restless. So much hamster wheeling. So much wrestling with my own inadequacies and fears. So many emotions. And there are a plethora of bizarre, and often nightmarish dreams. So, when I have a good dream it is gloriously welcome as a cool breeze on a hot day.
I dreamt that I was sitting at a table in a cafeteria. There were other people sitting at other tables. Just sitting, not doing any thing, apparently just waiting. Then a Dietitian I just met started going from table to table and blessing each person. She eventually made her way to my table, took my hand and smiled gently and said,

"The Lord Jesus is with you. Don’t be afraid. Your way is the way of agape. And it will prevail".

End of dream.

Such a simple dream, yet it ministered so powerfully to me. I believe in prophetic dreams and this one is clearly from God. I will cherish it’s message.

2004-08-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Picking up the pieces

I feel like I need to blog about something....but it's not easy.

Deb is functioning in her day to day activities...though the grief overwhelms her now and again. She does not hold her grief back...and that's one thing I love about her. She is a very strong woman...and strong enough to mourn. However, I don't think she expected the numbness to come with the grief. For example, she was feeling guilty yesterday at not being able to worship in Church. And I have encouraged that it is normal to be in shock right now and that's ok.

As for me, I'm ok. The grief for me is more subtle than is Deb's experience. It seems to hover about me like a cloud.

Meanwhile, I do have a sense of peace that is growing. It began like a still small voice at first and seems to be growing. I am so very grateful for it. I desire it to stay.

One thing I want to says is how greatly moved Deb and I have by the outpouring of support and compassion from others. I can't tell you how many people are praying for us. And that includes Y'all...and THANK YOU! We are so very, very, very grateful for the show of love and support.

Well, I could go on...but perhaps I'll save that for another time.

Until then, peace of Christ to everyone.

2004-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Out of Tragedy comes...?

Saturday morning, a freakish and terrible thing happened in my family. My Father in Law was loading his truck with materials he had just bought at a local landscaping store when three 5,000 pound concrete slabs fell on him and crushed him to death. What the heck is that that?!! What a horrible way to die. It's like something out of a bad fictional novel.

Jay loved Jesus deeply and served him every minute of his life. So, I'm not concerned about him. Guarenteed that he's happier than any of us. But Deb and the rest of the family are all pretty torn up. And though he was not my biological Father, he was every bit a Father to me. Everyone is in shock. Everyone misses him already.

No measure of faith can meet this tragedy in comfort and peace. There is no explanation.

We spent the majority of the weekend down in Colorado Springs (about an hour away) consoling one another, hugging with one another, talking it out, praying, and being family. Granted, this is going to take time (and probably lots of it) to heal through. We're clinging tightly to Jesus's words to come unto him who are heavy laden...and to take every day for itself.

In that light, I must say in this moment that each second of life appears precious to me. I stopped this morning for a moment and watched the morning light stream through a window, surrounded by a vibrant frame of Ivy, and marveled at the beauty of it. Marveled at being here to appreciate it. Marveled at a loving Creator.

Friends, we are indeed all blessed.

2004-08-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Finally saw it

I finally watched Kill Bill 2. To say that I'm not a Tarrantino fan is really overstating the point. But somehow it had a kind of car wreck appeal for me. So, when I went into the local Blockbusters and it was only $.99...I grabbed it.

And I have to say I was surprised. The violence was no greater than other films I've seen. Yeah, there was alot of profanity...but I expected these things. And they just weren't the big, bad wolf that thought would be there. On the flip side, the movie carries the whole martial art genre well, blended with Tarrantino's patented odd-ball, tweakedness. All of the characters are two dimensional, but they are interesting card-board cut outs that push the edge. David Carradine, for example, is wonderful as the villain "Bill" (from which the movies get their name). His maniacal non-challance is played to the hilt. And Uma does surprisingly well as the kick ass chick anti-hero bent on vengeance.

I thought also that I might be missing something by skipping the first movie and going straight for the second...but it was not so. The movie definitely stands on it's own and cues the viewer in well as to what's gone on before.

So, though it's hardly to the level of one the Matrix movies, hardly the calibre of Vanilla Sky or Whale Rider...I'd have to say I'm glad that I picked the movie. And that's saying alot.

2004-08-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

Light in your eyes

There is a song by Sheryl Crowe that is getting alot of air play right now that I have been blessed by. It is called "Light In Your Eyes"...and it is quite a departure for Crowe. From what I can dig up, the song is an older one from Crowe and was recently released on her greatest hits album. As much as I can remember, the chorus of the song goes something like:

You've got to talk to the one that made you,
Talk to the one who understands,
Talk to the one who gave you...
The light in your eyes.

The song seems to be an appeal for the listener to seek conversation with her Creator. And that is an amazing thing as later songs from Crowe would be decidedly more fluffy or more dark. It leads me to wonder what happened?

2004-08-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

Lack

Sorry about the lack of posts! This last week has been a whirl wind! The weekend flew by. And now, I'm going to Denver on biz. If I find an internet cafe somewhere or if the hotel has a connection...I'll try to stop in later tonight. Till then...bye.

2004-08-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Kicking

Years ago when I was first studying Shotokan Karate, my Sensei was teaching all us students the proper way to do a front kick. We did hundreds of kicks with each leg. If you've ever tried kicking hundreds of times you know that it isn't easy. After we were all exhausted, the Sensei then announced that we were finally ready to learn the proper technique of doing a front kick. We were all just stunned that we had to do any more kicks!

Later, I would learn that the reason why he did that was to over ride the strong inclination to kick with just leg muscles. But Sensei wanted to show us how to kick with the momentum of our whole bodies...that way bringing about greater force behind said kick. He could have told us all day long this theory, but the human hard wiring to kick with just leg muscles is apparently so strong that it would have still been very difficult. But, by tiring us out, it forced us to use our whole bodies when we could no longer lift our legs with the isolated muscles of the leg alone.

I've been doing a lot of wrestling with God lately. Mostly over circumstances in my life with small amounts of relief...but no huge deliverance...yet. But it very well could be that God, being the great Sensei that he is...is trying to teach me something. Trying to prepare me. And so, I'll try to just be obedient and trust in his teaching methods.

2004-08-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Awesome

Well, I have returned from my camping trip...and WHOAH was it ever awesome. We went to a place called Tin Cup which is over 11,000 feet in elevation. The awesome glory of God's creation was everywhere to behold. Tin cup sits sharply at the foot of Mt. Princeton (a famed "14'er) and numerous other steep and majestic mountains. The whole area is covered with countless stands of tall pines and aspens. The forests are thick! The meadows are green and covered with amazing assortments of wild flowers! And the streams...oh...they were just breath taking.

I enjoyed sitting by a very cool rock lined stream near my camp and listened to it's gurgling song. And I happened to catch a glimpse of a quick, brown trout.

And at night, hoards of stars hung intensely over my head in an indigo canopy. They were so numerous and brilliant that I felt I could almost touch them.

And it was so wonderful to see the boys have so much fun. They wandered in the woods (under Daddy's watchful eye)...chasing each other...and giggling laughs that all the gold in the world couldn't purchase. The smiles on their faces...priceless.

The trip was everything I had hope and more.

++All Praise to You Elohim! You are indeed the Great God of Creation! ++

2004-08-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

Camping

I'm taking my boys on their first camping trip this weekend. Actually, it's going to be a real adventure for all of us as I'm a novice camper. Thankfully, my camping expert Brother in Law, Dan the Man, is going as well.

I'm hoping that this trip will allow me to clear my head. There has been much that's been wearing on me. Much that's been continually frustrating that is making me feel helpless...and that's not good.

So, I probably won't be back till late this weekend.

Oh hey, I've been concerned about a drop off in readers at me ol' blog lately. So, if you wouldn't mind just commenting and saying hi, that would be great. And your prayers wouldn't suck either.

God be with you till we meet again.

2004-08-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Church fasting

From Next-Wave's regular column, Answers From The Other Side, Mike Bishop recently gave the following advice:

If you need to, fast from church. Some of us have been so burned out working in the evangelical salvation machine, or were suffering under poor leadership, or were ostracized for our difficult problems or questions, that a little break from church was a healthy and needed discipline. What does fasting from church look like? Well, certainly not isolation where we stand on the sidelines and throw rocks. For us it was removing ourselves from patterns (countless meetings, programs, and other busy religious activities) that had become destructive and were causing us to lose touch with our souls. During that time we still worshipped with other believers, just in simple, organic ways that were healthy and not draining. We are now beginning to pick up more disciplined ways of being with each other, but with a totally different flavor.

Interesting, but that's exactly what I've been doing for the last...oh....6 months. And it's been great! I hadn't really known what to call it...but a church fast is perfect. A season of exploration outside the established four walls of the solid church. And it's intriguing that my experience mirrors Mike's in that my family has not stopped worhipping with other believers. We have very much found that are relationships are more "simple, organic, and healthy and not draining". There seems to be more authenticity. More eye to eye, profound relating. We have as much if not more interaction with other believers now than we did before.

Interestingly, last Sunday a Pastor friend of ours invited us to her gathering...and so we went. It was the first time in awhile that we have been to a more traditional service. And it was good. I felt so free to experience the fullness of what that medium of church had to offer knowing that it is not the only one there is.

As Mike alludes, the next step will naturally come. But it will be in a rythm of God's timing. His place and time....not mine. And I'm happy with that.

2004-08-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

Words to live by

Micah 6: 8 (The Message): But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,what GOD is looking for in men and women.It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,be compassionate and loyal in your love,And don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously.

I was walking to work, and the above words popped into my head in the form of a song (though from a different translation). I like the way the Message translates this oft quoted passage.

2004-07-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Church of Fools

Yesterday, I had an interesting experience. I took part in a church service on the web. I was pixelated part of the congregation and listened to famed Pastor Tony Campolo preach. It is an experiment run by ship of fools called "Church of Fools". The whole experience takes place in a pixelated, 3D cathedral complete with gothic arches, stained glass, and icons on the walls. Participants/congregants are free to move about, sit down, raise their hands in worship, speak to one another, etc.

Sadly, this experiment has drawn droves of antagonists who have abused the freedom of this experiment and have sought to disrupt services. It used to be that virtual pilgrims could visit a chapel, basement, and other areas between service times to pray and fellowship. But alas, because of the detractors, the site shuts down except for when there is a service going on or when there is a warden present. The wardens then can "smite" anyone who is out of line (they are ejected from the site). It's really quite unfortunate that it's come to that.

Even so, I think it is a fascinating experience and I hope that it leads to further experiences and experiments to how liquid the church can become.

Oh, thanks goes out to Darren for pointing Church of Fools out.

2004-07-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Nemo

Yesterday, alittle girl came into my clinic who LOVES Nemo. She knew all the characters from Dory, to Marlen, to Bruce, and ofcourse Nemo. And it gave me pause to think about the power of story. How is it that just a few animator/story tellers could so affect the lives of countless thousands of children all over the world? What is it in that story that could be so moving?

We've been talking some about fantasy and stories at some length. And I truly believe that there is value to stories. Stories, that are metaphors of Christ and the Kingdom. Sign posts that point to the greatest story of all. Ofcourse, these stories are not the gospel. But they are potentially a vehicle of God's prevenient grace...his tireless wooing of people to him.

Is Nemo one of these mediums? I don't know....possibly. It's just my fevered imagination working OT.

2004-07-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

A couple rapid fire questions

First, does anyone know what the next big feast is in the calender of the historic Church (Celtic, Orthodox, Roman or otherwise)?

And, second, does anyone know of a free image hosting service that can handle .gif files?

Thanks in advance for your services rendered. Shalom!

2004-07-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Surprise

This interesting bit of news from Justin's blog:

Surprised? France forbids homosexual marriage. This may go against the presumed French stereotype. I wonder on what basis the powers in France have made this decision - for now at least. Does Catholicism still have some great influence? Is it something else?

I was listening to some news report one day recently, which affirmed Justin's news. It said something like there are only 5 or 6 countries in the world that currently allow homosexual marriage. I wish that I had gotten the specifics and the news source. But I remember being shocked by that stat.

I think there is a prevailing image, in the media at least, that acceptance of homosexual marriage is just the way that things are going in Western-global culture. But if I heard that news source correctly, that image is not based in fact.

Comments? Questions? Sneering remarks?

2004-07-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

What Christians can learn from Pagans part 2

B/c Jon asked for it, here's a couple quotes from two Exwitch friends of mine:

I'd say that one thing that Christians (and modern society in general) can learn from non-uberfluff Pagans is the "back to nature" attitude, the respect for the created, as a way of truly living a Christian life. It's very true, as many religions/cultures recognize or have recognized, we are all connected in "the circle of life." That needs to be taken to heart, and truly incorporated into every aspect of the way we live our lives. While our time in these bodies may be linear (birth -> death), the circle of life continues, until the final hour. "Reduce, reuse, recycle," "step lightly," and other such modern-day slogans reflect this need. And indeed the attitude that "from every ending comes a new beginning" can be applied.

-Kellenor

One thing I have to say Christians would learn well from sane mature pagans *not the ones who are uberfluff and immature* is the ability to debate with reason, politeness and consideration. I WISH I could say that Christians naturally did the same but frankly with a few exceptions I cannot.

Christ is the ultimate circular. He is the begining and the end. The entirity of the very first spark of being in this cosmos and he will be the very last. You cannot get more cicular than that. The end and the beginning in one. God created the worlds he ordained how things would move. the more I read on cosmology the more convinced I am something had a plan in mind its organised choas out there! The seasons follow one another they are not linear. God knows humans and created patterns cos we have a nasty habit of looking for and making our own.

- Lottie

Thanks go out to both Lottie and Kellenor for permission to quote them!

Christians can benefit from the deeply spiritual and yet deeply earthy nature of the pagan's insights. Can you hear the cyclical theme in there? The circle of the seasons, the circle of life, etc. Those are common themes. Themes common to everyone who inhabits creation. Themes that everyone can relate to by simply getting outdoors and experiencing the awe of Creation. It is a place of common ground and a opportunity for dialogue. It is the dance of the Creator that draws us all in and reorients us all to his holy fire. I assure you, this is something that true hearted Wiccans understand very well.

Perhaps a fundie'ish disclaimer is in order at this point. While all this relating is occurring, we must always remain true to Jesus being the "way, the truth, and the life". But, it's time that we start recognizing the power of common or prevenient grace. The work of a loving Creator to draw all people to Himself using extraordinary means.

One final note, thanks go out to Lottie and Kellenor for generously giving me permission to quote them!

2004-07-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter alt?

My friend Duggan sent me this link to an article in the New York Times about a novel called Shadow Mancer. The book is being heralded as the Christian alt to Harry Potter. It is written by a former Sex Pistols Roadie who is now a Vicar. In fairness, he states that he never intended for it to be a rival to Harry Potter. And

However, my friend Lottie from the Exwitch forum has read it and pointed me to this review. Phew! That does seem quite tangled. No thank you! I think I'll stick with Lawhead.

2004-07-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Got to get away

There are remarkable times in the Gospels when we see Jesus slipping away to be alone with the Father in prayer. Here's one of those times:

Luke 6 (NLT):

12One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.

Though I won't be able to get away physically, I will be retreating into God deeper for awhile...trying to emulate the Master.

The Peace of Christ be with you all.

2004-07-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, who prayed for rain?

We're going to a bar-b-q today in the Springs as a bunch of Deb's High School buddies are having an informal reunion. But here is the weather today in the Springs:

Sat 24 Jul 2004 02:47:06 AM MDT
SAT
Thunderstorms
Hi 55°
Lo 42°

Lol! Should be interesting...

2004-07-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

What Christians Can Learn From Neo-Pagans.

Since Jon Reid asked for it, here are some thoughts on some things that might be learned from Neo-Pagans:

There is much that could be said here...and I can best speak from a personal stand-point. So many of the "Pagans" that I have known have displayed tolerance and patience and gentleness...which as we know is so often so different than the common fundie stereotype of evil Satan worshippers.  So many of their positive traits have rubbed off on me. Their love for the Earth and "stepping lightly" has energized my ever-growing love for Creation and seeing the Divine in it.  Their love for tolerance and the shunning of violence has been a wonderful example to emulate. Though I don't follow their precise view of tolerance, it is a clarion call to return the heart of Christian tolerance in which we REALLY love people no matter what their faults are.

When did we forget the basic clear message of "all of we like sheep have gone astray" and "all our works are like filthy rags" and "there is no one righteous...no not one"? Hey, Pagans have   have even helped me in my personal spiritual devotions. I remember visit how one Pagan friend suggested that I take each line of a Christian Celt prayer and meditate upon it's imagery, one line per day.  Imagine that!?

This just affirms the direction that God has been leading me. That is that it is Christ who calls all people unto himself. He is already out there working among the hearts and minds of all people. His love is like a magnet drawing everyone. Isn't it amazing when people who do not profess to follow Christ... exhibit Christ-like behavior.

There's more I'd like to say on the subject. And some friends of mine said some very excellent things on the subject that I'd like to share. But in fairness, I need to get their permission first.  In the mean time, I'd like to hear what you have to say.

As an afterthought, I've removed some notes on how Christianity cyclical. That will have to be entirely different subject for a different time.

2004-07-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Learning

Here is the text of a fascinating and insightful article written by a practicing Wiccan who goes by the Psedonym Eclectic Satyr:

What Wiccans Can Learn From Christians

The two reasons why I'm not a Christian is that I don't believe Yahweh is the creator of the universe and that I can't accept a religion that has a threat of eternal torment behind it. But when I leave those problems aside, I come to the opinion Christianity is a best-of-breed theistic religion, a religion with much good in it. I am not ashamed to say Christian writers (such as J Gresham Machen) have influenced my thinking. In the following article I elaborate on the good things Wiccans can take from the Christians.

Attitude towards the Deity

The respect and devotion Christians show towards their God is simply amazing. They are careful in how they think about Him and in how they turn to Him. One cannot find a cavalier attitude towards God among Christians. They recognise that He is worthy of the most pious worship and that He can be fully relied upon. In contrast, Wiccans' attitude towards their Goddess and God is often disgraceful, in that many of them never call upon Them except for help in magical work, as if They were some metaphysical servants of mankind. The proper attitude towards Deity is deep respect, devotion and, yes, even fear--not grovelling, canine fear, but fear born of respect, out of acknowledgement that the Goddess and the God have power over nature and fate. Certainly the deities approve of humour, but making light of Them and Their worship is inappropriate.

Distinction between Humanity and Deity

Christianity, much like Hellenismos, stresses the distinction between Gods and humans and warns against the hubris of thinking one is a God. Maybe Christianity takes it too far in denying the existence of a Divine Spark in all of us, but it is important to remember that having that spark within us doesn't make us Gods. We are not Gods--we die, and our power over nature and fate is very limited. By our practice of the Craft we can come closer to (partial) union with the Ground of All Being, since Brahman is Atman, but we cannot become Gods except for rare cases when the Gods decide to raise a human to the level of demigod. J Gresham Machen rightly says that "between the creature and the Creator a great gulf is fixed," and that the most potent expression of theistic religion is the recognition of the awful transcendence of Deity. He is right in saying pantheism brings us farther rather than closer to Deity, because we cannot relate to a god of which we are parts. Try as we may, we cannot become one of the Gods and Goddesses, and even though we may come closer to the Brahman, we cannot become identical with Him, because He is transcendent as well as immanent.

Personal Relationship with Deity

Christians like to say, "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship with God." While Christianity is in fact both a religion and a relationship with God, the spirit behind that catchphrase is: leave empty, soulless works behind and focus on a living, thriving relationship with Deity. That is perhaps the most important teaching of Christianity: that the deity is a personal being with whom one can, in fact should, have a relationship. Wicca is the same as Christianity in this regard: the Goddess and the God are persons with whom a relationship can be had. They are not only openers of the magical circle or teachers of the Divine Mysteries; They are personal beings like our mother and father, and we should have such a relationship with Them. Rituals are important, as they make us more receptive to the Divine; but care should be taken that they do not become mechanical. And they should be augmented by prayer and conversation with the Goddess and the God. A Wiccan should be able to boast of a living relationship with Deity no less than a Christian.

Thanks go out to Heathen Dawn for pointing this article out. Perhaps next time I'll post something racey like "What Christians Can Learn From Wiccans". ;^)

2004-07-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

Little Prophet

My little 5 year old proclaimer Noah said to me this morning, "Daddy, Jesus is with me. And he's with you too." I can't tell you how good that made me feel. :^)

2004-07-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Fish out of water

Recently I walked into a liquor store to pick up some Laughing Lab. Behind the counter was a darked out twenty-something gal wearing edgy clothes, dyed black-bobbed hair and pierced nose. She greeted me with a friendly greeting as I headed toward the freezer. Picking up my choice brew, I began singing a Celtic inspired praise tune by a band called Isle of Light that goes something like this:

All glory and honor and praise to your Father!
All glory and honor and praise to the Lamb!
All glory and honor and praise to your Father!
You alone are worthy of our praise!

Now, if I’m not thinking about the level of my singing volume, I can be quite loud. And I believe I was that day. And I didn't at all think about how a praise song might be out of place in a liquor store. And if I had thought of it, I probably would still have sang....though perhaps not nearly at such a high volume.

As I headed back to the counter to buy said suds, the gal behind the counter gave me a bemused smile. My wife had been waiting for me at the front. And, as we walked out together she told me how that everyone in the store heard me, including the store’s clerk. Apparently Deb looked at the store clerk and said something like “He’s loud, but lot’s of fun to live with.” The clerk apparently responded “I’ll bet”.

Lol!

2004-07-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome Durin!

Hey! My friend Durin just told me that he started his own blog. How exciting! Durin is a kindred Celto-phile and just an all around nice chap. Please go over and visit and welcome him to the blogosphere.

2004-07-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Crap Detection

We simply do not believe that people in the "crap-detector" generation, savvy people who understand what it means to be constantly targeted by hundreds of thousands of clever sales messages, are going to follow other people who don't live out their messages. If leadership fails to embody the message, no one is going to follow. Leaders, you cannot lead where you will not go; you cannot teach what you do not know.

- Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, The Shaping Of Things To Come

This is one of the many pearls of wisdom that are in this marvelous book.

2004-07-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

Compline prayer

Maker of all things, God most high,
Great ruler of the starry sky,
Who, robing day with beauteous light,
Hast clothed in soft repose the night.

That sleep may wearied limbs restore,
And fit for toild and use once more,
May gently soothe the careworn breast,
And lull our anxious griefs to rest.

We thank thee for the day that's gone;
We pray thee for the night come on,
O help us sinners as we raise,
To thee our votive hymn of praise.

From every carnal passion free,
O may our hearts repose in thee!
Nor envious fiend, with harmful snare,
Our rest with sinful terrors share.

Christ with the Father ever one,
Spirit! The Father and the Son,
God over all, the mighty sway,
Shield us, great Trinity, we pray.

- An ancient hymn attribute to St. Ambrose

Those words are my offering of worship tonight, beat as I am. Good night, Y'all.

2004-07-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Grrrrrrrrr..

I hate insomnia.

2004-07-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

Faith testing

The person that seeks after God should not think of herself impervious to turmoil. Not thinking that he has arrived at some place of perpetual spiritual bliss where the crap of the world no longer impairs him.

The journey is not always idealic. Not always full of rejoicing. Not always a coccoon (sp?) of peace. No.

If we are honest, the journey is often filled to the brim with struggle. Rife with conflict, and trials, and hardship, and despair every bit as much as it is filled with joy.

And, more honesty reveals that God is not always abiding. Not always right there waiting for us. Sometimes he's quite distant.

Perhaps it's a bit like a marriage. Y'know, the romance of the past and the dedication to one another carries the spouse through the dark times. It's in those moments that faith is tested.

2004-07-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

King Arthur

Cory is talking about the movie King Arthur at his site. At first when the trailers for the movie came out, I thought...not another Arthurian legend movie!

But then, I found out that this one is different. It is NOT set in a medieval period. No. From what I've read the makers are choosing to depict Arthur as Celtic (like he was!) in the sixth century as the Roman Empire departs from Britain. Ofcourse this leaves Britain in a power vacuum and the Saxons take the opportunity to invade. In comes Arthur to unite the Celtic tribes and repel the invaders. Also, I've been told that Gweneviere (sp?) is a Pictish female Warrior. What an fascinating spin.

Count me in as wanting to see it.

2004-07-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th!

My clan and I are going to travel to Westcliffe today to check out their 4th of July celebration. I am told there are all sorts of music and crafts during the day then fireworks during the night. It should be fun.

Any how, for my fellow Yanks, I hope your Independence Day is filled with fireworks, food, family and/or friends, and fun.

2004-07-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Blogoversary 2 me!

Hey! It just occurred to me that it's been over two years of blogging now. I started way back in June of 2002. Well...it seems like a long time. Then again it doesn't.

Thanks for all of you who have stuck with me all this time. You have been good friends...and I hope to one day to meet each and every one of you (even if that's in glory). Well, just thanks.

2004-07-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

Art walk

Yesterday, the boys and I finally went on the local art community's art walk. These walks are done monthly to promote the work of local artists and organized by my friend Erin at the Wicked Brew . Erin has been inviting us to come for...ohhhhh...longer than I'm willing to admit.

We got hoofing it kind of late...but we were still able to soak in some very cool works of art. The boys got a kick out of stopping and singing several songs with some folk musicians at one of the galleries. Very worth it. I've been longing and praying about ways to connect with the local community...and I think this might be a start.

Btw, a bit of corretion of an error from a previous post is in order. Erin pointed out that the Sangre De Christos mountain range is not in actuality my literal backyard. So, for the record, the Sangre De Christos are probably a good 100 miles away. I meant it figuratively. *Sheesh* And I thought I was a literalist. :^P

2004-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Winged Migration

Last night we rented the movie Winged Migration. It was stunningly beautiful! Really more a work of art than documentary, imho. It really showed how awesome an artist God is. All our artistic endeavors pale compared to his work! The birds are all amazing and the scenery they fly in awesomely so as well. Also, you can't help but miss the statements about how we as humans are mucking things up in Creation with pollution and violence and encroachment upon the environment.

The whole movie has very little narration and only periodic subtitling as commentary. The photography spoke most powerfully and effectively. You really come away with a hushed sense of awe. I recommend the movie highly.

2004-07-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

My backyard

...yet another image experiment as I have the time. Yahoo! It works!

This is a mountain range not far from where I live. My friend David Rutherford took this shot when he visited last November. The Sangre De Cristos are gorgeous during the winter. I'm pretty sure that several of the peaks are over 14,000 feet.

Once a month I travel up to Westcliffe (an even smaller town that I love) that sits right at the feet of these majestic mountains. They are just breath taking.

The Earth declares the glory of the Lord!

2004-07-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

Odd thought

An odd came to me recently:

Make peace with the past...
Have faith for the present...
Change the future.

2004-06-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome Cory!

Cory from Celtic Christian tunes finally has a blog. Pls visit if you can and welcome him to the blogosphere!

2004-06-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

White churches

I checked a book out from the library called White Churches of the Plains. It is a photographic journey around old churches throughout the plains of Colorado (the eastern half of the State). They are churches that are well over a hundred years old. Some are in ruins, some are converted into other structures (like one church turned into an auto repair shop)and most are not being used anylonger. They are markers of the faith of immigrants to this fairly new frontier. Signs of a by gone era.

Here's a good quote from the book:

To find and visit these remaining churches can take time, but the experience amply repays the effort. For the person who will walk around the building, try the door, and perhaps even sit outside long enough to watch the shade move, there is a stillness taht will remain in the memory for years...Outlying churches often are to this day left unlocked. There is something in discovering the fact, as you stand with the immense and hot vacancy of the prairie at your back, that is itself healing.
Inside it is cooler and relatively dark, except for the light extending in panels across the floor from the southern windows. The only sound is of the wood floor as you walk. AT the front of the table with a cross, a pulpit, the American and Christian flags, and a dark wood plaque bearing the white numerals from last Sunday's hymn numbers.
Opening the door to leave, you may decide to walk fifty yards to the cemetery behind the church. On the horizon waves of heat form a liquefied rim of land and blue sky. The graves, perhaps twenty in number, lie along a barbed wire fence.

How remote, to the immigrants buried here, must this place seemed from the lakes and birch forests of northern Europe? And yet, marked in more than one settler's Bible was Psalm 19.

Since it's likely to be a while till I can make it Glendalough, Glastonbury, or Iona...I'm thinking this might be a decent interim pilgrimage.

2004-06-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Picture test

Hey! Check it out it works. Well this is me holding Sasha shortly after whe was born. More pictures to come.

Btw, for those of you who are fathers...HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

2004-06-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Daddy

I woke up this morning with the following verse on my mind (the Message):

Psalm 37
4Keep company with GOD,
get in on the best.

Other translations might lead the reader to think that it is some sort of funding formula. Y'know, it's something like once the "delighting" clause is fulfilled, God has to give you whatever you ask for. Any many folk that I have known have interpreted said verse just so.

But I love the above translation as it makes it difficult to interpret it that way. It gets closer to the true meaning I think.

Let's contextualize shall we? The heart of a God focused life, we are told, is denial of self. We decrease so that God can increase. When we are weak then he is strong. The last shall be first and that sort of thing. It's an upside down Kingdom.

It's very opposite from what secular society teaches us. Against mottos like "look out for #1" and "if it is to be it's up to me".

When we go deeper into what it means to follow after Christ, we find the meaning of this verse.

Chewing on all this, I also realize that we serve a God who is very much concerned with our physical needs. We are not spirits alone who have no physical needs. And God created us thusly. Furthermore, he promises to meet our needs. He is not a deistic God who wound up the universe and then hands us over to fate to fend for ourselves. Nor is a cruel God who loves to watch us suffer and be in want. He is a loving God who is actively involved in every part of our lives!

So, where is the balance point? Maybe it's found in having the faith of a little child. I have a God who tells me to call Him Daddy....and I have learned that my Daddy will take care of me.

2004-06-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

More reviews?

A few and varied reviews:

Watched the movie Chocolat recently, not knowing that it is actually an oft cited movie by Emerging Church pundits as being a good depiction of attractional/out-dated/holier-than-thou/Churchianity and Incarnational-organic church. Well, I do agree with that to a degree. But it was an exceptional film. I really identified with this film. The hurting people that were being stifled and enslaved by the cold religiosity that oppressed the town. Then, one woman and her daughter come in with their chocolats, open a chocolatery (sp?) and give of themselves to the lives of the towns folk. And they didn't just wait for the towns folk to come to them. No! They went out and befriended them. It was truly beautiful. This woman was the kind of servant that we should try to be. Well, minus the idols and divination wheel that is....;^). But seriously, if you haven't seen this wonderful film...I highly endorse it!

Also, just finished reading Mike Yaconelli's now classic Messy Spirituality. And I can sure see what all the praise is about. This book is fantastic! It is light and humorous, and easy read, and quite enjoyable. All the while, it will catch you and overwhelm you with new insights into God's unfathomable love and peeks into the greater scheme. Man, you just come away from this with a combination of joy welling out of you. It's the deep, never old message of grace and freedom in Christ. And I don't think that can ever be preached too much.

Well, sorry I've been away so long. My life's been pretty crazy lately. More stuff to come. And thanks for dropping by!

2004-06-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Quote

Christians do not condone unbiblical living; we redeem it. - Mike Yaconelli, Messy Spirituality

2004-06-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Cool exchange

I was walking home yesterday...pretty much zoned out from a thoroughly exhausting week. And as I was strolling through the park (I love to walk through the "duck pond park") I heard a voice behind me say, "is that Jesse's father?". I turned around to see a familiar face. It was Cory, a guy I knew when I was going to the Vineyard here in town. He is a really nice guy who was really nice to Jesse in kid church.

We talked quite a while. Then he asked the inevitable "where are you fellowshipping right now" question. And for once, I didn't have much trouble explaining the move out of the established church and what it means to more liquid than solid in exploring being church. He seemed to be really intrigued.

I've been wanting to sit down and talk with him for awhile since we seem to have alot in common. So, we exchanged info and promised to do Coffee. No matter what comes of it, I just appreciated the exchange. It was a real shot in the arm after a frankly stinky week.

2004-06-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

Clarification

Every now and then I feel it is important with a controversial topic that I've commented on and provide some clarification. On the topic of Reagan, my friend Durin had some good objections. He stated:

Who says there is equality among nations? The Quality of a nation is based on their values and actions.

Reagan is a Hero because he made America believe they could be heroic again.

And my response:

Durin, first of all perhaps I need to be clearer. I don't mean to imply that Reagan was not a good man, not a patriot, or even a hero. I have great admiration for what he did for the US. And I loved what you said about making the nation feel heroic. We need that kind of courage even now in these desperate days. But, sometimes I think that Christians tend to elevate national pride (which is not inherently wrong) to the level of where God should be in their hearts. It becomes a kind of "the cross + Patriotism".

And as to the nations not being inherently equal. I agree, they aren't....just abit of longing I suppose.

Keep the comments coming Y'all.

2004-06-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

Cliche'?

I know that it almost seems cliche'd these days to say that "God is control" or "God is faithful" or "God loves us". It is our human weakness that comes into play in that when something is said often, we have a tendency to disregard it. It tends to lose some of it's punch.

But, just b/c something is said often does not mean that it is not true. And guess what, the same is true with these. No matter what we might go through, God is in control, he is faithful, and yes...he does love us...far more than we could ever imagine.

2004-06-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

Deviation

Y'know the famous verse from Gal 3:28 that goes?:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Well, I was thinking about unity in the body this morning...and created a slight deviation to that verse this morning that might go something like:

There is neither Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic nor Protestant, there is neither liberal, pentecostal, charasmatic, high church, low church, nor conservative evangelical, there is neither republican nor democrat, there is neither conventional-established church nor edgy emerging church; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

:^)

2004-06-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Passing

By now, the news of Reagan's death has likely moved far through the blogosphere. And though was old and quite ill with Alzheimers, it still comes as a surprise. For, like him or not, he was a prominent US President at a critical time in US history.

He was the first president that I voted for (which will definitely date me). I was highly influenced by my very conservative, Republican Father. To my Dad, Reagan was the very epitome (sp?) of everything the Country needed. Patriotism, strength, indipendence, faith, etc. And I think, in some ways he was right.

But after all is said and done, Reagan, though larger than life, was just a man. A man who was indeed very gifted but also very flawed, like all men are flawed.

Perhaps this the passing of an era. For surely Reagan stood for a golden, glory age for the US. Perhaps it means that the US must finally step down from it's pedastal of World Superpower-hood. To finally take it's humble place of equality amongst the nations. That would not be such a bad thing, would it?

2004-06-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

Passion envy

Quentin Tarantino wishes he had made the Passion? Now there's a shocker!

2004-06-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Farscape is returning!

Hey! Good news for Farscape fans!! I just found out that Farscape is coming back!!! It is going to finally tie up the woefully loose ends that were left from it's very abrupt cancellation. According to the news blurb that I read from the Scifi channel, it is going to be a 4 part miniseries called "The Peace Keeper War". Frelling cool!

2004-05-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

Pentecost

Steve has written a Pentecost confession that is quite good. So good that I thought I would quote it here:

Breath of God, you are our life
forgive us for our apathy and blandness,
our lack of passion and creativity.
Breath of God, enliven us

Fire of God, you are our energy and heat
forgive us when we walk alone,
ignoring your warmth and the love of friends,
Fire of God, fall on us

Wind of God, you are unpredictable
forgive us when try to tame and domesticate you,
forgive us when we dictate to you when and where you should move,
Wind of God, blow on us

Breath of God, fire of God, wind of God,
blow away our cobwebs
light our fire
fall afresh on us this Pentecost,
Amen.

Pentecost is one of those church celebrations that was historically HUGE but has largely lost it's meaning within the last 400 odd years of Prostestantism. And though I was honestly not much in a worshipful mood yesterday, this celebration is not lost on me today.

So, I am praying along with this confession today. Thanks Steve!

2004-05-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Reviews

Perhaps one thing that isn't surprising is that we've been renting more movies lately. We are in the period that one of my former coworkers once described as "baby jail".

Some recent stuff that was viewed:

1. Love Actually: Good movie. Moving stories. I'll admit it that I'm a sap when it comes to love and desires fulfilled. I have to say that I was also surprised at how well that many stories worked together. I was also glad that there was some realism to some of the stories where they didn't find someone to love or it didn't work out.

2. The Medallion: Jacky Chan is usually predictably good action. But, PeeEww!! (sp?) That movie really stunk! The action was good, but that's all that carried this movie, if at all. Y'know, I'm used to superficial plots in action movies. That's a trade mark of the genre'. But there's light weight plots...and then there's no plots. Oh well, can't complain, it was afterall free.

3. Bend It Like Beckham: Though I am oblivious to the Soccer phenomenon in Europe (And yes, I realize the US is alone in this compared to rest of the planet) but I really enjoyed this film. It was very cute. It was an interesting film highlighting cultural clashes, triumphant friendship, and it was pretty clean, which was appreciated. I was surprised also that the sports was not the main focus. I generally dislike sports films...but this one scored.

4. The Last Samurai: My Brother in Law gave this film glowing reviews...and now I know why. From the previews, I thought it was just another, predictable action movie. Who knew how good this movie was? That it actually was rich in story line and anchored in actual historical details? After Vanilla Sky, Tom Cruise proved to me that he is an accomplished actor, and he comes through on this film as well. Very good movie.

Ok, don't worry, I don't intend to turn the blog into a movie review site.

2004-05-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

Conflict

As we knew it would, the decision about legalizing Gay marriage is causing far reaching conflict...again.

And, I wonder what these people are thinking. The Roman Catholic Church especially has stood essentially firm in it's church doctrine for over a thousand years. Apparently they think the church is like a democratic structure wherein they have the ability to sway church thinking to their preferred guidelines.

But this touches on something deeper, doesn't it? Bottom line is that: God is God, we aren't. He gets to make up the rules. We don't have the right to just decide what He says isn't so.

Thankfully He is a good God. He is a loving God. His decisions are for the best any how. And even when we are disobedient, fail, falter, etc. there is forgiveness. I am so thankful for His grace!

2004-05-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

Glimpse

Every now and then God grants me a glimpse into a bigger scheme. A kind of golden insight into his secret plan of redemption. And it is glorious!

It carries with it a wonderful kind of otherness as a side effect. A sense of being greater than the circumstances. I believe that some have called this experience the "holy now" and probably numerous other things. It is a kind of touching of the heart of God.

Like others before me, I am aware more and more that this reality is but a "shadow land" of that glorious realm in which God dwells. Make no mistake, it is not far removed. It is not in the sweet by and by. It is not a place reserved only for those who have "passed on" or a hope for some eschatological doom.

No! It is no further than the whisper on a lover's lips. No more distant than the breath of God which sustains us all. It is blessed way of our Creator and Sustainer. His song is not so faint if we will just listen.

And if we suffer, this song can sustain us. It can carry us away. Uplift us...shine through us.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, just waxing a bit poetic at 12:03 AM and thought I would try to capture some of this rare stuff. Oh how I miss that sensation. This sweeping presence of the Spirit.

Deep peace of the Almighty to you dear friend on whatever path you are on today.

2004-05-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Distantly creepy

This weekend I was channel surfing on the TV when a show on VH1 that was highlighting the worst songs/videos of the last X years caught my attention. Usually, I detest these kind of shows. But I was amused by the commenters who offered their povs as to why Bette Midler's oh so terrible "From a Distance" was one of the worst. One fellow said something like, "God is watching us....but He's distant? He's peering at us but, he won't do anything about all the evil happening here on planet earth? That's just creepy.".

Amusing but so insightful! That's precisely one reason why I can't stand that song. It's meant to be encouraging I'm sure. But it's so not uplifting! It IS creepy.

Thankfully God is NOT like that at all. He is a communal, compassionate God. He longs for our company, not b/c he needs it but b/c he desires it. He is not at all distant...thank you very much! He is so NOT distant, that he came into our existance, became one of us, and moved into the neighborhood (to paraphrase the Message). He came seeking us...as he often does....not the other way around. Is that a distant God? Nope.

So, a big thumbs up to the VH1 program for putting that pitiful song on it's list! Bleah!

2004-05-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Funny text

Imagine pro-football without the stoppages, substitutions, padding or helmets. And with a great deal more bruising. Rugby is New Zealand's national sport. Be warned. It hurts.

- taken off the side of a NZ Steinlager bottle

2004-05-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

Golden thread

A friend of mine sent me a link to this article (knowing what a nut I am about Celtic flavored Christianity). And, indeed it is a very nice article speaking generally of how the Cele De' did not see the spiritual and material as polar opposites. They did indeed recognize evil and spiritual influences in the world. But they did see the whole of creation as essentially good.

Here is a great quote from the article:

A 19th-century teacher in the Celtic tradition used the analogy of royal garments. In the 19th century royal garments were still woven through with a costly thread, a thread of gold. If somehow the golden thread were removed from the garment, the entire garment would unravel. So it is, he said, with the image of God woven into the fabric of our being. If somehow it were taken out of us, we would unravel, we would cease to be. The image of God is not simply a characteristic of who we are, which may or may not be there depending on whether or not we have received the grace of baptism. The image of God is the essence of our being, and sin has not had the power to undo what God has woven into the fabric of our being.

I LOVE this image of the golden thread running through our earthly garments. It speaks of the immense power of GRACE!

2004-05-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

Jake and Harry Potter bling bling

Jake Rinard has reinvented himself. He has revamped his (not so bloggish...which means he technically goes to the bottom of the blog roll) site. Welcome back Jake!

And at his new site I found a very interesting article with an unusual slant (from a financial angle) on the juggernaut Harry Potter phenomenon. Agree or not (chances are it's not when it comes to Jake I've found...just a general observation not this author's personal pov) it is interesting none the less.

2004-05-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

Colonial house

Deb and I watched Colonial House on PBS last night. I knew I would be moved by the hardship of the lifestyle of a colonialist in 1628. That was indeed humbling.

But what was even more intriguing to me was the clash of spiritual views of the 21st century participants trying to adapt to 16th century religious standards. For example, according to the standards of the day, everyone in the colony had to observe the Sabbath and attend Sunday worship which entailed a total of four hours! Several people in the colony clearly didn't dig it. The show is made up spiritually of atheists, agnostics, liberal lutherans, conservative Baptists, etc. One woman in particular, who is rather outspoken feminist/humanist, was particularly vocal about disfavor of the process. Even the daugther of the conservative, Baptist family from Texas had reservations as it was different from the way she was used to worshipping and that it wasn't with people that believed as she did.

Wonderful stuff! It is both a snap shot into history but also an interesting spiritual crucible. Being that the colonists (the real ancestral ones, not these contemporaries) were innately spiritual, it's sets the stage for exploration. For example, even the narrator admitted that it was the colonist's faith in God that helped them endure starvation, disease, attacks by Indians (though not as great as in legend), and the tremendous death rate.

It should be interesting to see what pans out spiritually from all of this.

2004-05-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Monsters

Just read this over at Jon's blog. It's worth the read. It is a powerful post.

2004-05-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

It's a God Thing

Every other month I submit a 2-3 paragraphs for a local, community newsletter that is called the C4 'Zine. It is produced by Erin from the Wicked Brew. It is a really cool little zine that I'm honored to contribute to. Erin suggested that my column be called "It's a God Thing". I like that.

Anyhow, this month I'm probably going to contribute the following:

I love the way that my new baby girl will look so intently into my face while I'm cradling her. The experts say this is the way that infant's memorize their parents features for identification. But that seems alittle a cold and detached to me...only part of the truth. I think there is something that is put deep into her to, as much as she can to want to know her parents.

We all come with a built in desire to know and love our parents. And to inturn be loved.

I can see alot of this desire in me towards my Heavenly Father. He has put this desire in me. I long to look long and hard in his face. To memorize and line and creece. To listen to his affectionate voice and to rest in his arms. That is what I was created for.
What do you think?

2004-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Narnian quote

One last post. I found a great Narnian quote over at Michael Paul's blog:

'Why is it called Aslan's table?' asked Lucy presently.
'It is set here by his bidding....'
'But how does the food keep?'asked the practical Eustace.
'It is eaten, and renewed, every day,'said the girl.
The Voyage of the 'Dawn Treader',ch.13 C.S. Lewis

I'll be eating at the Lord's table today. Care to join me?

2004-05-13T05:54:00.000-07:00

Score!

Hey, wanna see something cool? I found this at a local shop for $15! Now it's hanging proudly on my home office wall. :^)

2004-05-13T05:07:00.001-07:00

Dream

I had a dream 2 nights ago that is sticking in my mind. I was in a super market, which had a little coffee shop in the middle of it. Deb and I were sitting down drinking coffee. When along came some folk singing praise songs. The songs were so infectious that we began singing them too along with throngs of other people.

Soon after two women came up to me. One was older and fat and the other younger and trailing behind the older. They both were singing but rather half heartedly. The older one then stopped and started talking to me about proper Christian doctrine etc. and called us "backsliders" but rather under her breath. When I confronted her, she exploded into a tirade of slander and condemnation.

I replied that "there is no longer any condemnation for those her are in Christ Jesus". She got more upset. Then I asked her if we are now under the law or under grace. She just ignored my question. Then I asked her how anyone is saved. She replied by the power of the blood of Jesus. But she had strange ideas about what that meant, and presented a strange glass pendant with a red "drop" in the middle of it. The other girl, never saying a word, presented an identical pendant.

Then the dream ended. All I can think is that this dream was brought about by all the harrassment that I've been getting at work. But, I can't help but think that these dream images are very representative of a large portion of churchianity. People, who, as the Bible so neatly puts it, "have a form of godliness but denies it's power".

I'm reminded again, as so many times before, to look for the love. If you find love in people, you have found much.

2004-05-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

Prison

Last night I was priviledged to be able to do a nutrition presenation at a local maximum security federal prison. Amazingly, I wasn't nervous at all. Most of the guys were pretty scary looking. But, I just saw it all like visiting Jesus.

The whole experience was very rewarding. It was obvious that there was alot of brokeness. Alot of bondage. But I looked into their eyes and saw searching. I saw hunger there.

Juanita, the teacher who called me told me of how spirituality is huge in the prisons. They are drawn to anything and everything. Juanita (a devout Catholic) said there are "religions" she had never heard of before working for the prison. She said there are Wiccan, Satanists, Odinists (Asatru?), tons of Muslims, and even some guy who has to keep rocks in his pocket at all times. Ironically, she didn't mention Christians. Much work needs to be done there.

Now, I'm going to pray for each of the 18 guys that were in my class.

Before I left, Juanita told me that I "did really well with them" and that she definitely wants me to come back. And I am really hoping that she will call me again.

2004-05-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and Godly advice concerning my work situation, Y'all. I really need that right now. I am not downtrodden nor depressed in spirit. But I am still WAY tense. I have the nervousness of someone who is about to climb into a boxing ring or a soldier who is about to run onto an enemy infested beach head.

Yep, I'm still looking for another job. But I am not doing so hapharzardly. I don't want to jump from the proverbial frying pan into the fire. I realize a bad situation could actually become worse. Therefore I am REALLY looking for God's timing here.

I am looking largely in Pharmaceutical and/or Medical sales as it seems to have real earning potential and still utilizes my medical background (over 10 years and pretty diverse). My sales experience is admittedly my weak point (not extensive). But I persuade people, do marketing and promotion, operate administratively, handle contracts etc. all the time. So I'm hoping to stretch that experience to cover my lack of hard sales experience.

Either way, I know that God does have a plan. The Bible says "Many are the plans that a man has in his heart, but it is the LORD's will that prevails". I'm looking for the latter...that proverbial "open door". Point being that God is still in the miracle business. He makes possible that which seems impossible. He's an awesome God!

Durin, as you say, I am being extra careful right now. Trying to keep my ears and eyes open. Being in the Word and in prayer more than usual. I remember an old Twila Paris song that says something like, "This is a time for faith and determination. Don't lose your vision here...". Good advice.

Well, thanks again everyone! Oh, and I DO value your prayers. Prayer is one thing in particular that is going to move these mountains. So, thanks!!

2004-04-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Prayer needed

On another not so pleasant note, I've got a couple of my employees that are maligning me once again. They are going to my boss....and my boss is listening to them. I've tried over and over to explain how this is unexceptable, how these charges are trumped up and don't have a leg to stand on. But it doesn't seem to matter. My boss is blowing off what I say and taking their side.

I just don't understand...I've NEVER had this kind of problem at a job before. I usually get on famously with everyone. This has been going on for 4 months now.

Also, there are several cut backs in budgets that are going. Combine this with a new baby in the family and...my stress is through the roof.

I've had it! So, for the past 2 weeks or so, I've been looking hard for a new job. One that pays better. I am finally ready to say goodbye to Dietetics. It has been a good career field...but it just has never paid enough.

I have a new baby in the family and it's time to venture out. But I would appreciate your fervent prayers if you don't mind. First, that the attacks at my work will cease. And second that I will find a better job.

Thanks.......:^)

2004-04-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

*)(&^$##@$! virus

My computer was sick with that stinking Sasser virus. But I think I got it. It was nasty. It slowed my poor computer waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy down and wouldn't let me stay on the net. But as I said, I think I got it fixed.

2004-04-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

Spent

I'm sooooooooooo tired. *insert hurrendously fatigued emoticon here*. I don't really have much more to say about that.

Thank you all of you for your advice on the how to post photos etc. When I get some spare moments, I'm going to follow up further....and hopefully get some images up here. :^)

2004-04-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Writing on the Wall

24-7 Prayer is asking for submissions to include in their next book. It is an intriguing project in which they will include prayers and poems from all over the world. I love the idea and am thinking of what I might submit.

Got anything you might like to send?

2004-04-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

Funny

I was thumbing through my book of Celtic Prayer for a prayer blessing for a new baby. And ofcourse, I found one. But I think that it is amusing that the authors put the prayer for lost sleep right after the prayer for a new baby. Lol! Yep, they kind of go hand in hand....as I am rediscovering.

2004-04-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Any advice?

I've been trying to host my photos of my beautiful new baby (let alone post them) without success. I tried posting them at villagephoto.com and they said my images were too big. Too big? They were just over a mg each. Is that big?

Any advice?

2004-04-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

Finally

Sasha Elise, my baby girl was born this early this morning on Wed., April 14.

The labor was fast, my girls are healthy and beautiful....and I am the wealthiest man on the planet.

I'm tired, and in a bit of a haze, but I am full of a wondrous joy. I give all my thanks to my gracious God.

Well, excuse me, I have to do the dishes and get my son up from his nap. For the next 2 weeks I'm going to be Mr. Mom. :^)