RE:think

Scot McKnight at his Best

Scot McNight posts about Willowcreek and Bill Hybels. It's good stuff, and for me, an essential reminder about the body of Christ.

After three years of speaking hither and yon, I’ve come to where I like all churches (or most churches). I like big ones and I like little ones; I like the cafe church and I like the missional churches. I think we ought to get along and participate together in the redemptive work of God in this world.

Jesus Creed - Bill Hybels at his Best

If You Have Kids...

I have four children. I love them all very much. And I have to purpose myself to be a good Dad. It doesn't come easy and sometimes it doesn't come naturally. I wish it did, but it doesn't. So, If you have kids or plan to one day, here's some advice. Granted, am not an expert and don't always have it all together, but with the help of my parents, I have learned a few things.

1. You can NEVER tell them "I love you" too much.

2. Make sure that at least once a day, when you tell them you love them you look them in the eye.

3. Hugs are good for kids. Kisses do nicely too.

4. Thank God often for the good gift that they are.

5. When it's play time, join in. It's good for you too. Laugh, a lot, while you play.

5. Tell them stories. Tell then about relatives that are no longer around that made a difference to you. Tell them about your trials and your victories. Tell them kids stories and fairy tales. Telling stories forms a bond that can never be broken.

6. Listen to your kids. Don't make them have to say your name more than once to get your attention.

7. Try to never lose your temper. This is hard, but worth working towards.

8. Go to their events. Ball games, school singing programs, whatever. Your presence means the world to them.

9. If you are good at something or enjoy something, teach them to do it.

10. When they work to please you, affirm them.

11. Pray with them. These are some of the most precious moments you can spend with them.

12. Pray for them, every chance you get.

13. Always give then what they need and pick your spots wisely on the things they want.

14. Beat them to this question: "How was your day?"

15. Let them see you be serious AND silly. Both are needed equally.

16. Make their dreams your dreams and don't dream for them.

17. Do what you can to make them feel safe. Take care of that and you take care of lots of their worries.

18. Introduce them to Jesus.

I may add to the list later. But I know this is plenty for any parent to work on. If you have children, add your own in the comments!

 

Technorati tags: Parenting, Kids

Gospel Music Awards... Wrong?

I was over at Shaun Groves blog and he accidentally posted a link to the GMA site and had the title "Wrong" labeling it. Everyone there started commenting and asking what exactly was wrong. He has since removed the comments since the post was botched. But I did post one...

I basically posted that I had problems with Christian Music Awards programs. And I know that my view is not the only one and I could be wrong. But I see Christian, or Gospel music as being there first and foremost for God and his Glory, right? Sure, it provides many different jobs for many different people and is a way to make a living, but the music itself is for God. I think? Right?

If so, I have a real problem with anything that says "what you did for God is better that what she did for him." And isn't that what awards do? Or am I being too black and white there? Talk to me. Like I said, I could be wrong.

One poster responded that was ok and a good thing to reward these folks in the Christian music industry. Really? Are we rewarding one set of ministers over another set?

And what of the question of "art" in this? The lyrics and musical composition are both art forms and isn't some art better than other art? This confuses the whole thing for me. Mixing the idea of art with God's work and then making judgements on it is hard for me to wrap my mind around. It's a very weird mix.

So talk to me. Tell me what you think. Convince me I am wrong or explain why you think I might be right...

Earth Day Church

Today is earth day and our church left the building. For the last three years, we have traveled out to a local state park to hold our worship service. They take a week each spring to have a nature festival and wrap things up with a worship service. It's such an honor that they continue to have us out. It's always an enjoyable service and we get to meet new people every time. I'd say it's a very missional endeavor. The setting ain't too bad either. I thought I'd post a few pics...

My crew before "church"...

Simple stage, simple worship... Here is what I call a Worship Leader's dream. I basically only had to show up with my guitar. We went no mics for the first time ever but the acoustics of the room really enhance the corporate singing. There is a natural reverb and as folks sing in there they are encouraged to sing even beyond how they usually would. I like the shot with the overhead projector, because it gets everything we used in one shot.

This Could Be Very Interesting.

If you read the RLP (Real Live Preacher), you already know about this. I will be following along for sure...

From the first post of this new blog:

I am a gay man living with AIDS in Los Angeles and I recently decided to re-explore the Bible, both as a piece of literature and for any potential spiritual inspiration.

Link: BIBLE VERSUS

Goodbye-ya

 

Well, I am a little bit ashamed to say, when Sanjaya was given the boot tonight, my entire household erupted into cheers. This dood had some kind of ride, but thankfully, someone a little more deserving can win now.

Wagner out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati tags: American Idol, Sanjaya

Falwell Discovers the 'Emerging Church'

Jerry Falwell has finally spoken out about the Emerging Church. It's more of the same from the heavy hitters of evangelicalism. He paints with broad strokes and didn't bother to take the time to separate "emerging church" from the "Emergent Village" brand. Says Falwell:

However, the website of The Leadership Network, the headquarters of the Emerging (or sometimes Emergent) Church movement, states that their outlook on "truth" offers a "flexible approach to theology whereby individual differences in belief and morality are accepted within reason."

Were his criticism only only in their direction, I'd be ok. I have the same problems. But again, here is yet another theological elite not doing his homework and writing something that amounts to very little in the end.

Another way he hasn't done his homework is that Emergent Village hasn't been known as "The Leadership Network" for some time as far as I know. And they are definitely NOT the "headquarters" of the global emerging church movement. How old are his facts and who gathered them for him?

It's this kind of article that shows he has an agenda that doesn't need to be backed by truth. It's maddening really. For someone who is so fired up for "truth" he has no problems bending his words for his agenda.

The whole article is so empty and incomplete that anyone who didn't know a thing about the global emerging church would be extremely mislead. And that is flat out wrong.

This fired me up enough that I sent him an email. I'm sure he'll never read it and I probably will get a canned response, but I've had about enough.

Link: WorldNetDaily: The 'Emerging Church': Straying from the Gospel.

Update: I found his sermon online from this Sunday concerning the Emerging Church.

Imus, Hip Hop, and Women

I haven't talked about the Don Imus deal. Most of you can probably figure out where I stand. I think he was very wrong, and personally I am glad he lost his job. He's done this for years and it never cost his bosses any money. When it finally did, they let him go. That's the saddest part. It took lost money to get this idiot off the air. Not his mean words and views.

But it has now caused the cross hairs to be moved to another group of people. And I for one am happy.

For years now, rappers and others on the hip hop scene have received a pass on lyrics that degrade women. Women are called "bitches" and "hos" and treated as objects meant solely to gratify men sexually. It's the epitome of misogynistic behavior.  Listen or watch a video and you will see that these men are not doing it for the sake of "art" or "social commentary". They are genuine and literal when they speak this way. But the defense from within that community is strong. Here is what Russell Simmons, Hip Hop Mogul, had to say.

"Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hop artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip-hop."

Mr. Simmons, that is bull stuff and you know it. Please tell me how Snoop, Lil Jon, or any number of rappers are saying what is right or wrong with society by not only rapping these lyrics, but by living them? Hip Hop started off the way Simmons describes it here, but it's not like this anymore. Run DMC, KRS 1, Public Enemy, and a host of others were rapping about what was right and wrong with society. They were respectful to women and did not use degrading language. Most rappers these days just don't. I guess we can thank the boys from NWA.

Snoop Dog had this to say:

"[Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. ... We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them mutha----as say we in the same league as him."

So who are you talking about Snoop? Are you saying if a woman doesn't achieve a certain status it's ok to call her whatever you want? You are in the same league there buddy. You can be hateful no matter your color Mr. Broadus. It's such a same you have wasted your influence.

Stuart Scott of ESPN said on a radio show that that those terms in the black community, along with the "n" word, had been reclaimed to be terms of endearment. He didn't agree that it was a good thing that this had happened, but he wasn't ready to call for the terms to be done away with.

I am married to a beautiful, intelligent woman. I have two beautiful daughters. I have a wonderful mother and three sisters that are very dear to me. There are no circumstances, NONE, where anyone, man or woman could call them a bitch or ho and me be ok with it.

Imus turns my stomach. I have heard him referred to as a relic from another time. I wish that were completely true. But anyone, black or white, who degrades women makes my stomach turn no less.  Read the article below. I hope Al Sharpton follows through on this and makes a difference. I'm not very hopeful though.

Related Link: VH1.com : Index : Hip-Hop On The Defensive After Imus Incident; Sharpton Calls For 'Dialogue' With MCs - Urge Music Downloads.

Hey Pastor, You DO Matter

I've never been a pastor. But I have worked with and observed many. It's a tough role and many times a thankless job. There are numerous things to keep up with and sometimes worry about. They are human like the rest of us but expected to be more than human.

Our family is blessed with a wonderful Pastor. And I just wanted to tell him, here, the difference he is making.

Sunday morning at Grace was very Resurrection centered. Pastor Kerry taught on the importance of the resurrection and the hope we have as well as the hope we can have for our loved ones. That stuck with a particular 5 year old little boy who has a hard time being still and paying attention.

Last night, on the way to Ricky's first baseball practice, my Granddad called. We talked for a moment, and then Ricky took the phone and talked for a minute. After we were done with the call, Ricky asked why "Papaw" lives by himself. I explained that my Grandmother had passed away many years ago. Then Ricky says:

"That's ok. Jesus came back to life. That means we can too. And it means your Grandma will."

It took me a few seconds to gain my composure. These are the moments with my kids that cherish more than any of the others. When I finally got myself together, I did what I always do in these cases. I ask questions hoping to make these things really stick. I said, "That's right Ricky, but how did you know that?" "Because Pastor Kerry talked about it at church."

Thank you Kerry, and all of you Pastors who answered God's call and make a difference in the lives of those you shepherd. Thank you for the sacrifices you make so that boys and girls, whether 5 or 55, can know more about Jesus and learn to love him.

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!