Culture or Church Language

When your praying and planning through a church plant you wrestle with everything from language to environment.

I while back I was wrestling with our purposes. I came up with Relate, Rejoice, Restore.

I bounced it off of some of my friends in ministry and they worried about the word 'rejoice' saying it was to church.

Last week I saw this book stand at Sam's Club...



Is rejoice a church word? Or does rejoice connect to humanity in general? Your thoughts?

Selah Saturday | Grandma's Shoes

She wants to grow up so fast.

Funny Friday | Chick-a-fila

Rob and Shane Hipps

Two of my favorite dudes..

Rob Bell Interviews Shane Hipps About Technology from Deadly Viper on Vimeo.

Pick up flickering pixels.

Ordination Reflection

I am overwhelmed with the ordination service last Sunday. Over the next week or two I will begin to process, post, and share my experience.

[attached is photo that Tom took]

Music Monday | Coldplay Puppets

I wish this happened when I was at school.

Funny Friday | Sleep Walking Dog

Thanks Trev for sending me this!

Creepy Creed

I really enjoy the Office. One of the most odd characters ever is Creed Branton, who incidentally is played by Creed Branton. I wonder how odd and creepy he is in real life? Does anyone know?


Speaking of creepiness - Creed and Mark Beeson could be brothers, if not twins!

Hey Tim Stevens is your boss as odd as Creed?

Following Your Father's Footsteps

I wanted to be just like my dad when I was 8 or 9 years old. I remember trying to do everything like him at the exact time. I chewed my food at the same speed. I got out of the car and shut the car door at the same pace. I even walked in perfect synchronization with his foot steps.  The only problem that I found out that as my little legs walked in sync with his, I would fall yards behind. Having to run and catch up at some point.

I can't help but think of our Heavenly Father who asks us to follow his ways [Duet11]. Jesus who called his disciples to be like him.  And Paul who called people to imitate him [1Cor4] and his example [1Cor11] as he followed Jesus. 

How are you doing following the father?

How are you doing being like Jesus?

Are you following Christ close enough that you are comfortable calling others to 'be imitators of me'? 

You have to answer these questions?  You should because their are little feet that are ready and willing to follow someone.  I pray it's Christ in you and through you - the Spirit within.

Music Monday | Love Songs

How come all musicians who get dumped write a song that sound like this...

Long, stupid, and redundant!

Selah Saturday | Finds A Lamp

Killing Relational Cacti

I've been very blessed to have many close friends and family over the years. But over time people move away, they enter another life stage (married, kids, etc.), or they just change.

Many times we take our relationships for granted, thinking they are rock solid, when they are probably on the rocks.

I think about my marriage. How easy is it to take her for granted because she is like a cactus - she can withstand a lot, she doesn't need as much 'care', although she deserves it. Sometimes I take her for granted and I repent of that.

If I don't take the time to serve, woo, and adore her - than I am killing the most valuable relationship that God entrusted to me. Not to mention that she is the most beautiful and fascinating creature that walks God's green earth and for that is enough to be ashamed.

I wonder...

How many marriages end because people don't give them the care they need?

Now many friendships are broken because you got 'too busy' to pick up the phone?

Killing A Servant Cacti

In ministry you learn rather quickly that ministry leaders and servant volunteers are the life blood of your church.

More time than not you will have a handful of 'true servants' at any church. Those who love to serve; they know why serve (love others because they love God), and they are easy to get to serve. They rarely say no.

Often these servant cacti don't ask for much time, effort while they are constantly pouring themselves out.

Time after time I have seen people like this one day fall off the map. Why? The cactus effect - those above them didn't take the time to appreciate, value and help them.

When was the last time you...

called these people just to ask them what's going on in there life?

sent them a handwritten thank you card with a inside joke you share?

bought them a gift certificate to a nice restaurant or a movie for them to take their spouse out?

took them out, listen to their story, and hear the ideas they have for their ministry?

Don't kill the cacti. Put a little care in and keep them growing! Even cacti can bloom.

Killing Cacti

My first day on the job at New Hope I received a welcome basket with some office supplies, good coffee, fun nic-nacs, and a cactus.

I thought, "Good, a cactus." At least it's a low maintenance plant and it shouldn't be hard to take care of. I had it for a while and occasionally watered it. Often I would catch Nicole, our office manager, giving it a drink because she felt bad for it.

Over time I slowly forgot about it, to the point that I was giving it no attention at all.

One day I came in and noticed it was shriveled up. Completely and utterly dead. No coming back from this one. Nicole called me a 'cactus killer'.

I took the cactus for granted because of its ability to need little and withstand a lot. Eventually I killed it. Leaving only a empty pot.

How often in life do you forget to take care of the good things that practically take care of themselves. Then you wake up one day and something is definitely wrong.

Over the next few posts I want to talk about different times/ways you can kill your cactus.

Music Monday | U2 is crazy...

Can't keep U2 down.

Selah Saturday | Unmentionables

Finally!

I knew this could be done! I am going to have to look this guy up before I venture off to plant.

Music Monday | Give Me Your Eyes

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes from Brandon Heath on Vimeo.

This song by Brandon Heath knocked my socks off when Sondra told me about it about a year go.

Excited for March

First of all today is my mom's birthday today. Happy birthday!

Second, Sondra starts her day shifts. She use to work from 7pm to 7am. Today she moved to an evening shift from 3pm to 11pm. This is huge! Sondra will have more energy and Selah will not have to go to the daycare as much.

Third, I am getting ordain at New Life Church of Christ on the 22nd. I'm grateful for and to New Life for pouring into me all these years and for publicly recognizing my calling to ministry. Would love to see you there if you are available. [Check their website for service times]

Fourth, I believe God is moving in NH-Ashland in huge ways. God has given me some very clear visions for ministry projects and systems in the near future. Follow the NH-Ashland blog to track the progress of the Ashland campus.

Fifth, we are one month closer to spring!