I just finished my last intern class of the semester – I love hanging out with these young minds….so much potential!
I ended our class with a video clip that Jerry Batista shared with me – a spirited debate on the existence of Satan from Nightline. The fact that we covered Screwtape as one of our [...]
Archive for March, 2009
30 Mar
Classic Debate
27 Mar
Hard Questions
As I read through The Monkey and the Fish I’m taking inventory of my service to God through my local church. My answers to these tough questions reveal much to me:
- Are people’s lives really any different?
- Is my community and city really being transformed?
- Is hurt and pain really being marginalized in my community?
- [...]
24 Mar
Where Real Work Gets Done….
A new paradigm shift in work spaces?
I tweaked Chris Brogan’s blog to fit me. I just love his insight….
I do most of my work at Panera, Borders and Barnes and Noble. Although I have 2 “official” offices, it is rare that you will find me in either for too long.
Why?
* “Bookstores have books, which [...]
20 Mar
Lord, Keep Me Safe??????
“The desire for safety stands against every noble human endeavor.” – Tacitus, Roman philosopher
If I really believe that my purpose here on this earth is to glorify my Creator Jesus Christ, then I must stop praying the “Lord, keep me/us safe” prayer.
Instead my prayer needs to be – “Today Lord, through whatever means necessary, be [...]
17 Mar
A Parable – Who is the Monkey?
A hurricane stranded a monkey on an island. In a protected place on the shore, while waiting for the raging waters to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed to the monkey that the fish was struggling and needed assistance. Being of kind heart, the monkey resolved to help the fish.
A [...]
15 Mar
Keep Running
“Right now a lot of men who have considered themselves successful are suddenly feeling as if they’ve fallen behind, perhaps irredeemably so. Many men are dealing with this sudden economic downturn by taking out their frustrations on themselves – working harder, stressing more, and in some cases, simply giving up. Too many of us identify [...]
13 Mar
Pre-Confessions of a Closet Calvinist
Confession: I have always been a closet Calvinist (a theological system and an approach to the Christian life that emphasizes the rule of God over all things….ALL things).
It’s been an inner struggle forever! My (perceived) free will versus the sovereignty of an All Mighty God.
The collective cultural theological pendulum seems to swing between the two.
Is [...]
10 Mar
Facebook – a sociologist’s dream come true.
If you are not on it yet, you are really missing out.
Value?
Just this past week a friend of mine connected with her son at a critical time in his life on Facebook. She tells me that he would have never opened up face to face or on the phone [...]
9 Mar
Goat Farmer….
The story went something like this:
There was a farmer who had 10 goats. Every day he would take great care of these goats – personally feeding them, checking their ears, cleaning their pen, etc. Then one day the farmer became the proud owner of 1000 goats. He quickly realized that he could no longer give [...]
6 Mar
Praying for “Our Daily Bread”
Over 2 toasted slices of whole wheat bread, a little peanut butter, and a little more honey…..
I’m thinking about “our daily bread”.
The Lord’s Prayer.
Seems I default to this when I don’t know what or how to pray.
I was reminded of this recently as I struggled through my love/hate relationship with fasting. Issue: when I don’t [...]
5 Mar
A Circular Relationship
Most missionaries will attest to this phenomenon.
Their experiences demonstrate the circular relationship of gospel and culture: the gospel challenges the culture which, in turn, illuminates the gospel.
Actio sequitur esse = action follows essence. Who we are down deep inside, is what we do everyday.
As believers in Christ a subconscious relationship exists between doing good things [...]
4 Mar
Dating – Daughters – Dad (part 2)
Disclaimer – both parties gave me permission to share the following:
Setting: Midnight this past Monday.
Me, minding my own business in the man cave, not bothering a soul. ESPN on the background, finishing up an email response, cell phone within reach but being appropriatley ignored….until it begins to ring.
Caller ID – Andrew. One of my favorite [...]
3 Mar
Simple….
Preaching on Sunday mornings is such a simple thing and by complicating it, I think we all do ourselves and the audience a disservice. It is very simple. Here is the model: Make people feel like they need an answer to a question. Then take them to God’s Word to answer the question. And tell [...]
Say What?