I know this is a long shot, but if you happen to read this blog, and you are the one person who signed up this weekend to serve as a greeter at the new 12:30 service, please comment on the blog--we didn't get your name on the card! When people sign up to serve at Grace, we take it seriously, so we don't want this person slipping through the cracks. We want to "help you help others" take their next step toward Christ! Meanwhile, you'll be taking your own steps because some of the best growth in your life happens when you are serving others.
By the way, we could use about 12 more volunteers to greet at the 12:30 service, so if you want to join in the fun, let me know!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Generosity
This is cheat of a post, but please take a second and read Perry's blog from today. An awesome story! Generosity in the midst of our tough economy is the kind of faithfulness and obedience that pleases God!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Don't Worry
I tried to actually compose a somewhat poetic sounding post, but couldn't get past the first sentence. So here's the post-10PM thoughts from today.
My brain wouldn't shut down last night with all sorts of thoughts about the impending birth of our son! It took at least an hour longer than it should have because I, like a typical guy) refused to bother finding the instructions to the crib online; BUT, we have our crib together:
And then tonight, Anne added the bedding after washing it once. Because I'm a man and can't use the word "cute," I'll say that this bedding kicks butt!
I'm so excited to meet our little boy. He's due around a month from today!
Around this time, like most first-time parents do, we've found ourselves at times worrying about how it's all going to work out. Baby aside, how many of us worry about "what am I going to wear today?" "I need a pair of _______ shoes for this event coming up." "Olive Garden or Carrabbas?" Yesterday's sermon, coupled with my small group from this morning, really made me focus in on Matthew 6:25-34. There is SO much in this passage! And it's so connected to the passage before it about God and "mammon." Are you worrying? What significant ideas do you notice in this passage? Are there any blogs/sermons online about this passage? If you'd like to participate, write your thoughts on this passage, if it hits you in a certain way, by commenting on the blog.
My brain wouldn't shut down last night with all sorts of thoughts about the impending birth of our son! It took at least an hour longer than it should have because I, like a typical guy) refused to bother finding the instructions to the crib online; BUT, we have our crib together:
And then tonight, Anne added the bedding after washing it once. Because I'm a man and can't use the word "cute," I'll say that this bedding kicks butt!
I'm so excited to meet our little boy. He's due around a month from today!
Around this time, like most first-time parents do, we've found ourselves at times worrying about how it's all going to work out. Baby aside, how many of us worry about "what am I going to wear today?" "I need a pair of _______ shoes for this event coming up." "Olive Garden or Carrabbas?" Yesterday's sermon, coupled with my small group from this morning, really made me focus in on Matthew 6:25-34. There is SO much in this passage! And it's so connected to the passage before it about God and "mammon." Are you worrying? What significant ideas do you notice in this passage? Are there any blogs/sermons online about this passage? If you'd like to participate, write your thoughts on this passage, if it hits you in a certain way, by commenting on the blog.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Couple Useful Apps
I've been bad about contributing to blogs in the last week or so. Writer's block and busyness has kept me away. I just figure you can keep up with things going on in my day by twitter updates to the right. By the way, if you are someone that likes to be connected to community through online technology, you ought to consider Twitter. If you are one of those people who is still a little wiggy about technology, let me just encourage you--the world is changing. Twitter is SO 12 months ago. I mean, if I'm on it, that means it's been around for a while because I'm a late bloomer. Anyway, twitter is great if you have a data plan on your phone, you can twitter through texting. On my computer, I use Twirl.
Another great app is Jott, again compatible and inter-faceable with so many other applications. The whole thing uses voice recognition and you can twitter, remind yourself of things to do, make grocery lists, and even dictate your blog by calling an 800 number. And, it's all free.
As an administrator, I tend to have to call many different customer service numbers, and inevitably I end up having to navigate the phone tree to find a real person (Edison must be turning in his grave at the invention of phone trees). NO LONGER!--Enter Bringo. Just select the company you're trying to call, enter your phone number, and wait for Bringo to call you back. When they do, you'll be in the queue for the next available rep. And be careful, sometimes the rep answers as soon as you're connected.
So get on out there and use technology, that's what it's there for! Anything that makes me more effective in my task of helping people take their next step toward Christ, even if it's calling an 800 number, I ought to be using it. Using the resources we have been given is just good stewardship.
Another great app is Jott, again compatible and inter-faceable with so many other applications. The whole thing uses voice recognition and you can twitter, remind yourself of things to do, make grocery lists, and even dictate your blog by calling an 800 number. And, it's all free.
As an administrator, I tend to have to call many different customer service numbers, and inevitably I end up having to navigate the phone tree to find a real person (Edison must be turning in his grave at the invention of phone trees). NO LONGER!--Enter Bringo. Just select the company you're trying to call, enter your phone number, and wait for Bringo to call you back. When they do, you'll be in the queue for the next available rep. And be careful, sometimes the rep answers as soon as you're connected.
So get on out there and use technology, that's what it's there for! Anything that makes me more effective in my task of helping people take their next step toward Christ, even if it's calling an 800 number, I ought to be using it. Using the resources we have been given is just good stewardship.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Two Babies
I said to someone this Sunday that I'm realizing I have two babies due around the same time late this summer, just a few weeks away. No we're not having twins.
The first is Anne and I's son, whose name is still a secret just so we're sure and so no one goes engraving anything until then. He's due August 21st, but as we all know, it could be anywhere in the month of August. He's doing really well, Anne's experiencing 3rd trimester discomfort, but all in all the pregnancy is going well. This is a huge blessing from God! This little one is a miracle, a story I may save to divulge until his actual birth. I'm getting so excited, and so scared, to be a dad. It's crazy just typing it is a wake-up call. There is still so much to do around the house, but we have been SO blessed by the generosity of many folks handing things down or giving NEW things. Feels a bit like Acts 2:44. Continue to pray for us and the health of our son.
The other "baby" is this third service, due to start on Sept. 7. Just like the other, I have so much to DO to get ready, and yet no matter how ready I think I am, I won't be fully ready. That's where the trusting God, and trusting you our church, comes in. None of us can do the work of Jesus alone, we've been given each other. Together we respond to the gift of the opportunity to impact people, provide an encounter with the living God, by making it happen.
Just yesterday I was asking someone to step into a role, and I almost typed at the end of it, "I'm not trying to pressure you." But in a way, I am. Let's be clear: no one wants anyone to be serving purely motivated out of the guilt. You shouldn't be guilted into serving. If you're serving just because you're supposed to, and nothing else, its time for some evaluation. BUT, Mike presented a compelling vision for serving and getting connected at Grace: God created us for a purpose, what we call at Grace "helping others take their next step toward Christ."
We've been called as the people of God to be on fire for him, to "Be his witnesses" (Acts 1:8). If you decide to just come to church for an hour, and then go about the rest of the week, you are free to do that. Especially if you are new to this whole Jesus thing! You've got to ease into it, learn what it's about, like the disciples did in the New Testament. But God does not want us remaining in one place, he wants us moving forward toward his purpose. After three short years, Jesus sent the disciples out to change the world. And in those three years, Jesus had the disciples do a LOT of ministry, while he mentored them. I'm not ashamed to ask you to step into the next thing that God has for you. I'm not ashamed to ask you to be his hands and feet, to make your life count by by a part of radical change through Jesus in other people's lives.
The first is Anne and I's son, whose name is still a secret just so we're sure and so no one goes engraving anything until then. He's due August 21st, but as we all know, it could be anywhere in the month of August. He's doing really well, Anne's experiencing 3rd trimester discomfort, but all in all the pregnancy is going well. This is a huge blessing from God! This little one is a miracle, a story I may save to divulge until his actual birth. I'm getting so excited, and so scared, to be a dad. It's crazy just typing it is a wake-up call. There is still so much to do around the house, but we have been SO blessed by the generosity of many folks handing things down or giving NEW things. Feels a bit like Acts 2:44. Continue to pray for us and the health of our son.
The other "baby" is this third service, due to start on Sept. 7. Just like the other, I have so much to DO to get ready, and yet no matter how ready I think I am, I won't be fully ready. That's where the trusting God, and trusting you our church, comes in. None of us can do the work of Jesus alone, we've been given each other. Together we respond to the gift of the opportunity to impact people, provide an encounter with the living God, by making it happen.
Just yesterday I was asking someone to step into a role, and I almost typed at the end of it, "I'm not trying to pressure you." But in a way, I am. Let's be clear: no one wants anyone to be serving purely motivated out of the guilt. You shouldn't be guilted into serving. If you're serving just because you're supposed to, and nothing else, its time for some evaluation. BUT, Mike presented a compelling vision for serving and getting connected at Grace: God created us for a purpose, what we call at Grace "helping others take their next step toward Christ."
We've been called as the people of God to be on fire for him, to "Be his witnesses" (Acts 1:8). If you decide to just come to church for an hour, and then go about the rest of the week, you are free to do that. Especially if you are new to this whole Jesus thing! You've got to ease into it, learn what it's about, like the disciples did in the New Testament. But God does not want us remaining in one place, he wants us moving forward toward his purpose. After three short years, Jesus sent the disciples out to change the world. And in those three years, Jesus had the disciples do a LOT of ministry, while he mentored them. I'm not ashamed to ask you to step into the next thing that God has for you. I'm not ashamed to ask you to be his hands and feet, to make your life count by by a part of radical change through Jesus in other people's lives.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Milestone
Today marks three years since I married God's gift to me, my bride, Anne. In three short years we have seen so many changes in our lives, so many times where God has come through for us, has brought us through challenges, has corrected us. We have a long way to grow as a couple, but we really have a great relationship. We're absolutely best friends, we are really getting to know each other's styles, preferences, nuisances, and ways of communicating.
I love you, Anne, from my heart. Apart from the work of Jesus Christ, you are the greatest gift, and my best friend. You work very hard, you lift me up when I need it, you draw out my strengths, encourage me to work on my weaknesses, and love me no matter what. You also look to me for leadership and inspire me to provide it. I know that our marriage is going to get much more strong as we both grow.
Now we're adding to the family, and God is giving us a precious gift, a little boy who we pray will grow to be a strong man of God. I'm excited about doing this together with you! Let's both develop in wisdom and knowledge of God, so we can impart that to him. On our third anniversary, I affirm that I will always love you, no matter what is going on in our lives, and I celebrate the day God brought us together 4 years ago, and the day we made it official 3 years ago, in front of all the people so dear to us.
I love you, Anne, from my heart. Apart from the work of Jesus Christ, you are the greatest gift, and my best friend. You work very hard, you lift me up when I need it, you draw out my strengths, encourage me to work on my weaknesses, and love me no matter what. You also look to me for leadership and inspire me to provide it. I know that our marriage is going to get much more strong as we both grow.
Now we're adding to the family, and God is giving us a precious gift, a little boy who we pray will grow to be a strong man of God. I'm excited about doing this together with you! Let's both develop in wisdom and knowledge of God, so we can impart that to him. On our third anniversary, I affirm that I will always love you, no matter what is going on in our lives, and I celebrate the day God brought us together 4 years ago, and the day we made it official 3 years ago, in front of all the people so dear to us.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Several Thoughts
I needed to focus last week on preparations for this morning, and updating here got away from me over the past few days. Now I play catch up!
This morning at Grace I preached in the absence of Pastor Mike, who's on vacation. For those readers who aren't local or missed it, remember you can download here. We're in a series right now called Cinemology, basically about finding valuable lessons illustrated in the movies. It definitely was not a conventional sermon like the kind I was taught to preach in college/seminary. I think I managed to preach Scripture and use the movie to support my ideas, rather than exegeting the movie and throwing some Scriptures in there to support it. I think God will use it, he definitely showed up this morning.
Had an interesting realization this morning. About a week and a half ago, Anne and I were at Magic Kingdom. We rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and found ourselves in the gift shop. As we walked out I saw a little person that looked very familiar. When we were out of earshot, I said, "Is that Willow?" I was refering to Warwick Davis, of the late 80's hit fantasy movie, Willow. Hmmm...didn't know it was directed by Ron Howard...
Anyway, I found out from a fellow Disney-goer that it had, in fact, been Warwick Davis whom I had walked within 3 feet of. I think that's the closest I've ever been to a celebrity. It was funny, because it led into this discussion with said fellow Disney-goer about the age, life, and career of Warwick Davis. You've GOT to scroll down and see all the stuff he's done. He was in the old BBC versions of the Chronicles of Narnia! I never did see any of the Leprechaun movies, but I think he does a great job as Professor Flitwick.
It turns out, said Disney-goer had also come within ten feet of him on the same day at the Star Wars ride at Hollywood (AKA MGM) Studios. And if said Disney-goer is reading, the movie I was trying to think of is one I actually haven't seen: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Moral of the story...? Keep your eyes open?
This morning at Grace I preached in the absence of Pastor Mike, who's on vacation. For those readers who aren't local or missed it, remember you can download here. We're in a series right now called Cinemology, basically about finding valuable lessons illustrated in the movies. It definitely was not a conventional sermon like the kind I was taught to preach in college/seminary. I think I managed to preach Scripture and use the movie to support my ideas, rather than exegeting the movie and throwing some Scriptures in there to support it. I think God will use it, he definitely showed up this morning.
Had an interesting realization this morning. About a week and a half ago, Anne and I were at Magic Kingdom. We rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and found ourselves in the gift shop. As we walked out I saw a little person that looked very familiar. When we were out of earshot, I said, "Is that Willow?" I was refering to Warwick Davis, of the late 80's hit fantasy movie, Willow. Hmmm...didn't know it was directed by Ron Howard...
Anyway, I found out from a fellow Disney-goer that it had, in fact, been Warwick Davis whom I had walked within 3 feet of. I think that's the closest I've ever been to a celebrity. It was funny, because it led into this discussion with said fellow Disney-goer about the age, life, and career of Warwick Davis. You've GOT to scroll down and see all the stuff he's done. He was in the old BBC versions of the Chronicles of Narnia! I never did see any of the Leprechaun movies, but I think he does a great job as Professor Flitwick.
It turns out, said Disney-goer had also come within ten feet of him on the same day at the Star Wars ride at Hollywood (AKA MGM) Studios. And if said Disney-goer is reading, the movie I was trying to think of is one I actually haven't seen: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Moral of the story...? Keep your eyes open?