Merry Christmas

I got home this morning while it was still dark out, there was a beautiful clear sky and as I looked up into it I couldn't help thinking of those shepherds thousands of years ago. Can you imagine what that must have been like? You're lying there watching your sheep graze in the same pastures your ancestors have been using for generations and then all of the sudden…….., BAM!!! An angel shows up out of nowhere. It doesn’t say how big the angel was so it could have been huge, imagine something the size of the Sears building popping up out of thin air. No wonder they were scared, who wouldn’t be? And then to be told the greatest message ever shared with mankind, you, a lowly shepherd the first to be told of the birth of your country’s long awaited Savior. Not only your nations Savior but the One who came to save the entire human race from sin, death, and eternal torment in Hell, there’s nothing in the world that could prepare you for that moment. Two thousand years later there’s still nothing that compares to the moment you come face to face with Jesus and His Gospel of grace. So as we celebrate the baby in the manger let’s not forget that it was the life, death, and resurrection that followed that makes it a moment worth making much of.

Columbus and back again

A couple of weeks ago I visited Veritas Community Church, an Acts 29 church in Columbus,OH that had recently launched. It was a good experience all the way around. Nick, the lead planter, was on staff at Sojourn in Louisville for several years while he was in seminary so Veritas has a lot of similarities. I had a good talk with him before and after the service (one of the benefits of a small church)that helped with some of my decision making about seminary. Veritas is only two months removed from it's launch and the night I was there there were about 50 people. (I counted, but I've forgotten what the exact count was now, not that it matters.) Mostly it was just interesting to me to be at a church that close to it's launch, it was an encouraging time for me and I'm truly glad I went.

It's Thanksgiving today which means it's a good time to look back at the past year (and life in general) and give thanks for what's happened. (and sometimes what hasn't.) :)Obviously I most thankful for my salvation, the more I think about it the more overwhelmed by it I become. The amount of grace, love, and mercy that's been bestowed on me is far beyond my comprehension but I know it's far more then I, or any of us, deserve. I'm also incredibly grateful for my friends. I've been reminded of that a lot over the past week, especially as I was sitting in the middle of several of them last night at a basketball game. I really have been blessed to be surrounded by these people. I know I have countless more things I could put here but those are the ones that have pressed on my mind lately.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Overdue

I realize it's been awhile since I posted anything, I wish there was a good reason for that but really there isn't. I've just been bored and lazy.

One of the biggest changes in the last couple of weeks has been finding out that it's going to take about three years to finish my degree at Ball State as opposed to a year and a half or two. (needless to say, I'm not altogether thrilled by this.) I've decided to double major in history and religious studies. (mostly to help me make BSU's requirement of 126 credits to graduate.) But before I go back to Ball State I'll be headed back to Ivy Tech for a semester because t he new G.I. Bill doesn't go into affect until August of '09 which means it's not practical to attend BSU during the spring semester.

Since I'm going back to school full time December 27 will be my last day at Sallie Mae. It's been a perfect job for me the last year and a half but there's no way I can work there (especially on thirds) and go to school full time.

The one truly exciting thing that's happened recently is I bought tickets to see Oasis in Detroit December 13th! That's all for now, ciao!

Way overdue

Here's a quick run down of my life right now: My gradma's in the hospital with a shatered hip and wound that won't heal, mom's been going out to Indy every day for almost two weeks now to be with her, and I just spent a half hour in the E.R. last night with an infected gland. (YAY.) In fact I'm so stressed out right now I can't even remeber what all's happened lately I just wanted to write this so I could check it off my list. :)

no title

The commercialization of christianity in America just dropped to a new low. They now have a "christian" version guitar hero. Great, just frickin' great. Because we really needed one more way to cheapen our faith and draw back even further into cultural irrelevance. Congratulations us, high fives all around. When christianity officially dies in the west we'll look back on things like this and know why. I'm sure (or at least hope) the person who came up with this was well intentioned, and just wanted christian kids to be able to play a game with "christian" music. (whatever that is.) But I really see it as yet another leap backwards, right up there with Bibleman, W.W.J.D. bracelets, and Carmen. (and a whole host of other things we could name. PAX network anyone?) We're never going to change the world around us if we keep finding more ways to sprint full speed away from it. If you're going to win a war you can't constantly retreat and withdraw you have to be brave, advance into enemy territory, and be willing to risk you life. Instead we seem to have decided to isolate ourselves from the world around us and then cluck about how sinful everyone is. We're all sinful, every last one of us and our little insulated christian bubble that we've created isn't what saves us, Jesus is. There are still millions of people out there who need Him, not our holier than thou attitude. So instead of running out to buy the newest christian "it" thing maybe we should go hang out with the guy from work instead.

Louisville and Oasis

I know it's been awhile since I've posted not that I think anyone really cares but here's what I've been up to the last few weeks.

The Sunday prior to Labor Day I went down to Louisville to visit Sojourn since I hadn't been in 9 months and I'm really glad I went. The sermon was something I needed to hear and it reminded me why I wanted to go there so badly in the first place. Afterwords I got invited out to dinner with a few people from Sojourn and really enjoyed it, it made the idea of living down there for 5 or 6 years for seminary seem like a better idea then it had recently so it was definitely worth the trip.

Then on Labor Day Chris came over and we grilled and watched the movie "Smart People" which was well worth the time it took to watch it. Then we found out my Grandma fell and broke her hip so that pretty much dominated the rest of last week. (she's still not home so please pray for her.)

Today: I FOUND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE FOR OASIS' NEW SINGLES "THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHTING" AND "FALLING DOWN"!!!!!! (yeah, I'm a little bit happy about that.) :) Only 28 more days until the full album comes out. :)

I think that pretty well catches everything up, ciao.

Why ask why?

Jimmy and I went church hopping down in Indy on Sunday. It didn't make either one of us want to leave Tabor. (In fact quite the opposite.) Between the bad theology, self absorbed worship leaders, and overly loud sound systems I think we both came away more grateful for the church we call home.

Mom's home from getting her second eye worked on. So far both eyes seem to be doing well, of course with has bad as they were to start out with it would almost take more talent to make them worse then to make them better.

I only have 48 more days until the new Oasis album "Dig out your soul" is released! :) Yes, I am excited. (But only a little bit.) :)

A year later

It's been a year now since my stint in the Air Force Reserve ended and I have to say I haven't missed my monthly trips to Richmond, KY once. :)

It's also been a year now since the Lord started calling me towards church planting. Of course things have changed over the course of the last year and I'm going to use this post to catch up on where I'm at now. I'll start with Ann Arbor. The vast majority of permanent A2 residents (A.K.A. non college students.) are in their early 50's and up. After a lot of prayer I've decided I want to be closer to that age range when I plant in Ann Arbor. Which effects my plans between now and then. Since I'm working on a longer timeline I have other decisions to make. One of them is when I move to Louisville do I only go for my M.A. or should take the time to get my M. Div.? Or do I even go to Louisville? I'm thinking about going to Army OCS (officer cadet school) after I graduate from Ball State and taking seminary classes online while I'm in. Or I could graduate from SBTS and plant one or two other churches before I plant in Ann Arbor.

Those are the primary trains of thought running through my mind right now. If anybody has any thoughts on any of this I'm all ears.

Timothy

I'm reading 1st and 2nd Timothy right now and when I get done I think I'm going to go back through and read them a few more times. In them Paul is writing to a young pastor and giving him instructions on how to lead the church Timothy was pastoring. It's full of practical insights on how to lead a church and as someone who hopes to that some day I've found it helpful, encouraging and a little bit scary. I also enjoy the personal aspect of it as well, you can tell this was someone Paul loved a great deal.

Acts 29 had this posted on their web site and it just grabbed my heart.:

I received the greatest letter this week from a seven-year-old boy along with 5 one-dollar bills. In his own handwriting he said,

“Dear Acts 29,
My name is Ravi [deleted last name for privacy].
I am 7 years old.
I want to help plant a church.
God Bless You,
Ravi”

This thrills me because of his heart for Jesus and His work through faithful church planters and those with child-like faith.

I don’t want to make this a gimmick, but for anyone who wants to match Ravi’s $5 donation to help plant a church, send $5 to
Acts 29 Network Ravi Matching Fund
3524 NE 95th St Seattle, WA 98115

Can we receive a boy’s five loaves and two fish and feed five thousand? Any funds received will be sent to a church plant in Dallas, Georgia that is launching in September.
Thank you Ravi, for your gift and inspiration!

A few scattered thoughts

I just got done reading through 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and it struck me that Paul refers to the Gospel as a mystery. (as he does elsewhere.) I've probably heard/read these passages several hundred times over the course of my life but somehow this time it dawned on me that this is Paul saying this. Paul, this man was a genius and had a direct conversion with Jesus on the Damascus road and yet he calls the Gospel a mystery. It just struck me that if Paul repeatedly called in a mystery just think how amazing it must be. I don't have anything deep to say about this, it was just something I thought I'd pass along.

I found this artical/response by Daniel Montgomery regarding the emerging church on the 9 Marks website ( www.9marks.org ) and thought I'd pass it along. Have a great weekend everybody. :)


There have been many attempts in recent years to have a "dialogue" with the emerging church. In reality, the so-called emerging church is so diverse that I’m often left wondering with whom this dialogue is supposed to be taking place. Is it the freewheeling neo-universalist emerging church, or is it the theologically orthodox church plants in black t-shirts? Nonetheless, if one backs up far enough on the emerging canvas, one can see some recurring themes—most born from reaction against their church predecessors. Instead of focusing on criticism, I want to echo a legitimate concern that emergent church leaders have voiced: a reductionistic understanding of Christianity.

First, many believers have adopted a reductionistic understanding of the church, believing that the church is a building, a political affiliation, or a name on a membership role. This understanding produces religious consumers, whose commitment waxes and wanes whenever the next building is built, when the politics cool, or when the next big thing happens down the block.

Second, many Christians have reduced the scriptures to a set of moralist rules or a self-help guidebook. Emergent leaders loudly remind us that the scriptures are an organic whole, the beautiful story of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification. Tired of Dr. Phil-inspired sermons, many emergent leaders invite us back into the life-changing story of scripture, the story of what God has done throughout history to reconcile all things to himself.

Finally, and most tragically, many Christians have come to believe a reductionistic gospel. One only needs to say a prayer and walk an aisle to be "saved." The emergents are right in reminding us that a confession of faith is not the whole story. Salvation is an event, but it’s also a process (Phil 2:12-13). The gospel is the means and the motivation for every aspect of the Christian life - not just conversion. Instead of seeing the gospel as solely about justification, they remind us that it’s also about sanctification—the transformation of our minds and hearts into what he wants and intends for them to be. Our conversion is (as one emerging leader notes) the starting line of a life-long, life-giving journey.

Unfortunately, in the emerging church, these prophetic reactions sometimes swing the pendulum too far. Sanctification overshadows justification, and the glory of the cross isn’t acknowledged. The story of the scriptures overshadows the fact of the scriptures, and inerrancy and authority are lost. The joys of community overshadow the needs for polity, discipline, and worship, and the purity of the church isn’t guarded.

For this reason, I hope that evangelicals and emergents can hear one another. I hope that we can embrace the church in its rich biblical and historical heritage. I hope we can walk back into the strange world of the Bible, amazed as much by it’s God-breathed authority as we are by its life-giving power and presence. Most of all, I hope that all of us—emergents, evangelicals, and Christians of all stripes—can stand amazed once again at the blazing glory of Christ in his life, death and resurrection.

Daniel Montgomery is the pastor of Sojourn Community, a church he planted in Louisville, KY in 1999.

Just another day in paradise

I spent my 4th of July sleeping and working (what? You thought I had a life, ha! How silly of you.) :) It was nice though, all things considered. I had the house to myself for a large part of the day because mom and dad were at a Ramsey family shin dig. I then spent most of the night at work bored out of my mind because we're never very busy on holidays so I surfed the net and read. I found some useful things online though. 1.) Listened to Matt Chandler's newest sermon. (as always great, listen to it when you have time.) 2.) Found a list of the three branches of the government. (Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. I could only remember the first two and it was really starting to bug me. Yes, I am a dork. No, I don't care.) And 3rd, I looked at what's included in the new G.I. Bill. WOW!! :) For once dragging my feet actually worked in my favor. Tons better then the old one, chalk one up for the politicians. (ONE, and only one. That still leaves them with a negative score.) :) :P

I have places to be and people to see, ciao.

Another beautiful Monday

I love running into people I know when I'm out. I'm sitting in Panera right now and some friends from church are sitting a few tables away. (The Ball's and the Stephens'.) If you're going to run into people from church they're some of the best. :)

We had my Grandpa's 82nd birthday party on Saturday, it doesn't seem possible that he's that old. He doesn't act it at all, could pass for about ten years younger which bodes well for me. :) It always good to spend time with the Sneed side of the family, especially now that it means hanging out with Chris and Sara.

I spent most of my weekend hanging out with Jimmy though, we didn't really do much but we don't really have too, we're easily amused.

That's all for now I've still got errands to run and another fun filled night of work to look forward too. :)

Nothing to write

My life isn't all that exciting right now so I don't have much to write. I worked over yesterday so by the time I got home I had pushed through my "wall" so I stayed up until 2 p.m. watching "Definitely, maybe" and then crashed. (Good movie, I went to see it when it was in theaters.)

I'd been experimenting with a beard for over a week but I shaved off this morning because there was a gap on my upper lip where I couldn't get anything to grow. It was like death valley, "the place where facial hair goes to die." lol :) Oh well, it's kinda' a bummer because other then the gap I really liked the beard.

And that'll pretty much wrap it up, ciao!

Living in the now

I'm at one of those points in life where everything is just sitting still. It's the first time in a year my life has been this slow. I'm trying to enjoy it but honestly I'm a little bored and more then a little afraid of what's may be around the corner. Usually when things get this slow it's God's way of saying something crazy is about to happen and I'd better rest up and get ready.

I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about how much of a disconnect there is between what I say I believe and how I act most of the time. Granted, I'm not the worst person I know, but I am still a sinner and find myself doing/saying things I wish I could take back. It's not even like it would be all that hard to change I just don't, which makes me feel like a real moron most of the time. I can't even get out of bed some days without screwing things up. I wake up some days cussing under my breath about something that's wearing on my nerves like I have any control over life, or that having a lousy attitude is going to change things. I know God is sovereign, that He knows exactly what He's doing and just need to shut up and listen. Most of the time though I'd just rather whine and dig my heels in like a two year old, I've yet to see any positive results from using this tactic but somehow that doesn't seem to stop me from doing it. I'd like to think some day I'll get past this, I think it'll get better as I mature more, but part of being human is having to constantly fight my sin nature not matter how mature I may become there's always something. I know this because I know plenty of people who are more mature then I am and they still fight this battle every day, which is helpful and disheartening at the same time. It means I'm no more jacked up than anybody else but at the same time it means this is something I'm going to have to fight for the rest of my life.

Just another Wednesday

I just got my haircut, there's nothing quite like that fresh out of the oven haircut feel. :) I timed my next two haircuts so I'll have a fresh one for VBS at the end of July, I love VBS. Mostly because I love kids, the Gospel, and a legit excuse to act like an overgrown child. ;)

I've discovered that if the Intercultural Leadership program at SBTS doesn't work out there's a M.A. in Theology I could earn there in three years going to class two nights a week, which would be pretty sweet. So if the one doesn't work I'll just find a job in Louisville and take Theology. (Who thought I'd ever be happy about that as an option, or seminary for that matter?)

That's all I got, peace.

Seminary

I think I've finally come up with a plan for life after Ball State. Lord willing I'll attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and study for my Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Leadership. There are a few catches to this scenario. First, I have to be approved by the SBC's North American Mission Board. Second, I'd have to plant an SBC church. As most of you know I'm not crazy about being a part of a denomination particularly one with name Baptist in it but in the end there are a lot more things I like about the situation there then I dislike so I decided to just bite the bullet and do it. A big draw for me is the fact that if I'm a member of an SBC church I get my tuition half off and the church I'd plan on attending in Louisville, Sojourn Community Church, is part of the SBC so I'd get the discount.

Right now I'm just praying that this is the last change of plans I have to make for awhile, not that changing things every two weeks hasn't been exciting but there is something to be said for having things settled. :)

Prayer Requests

Just a couple of quick prayer requests:

The parents of one of my friends are in the process of applying for a divorce. Please pray for her, she just graduated high school so this is kind of an emotional time anyway.

Also, my "big sister" Elaine's dad is having more heart problems and is probably going to need a 4th surgery.

Purpose Driven Confession

"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous"

- THE PURPOSE DRIVEN DECLARATION


I had one of those "light bulb" moments yesterday. For long time now Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven" life has irked me not because I don't agree with it but because everything in it seems so obvious that I can't believe people haven't already figured that stuff out. Then it dawned on me it's not Warren I have a problem with, it's the people who make his book a necessity that bug me. I've been thinking about Rick a lot since seeing him at Exponential, the guy is the real deal. Granted I didn't talk to him personally but I tend to be really good at reading people and he was genuine. So I had to repent of being torqued with him and got torqued with the morons who need the book instead. (Just kidding, I love them and nurture them the same way I would want to be.) Of course all of this made me think of Matt Chandler's article "Ned Flanders and me" which I've posted below. Because no matter how many times you read it, it never hurts to go back and read it again. :)


Ned Flanders and Me
Author: Matt Chandler
POSTED ON: 11.22.06



I have a confession to make and I hope it doesn't make you think less of me. Ned Flanders and I have become friends. It hasn't always been this way. For years before I began to pastor a church I knew just what the problem was in American evangelical culture, and it wasn't sin, it was church people, it was Ned and his friends. The "frozen chosen" I think I have heard them called. They were old, tired, non missional, unmoved by the gospel, and thought the Left Behind movies were a great idea. They had driven our precious Lord's bride into the ground and deserved at least to be mocked in our young, hip, missional conversations and sermons and maybe even killed in some sort of Old Testament fashion. I used to think that when my time came to Pastor I didn't want or need any of them. I just wanted to see people saved. I didn't want to "swap sheep" in fact maybe we wouldn't let anyone join the church that was trying to come to us from another church in town. I could see us now, raw, gritty, authentic, and somewhat angry but not enough to be called sin, tattooed and rough around the edges. Ned would hate it, but we would reclaim the gospel he and his cronies had taken and perverted into this withdrawn, judgmental joke. We would see the lost saved and develop them ourselves.

In December 2002 my time had arrived to Pastor and I came to The Village with all the ignorance and arrogance of a 28 year old with all the answers and few questions and immediately began learning that I was an idiot. Over the last four years I have been challenged, refined, chiseled and rebuked. And somehow in the middle of all of that Ned and I became good friends. It started over a cup of coffee (and I'm not speaking in code here. Ned does not and will never have a beer with me). I started learning some things about him over that cup of coffee. First of all, we are very different. He loves Sandy Patty records, has 5 icthus' on his car (one of each member of his family) and only watches the PAX network on television. As I learned all this about him I wondered how we could co-exist or honestly even have a conversation, but then the strangest of things happened we found some common ground. It seems that Ned and I have, as hard as this is to say, some similar passions. I found out that day that Ned loves both the church and Jesus very much. On top of that he wants with all his heart to see his neighbor, Homer, come to know Christ, and prays for him constantly. It was a shocking revelation to me. The problem that I thought plagued us wasn't the problem at all.

It's a strange thing to wake up and find out you are the very thing you hated and rebelled against to begin with. Judging men not by the content of their souls but by how they dress, talk and drink. I was expected when I came to know Jesus to wear a suit on Sunday, part my hair on the side and then hairspray it down, quit drinking completely and learn to speak "Christianese" fluently. If I did those things I was welcomed and loved if not, I was the outcast. I find it heartbreaking that I have tendencies to do the same to others. The expectations have changed, it's not a suit it's an un-tucked shirt, it's not your hair parted down the side it's messy hair that you spent 15 minutes making look messy. But it's the same madness, the same judgments, and the same sin that plagued my fathers before me. We think our methods are the methods instead of a method. So Ned and I are friends. We fight a lot, usually over philosophy of ministry and volume of music, but on weekends like last weekend when we baptize dozens and dozens of grown men and women I can see him back there, last row on the left earplugs in, surrounded by raw, gritty, authentic, and somewhat angry but not enough to be called sin, tattooed and rough around the edges people and he loves the place and I think he might even like me.

I have a two year plan! (We'll see how long this lasts.) :)

I've decided what to do with myself for the next two years. In January I'm going to move on campus at Ball State (Go Cards!) and finish my B.A. in History. Lord willing assuming everything goes the way it should, (Emphasis on SHOULD) I'll graduate ether in the fall of 2009 or spring of 2010. After that I get to try and figure out what do next. (again) I have some ideas but two years is a long time which means almost everything will have changed by then so we'll just see what happens.

Also I moved back in with mom and dad this past week because, well it's a long story but the bottom line is I had to go somewhere and they were the best option.

Which is why I'm sitting in Panera typing this. Besides the fact that it's a good excuse to get a blueberry scone. Who thought up the word "scone" all it really is is a triangle shaped biscuit. But anybody who knows anything about marketing knows the name triangle shaped biscuit just isn't going to sell, so we have scone. (It just sounds British doesn't it? I swear I'd break out in an accent right now, except I'm drinking Pepsi with it which is probably my saving grace.) Yes boys and girls, Pepsi and blueberry scones, the breakfast of champions. lol :)

Well I should probably get a move on, I still have things to do today, ciao.

Keep Your Hands Open

The devotional below is the result of everything that's happened over that last six weeks combined with the fact that I ended up listening to Matt Chandler's sermon on Missional Living 4 times yesterday. (Go to The Village Churches website using the link in the sidebar and listen to it for yourself.) The story I open with happened about a year and a half ago but this is the first time I've said anything about it to anyone. I hope some of you find it as helpful as it was for me to write it.

~JR~


Keep your hands open. He had just got done giving me a simple but profound sermonette and this was his punch line, keep your hands open.

I had been trying to be more loving towards the homeless as I had opportunity and this guy had pulled up on his bike as I walked out of Dairy Queen and asked for some money to buy a burger. Normally I don’t give money to people like this because I know there’s a good chance they’ll use it to get stoned, or drunk, or both but there was something about this particular man that didn’t seem normal. I could have gone in and bought him the burger but I was tired and had to get up early the next morning so I didn't really want to put that much effort into the situation but I figured I could watch him go in the DQ in my review mirror and see if he actually bought food or not. So I opened my wallet, I was going to just give him a couple of bucks but right there on top was a 20 and I could see his eyes light up. “Crap” I thought to myself “there’s no good way to talk my way out of this, I’m going to have to give it to him. Oh well, he probably needs it more then I do anyway.” So I handed it to him and he launched into his sermon, to be honest I don’t remember much about it except at the very end he took my hand and made me open it, put the 20 in it and said “you have to keep your hands open for God to be able to put things in them.” Then he looked me dead in the eyes, smiled, and said “but you already know that, don’t you?” I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just smiled and nodded. He put the 20 back in his pocket and walked away. I got in the car, looked in the review mirror, and he was gone. I couldn’t find him anywhere, there was no way he could have taken off that fast, had he been an angel?

I don’t know, I probably never will know for sure but the principle of keeping my hands open has stuck with me and over time it’s developed into a way of life. The thing you have to remember about keeping your hands open though is that it’s not just about getting, it’s about receiving God’s decisions in all your life. Keeping my hands open means giving God full access to every part of my life, not just the ones where I want help. It’s easy to keep your hands open when God gives you something you like, but sometimes keeping your hands open means letting God take things out of them that you’d rather keep or receiving things you don‘t want. As Job 2:10 says “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" So keeping my hands open isn’t about getting what I want but rather acknowledging that every circumstance in my life comes from my heavenly Father which means it’s for my benefit.

Jesus pictured the hands open principle just prior to his crucifixion in Luke 22:42 when He prayed "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus kept his hands open to the point of willingly accepting his death. What did He receive in return? Eternal glory and honor. We were also blessed by His living with his hands open. It’s only through Jesus life, death, and resurrection that are sins are paid for. That leads to another reason we should live with our hands open, the benefit of others. When we keep our hands open and let God give and take things as He sees fit we are less likely to become attached to the things of this world and more likely to share with others around us, allowing us to bless them and encouraging them in ways we may never realize.

So instead of arguing with God the next time He does something we don’t like we should thank Him for the good things He has given us and ask ourselves, “What is God trying to teach me with this? How is this making me more like Jesus? Who can I bless through this?” That’s what living open handed is all about.

I should be asleep right now

It's 5 in the morning I should be asleep but I'm not. I've dozed off and on all night, plus I took a couple of long naps yesterday so I feel pretty good. Right now I'm listening to Matt Chandler's sermon from the 11th on Missional living. I love listening to Chandler, he's an amazing speaker and a gifted teacher. You should really listen to him sometime, any of his stuff is worth listening to if you get the chance.

27 and counting

So, I'm 27 now. I have to be honest, I could really care less. I doubt I'll do anything to celebrate today. Chris and Sara are throwing a party for me tomorrow but since the Homeschoolers had their graduation today everybody's busy. Of course that did mean I got to see all my friends today so it works. :)

I feel like I should write something more but I'm tired and unmotivated so this is it for now.

Hitting the wall

I seem to have yet again hit the wall. I try to sit still, but then something gets waved in front of me so I go after it as hard as I can and inevitably plow into another wall. Today is one of those days where I wish I had never heard about church planting. I'm so tired of trying and never getting anywhere. It's always darkest before the dawn though, eventually everything will work out.

What it's really like to be grown up

Today was one of those days that you never think about as a kid. You know, the days when being a grown up is "boring." I went grocery shopping, cleaned the dishes, took out the trash, and still have to go to work tonight. (Yes, kids it's one big party. WOO-HOO!) :) The highlight of the day was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and watching Chuck on Hulu. I enjoyed it though mostly 'cause it makes me laugh to think about how naive I was as a kid. Somehow I envisioned myself going to parties every night of the week and just hanging out being "cool", whatever that meant. Now my idea of cool is getting wheat bread buy one get one free. I almost did the happy dance right there in the bakery isle. Until I remembered that a.) I'm white b.) it's just bread and c.) I'm in the middle of Mejier.



Thinking about doing "boring" stuff reminds me of Acts 16:11-12.(No, I'm not a freak of nature I just read it a day or two ago.) Luke gives what seems to be really pointless information about their traveling. "So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days" - ESV. I'm always struck by how mundane this all sounds. Why is this even in the Bible? Are Paul's traveling habit's that important? But I stop and think about what the Bible is all about, Jesus, and it takes a slightly different appearance. Jesus was there with them in the middle of all that. The boring, everyday, unexciting routine of life. Just like He was there with me while I was shopping for bread, washing dishes, and eating PB&J. Also the fact that they were able to do all that uneventfully shows God's protection. They didn't get caught in any major storms, pirates didn't attack their ship, and nobody got sea sick. Similarly today I didn't get in a wreck, cut or poke myself doing the dishes, and I'm very thankful that I'm not allergic to peanuts. So really far from being boring this is actually a fairly comforting passage. It shows that God is always there with us not just when there's some big miracle, but when we're able to get out of bed in the morning and make it through a whole day without anything seriously awful happening that's cause for praise too.

Rock and roll

Today was pretty busy. Got off work and went to my preaching class, came home and slept for awhile. After I woke up I took my mom to Marget's 90th birthday and then to Marshalls to run errands. I went out to Grandpa and Grandma's and visited them before going on to watch Zephyr at Knightstown high school playing a fund raiser for Riley children's hospital.

Right now I'm watching Saturday Night Live and just relaxing before tomorrow and everything that goes with Mother's Day.

First "real" post

I was going to go hear Brian McLaren speak tonight but...., I was tired and I didn't want to see him that bad anyway.

It never fails to amaze me how things can change so fast. Just when I thought I knew what all my options were a new one shows up on my doorstep. How nice. Some times I feel like my life is God's own personal Comedy Central. That's not a complaint, just an observation. (Be honest, you've felt like that some time today.) :) Anyway, please pray for me I could have a big life change coming up.

I'm reading an amazing book right now by John Stott titled "The Living Church." It is by far the best book on what the church should look like that I've read. Stott takes both sides of the argument and blends them amazingly well, very impressive.

It's almost time for the last episode of Scrubs to come on. (Not a not a huge fan, but I like it and it is the last show ever.) Then The Office and then get ready for work. (Third shift's the bomb.) :)

Later all.

Well, let's see if I can make this blogging thing stick. :) I'm going to try and update this at least once a week. I'll put a "real" post here soon, I promise.