The church I am now attending is offering a Men's Bible study based on books by John Eldredge, the author of many books including Wild at Heart. I read that one and I have to admit something to you.
That's not me.
Not that I haven't dones enormously stupid things in my life, particularly when I was youngish. At times I took tremendous risks with little thought to the consequences, like climbing rocks in Palisades Park along the Mississippi or along the banks of Devils Lake in Wisconsin. Like straddling the edge of the waterfall in a State Park in southern Illinois, a place where later that same day someone fell and got seriously injured on the rock face below.
Great story. While traveling back down along the trail at the Palisades I found a cave in a rock that let you enter on the top, descend inside, and emerge 30 feet below. Being youngish at the time I took the short-cut and emerged out the bottom. But I was unaware that my twin brother was on the top of the rock engaging in one of those time-honored guy things, dropping stones. You guessed it, I stepped out and took a stone to the noggin.
Aynways, I'm not youngish any more and when I read John's book I thought, that is definitely not me. I don't want to whitewater raft without paddles or a canoe; I would rather swim at a local pool with lifeguards all around. I no longer have the desire to save the damsel in distress; I won my princess years ago. My battle lust has left me; I've slain enough dragons (often unwillingly) in my life and am tired of the mess.
I would rather make sure my flower garden is weed-free. I can't think of anything more enjoyable than snuggling with my new granddaughter Megs and playing "who's got the binky". I love to snuggle with my older grandchildren Em adn Luke watching a movie on a cold Michigan morning than be out snow-shoeing in this mess. I love my Saturday morning breakfast at Bob Evans with Mary. When I go fishing it's at the local quarry and I am more interested in catching some relaxation than fish.
I want to start a new movement, write a response to John Eldredge, called Mild at Heart.
Will you joing me?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Cross-generational ministry and loving it.
Met with our small group, Genia, tonight. We used a Nooma study from Rob Bell and spent some time talking about the need to get unstuck and become the people God has called us to be, to experience all of the blessings he has to offer.
This group is truly unique. We intentionally brought together a group of people from different age ranges and in different stages in their life. Some are young children and pre-teens, some teens, the majority young adults, then some of us older folk.
It's challenging to meet the demands of all of these different people. Yet they are committed to each other. Friendships are growing within the group, friendships that weren't there before. We lean on each other when we are in trouble and laugh with each other in good times.
It's extremly difficult to find study material for this type of group. We use a lot of videos, interspersed with some "typical" studies, to try to reach everyone at some point. Visual is definitely the best learning medium; it transcends the age gaps and causes everyone to focus together. With all of the kids focus can be an issue.
I truly love these people. It's my hope and prayer that they will all continue to grow in love for God and for each other, that they will learn to unselfishly serve others, and that they never forget that life should be fun.
It's up to God. They're Yours.
This group is truly unique. We intentionally brought together a group of people from different age ranges and in different stages in their life. Some are young children and pre-teens, some teens, the majority young adults, then some of us older folk.
It's challenging to meet the demands of all of these different people. Yet they are committed to each other. Friendships are growing within the group, friendships that weren't there before. We lean on each other when we are in trouble and laugh with each other in good times.
It's extremly difficult to find study material for this type of group. We use a lot of videos, interspersed with some "typical" studies, to try to reach everyone at some point. Visual is definitely the best learning medium; it transcends the age gaps and causes everyone to focus together. With all of the kids focus can be an issue.
I truly love these people. It's my hope and prayer that they will all continue to grow in love for God and for each other, that they will learn to unselfishly serve others, and that they never forget that life should be fun.
It's up to God. They're Yours.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Cubs Fans and Hope
I've been a Cubs fan my entire life. Is there anyone who understands the concept of hope better than a Cubs fan? If they fail to make the Big Show again this year it will be 100 years, a full century, of futility.
Steve Garvey did it to us in 1984. Milking out one more year in baseball to pay his huge alimony he jumped ship and went to the Padres. Still had a bat, too, good enough to beat us and send us home so his team could get swept by those Tigers.
Everybody forgets 1989, when we came oh so close only to fail again.
Nobody forgets 2003, especially Steve Bartman. What, Moises Alou never learned to go into the stands to go after a ball, even at that level of the playoffs? And Alex S. Gonzalez boots a grounder? Don't blame Steve, and surely don't hate him for doing what we would all have done.
No, nobody knows hope like the Cubs fan. Spring training, pitchers and catchers reported already. And once again Cubs fans are talking about this year, our chances, will our pitching hold up, can we score runs in the late innings. Hope springs eternal in a Cubs fans breast.
And in October we will be home, just like all of our Cubs players, watching someone else get demolished by what could be the greatest Detroit Tiger team ever. (They may sweep the World Series in 3 games because the other team will just give up and forfeit). And once again our hope goes unfulfilled
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5; American Standard)
That's us, Cubs fans. exulting in our trials, persevering, real characters, filled with hope that does not disappoint.
Think Jesus is a Cubs fan?
Steve Garvey did it to us in 1984. Milking out one more year in baseball to pay his huge alimony he jumped ship and went to the Padres. Still had a bat, too, good enough to beat us and send us home so his team could get swept by those Tigers.
Everybody forgets 1989, when we came oh so close only to fail again.
Nobody forgets 2003, especially Steve Bartman. What, Moises Alou never learned to go into the stands to go after a ball, even at that level of the playoffs? And Alex S. Gonzalez boots a grounder? Don't blame Steve, and surely don't hate him for doing what we would all have done.
No, nobody knows hope like the Cubs fan. Spring training, pitchers and catchers reported already. And once again Cubs fans are talking about this year, our chances, will our pitching hold up, can we score runs in the late innings. Hope springs eternal in a Cubs fans breast.
And in October we will be home, just like all of our Cubs players, watching someone else get demolished by what could be the greatest Detroit Tiger team ever. (They may sweep the World Series in 3 games because the other team will just give up and forfeit). And once again our hope goes unfulfilled
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5; American Standard)
That's us, Cubs fans. exulting in our trials, persevering, real characters, filled with hope that does not disappoint.
Think Jesus is a Cubs fan?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Rythmless
I stand in church, the music is powerful, my arms are lifting up and my body is swaying and I want to (can I say it) dance! But there's two problems here.
First, I am rythmless. That's right, this guy who can sight-read almost anything and who sings all the time can't keep rythm. When I sang in church they would hand out instruments to everyone, handbells and triangles and tambourines. Everyone in the group got one except me, for I have no rythm. This is not a guess, this is born of years of factual evidence, beginning back in the disco era. Sure, I looked good in a tan leisure suit, but I couldn't dance a lick. I can't dance I can't dance I can't dance...
Second, I was raised in a church that didn't let you dance, and definitely absolutely never in a church service. Do you know why? Because dancing leads to sex! Everyone knows that all the slutty girls started off on the dance floor. Just look at those moves, tell me that isn't simulating something! No dancing, little hand lifting, and occasional clap. Mainly organ music anyways; tough to dance to the way it was played.
And yet I want to dance in church. I want to spin and twirl, I want to lift up my hands and give up my inhibitions and just dance before Him. I want to strip myself of all the delusions of grandeur and in pure joy dance before the Lord, just like David did, just like the greatest king ever.
I'm so close. One of these Sunday mornings...I can dance.
First, I am rythmless. That's right, this guy who can sight-read almost anything and who sings all the time can't keep rythm. When I sang in church they would hand out instruments to everyone, handbells and triangles and tambourines. Everyone in the group got one except me, for I have no rythm. This is not a guess, this is born of years of factual evidence, beginning back in the disco era. Sure, I looked good in a tan leisure suit, but I couldn't dance a lick. I can't dance I can't dance I can't dance...
Second, I was raised in a church that didn't let you dance, and definitely absolutely never in a church service. Do you know why? Because dancing leads to sex! Everyone knows that all the slutty girls started off on the dance floor. Just look at those moves, tell me that isn't simulating something! No dancing, little hand lifting, and occasional clap. Mainly organ music anyways; tough to dance to the way it was played.
And yet I want to dance in church. I want to spin and twirl, I want to lift up my hands and give up my inhibitions and just dance before Him. I want to strip myself of all the delusions of grandeur and in pure joy dance before the Lord, just like David did, just like the greatest king ever.
I'm so close. One of these Sunday mornings...I can dance.
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