I'm Back

"I have returned to blogdom." These words spoken by my hero General MacArthur have inspired many people since he wrote them in his blog from his laptop on board the PT Boat when he returned to the Philipines. Well...in a manner of speaking that is. This will not be a full length article as I do not have time right now. Suffice it to say...keep posted as I promise I will post within the next week or so. Promise...on my honor as a security guard. I swear it on the sword of my......uh.....actually I don't have a sword right now. Anyway, more to follow.

To Make a Church...

There is a poem by Emily Dickinson that provides for a few thought provoking minutes. It is entitled, "To Make a Prairie." It answers the unasked question of what it takes to make a prairie and goes like this:

"To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover and a bee,
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few."

In regards to the concept of church planting today, I'd like to present my own version.

To Make a Church

To make a church it takes a late model computer and softwar, a colored DeskJet or laser printer, a multi-drawer photocopier with a sorting feature and computer linkup capability, and a video projector, a desk, chairs, tables, filing cabinets, adding machines, an answering machine, telephone, white boards, markers, blank CD's, paper, paper cutter, digital piano, pulpit, communion set, offering plates, nursery equipment, sound system, and possibly song books.
The computer, printer, piano, copier, communion set, nursery equipment, video projector, offering plates, pulpit, and chairs alone will do if the rest is hard to come by.

That list of equipment is almost a direct quote from my church planting book. And yes it did say "possibly song books." The thinking today is that you should probably have the words up on power point cause the people sing better and it's just more practical in todays society.

I've recently been re-reading "God's Smuggler." Great book that everyone should have a copy of. It tells of persecuted Christians in Communist countries back in the height of the Communist regimes. You know what they had for church? A few had Bibles. Sometimes not even the pastors had Bibles. A few had some song books. Those that didn't have Bibles or song books sometimes had hand written copies of portions of the Bible or song books. And when they got to church, they held their copies up high so that as many people as possible could read them. No computers or pianos, no copiers or powerpoint, no up to the latest date software or sound system. No nursery equipment. Just a few scattered copies of God's Word and some song books. And like I said, sometimes the pastor himself even didn't have his own Bible! And yet we today have our lists of hundreds of must have commentaries, dictionaries, theology books, study helps, etc, otherwise we are not adequately equipped to be a pastor. Oh and did I mention that M. Div. you've just got to have? Now I'm thirty years old, I've got my degrees, I've got my books, and I've got all my equipment, and now I'm ready to go out and start a church or become the pastor of an already existing church. So I go out and say I'm depending on God to help me but my tendency is to turn to all my stuff to help me out when I come up against a hard spot. Now there is nothing wrong with any of the stuff listed above. But without it, you are reduced to utter dependence on God and God alone. And that is right where God wants us.

Let me put it this way. What tools do you give your young son first? The DeWalt cordless drill, Milwaukee circular saw, Rigid nail gun, laser levels? No, you give him that 20" Stanly hand saw, the small hand drill, the 16 oz hammer, the small level and tape measure and teach him how to use those. Then you give him the power tools later once he has mastered the basics. Then he is never tied to those power tools.

Transfer that over to the theological/religious world and what thoughts does that make you think?

Read these verses from John 16:7-15.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (NKJV)

What are you thinking now? Books do help us understand the Bible. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty of them myself. But in America today, hardly any of us would ever dare dream of thinking of preparing sermon, or lesson, or (heaven help us) pastor a church unless we had our education and library. Consequently, we don't know the Bible as we should and we definitely don't know God as we should. If all we had was the Bible and the Holy Spirit working in our lives, through our lives, and in the lives of those we are ministering too...wait...did I just say the Holy Spirit? YES!! We have the Holy Spirit! No I'm not going charismatic. But I am saying we have the Holy Spirit and often don't even realize it or see Him work. But you might say, "But I'm studying a passage and I just can't seem to understand it. I keep getting stuck." Here's a possible reason: is there sin in the camp? God usually doesn't reveal much from His Word if there is sin in your life. Here's what I'm trying to say. Being reduced to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God would force us to be constantly in the Word resulting in
1. a thorough knowledge of it unsurpassed by anyone tied to commentaries,
2. being thoroughly right with God--no sin in the camp blocking access to the power of God
3. an awesome relationship with God because you are constantly talking to Him and He to you.

Now, when you throw yourself completely on the Holy Spirit and the Word, God will test you. He will deliberately put you through a dry time spiritually to see what your response will be. And you will be tempted to go to the commentaries and study helps. But you must not. First examine your life to make sure there is nothing hindering God revealing His word to you. Then once you have that taken care of, get on your knees and ask God to open your understanding. It may be that what you wanted to preach/teach on is not what God desires you to preach on. And He is trying to get your attention and turn it to what He desires you to preach on. Or maybe God is just wanting you on your knees before Him begging Him to open your understanding and show you His truth so that you can take it to the flock that He has entrusted to you so you can feed them. How awesome is that!! To be shown by God what a text means so that you can feed it to His flock! We cannot be tied to anything but God and His Word.

Now going back to the topic of making a church. We don't need all this stuff. We need the power of God. Matthew 16:18 says that Christ will build His church. Our programs, our Sunday School manuals, our nursery staff, our sound system, our worship leader, our track rack, our EE program, our ushers, our visitor cards, our advertising, our computers, our fancy copier machines, our power point and data projectors; none of these things are necessary for a church to be planted, grow, and mature. What is necessary is God and His Word and complete dependence on them.

2 Peter 1:2-4 says "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

It's not our books, Logos software, or anything else. It is the knowledge and power of God and Christ Jesus that gives us what we need for life and godliness. It is God's power that builds the church and it is through our (the pastor's) knowledge of God that He feeds the church. We often complain that we really don't know God. I wonder why? How do you get to know someone? Could it possibly be by spending time with them? When you are dating, you spend literally hours communicating with that special someone. And the result is that in a few years, you know that person really well. By spending hours with God and letting Him work in your life and transform it, you too can really get to know God and that will overflow out of your life and impact others. It's not about the stuff; it's about God and a relationship with Him. Get to know Him and that will transform your life and ministry. Really get to know God and the results will astound you.

Let's give God a chance to work again in the churches in America. Put away those distracting things. Put away the novels, the magazines, the movies, the TV, the computer, those things that aren't edifying and building you or those around you up in the Lord. It's time we got back to the Bible and God. So take your Bible and a pen and you and God and make a Christian and a church.

To Make a Church/Christian it takes the Bible and a Pen.
One pen and the Bible
And the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and Bible will do,
If pens are few.

A. W. Tozer once said, "Take away the Holy Spirit from the New Testament church and ninety-five percent of what was happening would cease. Take away the Holy Spirit from today's church, and ninety-five percent would continue."

How about it? What do you think?

Hold your horses...

I know I promised a post on my views of church planting. It's a continuation of my thoughts from a couple of posts ago. But I keep forgetting my book that I need to reference as I write the post....so hold on. I promise to write it before I virtually disappear from blogdome for the summer...sadness.

An Overloaded Donkey

This is what I feel like at the end of the semester feels like--an overloaded donkey.

Coming soon...

What does it take to have church or to have a church? A three page list of materials, worship teams, ushers?

My thoughts coming soon....

Where is the LORD God of Elijah?

What happens when you read books about Shepherding; listen to sermons by people like Tim Smith, Dr. Champlin, Brother Andrew, and Dr. Horn; read the Bible; and pray? I'm not sure exactly. But your thinking is bound to be challenged. And mine has. More to follow.....at a future date when I've sorted some things out.

But for now, if we believe in interpreting the Bible literally, why don't we practice that belief? If Christ says, "All authority is given me in heaven and earth. Go!...", why isn't it being done? Why don't we believe that Christ has all authority? If Christ says, "I WILL build my church", why are so many of our churches not growing? If the Bible says that being persecuted for Jesus' name is a good thing, then why are we so scared of it? Why are we so quick to throw up our hands in surrender at every little obstacle? Why are we so scared? Why do we sit around and argue about things that men have argued non stop for the last 400 years and still haven't figured out? Why aren't we out doing instead of sitting arguing? If only we would get out and do the work instead of talking about thinking we should do the work.

Where is our faith and security in Christ that allows us to abandon ourselves to Him and trust Him completely come what may? Where is the LORD God of Elijah? Is He dead? Is He out walking? Or is He sleeping? No!! Our faith is dead. Our faith is out shopping for new mortgage rates, new cars, houses, clothes, degrees, and select comfort air matresses so we can sleep better with our guilt ridden consciences while the world sleeps in lost terror lest they wake in hell. Our faith is out sleeping while we sit through another 20 minute sermon, anxiously checking our watches lest our pot roast burns. The question is not where is the God of Elijah; the question is where is the Elijah of today? Where is the David, the Daniel, the Paul, the Ezra, the Nehemiah, the Peter, the Stephen? Stephen was a deacon! The first martyr! The Bible says that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Not maybe. Not will suffer persecution if you live in China. It says all. ALL. All WILL suffer persecution. Are we living a persecuted life for Christ? What are we doing? I think I know the answer...do you?

Don't ask where God is but ask where am I. God hasn't changed. He is waiting for you to be ready and willing to sell all for Him. Then and only then will He show Himself to be the LORD God of Elijah in your life. The LORD God of Elijah is right there, waiting for you to claim His promises. Claim Them!

Next thought...or maybe I should save it for next time....yeah I think I will. You have enough to think about for now.

He Lives!

Here is an old Puritan Hymn I discovered some time ago. I saved it for a special occasion...and I think the special occasion has arrived. Can you guess why?

I know that my Redeemer lives;

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,

He lives eternally to save,

He lives all-glorious in the sky,

He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love,

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed,

He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply,

He lives to guide me with His eye,

He lives to comfort me when faint,

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,

He lives to wipe away my tears

He lives to calm my troubled heart,

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,

He lives and loves me to the end;

He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives, and I shall conquer death:

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name!

He lives, my Jesus, still the same.

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

This song is packed with doctrine and theology and I commend it highly to your personal study.

Two Hills, Two Valleys, and a Shepherds Heart

In one sense, I am tired of college. I'd like to be done and in full time ministry. I know...I know..."I'm in the ministry now." Sounds like a song. Why should I be in college? Why should I seek to get a Masters Degree after spending 4 years and thousands of dollars on a bachelors degree? Do the people back home really care about all the things we sit in class and argue and otherwise "discuss"? Dichotomy, Trichotomy; Majority or Minority text; do you have to ask Jesus to be "Lord of your life" before you are really saved; what about the elect; the list could go on and on. And frankly, most people I know really don't know and don't care about these issues. I recently sat in a seminar discussing how to choose a seminary. For the first 35 minutes, the discussion revolved around whether or not we should go to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. There were two things I really got out of the discussion, or maybe three or four. We'll see how many I come up with. At first I was frustrated. I didn't understand most of what they were discussing...anybody know what the "new hermeneutic" is?. Why would you want to go there anyway? The guys asking the questions aren't Southern Baptists. They are independent Baptists. But for some reason they thought it would be good for them to consider going. Like I said, I was frustrated, ready to walk out, go home and teach the teen class where the issues at stake were whether or not these kids would decide to live for God or follow the world. So why should I go to seminary if the issues that are being discussed really don't seem to affect my peoples lives? As I pondered that question, I started thinking about my pastoral theology class. I am to be a shepherd. What does a shepherd do? Well among other things, he guards his flock. The sheep don't know all the habits and ways of the wolves and false shepherds out there. And at present neither do I. It is my duty to keep those wolves and false shepherds from getting anywhere near my flock. The only way I can do that is to know their ways. Once I know them, I can warn, or instill fences in the lives of my sheep so when they hear about, or see one of those wolves or false shepherds, they know automatically what is wrong with wolves or false shepherds.

There are two hill and two valleys that I can clearly see without the aid of photographs. The one hill is Monument Hill and the corresponding valley is the Quincy Valley. From my house it takes 15 or 20 minutes to drive to the top of it. Once you reach the top, you can see the Quincy Valley. Seated in the middle of the valley is the town of Quincy. And when I see it, I see lost people, hurting people, scattered sheep. I can see the people who are seeking the American Dream. Their gods are self, entertainment, ease of life. I see the Hispanics, seeking to better their lives but living in squalor. And in a small, human way, my heart is moved with compassion. They are all lost sheep, scattered with no shepherd to care, feed, and protect them.
The other hill is Castle Rock; the corresponding valley is the Wenatchee Valley. This hill takes a couple of hours to hike up to, but the view once you get up is of the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. And once again I see people. I see the rich people who go skiing on the winter weekends, boating and wine tasting on the summer weekends. I see the homeless people walking the streets with no hope except the hope that someone will give them a handout. And once again my heart is moved. Why not go now? Why should I stay and get more schooling? Because I need it to properly shepherd my people. I don't fully understand it all yet, nor will I ever, but my view of salvation, sanctification, and a whole host of other subjects directly influences the way I will witness and disciple the people I am given to shepherd. They may never realize how it all affects them but it does. There is a "new hermeneutic" out there. I don't know what it is. But I need to know so I can compare it with scripture and find out if it matches up. My people may never hear about it but at some point it could affect their lives in a way I don't know or see now. That is why I and most people need further education. To properly guard and feed; to properly shepherd their flock.

I don't have all the answers. I don't want all the answers. This way, I am forced to my knees and to the Bible--to the Chief Shepherd--so He can shepherd me in shepherding the flock He has given me.

Juan Illegal Gonzales: Dirty Mexican or Lost Sheep?

Several of my friends and I have talked recently about our response as Christians to illegal immigrants. How does one respond? I've heard Christians call them "Dirty Mexicans." Is that the proper Biblical response? Do you just overlook their breaking of US laws? What do you do when someone you have worked and sweated with, talked and joked with, tells you that they are not in the US legally? Do you turn them in? I'll tell you right now that I don't have all the answers. I'm still sorting some of it out. But there are a few things I do know. And I'm about to impart my knowledge to you dear reader, to take it or leave it as you see fit but if the words I write today compels you to consider this very current and worthwhile topic, my time will be well spent. (I sound like an introduction from a book written 100 years ago!)

First, we are all sinners in the sight of God. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned." We are all guilty of breaking God's law and outside of God's redeeming grace, headed for eternal damnation in hell. Read Romans 3:9-19 "What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: “ There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” “ Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “ The poison of asps is under their lips”; “ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “ Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.” “ There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." According to a plain, literal interpretation, we Americans are no better than the Mexicans. Not even the Jews, God's chosen people, are better than the Mexicans. We are all the same in God's eyes. The only difference is if you are saved. But even then you must remember where you came from. I Corinthians 6:9-11 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." That is the difference!

But what about the illegals? What about the Hispanics? Remember that Christ died for all men, not just white Americans. Yes illegal immigrants are just that, illegal. But what did they do? They broke mans law. What did you do? You broke God's law. Now you are probably saying, "If you break mans law, you are breaking God's law." You are right. But you broke God's law as well. We can't get all high and mighty about ourselves because we are no better than the illegals. And just as Christ died for you, Christ died for them too! Christ loved the world. He treated sinners with respect. The people Christ had no respect for where the Pharisees. And you know what we all too often are as white, Christian Americans? WE are the pharisees of todays world. We have our theological arguments we spend hours and thousands of dollars bickering about when what we are often arguing about are moot points of our traditions. You know who the "dirty Mexicans" where of Christ's day? The Samaritans. Who did Christ go see? A Samaritan woman with 5 husbands and who was living with a man who wasn't her husband. What did Christ do? He talked with her and let her get water for him, and showed her that she needed Living Water and shared with her and her people the way to that Living Water! NOWHERE did he EVER treat someone in need in a derogatory fashion. No...instead he wept over them; he had compassion on them. I once worked with a man I'll call Jose. He had a wife in Mexico, a wife in America, and a girlfriend in America. Dirty Mexican? NO!!! Lost Sheep? YES!!!! And that is what our focus needs to be! These are lost people bound for hell like you once where. But now you aren't. You have hope and a message. DON'T YOU DARE CALL THEM DIRTY MEXICANS!!!

But there are laws on the books. Illegal Immigrants are just that, illegal. They have broken the law of this land. How do we deal with that? I don't entirely know. Often we do not know who the illegals are or aren't. And we can't ask. If they show identification, we have to take it and can't question it. I personally have never turned any illegals in. I don't know anyone who has, even those who call illegals dirty Mexicans. The only times I know of, in my experience, where illegals have been sent back to Mexico, have been when the Government has found out about someone being illegal. Someone said something very interesting the other day. They said that as long as a Mexican can earn 10 times more money in the US than in Mexico, there is no way you will keep them out, legal or illegal. And they are right. But that doesn't make the illegals OK. It is still wrong. So I don't know exactly what we should do when we find out that someone is illegal. I would probably strongly urge them to get things cleared up so they are legal. Especially if I find out that they are Christians or they just got saved.

That does raise another question that was recently brought to my attention. What do you do if you are planting a church that focuses on Hispanics? People start getting saved and then the illegals start getting convicted and turn themselves in or go back to Mexico their own. Your congregation is decreasing or always changing and fluctuating. That can make things difficult on the church planter and church. But that brings to mind the Jerusalem Church in Acts. A similar situation. The result of that scattering was the gospel spreading more places. So I say, get the Mexicans/Hispanics/Latinos saved and let 'em get back to their countries! We are to pray that God will send laborers out to the harvest field. God is answering our prayer if the Hispanics get saved then return to spread the gospel. So what if it makes things a little more difficult in our church plant. God will provide. Where's your faith?

So I guess I'll wrap this up now. Remember what you were before you were saved. Remember what Christ came to earth to do and what his response was to those rather less than savory individuals. We are all the same in God's sight. You are no better than anybody else. We need to share the gospel with everyone legal or no. And if you are still calling Hispanics "dirty Mexicans", I challenge you to go find one and make him your friend. Then let me know if your attitude changes.

(Josh, I hope it doesn't look like I plagiarized from your blog! If it does I didn't mean too.)

Last 10 days...

Got sick
Slept a lot
Went to the doctor
The doctor thought I might have pneumonia
Got chest x-rays
Got drugs for pneumonia
Back to bed
Missing lots of classes
Still in bed
Back to the land of the living
Back to classes
Back to work
Catching up like mad
Found out I don't have pneumonia
Working all night in booth
I think I'm depressed
Deep theological treatise coming soon....as soon as I get caught up on school.
And for all you who work night shifts...you have my deepest sympathy...I am awake with you and I feel your pain. Hang in there...sunrise is coming and then you can sleep.

True Religion???

Sometimes people do things that really burn me up. Now I'm a pretty laid back guy but sometimes even I get mad. Like really REALLY mad. Terry Shivo was one of those times. Recently an incident happened in Iraq that once again caused me to flip out. Maybe you read the report or saw it one the news. There were two car bombings recently. They were among the deadliest in Baghdad in the last year. The last report I heard was that the death toll was up to 99. And guess who drove the trucks? Two ladies. But they were not just two ladies. They were two ladies with Downs Syndrome. And the bombs were set off by remote control. What a hideous heinous act!! To use people who are mentally and physically handicapped to kill nearly 100 people! How can anyone do that? Maybe you don't know this but I have a little 8 year old sister with Downs Syndrome and the thought of someone using her to kill and terrorize is more than enough to fill me with rage. This has to be the work of the Devil. And those indescribable low lifes need to be brought to justice. Evil must be combated. But evil must not be combated in just the physical realm. Evil must be combated in the spiritual realm. How do you do this? By loving your enemies enough to take the message of Christ to them. Christ died for these people too. Now that is hard to believe. But one must realize that not only did their sin nail Jesus to the cross but my sin and your sin did too. That is humbling. Like Really humbling. The penalty of all sin is death whether that sin is just a little lie or sending innocent girls who where completely unable to resist such an atrocious act as to kill 99 people.

There are two lessons to be learned from this...there may be more but I haven't thought that far yet:
1-As sickening as that act of terrorism was, and as much as those who perpetrated it are guilty and deserving of death, all sin is deserving of death including ours. We are no better than those people are/were. It was my sin that sent my Savior to the cross.
2-And just as my Savior was willing to give His life for my sin, we should be just as willing to give our lives to take that message to others no matter who they are, where they live, or what they have done/are doing.
3-(I know I can't count) The devil is not just some grade school bully that needs some counseling(is that a root or a fruit issue?) that we don't really have to take seriously but he is a terribly wicked being that will stop at nothing--absolutely nothing--to attempt to advance his cause. And that extremely explicit truth should spur us into action. Whether we realize it or not, and we probably don't due to our complacent view of life, we fight a battle daily with the very forces of evil that controlled Saddam Husein, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and the like. Oh...I forgot...this is America and we are enlightened now. There are no demons that control people. How silly of me.

You get the point I hope. Now get out there, be humble, love your enemy, and fight!!

Waiting for Inspiration to Strike

Something I have been wondering some about over this particular break is the lucridity (my own spelling and possibly my own word) of the elite class in airports. Now if you are an elite member you get certain perks. One of those is that you get better service in the airport and on the airplane. So far so good. But how about this. I was sitting in the Seattle airport waiting to board my flight when the time came to get ready to board. If you have flown before you know that airlines board the old and young people first along with the elite/first class customers and those seated in exit rows. Nothing wrong with that. But here's the kicker. When the elite board, they board to the right of the podium. When the rest of us proletariat get to board the flight we have to walk on the left side of the podium. Now granted, you pay more you should get better service. But do you know what the better service is when you walk past the podium onto the plane? Do you know the difference between the left and right side of the podium? If you are the proletariat boarding to the left of the podium, you have the proletariat privilege of walking across a 4x6 foot square of dirty gray rug. Now if you are a member of the elite class walking to the right of the podium, you have the distinct privilege to walk across a 4x6 foot square of dirty red rug. And that dear reader is the only difference in the world between the elite and the proletariat when you board an airplane.

And someday, you too may be part of the elite walking across the dirty red rug, if inspiration ever strikes and you become rich.

Catch Up

Well I'm back...my break was good...slept a lot, ate some, played and read some, helped out at home and at church, that's pretty much it. In the four weeks I was home I was privileged/blessed to be able to sing in the Christmas Cantata(when I sang I had only practiced it once) I preached four times, did a teen activity and taught four teen SS lessons. It was a blast! Three kids moved up to the teen class this year and three left when our pastor moved to another church...they were his kids so they kinda had to go...so the numbers are still the same. About 8 depending on the Sunday. Anyway, so now I am back at school working crazy hours again as usual not knowing my plans beyond the end of this semester.

As a Pastoral Studies Major, I must do an internship to graduate. Where or when or with whom (who/whom??) I have no idea but I have till March to decide so what's the big hurry??

As we begin another semester and year, I am reminded again of a passage of Scripture that holds a reminder we need often. "But Mary has chosen that one needful thing." What is that one needful thing? Look it up and rediscover it for yourself. The reference is Luke 10:42. Happy reading!:)

The Trip Home and Break So Far

Well a late Merry Christmas to you all and a very Happy New Year!
My trip home was exciting. I got within the last flight which normally takes an hour and then I would have been home but the flight got delayed. When we finally boarded the plane and got situated they decided to cancel the flight. So me and my sister were stranded in Seattle. But we have connections! Our pastor recently took over a church in Seattle so we called him up and asked if we could spend the night. Of course they said yes. The next day we ended up borrowing one of their cars and we drove over the pass to our home. Actually I drove because I tend to drive faster than my sister...I won't say how fast as that is classified info. But suffice it to say we made it over the pass and into the glorious desert of eastern Washington in good time. Wide open spaces, mountains, desert, sagebrush...life don't get no better!

A lot of my time has been spent preparing messages and Sunday School lessons. So far I have preached 2x and taught 1 SS lesson. I have 3 more SS lessons, and 2 more sermons to write. Since we are without a pastor my Dad and the other Deacon have been doing a lot of speaking and I am helping lighten the load some. Not to mention the two very interesting situations my Dad is having deal with right now....So that's been fun and exciting. But God is faithful and good and we must trust and rely on Him.

So that's it for now. I hope all of you are haveing a great break and I'll see you in a few weeks.

What will I do?

Well the semester has ended and I have passed all my classes!! But enough with the past. On with the future. The break is here and I am flying home tomorrow. Already I know what I will be doing alot of during break. That is helping out at church. But that is all visible. What will I do in my off-time? You may never know. But I will and so will God. So that is the challenge. Will God be pleased with my activities over break? Will it be a time of growth? Or will I flounder and fall? What will I do? Will I come back stronger and more on fire for God than when I left? What will I do?

Not only is that my question for myself but that is the question for all of you as well. What will you do? I don't need to know but you know and God knows. Will you come back stronger or weaker? What will you do?

Poems, Mariachi, and Ramblings

Well I am 8 hours and 14 minutes into my 20 hour all night/all day shift. I'm listening to what I believe is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on a polka streaming websight. Don't ask. I'm about to change it. Which I just did. Now I'm listening to a gospel quartet. Friday was the last day of classes. Something happened in Greek class...I have immortalized it in the form of a poem. (first a pause to listen to the bass singer do a solo.) So that music was putting to sleep. I switched to...well it was "In the Mood" played on the accordion...interesting...now it is some mariachi...La Puerta Negra. But the poem...

The fly landed on my paper
I was ready for a caper
Greek class was getting long
I was waiting for the bell to gong

And when that fly had landed
I thought some fun to me was handed
My hand crept up to it
The fly my finger hit

It flew in an arc
My what a lark
It hit Ben in the arm
You can be sure I meant no harm

Ben didn't know what was going on
He covered his mouth with a yawn
The fly was no more
And Greek was soon 'ore.

So that was it...it provided me with some amusement...and all of you with a poem to deride and make fun of...is that redundant? We learned about something called reduplication in Greek...now if that isn't reredundant I don't know what is.....till next time I'll be around and busy....

Just..three...more...weeks...breathe.....breathe....you can do it......

Here's something till I can relate the events of my Thanksgiving Break. I wrote this about two years ago....and it still holds true.

Lamentations of a College Student Suffering from Spring Fever

Paling under fluorescent lights,
I sit and wonder if my mind is all right.
I listen to my teacher drone,
And write notes upon notes ‘til I feel like I’m stoned.

I listen for the buzzing of bees;
Their voices I hear calling me!
But alas and alack, the glass bars the sound
Of nature’s concerto on God’s green ground.

I drag my thoughts back to my teacher,
And try to focus on the lesson ‘bout Miss Beecher.
Then to the window my eyes stray aside,
And my thoughts with the wind,
Trees, and flowers
Abide.

....But there is a better way...

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.



Translated....well kinda....from the Norsk Bible. The focus should not be what "great" things we can do. Instead we should be imitators of Christ. Did he ever speak in tongues? Did he go around all puffed up with self-importatnce? No! He simply loved, served, and sacrificed. He showed us a better way and that is the way that Paul is pointing out in 1 Corinthians 13. The better way...they way of Christ. Are we proud and arrogant "tongue speakers" flaunting our gifts and abilitites? Or are we humble, loving, sacrificing servants? There is a better way....follow that way and it will lead to many adventures.....

And forbid not to speak in tongues...

Om jeg taler med menneskers og englers tunger, men ikke har kjærlighet, da er jeg en lydende malm eller en klingende bjelle. Og om jeg eier profetisk gave og kjenner alle hemmeligheter og all kunnskap, og om jeg har all tro, så jeg kan flytte fjell, men ikke har kjærlighet, da er jeg intet. Og om jeg gir til føde for fattige alt det jeg eier, og om jeg gir mitt legeme til å brennes, men ikke har kjærlighet, da gagner det mig intet. Kjærligheten er langmodig, er velvillig; kjærligheten bærer ikke avind, kjærligheten brammer ikke, opblåses ikke, den gjør intet usømmelig, søker ikke sitt eget, blir ikke bitter, gjemmer ikke på det onde; den gleder sig ikke over urettferdighet, men gleder sig ved sannhet; den utholder alt, tror alt, håper alt, tåler alt. Kjærligheten faller aldri bort; men hvad enten det er profetiske gaver, da skal de få ende, eller det er tunger, da skal de ophøre, eller det er kunnskap, da skal den få ende. For vi skjønner stykkevis og taler profetisk stykkevis; men når det fullkomne kommer, da skal det som er stykkevis, få ende. Da jeg var barn, talte jeg som et barn, tenkte jeg som et barn, dømte jeg som et barn; men da jeg blev mann, la jeg av det barnslige. For nu ser vi i et speil, i en gåte; men da skal vi se åsyn til åsyn; nu kjenner jeg stykkevis, men da skal jeg kjenne fullt ut, likesom jeg også fullt ut er kjent. Men nu blir de stående disse tre, tro, håp, kjærlighet, og størst blandt dem er kjærligheten.

I've been researching tongues for a paper...any questions?

Don't worry...the interpretation is coming ...unless someone wants to offer one...I mean lets do this biblically if we're going to do it.

Life is Real...

Sometimes the seeming futility and endlessness of life reminds me of a poem I list among my favorites. It is

A Parody on a Psalm of Life

Life is real, life is earnest,
And the shell is not its pen –
“Egg thou art, and egg remainest”
Was not spoken of the hen.

Art is long and Time is fleeting,
Be our bills then sharpened well,
And not like muffled drums be beating
On the inside of the shell.

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the great barnyard of life,
Be not like those lazy cattle!
Be a rooster in the strife!

Lives of roosters all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And when roasted, leave behind us,
Hen tracks on the sands of time.

Hen tracks that perhaps another
Chicken drooping in the rain,
Some forlorn and henpecked brother,
When he sees, shall crow again.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

The words of this poem often come to me when I am suffering from lack of sleep and major assignments are looming in the very near future. The incident that occasioned the remembrance of this poem today and thus memorializing it in my blog was that wonderful institution commonly referred to as Daylight Savings Time. I can assure you that as I look at the clock and the time of 117 AM registers in my somewhat somniatic (yes I just made up a word) state for the second time in an hour, Daylight Savings Time is a myth as it is certainly not light outside. Furthermore, since that said institution, i.e. Daylight Savings Time, has just moved the clocks back one hour, today my 8 hour overnight shift has just been lengthened to 9 hours....and I have 5 major assingments due next week.....why do I do this??? Well...can you think of something better to do with life than to further probe the recesses of my sleep deprived state?? I like adventure and setting the clocks back is almost like crossing the International Date Line without having to travel! Hey...if we set the clocks back an hour everyday for a year would time slow down? Life is real...Life is ernest.......and the sh......Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz