Our Spiritual/Physical Body

A friend at church recently brought up a subject that I must admit I'm intrigued by...the idea that our spiritual and physical natures are much more connected than we might initially realize. What we do with our body affects us spiritually. In fact, Jesus, in the New Testament, fully embraces physical humanity walking, eating, drinking, crying, weeping, working, etc. He does all this, and yet, He is also God - and God is Spirit. This is profoundly interesting to me. We tend to separate our spirituality into a back corner or at least back in a place where it can be in our lives but not too connected to everything else. I don't think this is possible for a follower of Jesus! Look, some of the most profound activities we do as a community of faith is physically act out our faith - even in our worship (bread & wine for communion, water immersion baptism, raising our hands, getting on our knees in prayer, etc.). So, I'm pondering how to better embrace and integrate my physical and spiritual connectedness as a follower of Christ. I think that's being more like Him...WWJD...

Easter in the NW

So one of the biggest weekends for churches all around the world occured...yes, Easter. Despite the bunnies, eggs, egghunts and the fact that it followed Washington's spring break, it felt like a great Saturday and Sunday at least for Common Ground Church. To see many of the volunteer's faces as they served the community at our Eggstravaganza was pretty cool. I watched our church really open up and talk to friends and neighbors and show that following Jesus isn't weird and that going to a church could be pretty fun. The overall attendance was a bit lower than I had hoped and prayed for, but, I know God was speaking and moving for those who came. In fact, one of the highlights for me was not only seeing my neighbors in church, but I also go ride to church with my family - for the first time in over 2 years! I prayed this morning that our church would continue to let God work in our homes, neighborhoods and friendships to draw more to know Him.

The E-Myth for Churches...

I recently read a book given to me by a friend called "The E-Myth" and I must say, I did enjoy it. This is really a book geared toward helping small businesses, but, I thought it applied to small, startup churches (like Commonground!) as well. It points out that many who begin startups are workers who worked for someone else then decided they could be their own boss just as easily and so they quit working for someone else and start their own gig. Sounds good, but the problem is that one cannot just do the work you've always done when you are a business owner - you must wear other hats like vision, marketing, finance, management, etc. So, the book did a good job of pointing out that you cannot run it all well like that - which is why so many small ventures die. Some of us have the entrepenuer strong, others have the management part strong, others have the technician/worker strong. All three are vital. Good insight I think. The book then delves into the solution of sorts which is to decide one's goals in life (personally), then, for the small biz owner to plan the business with those life goals in mind. I did like the idea presented in the book where a small biz learns franchise way of doing things - everything reproducible without the owner's hands having to be in it - a reproducible business that one could sell to an investor or other owner and be able to produce the same great results somewhere else. How could that apply to churches? That's what I've been chewing on...

Cross-dressing friend

I just found out that a friend from across the pond likes to dress up in women's clothing and has a different name when he does so. He was worried that my wife and I would not want to continue being friends with such a revelation. I must admit I was shocked, but, I certainly don't see any wisdom in ending the friendship. I let him know that my wife and I were not into that scene, but, that we support them as friends and continue to care for them. I believe that God made us to be creative people, and, cross-dressing is certainly creative in some sense, so, I'm not sure whether or not it would actually be considered sin. I'll have to study this out a bit. I mean, could a follower of Jesus have such a hobby? What should the church's stance be, Biblically speaking? Food for thought here...

If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat

This was a nice little book by John Ortberg about Simon Peter, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus, and his famous walking on the water episode in the New Testament. It is a great metaphor for anyone wanting to accomplish something big for God that involves risk. This story really shaped the decision my wife and I made to leave Tennesee and move all the way to Washington state to help start a new church. As in one of the chapters of the book, many of us remain 'boat potatoes' for too long - theorizing and talking about accomplishing great things for God and yet remaining in our seat assignments. Even though Peter wasn't perfect, he was at least willing to risk failure to do something no human had done before - he trusted his God enough. How about us? Do we trust in a God that can move mountains and allow land-loving followers to walk on water?

Jury Duty in King County

So, I just finished up a '2' day jury duty assignment - my first ever. The process is quite interesting the first day especially if you get picked for a jury. It is really boring when you are waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the next case looking for jurors. I had to take a hardship on the first case I was up for due to a vacation 3 weeks away - the judge couldn't guarantee the attempted murder case would conclude by then. After that, it was waiting with a 100 or so other possible jurors hour after hour...wow. I would have really liked to have served on a jury for the experience, but, alas, for this time around, it wasn't meant to be. Now I get to enjoy that big paycheck - a whopping $10 a day for my services...McDonalds here I come!

Funny Websites

I was having a conversation with a friend today about funny websites. You know, hidden gems on the Internet that contain useless fun...sort of like www.homestarrunner.com or maybe www.angryalien.com. I was wondering - what if there are other hidden gems out there than no one knows about? Will they ever be discovered? I wonder if anyone has a definitive directory out there? Recently I discovered these funny little gems...http://www.whiteboydj.com/babygotbook.html or this one http://www.guzer.com/videos/preacher_pinch_tits.php. Yes, these are the things that keep us all sane right? Of course, there are other sites that have more of a mass gem appeal - like http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ or maybe www.atomfilms.com (not rated folks!)...well, you get the idea - let's all make sure we share the good ones eh? Happy (and safe) surfing y'all!

Agenda Spirituality

Why do some of us (me especially) tend to view our spiritual life as a sort of "Godly checklist"? It's like somehow if I read a chapter of the Bible and pray 10 minutes, then I must be growing and on my way to sainthood. This tendency makes me, at times, run through prayer and Bible reading so I can run off to the 'important' things of the day - the things I control. I was reminded of this in reading the story of Balaam and his donkey in the Bible. Balaam had an agenda - he was a prophet for hire of sorts and was journeying to a new job. On the way, the donkey gave him problems because, for some reason, the donkey could see a terrifying angel of death right on the path ready to kill Balaam. After 3 attempts by the donkey to get off the road, Balaam loses his mind - he's already beat the dumb donkey a lot, and, in the middle of his rage, the donkey starts talking...whoa. What really gets me is that Balaam doesn't react to the donkey's talking - he's so narrowly focused on his anger and his derailed agenda that he misses a miracle. Not only that, but, as the donkey points out, he missed seeing God right in front of him. Boy, this story was meant for people like me. Lord, help me not miss a miracle or miss seeing You because of my lame agendas....Amen.

Babies - Creation's Replay

Over the past week I've visited 2 couples in the hospital to greet their newborns into the world. What a wonderful way to remember the amazing miracle of creation all over again. None of us were around when God originally created the world so, for us, this is maybe the closest we can come to seeing a glimpse of how it would have been...amazing. I was thinking about this - how birth and death are moments when humanity is closest to the 'other side' - the unseen realm where God exists unhindered by the concerns of flesh. My kids were singing a hopeful old spiritual about death - from the latest Duhks album, and I was thinking how it is sort of a cool thing to picture death as the gateway to eternity with God - a celebration of a life well spent and the excitement stepping into the realm of eternity...again, amazing.

Language of Adoration

I've felt for some time that I'm uncomfortable with the language often used to describe the relationship between Christ and His followers. At times the language sounds romantic in the least and even erotic at the most extreme - each of which make me a bit uneasy. I read a devotion today from Charles Spurgeon and he talks about gazing upon the Savior's lips and calling them the most lovely and most sweet - this makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Now, Spurgeon quotes the Song of Solomon, so, the language there is very sensual, romantic and erotic, which is why I would never use those phrases as I speak of my walk with Christ. I know there are those who feel like the Song of Solomon is a metaphor for the church as the bride of Christ, but even that seems difficult for me to swallow. I personally think that the Song of Solomon is just that - a song picturing the bliss of marital love - nothing more. A song to speak of the captivation of love between to people - a beautiful picture. When I speak of my Savior, I think of strength, power, sacrifice, unconditional love, acceptance and devotion - I'm not thinking how, as Jars of Clay sang, "I want to fall in love with you" - that is the language of romantic love to me. Anway, I'm done now...

Crash wins the Oscar for Best Picture!

Have you seen this film? I was really impressed with the story this film told. My wife and I were talking about it last night and we both thought that one of the most powerful moments in this film about predjudice was when a man of middle eastern descent goes to kill another man but shot him with blanks because his daughter switched the bullets. I think the movie shows that all of us, regardless of how 'objective' or 'politically correct' we think we are, we all struggle with stereo types and predjudice. Well done, Oscars! Sorry Brokeback...

Two For the Money

I just finished watching a film called Two for The Money with Al Pachino and Matthew McConaughey and I really felt like this movie captured the lie that addicts tell themselves...that somehow the next bet or trick or hit or whatever will make them complete. Why do we lie to ourselves and think that sin - whatever it might be, will EVER satisfy the longings of our hearts? ONLY GOD CAN DO THIS. Even though the film has some moments that are not necessary - a bit too graphic - the story is told well. I just wanted to put that out there - it engaged my mind at the end of a pretty long day of preaching and teaching and leading worship for church. Only God can really satisfy our needs. I could say that again...only GOD can satisfy our deepest longings.

Spiritual Growth for a Type-A

One of the most difficult things I've wrestled with over the years I've been following Jesus is being still. I'm not sure if it is because of my personality type, attention deficit or distaste for inactivity, but, whatever it is, I've had a tough time with silence, meditation and waiting on God. I know this is a Biblical concept, but, being silent - doing absolutely nothing is hard work! I've followed that mantra that idleness is the 'devil's playground' maybe a little too much. So, from now on I'm going to make an effort to be still a little more. Lord help me!

Selah Service for Ash Wednesday

So, my wife and I headed to John Knox Presbyterian Church in Seattle/Burien to take part in a service I had read about in Worship Leader magazine. The service, led by Jeff Johnson and Brian Moss, incorporated singing, reading Scripture, reciting prayers and even responsive recitation of a creed. Since my church background was a mix of Assembly of God and Church of Christ, it was new to me to go forward and receive the ash cross on my forehead - my wife, who grew up Catholic, was not all that moved. I did appreciate the repetitive nature of the songs - very easy to catch on and sing, and the time of silence (could have used more I think). It will be interesting to think about the service in terms of how I might be able to use some of what I experienced in Common Ground Church. Since we meet in a school, creating a sense of the sacred and such is difficult. Anway, I do recommend this type of service - especially for Evangelicals who don't have much interaction with more traditional forms of worship gatherings.

Behaviors That Drive Us Nuts - Ring any bells?

Barbara Pachter, in her book The Power of Positive Confrontation, says that there are 12 kinds of behaviors that drive us nuts:

1. Space Spongers. These are people who play their music too loud, leave messes for others to clean up, neighbors who let dogs in our yard, or co-workers who don't respect our property.

2. Telephone Traitors. When you deal with this person, you might have complaints like these: "I have to do all the calling." "She never calls me back." "He only calls when he wants something."

3. Bad Borrowers. They return your car with no gas (or ahem, not in time for a date), CDs with scratches, and money they borrow never gets paid back.

4. Constant Complainers. Everyone knows one - the person who always had a problem or gripe that never gets resolved.

5. Interloping Interrupters. People don't like to be interrupted or not to be given an opportunity to join equally in a conversation.

6. Callous Commenters. Among other things, this can be the neighbor who makes nasty comments or the person telling racist or sexist jokes. You don't like what this person says.

7. Work Welchers. Some people just don't do their fair share whether at home, work, or on the volunteer committee.

8. Favoritism Frustration. "What about me?" Your boss gives his pals the best projects or your mother-in-law gives better presents to her daughter's kids.

9. Holiday Hogs. Your spouse always wants to spend the holidays with his or her family. One of you wants to go to Hawaii for vacation; the other wants to hike the Appalachian trail.

10. Request Refusers. You ask your spouse to be on time for dinner. Your co-worker knows you need the report by 2 p.m., but doesn't deliver; your client will not give the tax information you've asked for. These are people who say they will grant your request by don't.

11. Atrocious Askers. You're asked to do something by your friend, boss, or loved one that you don't want to do or don't agree with.

12. Interloping Loved Ones. Some people want to tell you what they think - even if you don't want to hear it. (my grandmother comes to mind.)

Did the original disciples of Jesus have 'quiet times'?

I've always wondered if the fascination we modern Western Christians have with devotions and quiet times is at all Biblical or first-Century. I lean toward no, but, since I wasn't around when the disciples headed up the early Church, I guess I'll never really know. I started reading a book today written by John Ortberg called "The Life You've Always Wanted" and I'm beginning to question the way I've always measured spirituality. It's been so quarantined off in our culture that it seems like a separate function than things like career, family or recreational life. God is interested in every part of our life, not just the spiritual one. So, spirituality is in everything we do - it's all important. If that is true, then even how we work, or think or relate to each other can be part of our 'devotional' life. This is a big deal for me, a type A all the way. Maybe I can stop defending my spirituality to people who ask me. Maybe I can humbly start to live by what Jesus commanded - love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul & spirit...

Finding the Remarkable for Church (a.k.a. The Purple Cow!)

I've been reading some marketing books lately - specifically 2 by a guy named Seth Godin (The Purple Cow and All Marketers Are Liars) and I've been impressed by the simple idea (but difficult to generate) called the 'purple cow'. Basically, if you've seen one cow, you've seen them all UNTIL you see a purple cow - now that's remarkable and worth a second look. How can a church find it's own unique 'purple cowness'? That's what I've been kicking around. When I was a teenager trying to figure out my understanding of God and church (and hair metal bands), a friend of mine took me to some Christian youth rallies (more like a church pep rally) called Purple Rallies (held in and around Portland, OR). The idea was that if, when we are baptized into Christ and become followers of Jesus, the water turned us purple, we'd sure act different. We'd be hard to miss and we'd stand out. It might even make us more careful about our language, our actions, our 'witness'. It was an intersting idea...being purple. What if local churches found their uniqueness and let the word out? Could church become so remarkable that the average person in a community would say "Wow, I've got to check this church out!"

Church Planting The Among Upwardly Mobile

One thing that I never really thought of before helping plant a church was the loss of good friends due to job changes and 'moving up' the corporate ladder. This is a tough thing to work through. With Common Ground Church being a 'parachute drop' church plant with no local congregations helping us, we really worked hard to generate a lot of good relationships with people according to the vision God had given us. Those relationships were (and ARE) a key factor in the success of the launch and now 2 years of existence. Unfortunately, because of the demographic we are (30 somethings w/ kids), and because of Maple Valley's status as a Seattle suburb for upwardly mobile workers, our church has had several great families depart for other places which is truly a heart-tugging loss. So, even if we are working hard, listening to God, and working to love the families God has given us, we must deal with the loss of good families due to nothing more than that family's desire to move on...it hurts sometimes. Lord, help us to do our best to love families for as long as You provide them...amen. I also pray that God would help me not get overly guarded with people - not letting them get too close because of the fear that they'll move away...only by Your strength, Lord.

Glass Museum - sort of weird art...

I went with my family to see the Glass Museum in Tacoma, WA and was sort of taken back by the strangeness of the artwork itself. They had some hideous instruments - horror film instruments, with strange shaped glass and even one which dangled glass orbs against a piano soundboard. People pay for this stuff? Wow. They had a 'hot' area where you could watch the long, tedious process of blowing and shaping (and reshaping) the glass...again, people dig this? And they PAY for it? Well, it was an experience. Cheers.

'Built to Last' is a great book!

I recently finished reading this book which focuses on companies that are visionary. I was intrigued by the common sense approach the book takes to reviewing how these companies built their legacies - by keeping to their core ideology and changing strategy as markets and times dictated. Great organizations have great values that remain consistent...churches are no different. Yes, all Christian churches have a common 'cornerstone' value which is the work of Jesus Christ and His Lordship, however, they can go astray when that core value gets replaced or buried with church growth strategies and programs and techniques, etc. My vision is for every local Christian church to have a unique way or culture of doing ministry while still maintaining the core Christ ideology. We'd see great things occur in the Kingdom of God when the church steps up to the plate, offers its' best workers and work and keeps on the edge of innovation while still maintaining the core values - that's visionary!