Monday, October 27, 2008
Worship Planning
One of the best aspects of my job is worship planning. I love it! The opportunity to create services that worship God and connect God and God's people is usually a weekly blessing to me. Today has proved no different. I spent most of the morning working on two (of four) of the Christmas Eve services for this year. Once I finalize the liturgy I will post it on the blog. I am looking forward to this year's services!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A word from Rainer Maria Rilke
What a lovely morning! It's cool outside but there's not a cloud in the sky! Stunningly beautiful! As I am finishing my espresso and preparing to take Ellie to the park for a little dad/daughter time I came across this quote from the Poet Rilke, which perfectly describes the season for me!
"Lord, it is time. the summer was too long. Lay your shadow on the sundials now, and through the meadow let the winds throng."
Amen and amen!
"Lord, it is time. the summer was too long. Lay your shadow on the sundials now, and through the meadow let the winds throng."
Amen and amen!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
I love Thursday's!
I love Thursday's! Wednesday (the most stressful day of the week for me) is behind me and I get a chance to wrap up loose ends before the weekend comes and even get ahead a bit! Today is a glorious Thursday! A very generous church member gave a gift for some new handbells, the weather is nice and cool and business is getting taken care of! Truly, a beautiful day!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Great Rob Jackson
Hello friends!
I have made a serious error and I hope to correct it at this time. Somehow, I missed listing one of the great blogs on my "blogs I read list." And by great, I mean one of the greatest blogs in the history of blogs. If you are looking for (arguably) the funniest blog of all time, you need to look no further than the blog NoFrownsNation kept by the great Rob Jackson.
http://www.nofrowns.net/nation/
Do yourself a favor and go there right now!!!!
I have made a serious error and I hope to correct it at this time. Somehow, I missed listing one of the great blogs on my "blogs I read list." And by great, I mean one of the greatest blogs in the history of blogs. If you are looking for (arguably) the funniest blog of all time, you need to look no further than the blog NoFrownsNation kept by the great Rob Jackson.
http://www.nofrowns.net/nation/
Do yourself a favor and go there right now!!!!
Whew...
Hey there!
Hope you are doing well! It's been an interesting 10 days since I last posted. I gotten this week and a half long upper respiratory infection that is just knocking me over! Up until I had kids I very rarely got sick but wow, how that has changed!!! I just want to sleep all the time, know the feeling? Uh, oh, my office is next to the sanctuary and my daughter's class is walking by...whew, safe! Ellie comes to school hear at the church three days a week and it is so cool to be able to bring my daughter to work with me three days a week! She is really into listening to the blues on the way to the school. Like father, like daughter, I suppose!
Hope you are doing well! It's been an interesting 10 days since I last posted. I gotten this week and a half long upper respiratory infection that is just knocking me over! Up until I had kids I very rarely got sick but wow, how that has changed!!! I just want to sleep all the time, know the feeling? Uh, oh, my office is next to the sanctuary and my daughter's class is walking by...whew, safe! Ellie comes to school hear at the church three days a week and it is so cool to be able to bring my daughter to work with me three days a week! She is really into listening to the blues on the way to the school. Like father, like daughter, I suppose!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Beauty of Aspens
This photograph was taken by my sister from outside of her home in Colorado. If you'd like, I'd invite you to just appreciate the beauty that God has given us! Thanks for the Aspen's!!!
The Collar
I don't often wear my clerical collar, which is funny, because I have a strong opinion about collars. In a perfect world, I think all clergy should wear their collars, and here is why: as servants of God, we should be available to serve all of God's children, whether they are members of our local flock or not. For example, if you are walking down the street and find yourself in need of a law enforcement officer, you wouldn't be able to find a law enforcement officer unless they are wearing their uniform, unless you happened to have a relationship with that person from another context. When I would wear my collar in San Antonio I got stopped all of the time by folks who needed someone to talk to. Many less-enlightened Methodists (my own tribe) see the collar as purely a "Catholic thing" and they fail to realize that the collar is used by pastors in all of the mainline denominations, in addition to the Catholic church.
The collar also serves as a very valuable reminder to me of whose I am and of the work I am called to do but it does tend to freak out those who don't understand it's function and tradition.
October's always make me sleepy
I love October! When else in the year do you have the baseball playoffs, the NFL, basketball training camps, and the opening of hockey season? Nowhere, I tell you! I love all of those sports and follow hockey and the NFL the closest but baseball is my first love. I will never forget my first professional game. My dad took me to see the Denver Zephyers (now they are known as the New Orleans Zephyers) in Mile High Stadium. It was such a blast!
Nothing, however, could compare to my first major league game! My dad (there is a trend here) took me to Fenway Park in Boston to see the Red Sox: it was incredible! Seeing that oasis of green in the middle of the city was like looking into heaven for a second-grader! The whole experience was incredible, from the walk up Yawkey Way, to the Fenway Franks, the Monster, and of course, the Red Sox. i have been a Sox fan ever since! It was a bad team to follow for many years! They always found a way to break your heart. The Bill Buckner fiasco was the first big one that I remember. But, my, how things change!
And so, it's October again, the leaves are just starting to turn and, by Texas standards, it's beginning to cool off. The Sox are doing very well. They had a chance to close out the Angels last night but couldn't get it done. Tonight, they've got another chance. I look forward to another game tonight and all that comes with post-season baseball: lots of drama and little sleep!
Go Sox!
Nothing, however, could compare to my first major league game! My dad (there is a trend here) took me to Fenway Park in Boston to see the Red Sox: it was incredible! Seeing that oasis of green in the middle of the city was like looking into heaven for a second-grader! The whole experience was incredible, from the walk up Yawkey Way, to the Fenway Franks, the Monster, and of course, the Red Sox. i have been a Sox fan ever since! It was a bad team to follow for many years! They always found a way to break your heart. The Bill Buckner fiasco was the first big one that I remember. But, my, how things change!
And so, it's October again, the leaves are just starting to turn and, by Texas standards, it's beginning to cool off. The Sox are doing very well. They had a chance to close out the Angels last night but couldn't get it done. Tonight, they've got another chance. I look forward to another game tonight and all that comes with post-season baseball: lots of drama and little sleep!
Go Sox!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Two expressions
Here we are, tomorrow is (well, given the time I should say that today) the last day of September. It's been a fruitful and crazy month in my life. How have things been for you? This month my son Sam was baptized, we had a very cool Soul Cafe service at the church that involved Rev. Jackson Henry of Nashville, Dr. Michael Hawn, Ross Pederson, Kristin Stilley and myself, I officiated a wedding in New York, seen one of my friends lives implode in a very public way, hosted three different families from around the country in our home at various points, learned a ton of new music, attended the Dallas Stars training camp for a day, started a new children's choir program, rejoiced in my young family (life with a two and a half year old and a two month old is interesting!) and cantored the service celebrating the installation of our new bishop while still doing everything else that one does as a pastor and musician.
While all of this has been rewarding, I have to say it has left me, well, tired.
The feeling is that strange kind of tired you get that you can't shake, even after a low-key day or two.
Please don't read this as a complaint: I am thrilled to do all of these things. I just wonder sometimes about priorities and opportunity cost, and Sabbath and faithfulness. Know what I mean?
So, that leads me to these wonderful two expressions that I am hoping to incorporate as guiding statements this month.
The first expression i want to share with you I learned this weekend from the incredible Rev. Diana Holbert and it is this:
"Breathe Peace."
Isn't that lovely? I hope that I can begin to breathe peace in my own life and into the lives of others as well. If we all took a turn at that in October, the world would be transformed.
The second expression is one that I was reminded of by way of a Matisyahu song that was on Ovation TV. The phrase comes (at least my initial exposure to it) from a album by Donald Lawrence called "I Speak LIfe."
To "Speak Life." God, I want to do that! In the midst of all of the nonsense and fear and hate that we all come across in this world, as screwed up and broken as this thing is at times, what a gift it would be to Breathe Peace and Speak Life to the world.
Breathe Peace...Speak Life
I'm gonna roll with that this month, want to try it with me?
While all of this has been rewarding, I have to say it has left me, well, tired.
The feeling is that strange kind of tired you get that you can't shake, even after a low-key day or two.
Please don't read this as a complaint: I am thrilled to do all of these things. I just wonder sometimes about priorities and opportunity cost, and Sabbath and faithfulness. Know what I mean?
So, that leads me to these wonderful two expressions that I am hoping to incorporate as guiding statements this month.
The first expression i want to share with you I learned this weekend from the incredible Rev. Diana Holbert and it is this:
"Breathe Peace."
Isn't that lovely? I hope that I can begin to breathe peace in my own life and into the lives of others as well. If we all took a turn at that in October, the world would be transformed.
The second expression is one that I was reminded of by way of a Matisyahu song that was on Ovation TV. The phrase comes (at least my initial exposure to it) from a album by Donald Lawrence called "I Speak LIfe."
To "Speak Life." God, I want to do that! In the midst of all of the nonsense and fear and hate that we all come across in this world, as screwed up and broken as this thing is at times, what a gift it would be to Breathe Peace and Speak Life to the world.
Breathe Peace...Speak Life
I'm gonna roll with that this month, want to try it with me?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Reflections for the near passing of a different storm
Jeez, September has been crazy full! I can't believe the last time I posted was September 3rd! It's not from lack of desire but rather my lack of posts has been from lack of time. Between a jazz soul cafe, starting two new choirs, kicking all of the old ones off, officiating a wedding in New York, doing my FUMMWA thing, having a eight week old and doing some conference stuff, the month has passed me by! I am going to try to "faith" the practice of posting a bit more!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Morning Reflections from a Storm
"God is good! All the time! All the time, God is good!'
I use this refrain, well, all the time. Whether starting a worship service, with a choir, among friends, etc., the staff at my church have begun to associate this phrase (which did not have its genesis with me by any stretch of the imagination) with me because I use frequently. This morning, I was struck by (to use a phrase from Charlie Hall, which he borrowed from someone else) the phrase "the bright sadness" in regards to the aforementioned liturgical piece. Sometimes, it's an easy thing to say, other times, it's an act of faith to proclaim it!
This morning I enjoyed a wonderful cup of hot coffee sitting in my backyard in beautiful, overcast, cool weather, while praying the Office of the Dawn. The liturgy had, as usual, several interesting intersections with what is going on in this part of the world lately. How can we affirm the statement, "God is good all the time!" in the midst of hurricanes and poverty, and war? On the face of it, it's pretty tough to do, as a Christian, unless you have the Christian hope alive in you. Unless you have the hope that comes from knowing that Jesus is the true Lord of Creation, that in his life, death, and resurrection Jesus conquered death and inaugurated the reclamation project that is the Kingdom of God and that God is at work, with us, in bringing about the new heaven and the new earth that God has promised as found in Revelation 21 and 22. Without that hope, Christian faith doesn't make a lot of sense, at least not for me. I wonder, perhaps, reconciliation project is a more appropriate phrase than reclamation project?
As I prayed outside this morning, the winds were swirling and you could see the rotation of the bands from Gustav overhead. The trees and our windchimes were very noisy, the neighbors had things being knocked around their patios. All of these sounds and sensations were juxtaposed with the words from the office.
The opening line, chanted out loud, sounded more like a statement of faith and a challenge in this setting: Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
Which was followed with: My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
In the midst of the challenges in this life, God is at work! The already-not-yet-ness of the Kingdom of God on full display!
The liturgy continued with two stanza's from Charles Wesley's "Rejoice, the Lord is King."
Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice; again I say, rejoice!
Jesus the Savior reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
In the midst of the storms of life (both literal and figurative) Jesus the Savior reigns! Sometimes, it's easy for me to lose that in the swirling winds of life. Do you struggle with that from time to time?
Penultimately, here is the small verse from this morning's office, which speaks yet again to what God is doing!
"Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you together; yea, I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord."
Zephaniah 3:19-20
Hello!!!!!! Liturgy and life, intersecting, informing, and shining light on each other!
Do you see it?
It is beautiful.
May you receive this blessing today, which also comes from the office: May the Lord bless us and keep us and cause His face to shine upon us from this day forth and forever more. Amen.
I use this refrain, well, all the time. Whether starting a worship service, with a choir, among friends, etc., the staff at my church have begun to associate this phrase (which did not have its genesis with me by any stretch of the imagination) with me because I use frequently. This morning, I was struck by (to use a phrase from Charlie Hall, which he borrowed from someone else) the phrase "the bright sadness" in regards to the aforementioned liturgical piece. Sometimes, it's an easy thing to say, other times, it's an act of faith to proclaim it!
This morning I enjoyed a wonderful cup of hot coffee sitting in my backyard in beautiful, overcast, cool weather, while praying the Office of the Dawn. The liturgy had, as usual, several interesting intersections with what is going on in this part of the world lately. How can we affirm the statement, "God is good all the time!" in the midst of hurricanes and poverty, and war? On the face of it, it's pretty tough to do, as a Christian, unless you have the Christian hope alive in you. Unless you have the hope that comes from knowing that Jesus is the true Lord of Creation, that in his life, death, and resurrection Jesus conquered death and inaugurated the reclamation project that is the Kingdom of God and that God is at work, with us, in bringing about the new heaven and the new earth that God has promised as found in Revelation 21 and 22. Without that hope, Christian faith doesn't make a lot of sense, at least not for me. I wonder, perhaps, reconciliation project is a more appropriate phrase than reclamation project?
As I prayed outside this morning, the winds were swirling and you could see the rotation of the bands from Gustav overhead. The trees and our windchimes were very noisy, the neighbors had things being knocked around their patios. All of these sounds and sensations were juxtaposed with the words from the office.
The opening line, chanted out loud, sounded more like a statement of faith and a challenge in this setting: Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
Which was followed with: My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
In the midst of the challenges in this life, God is at work! The already-not-yet-ness of the Kingdom of God on full display!
The liturgy continued with two stanza's from Charles Wesley's "Rejoice, the Lord is King."
Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice; again I say, rejoice!
Jesus the Savior reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
In the midst of the storms of life (both literal and figurative) Jesus the Savior reigns! Sometimes, it's easy for me to lose that in the swirling winds of life. Do you struggle with that from time to time?
Penultimately, here is the small verse from this morning's office, which speaks yet again to what God is doing!
"Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you together; yea, I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord."
Zephaniah 3:19-20
Hello!!!!!! Liturgy and life, intersecting, informing, and shining light on each other!
Do you see it?
It is beautiful.
May you receive this blessing today, which also comes from the office: May the Lord bless us and keep us and cause His face to shine upon us from this day forth and forever more. Amen.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Some random thoughts on a Tuesday night...
Howdy! I hope life is treating you well! It's been a while since I've posted so here's some random thoughts...
1. Sam is getting baptized on Sunday, which is awesome!
2. The remnants of Hurricane Gustav are coming through the North Texas area today and it's quite windy! Being able to actually see the rain bands has been intense! Our skylight is making some crazy noise and we are hundreds of miles away from the gulf! Incredible!
3. Speaking of Gustav, it's hard to imagine that 1/2 of Louisiana doesn't have power, but it's true.
4. I have been listening to the new Charlie Hall album and am really enjoying it. The album has a wonderful tune called "mystery" that uses liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer.
5. It's sad to see protestors get gassed.
6. I am feeling very sorry for Sarah Palin's daughter. It must be a very, very difficult for their family.
7. I am watching the RNC convention. It's mildly interesting. I thought the Rabbi who gave the benediction today, by actually endorsing John McCain in his prayer, is putting his congregation dangerously close to being checked-out by the IRS.
8. If I had to vote for a Republican, I'd vote for McCain.
9. This weekend I am looking forward to seeing the Counting Crows, which is going to be sweet!
All right, it's time to go to bed! These are interesting times, eh?
1. Sam is getting baptized on Sunday, which is awesome!
2. The remnants of Hurricane Gustav are coming through the North Texas area today and it's quite windy! Being able to actually see the rain bands has been intense! Our skylight is making some crazy noise and we are hundreds of miles away from the gulf! Incredible!
3. Speaking of Gustav, it's hard to imagine that 1/2 of Louisiana doesn't have power, but it's true.
4. I have been listening to the new Charlie Hall album and am really enjoying it. The album has a wonderful tune called "mystery" that uses liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer.
5. It's sad to see protestors get gassed.
6. I am feeling very sorry for Sarah Palin's daughter. It must be a very, very difficult for their family.
7. I am watching the RNC convention. It's mildly interesting. I thought the Rabbi who gave the benediction today, by actually endorsing John McCain in his prayer, is putting his congregation dangerously close to being checked-out by the IRS.
8. If I had to vote for a Republican, I'd vote for McCain.
9. This weekend I am looking forward to seeing the Counting Crows, which is going to be sweet!
All right, it's time to go to bed! These are interesting times, eh?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
An inspiring moment for my daughter!
Let me first say, wow, what a night for Methodists! Hillary Clinton gave a wonderful speech at tonight's Democratic convention and two Methodist pastors from Aurora, Colorado (where I lived for five years as a kid) gave the benediction. I couldn't believe how moved I was by Hilary's speech. I have always been a big fan and have read all of her books but she hit a home-run tonight! I was so struck by what women like HIllary Clinton have done for the future of my daughter, Eleanor Grace. Incredible!!!! It's days like this I believe that I can truly tell my daughter that she really can be whatever she wants to be!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Donald Miller gives the benediction at the Democratic National Convention
Hi Friends!
I was so shocked/excited to see on CSPAN (yes, I admit it, I am keeping an eye on the convention via CSPAN) when Donald Miller, the author of "Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Spirituality" was giving the benediction tonight! As usual, he prayed eloquently and simply. I have read every thing he has published and find it all to be of value! I would commend him to you, if you have yet to read his work. Below you will find the text of his benediction taken from his website.
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
I was so shocked/excited to see on CSPAN (yes, I admit it, I am keeping an eye on the convention via CSPAN) when Donald Miller, the author of "Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Spirituality" was giving the benediction tonight! As usual, he prayed eloquently and simply. I have read every thing he has published and find it all to be of value! I would commend him to you, if you have yet to read his work. Below you will find the text of his benediction taken from his website.
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
N.T. Wright, a twist on an ancient spiritual discipline, and other random thoughts...
Yup, it's been a while! I hope all is well!
Here comes another James Joyce-like post!
Stream-of-consciousness for Tuesday morning:
Being able to sleep last night for more than two hours (like I have the previous two nights) has been very invigorating!
A wonderful couple of church members brought by dinner for us a few nights ago and a pound of Ruta Maya coffee, which is nearly gone. It's so good! Makes me miss one of my favorite San Antonio hangs and all that came with it! (The SA Ruta Maya, at least the downtown location, is a converted "gentleman's bar." Wild atmosphere, great coffee, and free wifi!)
I am listening to "SMV" a new album featuring the three greatest living electric bassists: Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten. Lot's of chops!
It is raining and in the 80's outside: what a blessing for Texas in August!
I finished reading N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope" this morning and it is really a wonderful work of theology. Wright gives a beautiful account of the resurrection and how it should affect our daily lives and the mission of the church. I would highly recommend it!
A few days before Sam was born I read "The Shack." Who knew it would be a summer of borderline orthodox reading? I just started Wright's "Why Christianity Makes Sense" which is written for a non-academic, non-Christian audience, and it looks to be just as thought provoking. I am thankful for Marcus Borg for many things, one of them being an introduction to Wright!
Last night when I was rocking Sam at 2:45 I entered into a spiritual discipline that I haven't observed in a while: reciting the Eastern Orthodox "Jesus Prayer" with an orthodox prayer rope. It is a wonderful discipline to focus one's prayers. If you are interested in exploring this practice more, let me know and we can chat about it!
Well, back to the proverbial mines! Have a great rest of the day and may you experience God's grace in new ways today!
Here comes another James Joyce-like post!
Stream-of-consciousness for Tuesday morning:
Being able to sleep last night for more than two hours (like I have the previous two nights) has been very invigorating!
A wonderful couple of church members brought by dinner for us a few nights ago and a pound of Ruta Maya coffee, which is nearly gone. It's so good! Makes me miss one of my favorite San Antonio hangs and all that came with it! (The SA Ruta Maya, at least the downtown location, is a converted "gentleman's bar." Wild atmosphere, great coffee, and free wifi!)
I am listening to "SMV" a new album featuring the three greatest living electric bassists: Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten. Lot's of chops!
It is raining and in the 80's outside: what a blessing for Texas in August!
I finished reading N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope" this morning and it is really a wonderful work of theology. Wright gives a beautiful account of the resurrection and how it should affect our daily lives and the mission of the church. I would highly recommend it!
A few days before Sam was born I read "The Shack." Who knew it would be a summer of borderline orthodox reading? I just started Wright's "Why Christianity Makes Sense" which is written for a non-academic, non-Christian audience, and it looks to be just as thought provoking. I am thankful for Marcus Borg for many things, one of them being an introduction to Wright!
Last night when I was rocking Sam at 2:45 I entered into a spiritual discipline that I haven't observed in a while: reciting the Eastern Orthodox "Jesus Prayer" with an orthodox prayer rope. It is a wonderful discipline to focus one's prayers. If you are interested in exploring this practice more, let me know and we can chat about it!
Well, back to the proverbial mines! Have a great rest of the day and may you experience God's grace in new ways today!
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Mission of the Church
I am nearly finished with N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church." The scholarship is tremendous and Wright's application to the church has the potential to shift some paradigms! At least, that's my hope.
Wright claims that, in light of God's Kingdom project (i.e. the new heaven and new earth that we read about in Revelation 21 & 22 and Jesus' main mission of announcing and inaugurating the Kingdom of God) that the church's work is this: justice, beauty, and evangelism.
I love it! Justice, beauty, and evangelism. The framework that Wright is proposing advances us beyond the old liberal/conservative, evangelism vs. social gospel debates of the last 150 years. He takes the gospel imperatives found in both Matthew 25 and Matthew 28 (some of us have had this conversation before!) and combines them into a clarion call for the church.
Justice, beauty, and evangelism.
Glorious!
There is so much more to write but I've got to set-up a computer w/pictures for a funeral.
I very much want to hear what you think about this!
Wright claims that, in light of God's Kingdom project (i.e. the new heaven and new earth that we read about in Revelation 21 & 22 and Jesus' main mission of announcing and inaugurating the Kingdom of God) that the church's work is this: justice, beauty, and evangelism.
I love it! Justice, beauty, and evangelism. The framework that Wright is proposing advances us beyond the old liberal/conservative, evangelism vs. social gospel debates of the last 150 years. He takes the gospel imperatives found in both Matthew 25 and Matthew 28 (some of us have had this conversation before!) and combines them into a clarion call for the church.
Justice, beauty, and evangelism.
Glorious!
There is so much more to write but I've got to set-up a computer w/pictures for a funeral.
I very much want to hear what you think about this!
Issac Hayes has died
The man was a legend! Yes, he wrote the theme to "Shaft" and was the voice of Chef on "South Park" but perhaps his greatest legacy was his incredible work as an arranger/composer at Stax Records in the 60's-70's. So many hits, so many cool sounds! 65 was, in fact, to early!
Monday, August 4, 2008
A moment of potentially horrible irony...
In addition to spending some quality time with my family I am also leading the music for a revival in Royse City, Texas this week. The preacher, the excellent John McLarty of Faith UMC, Corinth, Texas, asked for tonight's "Song of Reflection" to be John Mayer's "Say." I'm a big John Mayer fan so I wanted to learn the song any way! The first time I heard it I was positive that the opening lick was on a ukulele but I had managed to convince myself yesterday that it might actually be a guitar. Well, a little bit of research later, it turns out my initial impression was correct, well, almost, anyway. I tried to replicate it on my ukulele but quickly discovered it's a six-string ukulele (mine's a four) that's playing the intro! So much for playing it on my little uke!
Anyway (sorry about chasing that rabbit) the song "Say" was written by John Mayer for the lovely film, "The Bucket List." As I'm working on the tune, my mother-in-law informs me that Morgan Freeman (star, along with Jack Nicholson, in "The Bucket List" which is all about living life to the fullest) has been in a terrible car accident and is in the hospital in Memphis.
Life is fleeting: it is wise to celebrate our common lives together, and God's creation, while we are here together, eh?
Anyway (sorry about chasing that rabbit) the song "Say" was written by John Mayer for the lovely film, "The Bucket List." As I'm working on the tune, my mother-in-law informs me that Morgan Freeman (star, along with Jack Nicholson, in "The Bucket List" which is all about living life to the fullest) has been in a terrible car accident and is in the hospital in Memphis.
Life is fleeting: it is wise to celebrate our common lives together, and God's creation, while we are here together, eh?
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