Regular Readers

There are at least 2 or 3 people (other than my women) who read this blog fairly regularly - I know who some of you are. Don't worry, I won't put your names in print (maybe), although I might use your initials (Daniel Z - good picture of the boys by the way)......

If you weren't aware that you could talk back, interact, make comments, snide remarks, etc, all you need to do is push the button at the end of the post that says "Comments." From there you can tell me what you think.... or not think as the case may be.

It would be good to hear from some of you. I might not know as many people who are regular readers as I think I do.

Whether or not you comment, I'm glad you take the time to stop by and see what is rattling around in my head - coherent or not.

It's Over!

I am no longer in the classroom! Wahoo!!!!!

It has been a stretching experience in many ways. The overwhelming thought and emotion now is one of relief to be done.

I hope everyone has a good Christmas and holiday season!!!

Success?

What is the definition of success?

I'm pretty sure that it doesn't always mean getting everything right. Edison said, "Why, I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

I've been teaching math for a couple of weeks so far. I've learned a few things. I've probably learned more about myself than my students have learned about math. I am not a High School teacher. I enjoy teaching people who want to learn the subject. This experiment has been a success, even though I doubt that I will ever become a full-time High School teacher.

We start reviewing for semester finals this week. I guess we will see how versatile I am, covering math concepts that I haven't seen in awhile.....

Priorities

I ran across 2 different posts today that make a very important point. One, the original, by Perry Noble caused Tally Wilgis to respond.

My wife is my most important pastor. She speaks truth to me in a way I can understand - I might not always enjoy it, but..... She knows me more and better than any other person walking the planet. I would be in deep doo if not for her. Especially in the very busy times of life (kinda like now). Occasionally she goes away and leaves me with all the stuff she normally does. I am very glad when she comes home again.

She makes sure that I pay attention to one of the main priorities of life - family. We only have a short time to influence our daughters, and we have to make the most of that time.

D'Sh - Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your husband. God definitely gave you to me, and you are a good gift - He did a fantastic job when He made you. Thank you for not being the stereotypical preacher's wife. Thank you for watching out for me, keeping me out of trouble, helping me not to step in things I shouldn't step in. Thank you for loving me enough to call me up short when I need it. In my mind, you are the definition of a "helper suitable for him."

Dads and Daughters

If you are someone a little girl (or not so little anymore) calls "Daddy," read this from Mere Comments. Daddy's make a major difference in the lives of their daughters.

Word Verification On

The title says it all.

Kiki is blogging!!!!

I "met" Kiki through discussions on the Missional Baptist Blog earlier this year. She is now blogging at Sojourner, and I am excited to read what she has to say. I appreciate her viewpoint. When you get the chance, stop by and say hi, you won't be sorry.

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!

Sometimes the only time we see what someone else can do is when we can't do it ourselves. I mentioned yesterday that my wife and I aren't feeling so well this week. Our 3 oldest girls really stepped up and made things happen!!

We had turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole, yum-yum salad, baked sweet potatoes (yeah, I know, we are weird for having both kinds.....), ranch rolls, pickles, olives, pecan pie, pumpkin pie - a true feast. The only thing that was not prepared by the girls was the gravy!!!

I'm glad we were sick and couldn't do the things we had planned this Thanksgiving. We were forced to get out of the way and let the girls take the lead, and they did a great job.

Thanksgiving 2005

This year I have many things to be thankful for. First, and foremost, the peace of mind/life/etc knowing that I have an assured, positive relationship with the Creator. I have confidence that when I stand in His presence one day, I will stand as His friend because He has made it possible, not because I have done anything to make it happen.

My wife and I both have sinus infections this Thanksgiving!! Joy, Joy. We are not going to my mother-in-laws house (6 hours away) as a result. However, this is giving the girls an opportunity to cook their first Thanksgiving meal!!!! They stayed up late last night preparing, and have been busy all morning cooking. I'm glad they have the opportunity to cook this meal before they get married and are trying to impress their in-laws!!!! I'm sure that time will be stressful enough, without having to learn how to cook everything too.

Many other things to be thankful for this year. It has been a very good year. God has shown up in so many places it would be hard to try to name them all.

I hope you all have a Merry Thanksgiving!!!!

Juicy Teaching Stories - part 1

I've been teaching high school math for the grand total of 3 days so far. With this vast amount of experience, I offer the following analysis.

Teaching is not easy when:

1. some in the class are not interested in learning,

2. some in the class are more interested in talking to other people than listening to the teacher,

3. the teacher doesn't have a clue how to teach in this setting!!!!

4. very little time in the classroom is dedicated to actual teaching!

I have learned a great deal in the great many hours I have spent in the classroom. Enough to make me very greatful that we homeschool our 4 daughters....... I'd forgotten about the attitudes of Junior High boys........ and the one track minds some have in High School. I'm glad our girls are at home, where they can be treated as young ladies.

I have to change my teaching style in this setting. I spoke with another teacher this afternoon who made the following comment - "You are having too much fun." He made it in response to my deserate plea of "HELP!!!" He did give me an idea of what might work - with more to follow tomorrow night. He needed to be in a meeting. More to come from him tomorrow. He has been teaching for 37 years and is willing to help bring me up to speed (or something close).

Be careful, you might have to practice what you preach!

I've been talking to people in the church about serving our community in whatever way they can. The Superintendent of Schools recently spoke to us about the greatest needs in the school district as well.

This past week I received a call from the Principal of the High School. He asked if I would be interested in filling in for one of their math teachers who is going to be on Maternity Leave until the end of this semester. My wife and I talked about the effects on our family and the church. Another friend and I prayed and talked about it.

I spent the day today in the classroom with the teacher who is due to have a baby girl on December 15. It should prove to be interesting filling in for her for the next 5 1/2 weeks or so. I've never taught High School Math before...... but that is where the Engineering Degree should kick in!

I'm sure that there will be plenty of fodder for posting coming up - if I have time to do anything besides study for next Sunday, teach math (both at the High School and home), grade papers (both places), live life with my family, etc.

Veterans Day 2005

Both my brother-in-law and a cousin-in-law both sent this to me today. Click on the Video link to view the video. Check out the rest of the website while you are there.

Both men who forwarded this to me served in the U.S. Armed Forces. One of them was shot down in Viet Nam and to this day has problems with his back. The other served his entire career and recently retired as a Chaplain.

I have a great deal of respect for anyone who serves their country through the Armed Forces. I have several relatives & friends who are currently serving or have served in the past. I don't think that most who serve receive the gratitude that they deserve for their sacrifice.

With that in mind,

David - Thank You!
Neil - Thank You!
Matt - Thank You!
Darren - Thank You!
Alan - Thank You!
Michelle - Thank You!
Justin - Thank You!

I'm sure I have not named everyone I know who either has served or is serving, but you get the idea. Now, go and do likewise.

Old Words for a New Time

Recently I have been reading through The Training of the Twelve by A. B. Bruce. A friend of mine from Seminary highly recommended it and it finally made it's way to my doorstep.

This book on Leadership was first published in 1871. I'm finding that Bruce hit on some timeless aspects of change, specifically with respect to church life and change that bear repeating.

In Chapter 7 - Lessons in Religious Liberty, he presents an analysis of Jesus' response to John's disciples asking about why Jesus' disciples didn't fast, and His further illustrations of old & new cloth, and new wine in old wineskins. The following quote is the final paragraph of the chapter.

Too seldom for the church’s good have lovers of old ways understood Christ’s wisdom, and lovers of new ways sympathized with His charity. A celebrated historian has remarked: “It must make a man wretched, if, when on the threshold of old age, he looks on the rising generation with
uneasiness, and does not rather rejoice in beholding it; and yet this is very common with old men. Fabius would rather have seen Hannibal unconquered than see his own fame obscured by Scipio.”118 There are always too many Fabii in the world, who are annoyed because things will not remain stationary, and because new ways and new men are ever rising up to take the place of the old. Not less rare, on the other hand, is Christ’s charity among the advocates of progress. Those who affect freedom despise the stricter sort as fanatics and bigots, and drive on changes without regard to their scruples, and without any appreciation of the excellent qualities of the “old wine.” When will young men and old men, liberals and conservatives, broad Christians and narrow, learn to bear with one another; yea, to recognize each in the other the necessary complement of his own one-sidedness?

Bruce's analysis has been helpful in my situation. He has not negated the need for change, but does call me to be very wise in the process of change - especially in the church. All of us who are involved in the process of change within our churches need to be reminded of this.

Evangelism Redux

I was reminded of some of the things Joe said in his 6 part series on Evangelism. Read it and struggle with the concepts he presents. Especially if you have been around people who are quick to "lead someone to Christ."

Cowboy Hall of Fame

Last Saturday night, my parents, Jake and Geneva, 79 & 80 years old respectively, were inducted into the Hidalgo County (NM) Cowboy Hall of Fame. They were the only ones inducted who were alive - the other 2 died a long time ago.

It's a nice honor for them. They have spent the last 35+ years living on the same ranch, improving it a whole lot, and experimenting with different types of cattle breeds that would grow the best in that area, with my dad also working a full-time job.

We are glad that they were honored non-posthumously. I've never really understood posthumous awards. I guess the family gets something out of it, but isn't it better to say "You did a great job!" while someone is alive?

All my brothers and sisters were there. It is the first time that all of us have been together since D'Shon and I got married a little over 22 years ago. Needless to say, Family Reunions do not play a big role in our family!

Annual Association Meeting

Today was the Annual meeting of the Mount Graham Baptist Association. We are a really small association - six churches total, or in reality, five. One church has not sent any representation to any Association event in the past year, and appear not to be interested in cooperating. All our churches, except one, have a regular attendence of less that 75 people on any given Sunday morning.

I was asked last year to preach for this years meeting. My text was 1 Chronicles 12:32 "Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command." The context of this verse is a listing of people who were pledging loyalty to David as he was preparing to become king in place of Saul. I found it interesting that the sons of Issachar were not fighting men, in the same sense of the others who were listed mentioning their particular skills in battle. Their importance to David was that they were "men who understood the times."

I spent a little over an hour talking to less than 50 people, many who are at minimum late 40's. My wife and I were the only early 40's attending - and were the youngest ones there!!! We learned about differences between the generations, what they expect, how they operate, how to reach people who could care less about Christ, let alone our current form of associating together as churches.

Should be interesting to see what happens as a result. They were introduced to the concept that the older generations will have to do most of the changing before those under 40 will even begin to take notice. One lady (from the church I pastor) said that she loved it when I told all the "gummers" that they were going to have to change!

I did not receive any negative feedback, but several thanked me for showing them that GenXers and Millenials have some potentially positive contributions to make to their churches.

And, on top of that, I was elected Moderator of the Association for the next year. Should be interesting........

Knowledge is a dangerous thing

Spent Monday and Tuesday in Goodyear, near Phoenix in a Biblical Stewardship Seminar. I've been through these types of things before, but this one relied on the biblical view of the role of a steward, not so much on money.

Now I will be held accountable for what I know. Some of it is not comfortable, other aspects are Ok. We will be going through this Seminar in our church soon. I don't want to be the servant who will be "beaten with few blows." Nor do I want to be held accountable for those I am responsible to teach these things.

Luke 12:42-48

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 "But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Grace in action

Today I got to "cowboy" as my girls call it. I helped move some cattle (around 65 or so) from the ranch house to a pasture a couple of miles away. We moved a couple of other cows from one pasture to another. I grew up on a ranch, so this was a lot of fun.

Chris and Monica are the owners of the ranch. She and I are fellow Rotarians and she asked me earlier this week if I was able to come help them work cattle. I got to know Chris better today. We had met somewhere before, but neither of us could remember quite where.

After we got back to the house and unsaddled, we sat outside waiting for lunch. Chris' parents were staying with them this weekend. They are in their early 90's, and live in a nearby town. His dad is legally blind, and his mom has Alzheimer's. I've never been around anyone who is afflicted with this disease.

His mom is a kind lady, although she asks the same questions pretty frequently. I learned a lot from Chris and Monica. They help take care of Chris' parents on a weekly basis. They have developed a patient attitude with them, and answer questions just like it was the first time it has been asked. Chris' comment was something to the effect that we need to enjoy them while we can, because sometime soon, they will not be around.

His dad prayed before lunch. He prayed a prayer that only one who has prayed for years can pray.

It was difficult to see the changes that Alzheimer's makes to a marriage relationship.

I saw grace in action from Chris and Monica, taking care of his parents in a way that brought dignity, patience, and humor to the situation.

Just a little different

Been kinda lax on posting and such lately. Decided to make things look a little different - hope it looks better. Haven't decided what else to do with it - never know, depends on how much time I put in to it.

BTW - still working on getting the Bus Driving License. More paperwork, etc. The Substitute Teaching Certificate might be completed first.......

The 7 Deadly Sins

Joe Thorn recently started a SE7EN part series that you need to check out.  

1 - Lust.  

2 - Gluttony. Check Temperance out too.

3 - Greed.

Your philosophical presuppositions are showing....

Shemiah and I have been discussing Total Truth, written by Nancy Pearcey, in her Philosophy class the past couple of weeks. Ran across this today. Your philosophical presuppositions will show themselves every time!

BTW, Total Truth now has a Study Guide - Shemiah will be glad, cuz now we will have some interesting questions to answer rather than ones I come up with......

Busy week

I know that most of us usually have busy weeks, so I'm probably preaching to the choir here.......

Spent a couple of days in Phoenix attending Convention Council meetings for the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. It is fun to get to see what we are doing here in Az.

Also got to spend an afternoon with a couple of friends - one old friend, the younger one, and a new friend, the older of the two. The discussions were very helpful and encouraging. I just want to know why Pat waited until we were about 10 minutes from his house to call home only to find out that he did not have to come home....... perhaps his cell service doesn't work outside a couple of mile radius of his home.

Tonight is the last night of bus driving school (I hope). Should be done with that phase - I've driven big rigs and coaches cross country before, although I'm not certified on school bus yet. Three additional nights away from home in the last week is not fun, but hopefully the results will be worth the effort.

My lovely bride and I went to Phoenix by ourselves this week - I highly recommend it to any man who is married. Take your wife away for a couple of days without the kids and the normal stuff that life throws at her.

Why not, Preachers only work 1 day a week don't they?

I've been struggling with a couple of concepts for the past year or so. They have to do with the role of the church, a pastor, and individual Christians in their communities.

I have been a Southern Baptist since before I was born. I've always attended SB churches. I have observed quite a few pastors, SB and others, who spend most, if not all, their time in the church office, dealing with church people. Very few have been involved in community life (that I have observed). Now, I am a pastor - for the grand total of a little more than a year and a half.

Most churches of which I have been a part, have not been involved in community activities, other than "outreach" programs. I have been involved with the very infrequent Youth activities - Mission trips, helping at the local Food Banks, etc. Most times, the attitude of the church has been "Y'all come, we'll help fix you up!"

Most Christians that I have been around are committed to attending weekend worship service(s). Most desire to live their lives based on Biblical principles. Most are not involved in their communities in a significant way.

I've read several books in the past year that present a very differnt outlook on the role of Christians - churches, pastors, and individuals. One asked the question - "If you were to die or move away, would the community care?" Others presented statistics indicating that the number of professing Christians in each generation in the U.S. decreased by about 1/2 the total percentage of the previous generation, to the point that the most recent generation professes to be around 10% Christian. It's pretty obvious that churches, pastors, and individual Christians need to approach life very differently now than we have in the past.

I mentioned here about a Conference I recently attended. I sat with a good friend of mine (Pat), who is also a pastor, who had been asked by his son's track coach to become a coach on the track team. He had been trying to figure out what he should do. I had been asked by one of our church members, who works at our local school district, if I would be interested in driving a bus for the schools. I have the basic license that would allow me to do drive a school bus (although I need some more specific training - an "S" endorsement).

During the conference, Reggie McNeal called attention to the concept that God is looking at history from the end, not the beginning. We have the talents, tools, etc, right now in order to do what He wants because of what He has caused us to go through in the past. I'm not sure Pat or I wanted to hear it, because both of us afterwards commented that looking at the situation from that viewpoint made our decisions a little more clear.

I talked with the Superintendent of Schools, a fellow Rotarian last week about the possibility of being a substitute bus driver. Before the conversation was over, we discussed the possibility of being a substitute teacher in the school system. I have more degrees than sense anyway, so why not?

I started the Bus Driving School last night. It should last 4 nights, then will have to go through additional training by the School District once the background checks are completed. My Substitute Teacher certification will be submitted to the State Dept of Education after the background checks also.

Does that mean that some things at church will change? Probably. How will church members respond? I have no idea. Doing this has nothing to do with money. The church pays a decent salary. One thing I miss by being a pastor is being around people who are not involved in church. I'm missing something by being around church people all the time, or spending most of my time in the office.

Will this solve the concerns I have with the roles of churches, a pastor, and individual Christians in their communities? Don't know for sure, but one thing is for sure - I am going to find out.

Down and Dirty Evangelism

Joe Thorn wrote this earlier this year. Ran across it this past weekend when I was preparing for Sunday's sermon. I thought the sermon was ready on Thursday, but upon reviewing it Saturday night, I realized that I would miss a great opportunity to speak to the events of the week, specifically Katrina and God's Judgement. Started looking around, reading others thoughts, and began developing another sermon.

This post fit quite well with what Shaylyn and I did on Friday and Saturday also.

Shaylyn & I did something helpful!!!!

This past week on Friday and Saturday, Shaylyn - #3 daughter, and I went to help at our local food bank. It was quite different from other experiences we have had in other places.

Shaylyn did a great job! She's 12, and can get it done! Not long after we started on Friday morning, filling boxes with the different items, she was telling me what she needed, and was filling 5 or 6 boxes at the same time.... We worked with the other people from the food bank for most of the morning, and finished around noontime. Met a lot of people, got to practicar espanol and learned quite a bit about our community.

On Saturday morning, we started around 8:00, this time we had some help from Virginia and Sam. Between all 4 of us, we had around 20 more food boxes filled and ready within about 20 minutes. People started showing up, and the fun times started. Virginia and Sam had burritos to make for the Softball League they are in, so they took off after the heavy stuff was done.

Shaylyn helped Bobbie, the director, all morning doing the hard stuff - putting candy in the boxes. She also helped people carry their items to their cars, and got to go help Sophie carry her food into her house - up a really steep path on a mountain.

We are going to make this a regular habit. Shaylyn wants to help more, so we are going to see if she can volunteer during the week occasionally helping Bobbie. Bobbie is an amazing lady. She has been running the food bank since right after it started in 1982. She has an amazing story.

I'm glad we had the opportunity to serve other people in our community. I'm glad Virginia and Sam got to help. I'm glad we got to know Bobbie better. I'm glad Shaylyn and I got to do something helpful - together.

Tally has a really good idea! - Updated

Tally is not satisfied with letting other people do all the work, he wants to get involved, and take other people or churches with him. Here's his idea for helping the folks who are left in the wake of Katrina. Whatcha think?

Update #1
Tally commented that the website WeWillGo.net is up and running now. This effort is one that will provide housing for the long-term, partnering with Habitat for Humanity. For more info, go to WeWillGo.net or here. There is a page on WeWillGo.net that lists a variety of agencies to donate to if you are so inclined to do so immediately.

Joe's Series on Evangelism

Joe Thorn recently wrote a 6 part series of postings concerning evangelism here. Do yourself the favor and spend the time reading them and letting it sink in - you will be better off for it.

Conference #2 - Double Dumb Stupid

Saturday I attended a second conference in 3 days - I know, I know, I'm a glutton for punishment. But that's Ok, got to spend the day giggling at Reggie McNeal. Giggling in between seeing glimpses of "double dumb stupid" stuff that we see all too often. I think I'm gonna start using that phrase - thanks Reggie!

If you don't know who Reggie McNeal is, or if you haven't read any of his books, and you like to be beat about the head and neck repeatedly, start with The Present Future. I read it and A Work of Heart several months ago. I've been trying to figure out some of the answers to questions that he brings up and haven't been too successful as of yet - but there might be an answer to one of them coming up soon - stay tuned for details if it happens.

Just a couple of questions / comments that will help build your appetite - "How do we deconvert from churchianity to Christianity?" and "You need to get out of the church business!" He challenges a few of our long held questions and asks a couple more that aren't so easy to answer.

Reggie McNeal is in or on the Leadership Development Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, so he is one of us SBC folks. If you get the chance to hear him speak, do it, you won't regret it (too bad anyway, unless you are a died in the wool club member)

We lived in Phoenix for almost 19 years and I thought we had gotten used to the heat. Moved away less than 2 years ago and this last week in Phx it was stinkin hot......

A neo-feminist's view of abstinence!!!!

Get ready - might not be what you were thinking..... Found this today on emergesque. He found it here. I thought both would be worth passing on!

Conference #1

Thursday night the 25th and Friday my family and I went to the Arizona SBC Church Planting Conference held in Ahwatukee, AZ. Got to drink more good coffee in a day and a half than I had in the past 2 months - thanks to David & Lisa & Kayla Johnson - you guys rock!!!

Ken Belflower and Fernando Amaro are both Church Planting Facilitators in the AZ SBC. They had a team of people helping them set up this Conference - the team did a great job with this one!

Met a boat load of church planters who are doing the deed in AZ. Every one of these guys / gals are gettin it done in their communities! I have the privilege of serving on the Church Planting Resource Team for our State Convention. I had read a lot of the stories behind these various churches before, and now had the opportunity to meet the people who are making it happen.

We had a chance to ask questions during a couple of sessions - it was good to see the variety of responses - whether I agreed with them or not!!!!

The best part of the whole conference was hangin out talking, finding out what God is doing in each church and pastor / team that was there. Got to spend time with David and Sean late on Friday. They are on the Leadership Team of The Crossing in Tucson.

Sean is pulling double duty - he is also a Church Planting Strategist for the Catalina Baptist Association. I had read about The Crossing and Sean on Tally's Blog a couple of months ago and checked out their website. I'm gonna have to take a Sunday evening and head to Tucson to check it out. It sounds like some really good things are happening there, in spite of the fact that Sean likes Taco Bell. I could hang with him at Chipotle and the coffee shops, but not Taco Bell - yo no quiero Taco Bell!

I'm glad that we have churches being planted in various places in the state. Problem is, there's not enough........ We need all the help we can get here in AZ - if you are interested, come on out, there are more people who need to hear the good news than we can handle.

Block Party

On Aug 6 we had a Block Party - invited the community and hung out watching kids play on the water slides we rented. Most of the adults ate stuff, watched kids, and had a good time. Nothing heavy duty - met a lot of people, got to know some others better. Watched a lot of church folks working pretty hard so that everyone else could enjoy!

Really glad we didn't try to do VBS this summer...... and if the team has anything to do about it, we might have more Block Parties next year!!!

Time's fun when you are having Flies!

It's hard to believe that over a month has gone by since my last post. If you are still checking - thanks, I probably would have given up long ago.....

Lots has happened in the last month. Block Party - good stuff, lots of new relationships, Miah is back home - she had fun and met some people she might just be friends with for a long time, went to a couple of conferences this past week - more on them later.

Priorities - had a chance to review - hopefully some things will be happening as a result of taking the time to consider the possibilities. Never know the specifics of what God is doing til later most of the time.

Helping another church out.

Fifteen people from 1st Southern Morenci helped Central Heights Baptist in the Globe area with their block party today. One of the guys from 1st So. Morenci coordinated everything for us. Thanks Chris, you really helped me out a lot by doing that for us.

Within about 15 minutes of getting there, 2 of the ladies who went had already identified several areas where we could refine our own block party that is coming up on August 6. It is fun to be around people who see what needs to happen and then they make the decision without having to ask me about it first. Virginia and Sue - you guys rock!!! With these two around, I need to stay out of the way and watch them work, help when I can then back up so I won't be in the way of stuff happening.

A couple of youth worked all day right along with the adults. Shaianne fished more fish out of a bucket than humanly possible. Caleb tried to dunk the ball on rocky ground, in a short height goal all morning - don't know if he ever did it or not - but he hung around and played with the kids.

Donny and Alice - thanks!!! Greg - I hope the seat in your truck dries out...... Jerry D - I think your time is coming sometime soon - I saw the look in her eyes. John and Esther - just how many t-shirts did you win anyway? And how do you pronounce your last name?

Justin Y and Vivien (I hope you dried off!) - It's pretty cool having you guys around this summer and seeing you involved in church. Justin D - it really is better in the dry heat!!! I appreciate your involvement in the community coaching the kids in soccer and giving me a hard time too. Hopefully we will finish most of Genesis before all y'all head back to foreign lands to finish school.

Overall, it was a really good day helping another church try to reach their community with the good news. Saw lots of kids carrying Bibles around, hopefully they will be read. Got to help kids laugh, make them laugh, laugh with them - nothing much in life sounds better than a little child laughing, or a pre-teen giggling at an adult doing something goofy.

They are doing what? To who?

Baptist Press article on July 12, 2005 - I am gay-friendly. Wow - these folks really believe that evil can be overcome by good. What a concept. Was written in Scripture a long time ago, and Christ followers through the centuries have believed and practiced it. Seems like lots of folks today who claim to follow Christ (and probably truly are regenerate) have forgotten that Christ's command to us in Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

We have been really good about "taking a stand" or "making a statement" in a public way, so that "the world" will know what we believe. I'm pretty sure that most people in the U.S. knows, or has heard what "Christians" believe. I pray that there would be more people in the U.S. (and elsewhere for that matter) who will SEE our beliefs lived out in front of them through service - overcoming evil with good.

The 411 will impact their community for eternity. Will we?

(HT - Steve McCoy at Emerging SBC Leaders)

Crucifixional???

Read Joe Thorn's post about The Mission of God. He talks about God's mission and how it might be a little different than our usual interpretation of what it is.

In his post, he uses a word that I had not read before - crucifixional. He got it from a friend of his, Daniel, who is a pastor/elder at Sojourn Community in Louisville, KY.

Checked out their website - I appreciate their approach to doing church together. Come to think of it, we have the same Chief Pastor/Elder at our church, but sometimes we forget it though.

Random Stuff.

Mike DeVries has written a couple of posts lately that need a bit of thought. The first one asks the question "What is the Gospel?" The second is hidden in "TEAM Conference." Spent an afternoon and part of an evening with Mike a couple of years ago. I liked what he had to say then and like a lot of what he writes now too.

Scott McKnight wrote about one of my pet peeves and he is exactly right!!!!! I like a lot of what Scott writes.

For 4 of the women in my life (and the main one too!)

Found this today and thought of you. I hope that I can come close.

Hint: If the poem "Fallen Angels" isn't at the top of the page, scroll down to read it.

Southern Baptist - a view of the inside, from an insider.....

Jim Elliff is president of Christian Communicators Worldwide. He recently wrote an article concerning church membership, a topic he feels very passionate about, focusing on Southern Baptists in specific - with application to other denominations as well. It's worth the read.

(HT - Justin Taylor) Justin writes a lot of good stuff - well worth your time reading what he has to say. He presents info about arguments sometimes used in the abortion discussion here, and here, and a bit about poetry as well!

Maps! Maps! We don't need no stinkin maps!!!

I've been reading several books on leadership lately. John MacArthur (The Book on Leadership), Andy Stanley (7 Practices of Effective Ministry, Rick Rusaw & Eric Swanson (The Externally Focused Church), and more waiting to be read!

According to all the books I've read, my leadership is severely lacking! On the other hand, my calling by the only One Who Counts has not changed. The people in the church I pastor also are waiting on me to lead them.

Rusaw and Swanson wrote in The Externally Focused Church on page 147:

It is a myth that not all leaders are visionaries. If you lead, you are a visionary. You are inviting people to move from the present to the future. If you don't have any idea of where your church is going and why, then you are not a leader--period.

This quote has been the most helpful for me to see what I have not been doing very well. I have a vision of how a church should operate, but I have not done a good job explaining that vision. I have a tendency to be pretty vague and want people to find out on their own what needs to be done - I'm not very directive with clear "Do this" requests/commands/etc.

They also say that the vision should act as a compass, not a roadmap which makes a lot of sense to me. I've been looking at the compass (that I am looking at, not what others see, or have seen in the past) and most of the leaders here are asking for directions on the roadmap.

Perhaps with a different understanding of vision that Rusaw and Swanson have provided will help me get us going in the right direction - using the compass rather than the roadmap. I've been waiting for a map to appear, maps can be drawn later..... Maps! Maps! We don't need no stinkin maps!!!

Backwards question from Mark 8:37?

This morning's sermon passage was Mark 8:34-38, NASB quoted below:

34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

I understand that Jesus' call to discipleship includes renouncing my claim to myself, that I should be prepared to die physically immediately, and then I must follow Him. I understand that "wasting" my life for His sake, and the sake of the Gospel will result in my life being saved, and that in trying to save it by not "wasting" it for Him, I will lose it. Just a bit of a paradox.........

Jesus' question is backwards from what I was expecting. I was thinking "What will a man get in exchange for his soul?" His question is "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" It seems to me that every man already has a soul, that we don't have to purchase it.

This question haunted me for most of this week in preparing for this morning and I'm not sure I have "The Answer" for it. I've read several commentaries and still don't have a completely clear understanding of what is being asked. Here's what I think:

Jesus was pointing back to His command for a person to "Deny himself" - to completely renounce his claim to his "self," and give control of his "self" to Christ. The soul of a person is of great worth and should not be exchanged for any amount of wealth that this world has to offer. The soul will be exchanged for something. Christ is asking very pointedly whether it will be exchanged for "self" or for Him.

Jesus call to discipleship is hard, not easy. We Westerners like to pamper "self" rather than deny it. John the Baptist had it right when he said "He must increase, but I must decrease" in John 3:30.

So - For what will you give in exchange your soul?

Huh?

Today in our morning worship a couple I did not know joined us. In our conversation I found out where they lived and that they were in the area on a vacation of sorts for their anniversary.

They told me where they go to church in their city, and he is the pastor of their church! It "used to be Southern Baptist," but they think Brother So-and-So took them out of the SBC - "and rightfully so". "There are so very few faithful Baptist churches" in their city, they said. Not many hold to the truth, and preach truth. (It is a pretty large city here in AZ and has lots of SBC churches, but it's not Phoenix, just in case you're interested!!!)

Pretty early in the conversation I quit trying to understand where they were coming from, it was pretty apparent that they did not want to discuss it, and the situation did not lead to an open discussion either. It was an amiable discussion, and I hope they have an enjoyable anniversary getaway and encountered God in our worship this morning.

My question is - if you go to a church you obviously don't agree with doctrinally, is it a good thing to talk to the pastor afterwards and start pointing out some of the things you don't agree with? I guess it's a good thing I explained why I was wearing sandals while I preached this morning .......... (wonder what they woulda thought if I'd been wearing shorts!)

Changes

Sometimes change comes through struggle, other times.....

Last night we had a potluck fellowship instead of our usual Sunday evening services. It is the second time this summer we've had an evening fellowship rather than the traditional meal following morning worship. A couple of comments I heard were significant.

"This is more relaxing than having potluck at lunch. We don't have to get up early and throw something together, get ready for church, worry about keeping the food hot, and keeping somebody in the kitchen getting everything ready."

"I like this better! Nobody is rushed to get home, we can sit and talk."

Fellowship can't be rushed!!! It takes time for people to connect - even those who have been acquainted for decades and have attended church together for forever.

D'Shon and I only counted about 6 or so folks who were in morning worship that did not come back for the 5:00 potluck, and we had some come who were not here earlier and don't normally come to church too!

Sometimes changes occur gradually when we try something different and let people see the differences - it kinda grows on you then.

Now, if my ankle would quit hurting I would be able to walk like a human rather than a duck.......

Sex and the Supremacy of Christ - a review

Justin Taylor recently (longer ago than I'd like to admit) asked for bloggers to review Sex and the Supremacy of Christ and post their reviews on their respective blogs. Many other bloggers have finished their task long ago - I must be bringing up the tail end of the group!! Somebody has to be last. Anyway, my review follows:

Sex and the Supremacy of Christ was edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor and copyrighted in 2005. It has 11 chapters written by 12 contributers, 10 men and 2 women.

As a pastor, I am continually looking for good books to recommend to different people. This is one book I plan on using regularly in talking with anyone who might be vaguely interested in the topic. I suppose that anyone who is an adult, or is rapidly becoming one would benefit from this book. It is well written, very understandable, and adults who are Christ followers will benefit greatly by reading and following its suggestions.

It covers the following topics in major sections – God and Sex, Sex and Sin, Men and Sex, Women and Sex, and History and Sex.

The Introduction presents an important concept that sex is a subset of “all things.” When thought of in this vein, the Bible has much to say about sex. On page 17 Justin Taylor quotes Ben Patterson from Chapter 3 “Sex is good because the God who created sex is good. And God is glorified greatly when we receive his gift with thanksgiving and enjoy it the way he meant for it to be enjoyed.” Sheds a very different light on sex than most of us grew up seeing.

In the section God and Sex, John Piper lays out, both positively and negatively, two foundational concepts, then expounds on each (page 26):

1.Positively stated: Sexuality is designed by God as a way to know God in Christ more fully.

Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality distort the true knowledge of Christ.

2.Positively stated: Knowing God in Christ more fully is designed as a way of guarding and guiding our sexuality.

Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality derive from not having the true knowledge of Christ.

The entirety of the book serves to explain these two concepts more fully and gives each one detailed treatment.

Ben Patterson's contribution in Chapter 3 begins with a theological view of the Goodness of Sex and the Glory of God. He develops his points fully then closes the chapter with a story that many Dads can relate to only too well before praising God for his wife.

Part 2 deals with the topic Sex and Sin. The first chapter is a very well written, indepth view of Restoration of the sexually broken. It is the longest chapter in the book, and rightfully so – it has a lot of good advice for those of us who are broken. This chapter, written by David Powlison, is worth the price of the book alone.

Al Mohler writes the next chapter presenting a fresh, compassionate view of our role as Christians in the lives of people who view themselves as homosexual. It is thoroughly biblically based and culturally relevant.

The third section, Men and Sex consists of two chapters, one addressing single men and married men in the second. The first chapter is very direct and does not pull any punches with respect to what single men should and shouldn't be doing, how they should be treating women, and who they should be becoming before marriage. It presents a compelling argument for courting rather than the current cultural view and practice of dating prior to marriage. The opening sentence of the first section of the chapter sums up the rest of the chapter - “The first thing to say about sex and the single man is, there should be none!” (page 133).

The next chapter is devoted to married men and a discussion of the Song of Solomon. C.J. Mahaney presents his main idea, which he urges us married guys not to forget - “In order for romance to deepen, you must touch the heart and mind of your wife before you touch her body.” He goes on to give a variety of practical suggestions on how to carry out this idea in real life.

The fourth section is addressed to Women and Sex. I am uniquely unqualified to address the adequacy of this section. I have a wife and 4 daughters (thats right – 5 women in my house) and I still don't know how they are put together. I've asked my wife to read this section and give her two cents worth at some point.

The final section deals with History and Sex, beginning with Luther and the development of his views concerning sex. As a monk, sex was not a major activity in his life. After his conversion and subsequent change in church addresses, his views on sexuality take a drastic turn. He eventually gets married and greatly enjoys the benefits of marriage!

The ending chapter gives an overview of views the Puritans took toward sex. Puritans weren't very “puritanical” (as the word is used today) about sex after all.

If you are interested in sex - read this book! You will not think about sex the same after this experience. I know my thinking has changed for the better as a result.

One of those weeks!

Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you are running around like a head with your chicken cut off? Been kinda that way. Started coaching soccer last week for kids under the age of 6. I didn't even know what a soccer ball was until the first day of the season! I'm the assistant coach for the AYSO soccer team that my 5 year old is playing on. I'm glad I'm not coaching a team that actually has to think strategy. As long as the kids are going toward the other goal - life is good!!!

Our house is really different this week. One daughter is gone for the summer, another is at a friends house and camp for a couple of weeks. We don't have any teenagers - this is a very strange feeling. Feeling kinda lost.

I've been reading Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, and Marty Duren report about the goings on of the SBC. Good reading, great reporting, check it out.

Finally finished a book that I needed to review - hope to post the review real soon.

Back to Work......

Ever have one of those "Vacations" that really wasn't a vacation? Spent some time at my mother-in-law's house, doing some things that she really couldn't do since she is still recovering from a broken leg. She's doing a lot better though.

Dropped Shemiah off, met some of the people she will be working with this summer, drank a bit of coffee (had some crunchies in the bottom of the cup.... still chewing on it too...) and listened to the Lords Prayer in Cajun. Cajuns must be an interesting bunch, cuz the ones I saw were scary..... not really - a lot of fun. Miah should enjoy her summer.

Got back (after having to fix the Suburban in a parking lot in Albuquerque) and for the last 2 days I've been running around like a head with it's chicken cut off. Trying to figure out which direction to go next.

My lovely bride (who many people think looks like Julia Roberts - just ask the lady who said so in Blakes in Rio Rancho) said that she was going to clean my office this morning. She did that - and rearranged it too! Looks better now - and would look even better if I'd let her at my desk. But she really doesn't understand my filing system (she calls it my piling system).

Anyway, we are home now, and Sunday is coming again. Lots of things to do, not enough time (or I'd like to think that time would help.....). Guess I'd better quit griping or just get some cheese to go with it!

God is good, and He gives us challenges to prove it!

Vacation Time!

We are headed out tomorrow! Shemiah is going to be working at Glorieta this summer taking care of other people's kids. It'll be good for her. Shaianne is going to a camp with Brittney in the Carolinas for a couple of weeks. D'Shon and I won't know what to do with only 2 kids at home. But I'm sure we will cope.

But then again, by then Shaylyn will have finished The Lord of the Rings - she will have lots more questions than answers. Guess she might have to read The Silmarillion, or Unfinished Tales, or The Tolkien Reader or something else..... Who knows, maybe she will have to experience C.S. Lewis more deeply (beyond Aslan and company).

Maybe I can find the Grail on this trip - it's been awhile since I've experienced coffee shop coffee - perhaps a morning or 2 smelling coffee would be appropriate with a couple of good books.

Latest edition of Christian Counterculture

The latest edition of Christian Counter Culture Newsletter came out today. The focus this time is Good News. Asks the question - What is the Gospel? Most of the time we tend to think that the Gospel is directed at individuals, rather than at the Kingdom of God. We as individuals will benefit, but the Good News is more than individual in nature. Read it and get ready to be challenged.

Spurgeon, by way of Mohler

Al Mohler has an exerpt from a message on his blog today that Charles H. Spurgeon gave on May 15, 1890. Spurgeon was talking to pastors, and Mohler addresses it to pastors today.

I really needed it today. I needed to see what only God can do - and God graciously let me see some things that He is already doing (3 that I noticed, so far). I also needed the reminder from two men I respect that it's all about Him, not me. Thank you Dr. Mohler.

Rodney - 1, Stump - 0

We had 2 stumps in our yard one month ago. My lovely bride resorted to diesel powered help to remove one of them (and I thanked her very much too!) Last night, the second one - much larger (not in my estimation, but D'Shon's and Annie's) than the one removed with hydraulic help succumbed to the shovel and crowbar! I'd been told that I would be working for a long time before that one came out of the ground and they weren't sure it would all come up - it did. I had worked one afternoon a couple of months ago and had been saving up my strength to finish the battle. I was almost disappointed - it only took another couple of hours to finish it up.

I did my best Tim the Toolman grunt and then went in the house to celebrate with generic Coke and chocolate covered graham crackers. Drug it out of the yard with my trusty Trooper II today and covered the hole like the tree never existed. The girls just smile and thank God that no one is around when I do my best Arnold imitation and grunt when someone mentions the stump that was formerly in our yard.

Rick Warren interviews David Yonggi Cho

Found Mike and Tonya Norton from the Emerging SBC site. Mike links to an interview of David Yonggi Cho by Rick Warren. Really good stuff. Read and ponder, then do something about it (mainly for me, not you necessarily)

Dr. Jimmy Draper has a blog!

Dr. Jimmy Draper recently started a blog. He has been talking to younger leaders in the SBC for the past year or so and continues to try to engage them in different ways. He originally had a series of face to face meetings in several locations across the U.S. He then started a discussion board. Now, he has a blog and has promised to continue to improve it.

I'm hopeful that his latest attempt will be beneficial for the Southern Baptist denomination as a whole.

Good questions, conversation to follow

Joel Rainey started a thread today that should lead to some good conversation starting next week. He pointed out some common questions that he sees being asked by younger SBC folks that have the potential to change how SB life is viewed. Go read his posting to get the full context. He did a good job laying out the situation.

Memorial Day Weekend - Part 2

John Armstrong posted a good analysis on Politics, Cultural change, and our mission as believers in Christ here. His analysis has a lot of merit. In my opinion he has nailed the issue on the head.

Conservative Resurgence

Al Mohler in his commentary today wrote about a first hand account of the conservative resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. He reviewed Anatomy of a Reformation: The Southern Baptist Convention 1978-2004 written by Paige Patterson. Dr. Patterson is one of the chief architects of the conservative resurgence that began in 1978/79 and is now the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I have not read a great deal about this era in Southern Baptist life, but know a couple of professors who recommended books for me to read. I'll probably get this booklet and begin studying history so I don't unknowingly contribute to making the same type of mistakes of the past. I know that this era in SB life has been very distressing for many.

I suppose that theological controversy will continue until we all stand before the Trinity and realize that none of us had it entirely correct. I hope that when controversy comes my way that I will be able to stand before God and give a good account of my actions, all the while knowing that it is by His grace that I stand in His presence anyway.

Memorial Day Weekend

This was a really good weekend. We had a good worship time Sunday morning recognizing graduates from the local schools, remembering those who serve or have served in the military, and the God our patriots worshiped. Talked about God's love for the church and if we are bricks, then we need to stay in the wall where He puts us, til He takes us out and puts us somewhere else.

Had a barbeque on Sunday evening - burgers, dogs, chili, corn on the cob, chips, cake, ate too much. Had a really good conversation with Justin (a summer intern for Phelps Dodge). Justin is a college student with one more year to go - and is ready to start work. Sounds like he has a good foundation for life. He just needs to spend more time playing drums!!! Practice, practice, practice........

Another friend called yesterday morning and asked us to go to the river with them. Had never been there, had a blast getting there - four wheel drive roads, playing in the water, eating, talking, just hanging out. Caught 3 catfish - if you want to call them fish - all 3 together wouldn't make a decent meal. It was fun anyway you want to look at it.

Always in a hurry?

Mike DeVries posts today about Rhythm. Raises some great questions. I need to think through some of them, reevaluate.

Several years ago I started turning off the radio, shutting down the continual noise in my life. Helped a lot, but I find at times other kinds of noise have crept in unnoticed - busyness, worry, trying to do it all, etc. Guess I'd better pull out my "Not to do list" again and cut some more things so the noise level goes back down - so I can hear the still, small voice when it says "Turn left, this is the way, walk in it."

New Friends

Yesterday I finally began a conversation with someone who I have met but not known except through others. He is a pastor who has pastored other pastors. I need that kind of help. I recognize some of my own limitations, while he has been there and done that and can help me see other limitations I have. He has helped another pastor friend through some really tough times and has my respect, not only for that, but for his approach to ministry and what it means to minister.

Sam - I really am looking forward to our conversations and walking through things with you, seeing where He takes us.

Perspectives

My family and I went to a baccalaureate service at the local high school this past Sunday night. My wife and I have been to lots of graduation ceremonies and such the past several years because I was teaching the 11th and 12th grade in Bible Study. This was different because the girls went with us this time.

My oldest is 17 and will graduate next year. My baby is growing up (can you see the tear stains on the screen????) As the soon to be graduates pictures (baby, pre-teen, and recent) were shown on a slide show, I wondered where their lives would lead. Some have great potential academically, others as leaders in their own right - business, family, community, etc. Thought back to when I was their age - have I lived up to my potential since then? Don't know how to answer that question - have I lived up to my potential today, or am I just getting by with what I get by with.........

Change

It is amazing how quickly almost a week goes by without sitting down to blog. I knew it would be a challenge, guess I didn't know just how much of one!

I've been reflecting on changes lately, in the Southern Baptist denomination (www.sbc.net) most specifically.

I spent almost 10 years playing Engineer in an Aerospace firm that produced airplane engines. The last 2 or 3 years of which I was involved in what was known then as Total Quality. The company knew it needed to change in order to maintain its competitive edge in the industry - everybody else was becoming more efficient, they had to do the same in order to keep up or go bankrupt. I learned over the last 2 years of my employment that the company stated that it wanted to change and the leadership was driving the change, but the people in charge were threatened by change and resisted it as fiercely as they could without getting into trouble.

One common complaint from those who wanted to change was that the "Good-Old Boy" network needed to be destroyed before any significant change would take place. There was no denying that the GOBN existed. Everyone who had been around for more than 2 weeks knew who was in and who was out.

Fairly quickly management personnel changes were made, and the GOBN adapted. Some of the names changed, but the network still existed. What I did not see was an attitude of humility and a desire to work together with those outside the GOBN to develop a different way of doing the same job more efficiently.

That lead me to make the only choice I thought I could make at the time - I quit!!!! Became self-employed, no more GOBN, or so I thought - more on that later perhaps.

I became the pastor of a small Southern Baptist Church the last Sunday in 2003. Within the past year I have becoming more aware of changes in the larger church community. Started reading lots of blogs, eventually started commenting and entered the conversation.

In the middle of last year, Dr. Jimmy Draper - SBC's Lifeway asked a couple of questions that started the discussion of how younger leaders in the SBC could become more involved (basically). He has traveled a bit talking with younger leaders and recently started his own blog (here) - thanks Steve McCoy.

One idea that has been floating around in my head for awhile is pretty much the same as when I was employed in the aerospace industry - the "Good Old Boy Network."

Some folks (not everyone) in the conversation (no one in particular, putting several together, fair or not....) IMO apparently have the idea that the GOBN needs to be done away with in order for constructive change to occur. Many do not want to see the structure of our denomination completely demolished, although some do.

It is common for those not in charge to want the ones who are in charge to go away - to destroy the GOBN so that the new can come and change can happen. What many people do not seem to recognize is that a "new" GOBN will step into the void left by the previous one.

It would be a shame for those of us younger leaders in the SBC to work for the utter destruction of the GOBN that exists at this point just so the New GOBN could take over. Each New GOBN starts out with their own ideals and grand plans and each usually becomes stuck in the way they have always done things.

One telling mark that the Holy Spirit has been active in the hearts of His people is a sense of unity - not uniformity. Dr. Draper has started to talk, he is trying to connect with us. Perhaps many more in the existing GOBN will enter the conversation soon (here's hope).

Hopefully all of us see that we must change how we present Christ to those around us, people in general have changed while many churches have not recognized it yet. We have a lot to learn from those who have gone before us, and they have some to learn from us. Hopefully we can both be better disciples of Christ because He has used us to sharpen each other.

Scholarship presentation

Had the opportunity last night to present around $5000 worth of scholarships to High School students. Realized as I approached the podium that I did not know many of the parents of the students (most of who I know). I lost my train of thought and didn't say many of the things that I wanted to say.

I was representing the Clifton-Morenci Rotary Club. I've been a member of Rotary for less than a year now. Getting to meet a lot of people who don't immediately turn me off because I'm a "Preacher." Met the father of one of the students across the fence in my yard this morning. Real nice guy, his first son is leaving for college this summer and he is hoping that he and his wife raised him good, that his son will turn out alright. I do too. I know where their house is now, and will have something to talk about with him next time.

Met someone I went to High School with who was presenting scholarships last night too. Didn't get to talk to him much, just sat next to him on the platform.

I hope these relationships will continue to grow and develop. I have no idea where these guys stand with Christ, but we have some things in common right now - hopefully more in the future.

She's home!

My best friend in the whole world came back home last night. She was away for almost a week helping her mother in Albuquerque. Her mother fell and broke her leg, had surgery to put it all back together and is now in a Rehab Hospital for a couple of weeks.

It never ceases to amaze me how much my wife does. Somehow I forget when she is around all the time. When she's gone, life just doesn't seem right, something vital is missing, even when stuff gets done that normally gets done.

Why do we do apologetics?

Steve McCoy over at Reformissionary made an interesting statement/question about apologetics today 'lately I've been starting to wonder if what many call "a defense" of the faith has really become about being "defensive" about the faith.'

I thought of H. Richard Niebuhr's book - "Christ and Culture." I read it several years ago in Seminary (GGBTS Arizona Regional Campus). Perhaps I need to go back and review it again. It was written in 1951 before the major changes of 60's and the 90's, but still holds a lot of wisdom and insight. This book among others helped to refine my overall view of the apologetic task.

The most important apologetic defense is a life that speaks the love of Christ without using words initially. Telling someone about the love of Christ using words are necessary at some point, but I wonder if we have become too confident in the words we speak and not relying enough on the work of the Holy Spirit using our actions as the medium.

I suppose it's time!

I suppose it's time to add my voice to the fray. I've been reading blogs for quite a while now and I suppose it's time I joined in the fun! May 16 is a good blogday anyway.

No guarantees considering the content, hopefully it will be coherent (mostly)!