Rodney's Ramblings

Here I go again!

2011-04-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

After a pretty extended absence I think I'm ready to try it again. No guarantees that my second attempt at blogging will last - time will tell.

Life has continued in the past 5 years and over time I hope to write about some of the changes that have happened.

What is "missional" anyway?

2006-07-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Saw this a couple of days ago and thought I'd link to it. Then someone came in the office and you know the rest of the story. Anyway, check out what Adam has to say about missional ministry - read the whole series (the links at the bottom)

3 Stooges in Action

2006-07-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Back in April, I wrote about the 3 Stooges. At this point, I still have not met the 3rd Stooge - he might be a fig newton of somebody's imagination - even if he is, Ronnie does a lot of the work......

I mentioned to Sam back in April that I had read a lot about teams and how to lead them, etc. Many books and such talked about effective teams, but I had never seen one work well until I saw the 3 Stooges in action. We got to see more on this trip. Not only did we see 2 of the 3 Stooges, but we got to see the interaction between them and their pastor. Three very strong personalities, all with different outlooks on life, all focusing on the same goal - pretty powerful. Watched conflicting goals, ideas be resolved not in an explosive way, but in a God honoring, peaceful, restorative way.

Their example has given me a lot to try to emulate. Two other men from Morenci went with me on this trip. Dennis is a man who never met a stranger. He is a Supervisor in the Research department at the copper mine. Jeff drives one of those small dump trucks (only 240-300 ton per load) for 12 hours a day, and he is pretty quiet most of the time. Both of them are leaders! I found that out on this trip.

Following the example of the guys from Stone Ridge, the team and the pastor, I tried to deflect as much of the decision-making issues to Jeff and Dennis, for many reasons. I want God to do things with us that are not limited by me. These 2 guys went on this trip and saw everything that I saw. They were impacted and want to make a difference in the lives of other people. They took the lead in talking to the local missionary and leaders of the churches. I tried to stay out of their way. It's a different way of operating that will take some time for all of us to be comfortable with, but it has been a good start.

This coming Sunday, Dennis and Jeff will present their views / impressions / etc on the trip, and then will tell the church where they think we should be involved with 2 different churches / missions in the DR. Should be a lot of fun.

The power of vision

2006-07-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how fast the schedule takes over when you get back from a trip. Spent a couple of days last week arguing with Montezuma, and it has already been a week since we got back. Oh well.....

We visited 32 different churches/missions from Friday night until Thursday night. We spent a lot of time in the wawa (Dominican for bus). Days were sometimes quite long, and showers quite "refreshing" with the humidity a bit higher than most of us were accustomed.

Everywhere we went on the island, we saw the power of a God-sized vision. The leader of the Dominican Baptist Convention has a vision to reach the entire nation for the cause of Christ. He has been the pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Puerta Plata for 28 years and he is 48 years old. Many men in that church are missionaries to their own people. Many other men in that church are preparing to become pastors or missionaries. It appears that they are approaching planting churches in much the same way that Guy posts about here. Not exactly the same, but similar.

We saw many people who are sold out to the cause of Christ. They work full time jobs, serve in the main church, and work to start missions, holding Bible Studies, developing relationships with other people.

We heard strategies that are well beyond the capabilities of the people who are working them. I made the comment to a seminary friend who was there that what they are doing made our Practicum course look weak in comparison. These men and women minister in impossible situations and God is magnified, lifted up, people are served, and the impossible becomes possible through His means. People are being set free from the bondage of sin regularly. The church is growing and flourishing.

Enough for now. More later.

Reflections on fireworks

2006-07-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Fireworks this July 4th were different. The sound was the same, the colors were the same, the smell was the same, I am different.

In years past, I would hear the song "I'm Proud to be an American" and feel my chest swell with pride and gratitude. This year pride as an American was not at the forefront of my emotions. The overwhelming thought that ran across my mind that night was "Why me?"

Having recently returned from the Dominican Republic, and having met many brothers and sisters in Christ, I realized anew that I contributed nothing to my being born as a citizen of the United States of America. Only by the grace and will of God am I here, at this time, in this place.

Americans enjoy many privileges because of our place of birth. We also suffer some of the drawbacks of that same status. Of all the physical things in life, we enjoy the best. Of many of the spiritual aspects of life, we are poverty stricken. We have traded our spiritual life for an extravagant physical existence - a very poor choice on our part.

Our once strong spiritual vitality has been sapped dry for the most part in America. Yes, there are pockets of spiritual life here, but not like it is in other parts of the world where God has the hearts and minds and entire lives of His followers. He is working in other lands, with other peoples in ways that we will not allow Him to work in the States with us. For that, my emotion is not one of pride, but one of loss.

Am I blessed that God chose to give me life in the United States of America in the late 1900's / early 2000's? Yes I am. Did I have anything to do with that choice? No.

I'm not sure fireworks will ever mean the same to me again - at least I hope they won't.

Tranquilo Bobby!!

2006-07-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

We're home!!!! After a 25 hour of day traveling, we are all safe and sound, all 11 of us from Az who went to the DR. We had 4 legs on our journey with breaks (layovers) between just about each leg.

The best comment I have heard about the trip so far came from my beautiful bride. She said "You seem peaceful after this trip, not all keyed up like you usually are."

We heard many times on this trip - "Tranquilo Bobby!" Our Dominican host was very gracious and had a great sense of humor.

For some, it was a stretch to not have a schedule other than what someone else thought needed to happen. I kinda enjoyed it. We could see that God was leading us as we looked backwards....

I'm hoping to reflect a bit on some of the experiences we had, attitudes, questions, etc in the coming days. Suffice it to say that many more questions were raised than answers given, although many answers were discovered. Recently Guy commented here about something that I had no understanding when I replied. I now have a somewhat better understanding.... not complete by any means, but better.

I'm blessed to be home, where the electricity works all 24 hours of the day, along with water coming out of the faucet/toilet/shower whenever I turn it on, toilet seats (and toilets...), paper, etc. We Americans are very spoiled and tend to be fat and lazy.

Trip starts tomorrow

2006-06-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we leave for the Dominican Republic. We are going to help church planters do whatever they want us to do. The only definite on our itinerary is when our planes are scheduled to depart and arrive, Sunday School is on Sunday morning, and Worship is on Sunday evening. Other than that, we are going to serve those we will be with.

Eleven of us are going from 4 different churches (and not all of them are Southern Baptist.....) I'm looking forward to seeing what God is doing there. From what I understand, He is working in ways there that we do not see Him working here in the States.

I have no idea whether I will have Internet access. If so, perhaps an occasional entry will show up. If not, I guess we will see how much makes its way here after we return.

Reading List

2006-06-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Started doing something that I enjoy again - reading. Been a bit busy the past couple of months and haven't been able to read much. Miah commented to me yesterday that I should write something on my blog cuz she's getting tired of reading all the old stuff over and over and over......

Been trying to make up for lost time reading, so here's my list.

Books read in the past 2 weeks:

The Missional Leader, Alan Roxburgh & Fred Romanuk
Practicing Greatness, Reggie McNeal
Simple Church, Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger

Working on:

On Being a Pastor, Derek Prime & Alistair Begg
The Training of the Twelve, A.B. Bruce
The Bondage of the Will, Luther as translated by J.I. Packer & O.R. Johnston

On Deck:

Breakout Churches, Thom Rainer
Sinners in the Hands of a Good God, David Clotfelter
Sex, Men and God, Douglas Weiss

Quotable Quote

2006-06-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

At a recent Convention Council meeting in Scottsdale, Nancy Jones, the President of Baptist Senior Life Ministries in Az, made the following statement:

"Who is going to attend your funeral and NOT look at their watch?"

Kinda makes you think, doesn't it.........

Dr. Steve Bass

2006-05-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Dr. Steve Bass is blogging. For those of you who do not know Steve, he is the fearless leader of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention and an all around good guy.

I have had the pleasure to be a student in one of his classes he teaches at the Arizona Regional Campus of the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. I'm a member or our Convention Council (kinda like an State Executive Board) in my 2nd year of a 3 year term and have had the opportunity to see Steve in a different light than many have. What has pleased me is that what you see in Steve is what you get. He speaks very plainly and directly to whatever issue he encounters.

I'm glad he is blogging and am looking forward to reading what he has to say.

COTB - Last in a series?

2006-05-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

Finished up this past Sunday morning with Church Outside the Box, the series. I have a feeling that this thought will not be far away for a long time, that it will flavor many things before it abates.

We started out talking about the Block Party from the night before. Discussed whether we were the church in the Park or not. We decided that serving other people, helping them have fun, having spiritual conversations, and helping them to see that not all Christians are out to beat them over the head was a good thing - we might have been the church outside the walls afterall.

Then we talked about all the things our past and traditions have forced upon us and decided if they were really required for us to be the church. (If you look real close, you can see the ghost-white legs of the goofy preacher....) I preached for the first time ever in big church dressed in shorts, t-shirt and sandals - or at least I started out with sandals, they came off pretty quickly.

Several of the things written on the wall were torn out and thrown away. About the only thing that was not discarded was the Bible. We even decided that a paid preacher was not a requirement for us to be the church....

Clean walls again.... It remains to be seen if we will continue with our evaluation of who we are as the church. It is my hope that we will get rid of as many things that hold us back from being the church that we can. We can put many things down that we have held dear. Hopefully we can show those who do not know Christ yet who He is and who we truly are - His called out ones.

Off to NM

2006-05-21T22:42:00.000-07:00

Headed to Glorieta tomorrow to get rid of Daughter #1..... She worked at the Glorieta Conference Center last year and liked it so much that she decided to do it again this summer. Gotta head out pretty early in the am and we'll be gone for a few days. Will post about the ending of Church Outside the Box later this week.

2006 Block Party

2006-05-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

We had our 2nd Annual 1st Southern Block Party in the park here in town yesterday. Had around 100 people register, not including church folks. Had a good time watching the kids play and the youth and adults talk with people, sharing an afternoon together. Kids playin, eatin and talkin..... doesn't get much better than that

Grandpa Rocks

Church Outside the Box

2006-05-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

The past couple of weeks we have been talking about the church. Last week, we saw what the Bible had to say about us being the spiritual building that God is building, just as He wants it to be.

If you look real close, there are all kinds of boxes in that wall. Beer boxes, a Fry Daddy box, a speaker box, even a Lifeway box.

The Duct tape is the Bond of Love. A little guy coming out of the service said that our love should sound like Duct tape. I think he caught the idea.

This week, we looked at what history has done to us. In many ways, we are way too concerned with the "stuff" than we are being the church. We like being members of the "Club," but don't necessarily like the work that comes with it.

Here's what the "church" looks like today (as we saw it this morning) Lots of words on the outside of the wall like - Building (everybody knows you have to have a building to have church), Paid Preacher (every church needs a paid preacher to be the dispenser of all knowledge), the correct version of the Word, a choir, etc. Sorry the picture isn't detailed enough to get a good view. Maybe I can post others later with more detail.

One of the deacons told his wife (who was out of town thig morning) "Our traditions got hammered this morning." Her response was "Hallelujah!!" I'm kinda glad for her response because she is on our Worship Team and plays the keyboards for us.

A twist - Questions for Churches

2006-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Found this today in Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox Issue #257 - Questions for Churches

I like it! For those of us who are in small churches, check out this website. There's quite a bit of help there, as well as some humor.

Gotta see the Herding Cats clip.

More From the 12

2006-05-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

Another timeless comment from The Training of the Twelve. Again, near the end of the chapter titled "The Intercessory Prayer." Emphasis mine.

Wrangling is not a divine thing, and it needs no divine influence to bring it about. Anybody can quarrel; and the world, knowing that, has little respect for a quarrelling Church. But the world opens its eyes in wonder at a community in which peace and concord prevail, saying, Here is something out of the common course,--selfishness and self-will rooted out of human nature: nothing but a divine influence could thus subdue the centrifugal forces which tend to separate men from each other.

With all the "stuff" that is happening on the political scene in Southern Baptist life, we need to take a good hard look at this quote and do something about it.

Fixing things......again

2006-04-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

I recently waxed philosophic on my proclivity to "fix" things.

My lovely bride this afternoon asked me to help her do something. I quickly donned my knight in shining armor gear, and leapt into action.

I now have a boot with no heel to show for it. And she giggled at me. Then I got a hammer. What she needed help with is fixed.

Now I need to fix my boot.

Life with Jake

2006-04-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Jake is blogging now. Or something like that. Maybe it is the goofy looking human in the picture, or someone who is not in the picture ....... I'm sure it will be interesting none the less.

Lessons learned from the 3 Stooges - Part 1ne

2006-04-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

On June 22nd, several people from at least 5 churches will be heading to the Dominican Republic to help with a school of ministry or two. We (Jeff and I) met with them on Wednesday and Thursday. It was an amazing trip.

We met Fred Harris in Phoenix, and he went with us to Yuma. He is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Winslow, AZ. If I remember correctly, they stand on a corner...... Fred is an amazing guy, even if he says "Stink" a lot and talks about Jewish bears.

Jason (pastor) and Bob (youth group - the entire youth group) met with us. They are from Yuma Community Church. Jason started the church last Easter and this Easter Sunday, they had 100 attending services!!!! Sounds like he is doing an amazing job planting that church. Yuma Community is located less than a mile away from Stone Ridge Church.

Sam is the pastor of Stone Ridge Church.and they are the sponsoring church for this trip to the D.R. Sam and Jason are not in competition with each other, as a matter of fact, they pray for the success of the other church. Imagine that, churches of different beliefs cooperating rather than competing. Think this might be an idea that needs to spread to other places? I do.

Stone Ridge has a Missions Team that operates better than any team I have ever encountered. I used to teach teams how to operate, helped them begin, facilitated them when I was playing Engineer. This team taught me several things! And they call themselves the Three Stooges! Not Larry, Curly, and Moe, but Mark, José, and Ron.

Mark is the Team Leader. He is a relationship kind of guy. Likes to make sure people get to do what they need to be doing. Mark plays guitar professionally, and is self-employed to make a living. The lovely Lindsay is the one who makes sure the teams get to the D.R. and back. She loves the challenge of getting the best price for airline tickets. They are a good team, maybe that's why they are married......

José is an administrator / people person. Good combination of skills and passion. He was born in the States, lived in Mexico until he was 12, then came back to the States. He's been a beliver for a little over 5 years. Sounds like he is Sam's translater in the D.R. (does that make him a Designated Speaker?) Laura is an amazing cook. We hung out in their patio and ate, talked, and ate some more on Wednesday afternoon.

Didn't have an opportunity to meet Ron this trip. He is the administrator / fund-raiser. Heard part of his story, can't wait to meet him and look in his eyes to see the rest of it.

Their work has influenced many and will influence many more people before they are done. All three of these guys work full time jobs. Sam says they spend at least 20 hours a week in ministry for the church and the passion that God has given them. If you are around them for more than 5 minutes, their passion gives them away. Wouldn't surprise me if they bleed missions, reaching people, and serving Christ when they get cut.

That's all for now. My mind still hasn't gotten a handle on what happened. Not to mention what will happen as a result of this week. Good stuff.

I'm off.....again

2006-04-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Headed to Phoenix today to attend another eTeam meeting. Sounds like we haven't had a great deal of response to our questions yet.

Tomorrow - Yuma. Meeting with folks from 4 or 5 churches who will be heading to the Dominican Republic for 10 days or so. Gonna do some planning.

Back to Phoenix on Thursday afternoon. Get to spend time with another friend and his family. Maybe do some planning to fix some things that need fixing.

Will let you know how things went.

The Discipline of Lent

2006-04-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

Adam gave up coffee for Lent. For most of us Protestants, we don't even think about Lent. Adam did and decided to try giving something up - coffee.

Many who give something up give up the thing that is furthest away from them. Not Adam, he works in a coffee shop - and he gave up drinking coffee for 40 days. In that period of time, he began to learn how to roast coffee, read books on coffee (even hosted a contest about coffee), and reflected often (look at the bottom of the post for a listing) about the process.

He finished his coffee fast today - with pics!!

I'm not sure I could handle giving up something that I was around like that. Especially when I enjoy coffee as much as I do.

Good job Adam!

Mr. FixIt .... and humility

2006-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I like to fix things. Take them apart, figure them out, put them back together, improve them etc. My first degree is in Mechanical Engineering - crammed my 4 years into 5 at New Mexico State University. I have rebuilt a 392 International V-8 engine, replaced the cab on my 1972 International dump truck, fixed multiple car / truck engine problems and numerous other projects.

Some of them worked well. I can replace parts on most vehicles pretty easy. Somebody tells me what is wrong, and I can change the parts out. Most of the time doing those kinds of repairs are relatively easy. Except for the engine rebuild. It worked really good, lots of power, smooth running, etc. until something in the bottom end let loose and it didn't have so much power, or run so smooth, etc. When I replaced the cab on the dump truck, the wiring harness was different and I didn't know it until the burning smell alerted me that something was definitely not right. Not too much damage - a couple of days later, everything was Ok again.

I'm no longer messing with dump trucks. My wife is extremely happy that she doesn't have to pray that the truck would start each morning at 4:30 am for some strange reason.

My latest fix it thing is computers. I am building my supply of parts rapidly.

A couple of years ago, I had a laptop (still have it - parts.....) It developed a problem with its keyboard. Rick let me borrow one of his spare laptops for the rest of the semester - thanks Rick!! After the semester was over, I decided to "fix" my laptop. Found just the right keyboard (I thought) until I opened the box and immediately found out it was NOT the right one. No problem - less than $20. Found another one - the right one this time, and it had a CD drive with it for around $20, maybe a little more. I needed the CD drive too, because the laptop originally had a 3.5" drive. Keyboard worked fine, CD drive worked fine. Come to find out, the battery had died in the meantime, so updating the BIOS was a problem without a fully charged battery. Reliable batteries are not the cheapest........

My desktop died a couple of months ago - no problem. Troubleshot it, found out that it was NOT several things. Talked to tech support, they wanted me to send it in so they could work on it - right..... as if I can't fix it myself. Talked with a couple of friends of mine - Rick, & Dante. Both of them thought it sounded like the motherboard. I'd never replaced a motherboard before, sounded like fun. $43 and 4 days later, I had a new, upgraded motherboard.

Put it all together, double checked everything, and surprise, surprise, it booted, first time!!! I was all kinds of excited. Miah and Annie saw their dear old dad do the Happy Dance.

Had to shut down to hook up to the net to update a few things - again, no problem. Noticed that when it shut down, the lights on the keyboard were very bright, but it didn't quite sink in - yet.

Hooked it up to the net, and it refused to boot - just like it had refused to boot prior to the replacement of the motherboard, and the keyboard lights were brighter than I had ever seen them, and the optical mouse glowed like never before. I was a bit discouraged.

Found out the next morning when I tried to boot the machine I borrowed the keyboard and mouse from that they didn't want to work. It now appears that I have 2 fried motherboards, 2 dead keyboards, and 1 blind optical mouse.

Just prior to me getting the bright idea of "fixing" my desktop, our inkjet printer (an all-in-one jobby) decided to get cranky. Being the fix-it kinda guy I am, I decided to find out why it was leaving ink drops the size of a small cookie on paper left in the tray too long. So, I opened it up, found out how to take it apart. Spent quite a bit of time one evening cleaning it up. Put it all back together, lo and behold, it does not do what it used to do - PRINT!!!! In spite of several attempts to fix what wasn't really broken, it still functions as an expensive paperweight - and we don't have a device that will put our words on paper.

To recap, I now have one laptop (with a dead battery, but a new CD drive), a desktop (with 2 fried motherboards, 2 dead keyboards, and 1 blind optical mouse), and a previously Ok inkjet printer on my hands, or laying around the house in various locations for storage.

So, how does humility come into play? I'm glad you asked. I have always prided myself on being able to fix pretty much anything that comes along. Give me the manuals, and I can figure it out (or so I used to think.) I'm not so sure anymore - at least about computers.

C.J. Mahaney wrote a book recently about humility. I have not read the book, but have it on my list of books to get someday. He published a PDF list of things that he does to encourage his humility. (It used to be found on the Sovereign Grace website, but I couldn't find it) Some of the things he lists should be on my list too - such as laugh at myself often, but I'm thinking that adding the title "Computer Repairman" to my list of my "talents" should not even be considered. Maybe I need to take these electronic devices to someone who is trained and capable of repairing them correctly the first time rather than spending way too much time, effort, money, and emotional distress on them.

In the meantime, Miah tells me last night that her laptop had quit talking to the wireless network at home. I tried to fix it. Good thing for her we had to go to church last night for Worship Team practice. She made it work this morning - guess that is one less thing for me to "fix."

Continuing comments about the 12

2006-04-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

I'm continuing my whirlwind tour through "The Training of the Twelve" by A.B. Bruce. I started it last summer and have found it difficult to read much at a time. Not because it is a difficult book, but due to my ability (or lack thereof) to digest the concepts. It continually challenges my thinking, offering chunks for me to mull over, consider, argue with, etc.

Read a sobering one last night here (found toward the end of the chapater) that I quote below:

Stern fact sternly announced; but however stern, Jesus is not afraid to look it in the face. His heart is in perfect peace, for He has two great consolations. He has a good conscience: He can say, "I have overcome the world." He has held fast His moral integrity against incessant temptation. The prince of this world has found none of his spirit in Him, and for that very reason is going to crucify Him. But by that proceeding Satan will not nullify, but rather seal, His victory. Outward defeat by worldly power will be but the index and measure of His spiritual conquest. The world itself knows well that putting Him to death is but the second best way of overcoming Him. His enemies would have been much better pleased if they had succeeded in intimidating or bribing Him into compromise. The ungodly powers of the world always prefer corruption to persecution as a means of getting rid of truth and righteousness; only after failing in attempts to debauch conscience, and make men venal, do they have recourse to violence.

In context, Bruce is describing Jesus' final hours and the conversations he had with his disciples. This quote is sobering in that the tactics of the Enemy have not changed. We (Christ-followers) still have to watch our every step, to make sure our integrity is not compromised, in spite of being under constant surveilance. Jesus himself said in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (NASB)

More to come ..... someday.

Easter's on it's way.....

2006-04-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday is Easter and we get to watch a baptism!!!!! Olivia's Mom and Dad talked to me this morning about talking with Olivia. I asked them where they thought Olivia was since they have a better sense of her spiritual life than I. They thought she was ready, so we talked after services this morning.

She asked Jesus to come into her heart a while back. Mom and Dad have done a great job talking to her, clarifying, making sure she understands what happened, is happening, etc.

We talked about being baptized. She's ready! I asked her why she wanted to be baptized. Her response - "Because I asked Jesus to come into my heart." Simple faith.

Does she understand everything that everyone thinks she should understand before making a "decision for Christ?" Probably not, but then again, I doubt very seriously that anyone understands everything everyone else thinks they need to know...... I don't have many of the answers either.

So, next week, Easter Sunday, we get to celebrate as Dad baptizes Olivia!!!!! I can hardly wait.

Reminders..........

2006-04-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Kiki has ended her blogging fast with two excellent posts.

The first is one every woman, and the men who love them, need to read. It is a reminder..........

The second is from Guest Blogger Brandee Littlefield. She presents a writing that resulted from a dream she had that was recorded in her journal. It too, is a reminder..........

Blogging is contagious

2006-04-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

Shemiah has started blogging!!! She's been at it for a little while. She has written poetry for a long time and most of it is outstanding (and I'm not biased in the least....)

She posted a poem that was written some time ago here. The poem is good, but the comments from her uncle and cousin make it all the better. The man mentioned in the comment from Neil is Shemiah's granddad. He's one of my heros too.

Reflections on a previous life

2006-04-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Spent some time with a friend of mine this past week. He recently went through an unexpected job change. He was, and still is, self-employed, but now really self-employed. Was with a couple of partners and now is not.

Had the opportunity to see how his was doing spiritually, how he was dealing with life, his outlook, family, church, etc. Having been in a similar situation of a business failure of sorts, it was nice to see him working through many of the same issues that we dealt with several years ago.

We talked about how many people don't get it when we say "It's not about the money" or "Money is not the issue." Especially when they are very concerned about how you will pay the bills, feed the family, etc. The real issue comes down to faith. Will God do what He has promised that He will do for one of His, or will He not?

I'm glad we are no longer self-employed in the same sense. I'm glad that our business supported us for as long as it did. I'm also glad that it failed. Without the failure, I would not have the faith in the Father that I do now, hope in the work that Christ has done, or the comfort that the Comforter provides.

Make sure you are on the same page...

2006-03-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Attended an Association meeting yesterday. A new opportunity was presented by someone who wants to start a Student Ministry at Eastern Arizona College. EAC is a Community College at this point, but is hoping to become a 4 year college for the 2007-2008 school year. It is historically a Mormon college, but the area is growing and more non-Mormon students are attending.

Bill is the man who has the vision of ministering to students. It was almost a classic case of generational differences. He had a plan that would have worked in the 60's - 80's. He presented it to a couple of guys on our state staff a couple of weeks ago, and didn't get the response he had hoped for, so he was wanting to see what could be done without the state convention help. I'm not sure he explored any current strategies to minister to students.

I started asking all kinds of questions like "What is the strategy?" and "Why are you wanting to do this?" He was thinking that I didn't care, and wouldn't support it until I told him that I have a daughter who is going to start attending EAC this fall - I have a vested interest in starting a student ministry. I just want to start one that will reach students, not one that is based on a strategy that worked for another generation.

We went to a coffee shop and talked for a long time after the meeting so that I could hear his dream. We were able to discuss the issues, agree on some points, while disagreeing on others. Who knows what will happen, what type of ministry will emerge, but we are going in the same direction, with the same goal in mind.

I appreciate Bill's passion. He commented at one point that he only has 13-15 years left in this life unless he gets called home early, and he doesn't want to waste those years (he is 68 years old)!!!! May his tribe increase and his ministry explode!

I'm going to help however I can, for multiple reasons. My daughters will probably attend that college, there are a lot of students who are believing lies there, and Bill has a vision. I'm sure glad we are on the same page of the same book!

New Mexico Baptists have a Blogger-Director

2006-03-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Baptist Convention of New Mexico recently elected a new State Director, Dr. Joseph Bunce. He has started a blog and is asking New Mexico Baptists for input. I hope he is the leader that they need to help them reach the people of NM for Christ.

eTeam up and running!

2006-03-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

ASBC eTeam is live! I've written about it here and here.

If you are a member of a Southern Baptist church in the state of Arizona, you are invited to take part in the discussion! Each pastor in the state has received a letter from the Evaluation Team, and we want your input - regardless of your position in the church you serve.

Doin' Theology

2006-03-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

One of my professors in seminary regularly commented that we all do theology, whether we know it or not. Some of us will do a good job of it, others won't.

The past couple of weeks we have been studying church polity during the evening time together. (I hesitate to call it the evening service, cuz we don't do anything but study Scripture.) We've looked at gobs of verses from the New Testament text and spent quite a bit of time deciding what they mean and how it should work in our church. It is amazing what kinds of comments I have received from this exercise.

Some have said that they have not been encouraged like that through Bible study in a long time. Others have told me that they have been able to settle things in their mind that they have been wrestling with for most of their lives.

The one that means as much, if not more than all the others came from one who said "We don't want to have a Potluck next Sunday night, we want to do more Bible study!"

I can live with that.....

Rest?

2006-03-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Talked with a friend of mine from Seminary this morning. In actuality, he is one of my pastors whether he knows it or not. We discussed ministry and family and other things.

One aspect of ministry had to do with being. We see the same issues in our churches - people are busy and can't seem to just be. We find ourselves the same way many times too - too busy just to be. He is a pastor in the Phoenix area, and I am in a much smaller community, but that issue is the same for both of us.

He recently made a decision to stop pursuing a higher degree in seminary because he has 3 children. For that decision, I applaud him. His kids will be adults all too soon, and the degree will wait. He is doing a lot of things the right way though, getting exercise, taking his days off, doing things away from his church. He relayed a comment that someone he respected mentioned to him "They will kill you if you'll let them." He is experiencing this in his life now, and thankfully, trying to change before it is too late.

He serves as a Chaplain in the Reserves and will be heading out in a month or so for his 6 weeks of duty. He is looking forward to it. A change in perspecive will do him good (wouldn't it be good for all of us too?)

Don't know where I heard it or read it, but I like this - "We are human beings, not human doings" Why then are we more concerned with what we do than who we are?

Shaylyn is surprised!

2006-03-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

D'Shon and Shaylyn are gone for a couple of days. This is Shaylyn's surprise trip where she will receive a purity ring from me tomorrow night. Shemiah and Shaianne had their couple of days with Mom several years ago, when they were around 13. They both have purity rings as well.

We try to surprise the girls with this trip. Shemiah didn't have a clue until her mom went the wrong direction from the church parking lot. Her suitcase was in the back of the Suburban and she was completely surprised. For those of you who don't know Shemiah, she prides herself on being in the know about most everything - it was kinda fun to do something she had no idea was going to happen. I met them for supper (at the Fish Market in Phoenix) later that evening and presented her with her ring. They had that day and the next together in a nice hotel in Scottsdale.

Shaianne went to breakfast with me one morning and her mom showed up unexpectedly. Her stuff was packed after we left and mom had an easier time hiding some of the preparations. She received her ring at the end of breakfast. They went to the same hotel that Shemiah went to for her surprise trip.

Shaylyn told me right before she found out what was happening that she felt like she was everyones bodyguard today. Everyone wanted her to go with them to do whatever they were doing. She got her hair cut and then Shemiah assisted in the plot - she took her to Bashas and brought something to me at the office. Shaylyn looked like she was really unsure of what was going to happen when I mentioned to her that her next couple of days were going to be different than she was expecting. I talked to them a little while ago and they seem to be having fun. I get to go get Shaylyn's ring tomorrow and give it to her tomorrow night! It's going to be fun.

M Blogs Misunderstood

2006-03-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

I've run across a couple of blogs by missionaries that have given me insight into what is happening in different parts of the world. Marty linked them on his blog - SBC Outpost, so we can blame it on him (as if he need something else for people to blame him for.....)

The M Blog and Missions Misunderstood are carrying on a conversation at The M Blog that concerns some of the issues surrounding Church Planting Movements. It's usually better to listen to those who are in the middle of trying to do the job rather than those who don't even know that there is a job to do IMHO.

Oh Look, a Sparkley!!!

2006-03-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how much I depend on my computer and Internet connection. Been spending more time home trying to get things done in the past couple of weeks since my computer died. New (to me) machine should be here tomorrow - hopefully.

The new blog is just about ready for prime time. This blog will be for Arizona Southern Baptists to do some self-evaluation for our convention structure. When we roll it out, I'll provide a link so you can check it out. You can participate if you are a Southern Baptist living in Arizona. Registration is required to limit input to Az SBC'ers.

Food Bank time is tomorrow and Saturday. I look forward to these weekends. Getting to know folks in the community in a different way. It's fun developing relationships with them.

Our church recently started a clothing ministry - Women of Worth Repeat Boutique. It has been an outlet for several in our church, and we hope to make friends with lots of people in the community through it.

Don't miss the chance to encourage someone you come in contact with - especially when you are being prompted to do so. I missed an opportunity recently, and have regretted it ever since. Perhaps the opportunity will pass by my way again soon.

Evaluation Team off and running

2006-02-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

We had another eTeam meeting this past Monday. I am impressed with the caliber of people on the team. Everyone on the team has a good handle on the task we are to accomplish and insight that is remarkable.

We are going to take a broad approach to listening to people in Arizona concerning their impressions / perceptions of how our convention structure is working. It is refreshing to have leadership who encourages us to connect with people however we can. As a result, we are going to communicate many ways - through a blog, downloadable documents that can be returned by email or snail mail, personal letters to every pastor in the state, and an offer to meet with groups of pastors wherever they want to get together (and these meetings don't have to be by Associational area either!!!)

And to top it all off, my computer died yesterday morning..... I'm working from home for awhile until a new one arrives or the old one is fixed, whichever happens first.

Desert Reign

2006-02-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last night Desert Reign, a Country Gospel Music band performed in our church. They originally attended this church until they started traveling together as a band. They come back every year on their tours.

Last night I got to play my djembe with Breanna after everything was done and cleaned up. She received the CGMA-Western Region Songwriter of the Year award in 2005 and is the youngest person ever to do so. Needless to say, she is a talented musician.

Also found out last night that being an "entertainer" is not what I'm cut out for.... and that Elvis has left the building - one more time. But I did leave R.C. speachless with my Elvis imitation.

February Meeting

2006-02-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Good trip this time! We got to talk about some policy issues with the lawyer for our Convention Council Church Planting Team. Good beginning for the discussion, but still have some things to work out. We were able to spend some money helping 2 churches reach their communities! We will be helping a third at some point - when some questions are answered. It appeared that they hadn't completely thought through all the issues they were facing, so we will readdress it when they find the answers.

We got to hear about what is happening with the Arizona Regional Campus of the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary - exciting stuff! They have 96 students taking classes this semester, and lots of money is being given for scholarships. Heard a story of a 70 year old man who has started taking classes, and another retired man who preached his first sermon in a church and they called him as pastor on the spot!!!!!

Also heard about the Desert Pines Baptist Association in the central north eastern part of Arizona. The churches in that Association are doing a good job reaching the people in their area using some creative ministries.

Mitch has promised me for awhile now that we would have a trailer. There was a reported trailer sighting on Monday night, so I'm fairly sure it exists......

Had a good afternoon drinking coffee and conversation with Sam on Monday. My lovely bride bought some new threads. She doesn't do that very often, so I was glad she found some she wanted, and they fit too! Two of my other women came home with new things too. Suppose that happens when they outgrow their old stuff.

Headed to Phoenix

2006-02-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my women and I are heading to Phoenix. I hope to spend the afternoon with my friend Sam. I learn a lot and get encouraged every time we get together.

I have meetings with the Convention Council of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. I look forward to these meetings because we get to assist churches do the things they feel led to do in order to reach the state of Arizona for the cause of Christ. The latest numbers I saw show that we are losing ground in the state. It appears that more and more people do not have a relationship with the risen Christ and have no affiliation with any church that is telling about Him.

I serve on the Church Planting Resource Team. We get to hear about how God is working in new church plants and decide how we can help them grow and become established.

Tonight in our evening services we talked a bit more about baptism. We are going to start the discussion about Prospective Member classes so that everyone who wants to be a member of this church will be able to know what we believe and how we want to operate. For some, this is old hat, for me, it is exciting news.

Before You Go

2006-01-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Received this story (or something close to it) a couple of different times in the past couple of weeks. Thought I'd check the story out and pass it along if it turned out to be true. It is, and the message is worth it, so is the song - "Before You Go".

My father-in-law was a pilot during WWII. He died almost 5 years ago. I'm sure he would have appreciated this story and song, whether he would have said anything to anyone about it or not. I still miss him....... and will until we are reunited again. Thank you Dean.

5 Year Checkup

2006-01-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

1999 marks the year that the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention took a major hit. That is the year that the Baptist Foundation of AZ declared bankruptcy. One of the results of that explosion was that the structure of the ASBC was radically changed.

At the Convention in 1999, 17 people (pastors, laymen, a church secretary, and retired Navy Chaplain) from different parts of Az were appointed "to emerge a vision map strategy for our convention." The two-fold mission of the vision task force was: (1) To develop a convention wide vision. (2) To propose any structural or constitutional changes needed to support the vision. They were to report back to the 2000 ASB Convention with their vision and recommendations for its implementation.

They returned with a Mission statement: "The purpose of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention is to assist the Arizona Southern Baptist Churches in fulfilling the Great Commission."

They also returned 12 different recommendations. These recommendations drastically changed the structure and focus of the Convention at that point. One of those recommendations was for the new structure to be evaluated in 5 years. This structure has been in place for 5 years now.

At our Convention last November, 9 of us were approved as members of an Evaluation Team (eTeam for short). The makeup of the eTeam includes 3 Directors of Missions, a BCM Assistant Director, a lady who works in one of the Associations in the state, and 4 pastors - including a former President of our Convention. Our current President, Dan Coker, attends the meetings as a consultant, along with our State Missionary, Steve Bass, and the lady who makes sure it all happens - Mary.

We met last week to decide how we are going to go about doing our 5 year checkup. We need to report back to the Convention in November, so that is our main deadline. No one does much of anything outside in the summer here in Az, so we are trying to have most of the hard stuff done before it gets kinda warm.

I'm looking forward to finding the perceptions of how the current structure is working in the eyes of others in our state. It is going to be a bit of work (Ok, probably a lot of work), but I think it will be worth it in the long run.

I have the pleasure of designing a survey instrument (Thanks Julie.....) to help us determine the perceptions of leaders in the churches of our state.

I hope to bring updates fairly regularly on what we are doing (as much as possible), and the progress of the evaluation.

My Shoulder hurts

2006-01-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Spent the last couple of days working at the Food Bank. Had some construction that needed to happen when people weren't around. Worked with some people who I am getting to know. I found out that just cuz you are older means that you know what to do or how to do it. I also learned that sometimes a younger person knows how to do something better than an older person. Sometimes there can be too much instruction going on. Other times, there is not enough to do to keep everyone busy.

Anyway, my shoulder hurts now. But the job is done, and the folks using it will be in a safer environment, and we have the satisfaction of a job well done.

IMB Trustee Actions Summarized

2006-01-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Joel Rainey summarizes what has been happening with the IMB Trustees on his blog. His summary is concise and too the point. He does a much better job of it than I would if I tried.

If you want to catch up on what has happened, spend some time snooping around SBC Outpost. Marty is in the trenches in this one - not surprising since he likes to wear camo to the convention.

The More things Change, the More they stay the Same

2006-01-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Lately, the trustees of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention have made some changes to their policies concerning baptism and tongues. It has cause a bit of an uproar in many places and with many people to say the least.

I spoke with a pastor friend of mine yesterday concerning his involvement in denominational life. He had been heavily involved in his local association, state convention, and also on the national level (Sunday School Board, etc). By his count, he was serving on 13 different committees / boards at the time. I didn't recognize it then, but looking back, I noticed that all of a sudden, he quit being involved with anything and anyone other than on the local level. He was very clear about his reasons for quitting and very open with me about them. He got fed up with the politics - plain and simple. Sick and tired of putting up with them, being on a rubber stamp committee and not being able to change anything that needed to be changed.

It would appear that although time has continued to march on, politics is still politics, not much has changed.

A Friend has moved on......

2006-01-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've been a pastor for the grand total of 2 years now. There have been several things that have surprised me in that time. One of them has been a friendship that developed between a fellow pastor and myself. Carl is a pastor in the Assembly of God denomination. He served as pastor in Morenci for about 6 1/2 years before moving recently to Prescott, AZ. He is now serving as chief cook and bottle washer I think - he said something about being Pastoral Care Pastor before heading out.

I never expected a friendship to blossom between us. I don't know what I was expecting from other pastors in town, but I didn't expect friendship - guess that might show more about my presuppostions than anything else......

Carl taught me many things. How to get involved in a small community by serving in different capacities - Rotary Club (Club Treasurer, Scholarship Committee, plus more), AYSO Soccer, Substitute teaching in the High School, etc. Much of my understanding of the community and its background came from Carl.

We discussed theology - translating about half way through Mark from Greek with Steve - another pastor from our community. We agree on the fundamentals of the faith. Others issues we knew we would not agree on, but would challenge each other on them - not to tear down, but to remind ourselves that we don't have all the answers.

I hope the next pastor in that congregation will be willing to attempt to develop a friendship. I plan on reaching out to him much the same way Carl did to me whenever the body there decides who he is.....

I'm gonna miss you Carl.

The LORD bless you, and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.' Numbers 6:24-26 NASB

Regular Readers

2005-12-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-12-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-12-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

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

2005-12-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

The title says it all.

Kiki is blogging!!!!

2005-11-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-11-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-11-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

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

2005-11-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

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....

2005-10-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

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

2005-09-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-09-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

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

2005-09-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

2005-09-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

2005-08-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-08-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-07-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-07-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

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???

2005-07-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-07-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

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!)

2005-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

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.....

2005-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2005-07-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-07-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-07-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-06-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

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......

2005-06-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-06-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-06-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

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

2005-05-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

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

2005-05-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

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

2005-05-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

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.