Friday Funny #3

It was probably cutting edge back then...but looking back at it, oh boy!!



In a few years the music videos of MercyMe, Fernando Ortega, Bebo Norman, SCC and MWS will be laugh material too!

Sad thing is, the lyrics are a mix of good and really poor. And just as sad, there's a religious station in our area that has music like this for the children's shows - yuck!

Praise God!

Monday night, we tried something I had talked about with the kids the week before. They had to go to bed earlier, no matter what show or game or whatever was going on. They were very excited! Well, maybe not so much. I explained that like Mom and I read the Bible or do Bible study or help others do that, I wanted them to do that. Because Satan wants their hearts and minds to forget about how special Jesus is, we need to make sure we protect our hearts. It's heart medicine. [I know, kinda cheesey.]

I'm happy to report that it's off to a good start. I told the girls to read something in the Bible or one of their FaithGirlz books. I asked Max, a developing reader, what Bible story he wanted me to read with him. He said, "Jesus on the cross." I proceeded like it was no big deal; even though, right now I'm tearing up, how awesome!!!] "Max, each gospel tells about Jesus death. But since you like John 3:16 so much, let's read from John." I read John 19 for him with a few explanations and alterations along the way. "You really like that story Max?" "I like that story dad." What a great heart, what a great son!

Tuesday night timing wasn't as good as Monday night's; so we didn't get heart medicine time. But I recently received Mark Driscoll's book, Death by Love, and put it on Max's dresser before lights out. He looked at it when I steppped out of the room; the cover is an eye-catcher. When I came back, we talked about Wednesday's schedule and he was bummed that, because we get home late from church, we probably wouldn't get to read any of it.

This morning he got ready more quickly than usual so we could read some! We were able to read about Jesus' scourging, walk and crucifixion before he got on the bus.

- I hope his heart is always ready for some medicine.
- What a personal challenge.
- Praise Jesus!

Less Is More

A few years ago, Relient K used this as a title for one of their songs. The idea is very much John the Baptist ('HE must increase and I must decrease') and is a central component of character development -- less of me and more of Him -> less is more.

I've heard the idea in relation to teaching and preaching. I've bought into it. In the same amount of time, one idea can really be driven home better than four ideas.

I've also heard it in regards to organizational/programming stuff. Less activities can mean more in terms of relationship building and so on. Less can equal more. This thought has intrigued me and I think it has real value. Theoretically, if we focus on the essentials, then we could make more progress with them. If we had fewer peripheral activities, then, in theory, we would have better essential activities. I know that not everyone is on board with this thought, and I'm still working it out, but maybe someday this will infect the Church.

On Tony Morgan's blog (http://www.tonymorganalive.com/), he recently shared some good thoughts in the Less-is-More department:

• Fewer meetings equal more meaningful relational connections.


• Fewer commitments equal more time with family.


• Fewer words equal a more focused message.


• Fewer ministry programs equal a clearer path for discipleship.


• Fewer rules equal more time to love God and love others.

Sweet! Well put and succint. Then he asked a fun question, 'Where do you see the “less is more” principle playing out in your life and ministry?' For the full post, http://tonymorganlive.com/2008/10/23/leave-the-awesome/

Postmodernism

I attended a beneficial seminar in Troy on Saturday morning. For nearly 3 hours at Woodside Bible Church, Dr. Grier of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary shared thoughts on the Church and culture. Here are some things that stood out to me:

• He's old but he has a great heart for Jesus, for people. He talked about time with the Church in Zambia this past summer and was quite touched by it. A soft heart in an old body is a beautiful thing!
• He's old but he has a great philosophical and practical understanding of today's culture.
• I was 're-impressed' with his very fair appraisal of Postmodernism; he verbalized how it's impact on the Church is both good and bad. In my circle, most people tend to demonize PM and applaud Modernism.
• The underlying spirit of PM is skepticism.
• PM young people are interested in whole ministry and mystery.
• Spurgeon never preached more than 30 minutes. He wed rationalism and romanticism.
• The language of Matthew 5 ['You are...'] is plural, as in, 'you all' or 'y'all'. The Modern Church has individualized too much Bible teaching.
• Because the Father sent the Son, and the Father and the Son sent the Spirit, and the Father, Son and Spirit sent the Church; the Church can be defined as 'a people sent on a mission.'
• Spiritual formation is the Spirit's work.
• Use the narrative; get away from deductive reasoning and systematic theology.
• Loyalty to Jesus Christ works out to (infects) everything (each piece of our fragmented world).
• PM evangelism requires a review of language. Abandon church cliches, theological terms, church-ese.
• No evaluation = no improvement

Again, it was really refreshing to hear Dr. Grier speak. He shared his heart, mind and observations. I don't know how much longer he's got to go, but praise the Lord for what he has done with him and through him!

Wow.

• It's been almost a month since my last confession, I mean, entry.
• Life is good. God is good. My wife is a super-hard worker; I wish I could do more of her stuff so she could rest a little. I have been on a little push-the-laundry-through-to-help-out spree the last few weeks but I wish I could do more; I think she's irreplaceable. Max finished his soccer season on a high note (scored two goals!) so that's cool. Viola Girl(Zoe) is plugging away and getting more used to private lessons and, in particular, her teacher; plus, tonight was her first GirlScouts meeting. Makenzie is finally settled at the middle school and rockin' the academics.
• I'm really enjoying John Stott's book, Through the Bible Through the Year. I tend to like big overviews and this book is a simple walk through the Bible in one year. I've tried to read 3 chapters a day and all that but I usually fall behind somewhere. This is more manageable and enjoyable for me. It's not for everyone; Norma tried it for awhile but decided it wasn't for her. I'm reading some other things too but this one is the one I choose to start my day with.
• With fall sports over, it'll be interesting to see if teen participation in church stuff will change. I'm convinced that more and more extra-curricular, school-sponsored stuff is filling up a student's week and church/youth group/community is getting squeezed out. I think the best way to combat it is prayer, personal conversations, and some alarm-sounding.
• I held a new baby boy (not mine) last night at church. What a hairy head! Can a kid who is less than a month old sport a sweet fohawk? Ridiculous.

Worst Day of the Week?

Norma and I were talking about how fast someone turned up the speed on this treadmill called life - it's going fast and not slowin' down!! For us, Wed and Thursday seem to be the worst/most busy time of the week. How about you, what's the most hectic day or part of your week?