Seven System stole the show

I went to hear some friends known as Seven System tonight and I was in for a treat. First of all, there was another group that brought in a good crowd for a Wednesday night the week before Christmas. After the first group got through with their set, they debuted a music video of the group to follow Seven System. (I will keep the band nameless because I am about to tell about how Seven System stole the show) After the music video, Seven System ROCKED THE HOUSE. It was awesome. Hardly anybody in the room had heard of them since they just moved here from California and this was their first night playing in Nashville. Ten seconds into the first song they had everybody's heads bobbin'.

Matt, the lead singer, encouraged us to stand so up I stood. The only problem is, well there were two problems. First, no one else in my section decided to stand. So now I'm standing all by myself feeling very self conscious. The second problem is, I don't have any moves, aka skillz, aka rhythm. So, I sat my white self back down and continued to bob my head. I wanted to do more but I just don't have anything to give. I tapped my foot until my shin got sore. Does that count? Anyways, it was a good night. After Seven System finished, most of the crowd left! It was neat to see them gain a quick audience. I felt bad for the next group for a few minutes but got over it pretty quick. It wasn't my fault.

The Homeless Guy and Beer

I was in downtown Nashville tonight to hear some friends play (see earlier post) when a homeless guy comes up and says he's starving and asks for some money. I told him I'd be glad to walk with him and buy him something to eat. He said that was great and told me there was a Taco Bell down the street. About five steps later he gets honest with me and says, "Honestly, what I really wanted was to go and buy beer with the money. Thanks anyway." Sad. I used to run into this all the time in New Orleans but I hardly ever get into the city where I get a chance to talk to people on the street. It never ceases to amaze me how many people tell me they're hungry but when you don't give them money and actually offer to bring them food they get upset. Even better is when I go down the street, buy them some food and bring it back to them. That really makes some people mad. Then there's people I know like Harold (homeless guy in New Orleans that I'll probably never see again this side of eternity now) who always thanked me graciously. I finally got smart in New Orleans and kept gift certificates to McDonald's in my glove compartment. That way, even if they weren't hungry they could buy something later and the worst thing they could get with a gift certificate was an ice cream sundae. I wish I had more encounters like the one tonight. I wish I had more encounters with people who really needed help. I think I'm going to go hang out in Nashville more often.

Birthday Bags

Last night, some of the folks from our community group went to Grace Works to help with their food distribution. They receive donations this time of year and they need to sort them by food type (i.e. green beans with green beans, soups with soups, etc.). One of the interesting things was that they had recently received a large number of birthday bags with everything included in them to throw a birthday party for a child. Wow. Talk about hitting home. One of the other guys was really moved at the thought of someone not being able to throw their child a birthday party. It is always interesting to me what moves different people. I have worked in food places like this (Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest, Feed the Children) in the past and what seems to get me the most is that what many would consider just a can of beans, some consider a precious resource. It makes you think twice before you waste food at the house.

Weapons on a football field?

Well, I had this great post about the homecoming game at my hometown high school. However, something happened on the server and it lost the whole thing. Instead, you get the Cliff's notes version now:

A kid gets his ankle broken with 45 seconds left to go in the 1st half. It takes over 30 minutes to carry the kid off the field. I drove home with broken ankles before so I can't figure out what took them so long. I think they formed a committee and discussed all options before proceeding (all the while the kid's laying there in pain). There's an ambulance parked at the game for just such an occasion. Or so I thought. Instead of the ambulance, an extended cab Ford truck pulls onto the field. I assume they're going to put the kid in the truck bed but there wasn't any room because of the tree stand in the bed! They've decided, as a committee, to put the kid in the extended cab of the truck (I don't see how the kid fit in there myself). One of the football players then pulls out a bow and arrows from the cab section and proceeds to inspect the fine hunting instrument. Then they had to pull out the bow case that the bow wasn't actually in. Finally, they stuff the kid in the cab. Now someone gets the great idea to stabilize the kids leg with the bow case. You can imagine that by this time I'm having a field day. It was hilarious to me. Of course, maybe I don't understand the whole story. But I have heard that ambulances are pretty good at helping people when they're injured. Its just my opinion about one of the weirdest things I've seen lately.

Birds resting

What's up with the animal titles? Beats me. (-:

Jesus teaches about how the Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. (Matthew 13:31-32):

"Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."

This past week this passage spoke to me in a way it never has. Its the passage that explains what we're creating at Grace Park. We call it a safe place because it is where hurting people can come and experience authentic relationships with God and people. Notice that the kingdom of heaven is a place where even birds come and rest in its branches. Birds rest in safe places. I see glimpses of where Grace Park is going and its electrifying. The long term vision of Grace Park could simply be this passage, it becomes a place where the world can come and find rest.

Ducks paddling

None of us want to describe ourselves as hurting people. Most of us like it when people look at us and think, "Wow. They have it all together." What's really happening to some of us is we're like a duck on a serene lake where its calm on the surface but underneath we're churning as hard as we can. At least, that's what I feel like sometimes.

We've just started community groups at Grace Park and I am so glad they're finally here. Community groups are simply a group of people who meet together weekly for fun, fellowship, Bible study, prayer, etc. Over time the group becomes a safe place where we can start being real. Its a place where the question, "How are you doing?" is replaced with, "How are you doing, really?" When you add 'really' to that question it goes beyond the preconditioned answers (fine, good, okay) and genuinely asks how we are. When we get to that point, authentic relationships can be built. Living life is about relationships. The entire writings of the Bible can be summed up in terms of relationships. God created us for a relationship with Him. Jesus came to restore that relationship.

Katrina

I’m sitting here looking at Katrina online at http://www.weather.com/ and I’m thinking to myself, “If this thing really does hit New Orleans, will there be anything left?” I pray that God stops this hurricane in its tracks but I fear the worst right now.

I wonder how many people are out there secretly hoping to see this thing hit land as a category 5. Camille didn’t happen in my lifetime. Sure, I saw some footage of it on Forrest Gump but other than that I’ve never seen devastation on that scale before. The problem is people will die if this thing hits New Orleans. I lived there for three years and I remember looking at the levees when Category 3’s came our way. I even went in to work during a Category 3! I called my boss that morning and expected for him to tell me not to come in. His reponse, “It’s only a Category 3! Get to work!” That’s what New Orleans thinks of small hurricanes. A Cat. 4 nearly hit us one time and most people took it pretty serious though. If a Cat. 4 or 5 hits New Orleans and drops all that water inside the bowl, the pumps won’t be able to pump it all out because the power will go out. Its just bad. I just heard that one of my friends had a baby yesterday so they’re stuck in one of the hospitals regardless.

The people that will really pay the price are the indigenous folks that live in poverty and have heard this song and dance too many times. “Hurricanes coming! Evacuate!” “Yeah right,” they say. “That’s what they said three times last year and look what happened: nothing.” Please pray for the safety of those that have no transportation and live in the center of the city where it’s below sea level. They are the ones that will bear the brunt of the storm. I wish I could go back. My heart breaks for those people. And then there’s the homeless folks I know down there. Where are they going to stay? Well, I’ve said enough. Its time to pray.

Confessions of a closet Nascar fan

Well, I have a confession to make. My wife had the television on (its always the wife's fault...just ask Adam and Eve) Sunday afternoon and she ended up putting it on Nascar. Now, my wife's not a Nascar fan but she wanted something playing in the background while she went about her day and it was a better option than the golf tournament. The problem comes in when I actually started to enjoy the race. Robby Gordon comes out of nowhere and passes something like six other people in the final 5 laps to finish second. That was awesome! Before now I would have only watched it to see the occasional 25 car pileup. Does this make me a Nascar fan? Do I have to start wearing the number 7 on my shirt, cap, back bumper, rear window, etc.? (-:

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Nutritional?

I just figured up how many calories I eat when I have a dozen (plus the sample they give you) doughnuts from Krispy Kreme. Drumroll please.....





Scroll down for answer...













keeeeeep gooooiiiinnnnggg.....


















3000 calories! (7 hot ones, 2 chocolate covered, 2 cinnamon bun, and 2 raspberry filled please!)

Its a good thing I always order a DIET Coke to go with them. There's way too much sugar in a regular Coke for me.

I thought it was ironic that Krispy Kreme's website actually uses the term "nutritional info" to refer to the contents of its doughnuts (lard, sugar, more lard, maybe some flour, etc.) What's nutritional about a doughnut?

There were a couple of weeks while I lived in New Orleans where I ordered a dozen doughnuts about once a week. I gained 15 pounds that semester.

I made a New Year's Resolution this year to not eat a KK doughnut until I reach a certain weight (I'm not telling you). At the rate I am now going, it will be sometime around September and likely October before I get to taste another circle of heaven. It makes me kind of sad. Luckily, I only swore off Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Notice I didn't swear off all doughnuts (-: That means I can get my sugar fix every once in a while without breaking my resolution.

Complexity Theory and Physics

Ha ha. Just kidding about the title. (-: I just hate having lame titles all the time. That one sounds smart.

Okay, so I have this friend who let me borrow the new Coldplay album X&Y. I'm a little behind on what's good in music today and he's helping me get up to speed. I didn't like it. I mean I really didn't like it. I listened to it and it just didn't hit me right or something. Then my friend calls me and tells me he didn't like it at first either and told me to listen to it again. Guess what? The new Coldplay CD is awesome! I can't explain it. I'm sitting here listening to it and I figure its like coffee - an acquired taste. Thanks Isaac.

Where oh where did my little blog go?

Its been three weeks since I posted. It may be three more. We're getting started up at Grace Park and between baseball camps, car washes, having people over for dessert, and worship gatherings, I'm at a loss for when I can blog. I haven't been staying up until 1:00 A.M. lately either. That seems to kill my creative processes. (-:

mass

Well, I went to mass this morning. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was interesting. The building was actually set up "in the round" for the most part. I was shocked. The pews were in semi circles facing each other with the table for communion and pulpit in the middle. The two readings were from 2 Cor. and Matt. There wasn't a single mention of a Church Father or tradition. It was rather refreshing. I spent most of the time in prayer since I didn't know when to speak out loud like everybody else (There was about 70 people in attendance including a youth group from a church in Memphis, TN).

I had planned to spend the day in seclusion in hopes that it would rejuvenate me and get me ready for the long summer and fall months as we plant a church. Instead, I realized how much I'd like to spend the day with my wife. I drove straight home and found her at the beach. I had told myself I wasn't going in the water at all this year but that's where she was so that's where I went. I then spent the rest of the day sleeping. All in all, I would call it a good day. Some people seek to do as much as possible on vacation. I try to accomplish as little as possible. I plan on going to the labrynth and Stations of the Cross (see last post for definitions) tomorrow or Friday before I leave.

sabbatical

Before you read this post, I need to define a couple of things I'm about to use:
Stations of the Cross - The 7, 14, 15 or more stations that are the traditional route of Jesus to the Cross.
Labrynth - A guided prayer trail where you don't ever get lost. You simply go through the labrynth and allow the path to guide you in what you pray.
Prayer Rope - Its a rope with knots in it (33, 50, 100) so that you can pray through a certain prayer a set number of times. It is not a rosary.

Well, I'm sitting in a beach house at Santa Rosa Beach wondering if I'm going to get the "sabbatical" day I've been wanting. I am at my wife's family's traditional vacation where a beach house is rented and we spend a week relaxing. Or trying to relax. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I am going to spend a day in seclusion. After looking around for a place to go, I'm not sure I'm going to make it a whole day. I started calling around looking for a church that had the Stations of the Cross and found one with a labrynth too. I first called a Greek Orthodox church looking for a place to pray and find a prayer rope. Here's how it went,
Greek Orthodox Secretary - "Hello, Greek Orthodox Church"
Me - "Yes. I have a question. Is it possible for me to come to your church tomorrow to pray? I'm on vacation with my family and I'd like to take some time out and spend it in prayer."
GOS - Are you Orthodox?
Me - No. I'm just a Christian looking for a place to pray. Also, do you have the Stations of the Cross?
GOS - Please hold. .... Awkward Silence
GOS - I'm sorry. Maybe you should try the Catholic churches.
Me - Oh. Thank you for your time. Do you know where I can find a place to purchase a prayer rope by any chance? (I was told Greek Orthodox churches sold them so I thought I'd ask her).
GOS - No.
Me - Well, thank you for your time. Sorry to bother you.

I thought it was interesting that someone wouldn't open their door for me to pray. I called a Catholic church in the area and they were very helpful. They have a Station of the Cross AND it is in a labrynth AND its outside in a garden. Other than the fact that I will be soaking with sweat when I'm done, I'm pumped. I'm trying to get my father-in-law to go to mass at 8:00 in the morning but no such luck. I think he wonders why I'm going. I think I'm wondering why I'm going. I'm not Catholic nor plan on being Catholic. I just need some time with God and I want to experience the path Jesus traveled on the way to die for me. I guess my next blog (which you'll read before this one (-: ) will tell about how it turns out.

Freedom

I've struggled for the past couple of years when it came to teaching through the letters in the New Testament. All my sermons started to sound like, "I believe we see three principles in this passage from Paul's letter to XYZ that we can use to ..." I hated sounding like that because I've heard it so much in the past. Don't get me wrong. I love Paul's writings. Its neat to see that even in the Greek translation of the letters there are times when Paul would give us three points and he would alliterate them with the same Greek letter. I'm not opposed to the Sesame Street sermon. (You know, this sermon was brought to you by the Letter P and the Number 3) I just want freedom.

I may have found an outlet. I began teaching through our core values at Grace Park and faced the dilemma of teaching on Colossians 3:23-24. How do I teach it where it doesn't come out canned? Well, I looked to the teachings of Jesus and found an illustration out of the Sermon on the Mount that fit the context. I may try it on the next core value that happens to be in Colossians as well.

Narrative passages, stories, seem to resonate with me more than the letters ever have. What's your thoughts? Do you enjoy the stories about Jesus' life (the Gospels), stories about Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, etc. (Old Testament Narrative), or the letters (Epistles) more?

Being vs. Doing

I am at the Emergent Convention right now and my mind is beginning to fill up. I skipped the community discussion so I could put some of what I'm processing down. Besides, they're talking about epistemology. I had my fill of that for the last three years. (If you don't know what epistemology is, its a discussion on how do we know what we think we know? It's very philosophical and it has no meaningful application to my life. That might be an overstatement but its how I feel). On to the deep stuff. (-:

We are to be the Good News and not just tell the Good News. I heard this from Dieter Zander. Its what I've been trying to express for a while. We read that the early church had the "favor of the community." It means that when people saw the early church Christians, they were glad. Are people glad to see you coming? (By the way, you can now comment without registering with Blogger. I didn't know there was such a setting!).

I saw a vision of my future and I don't know what to make of it just yet. I was in the middle of the prayer labrynth when I was asked to express what I wanted to leave when I well, leave. What will be my history when I'm history? Friend of God, Husband, and Father. These were the things that I kept writing into the sand before me as I realized that my desire isn't to please men and be known as a great pastor. What I need to focus on is what God will say about me. What my kids will say about me. I grew up with a father consumed with ministry. It consumed our family as well but not in the same sense of the word. I NEVER AGAIN WANT TO NEGLECT GOD OVER "MINISTRY." I NEVER AGAIN WANT TO NEGLECT MY WIFE IN THE NAME OF "CHURCH." I NEVER WANT TO SACRIFICE MY CHILDREN ON THE ALTAR OF "MINISTRY." Maybe I'm a little passionate about this issue. (-:

If you wonder why I use (-: instead of the traditional :), its because I'm left handed and that's a left handed smiley. Just a random thing about me. (-:

Bearing my soul through blogging is becoming a process, a practice, a discipline that is so freeing. I don't know if anybody will ever read this but that's not why I blog anyway. I blog, I put glimpses of my soul on display in order to release them and keep it from eating me from the inside out. I can't explain it. I don't know if I want to just yet. I might not have anything left to blog if I did so.

What do you want to be known for when you check out of this world? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Communion

We had communion as a church last night for the first time. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. We used pita bread since nobody within 30 miles seemed to have any unleavened bread available. I've always used some type of simple cracker or wafer and a teeny tiny cup of grape juice.

This time, we poured the juice into larger cups. It made the time of remembrance take longer and I think that was the best part about it. The communion wasn't a side note in the middle of all the other worship. It was the worship for the night. Here are some pics on how we set it up. We also set up our offering basket as a station that you can go to at any time during the worship gathering since we believe it is an expression of worship as well.

How many pickles fit in a pickle jar?

I read a great article the other day that talked about how we try to spiritualize things. The article asked the question, "How many pickles will fit in a pickle jar?" The answer is about 12. But how many pickles will fit in a pickle jar if you pray about it? As many as God wants, but usually about 12. The story was showing how we don't prepare for God by creating space in a church situation and expect miracles to happen.

This applies to how we comfort one another as well. I can't stand to go through a rough time and have someone give me a trite, "God is going to work this out." I KNOW GOD'S GOING TO WORK IT OUT. I need someone to listen to me. Its like telling someone about the pickle jar for me. "God can do anything so He can work this out." At the point when I tell others my trouble, I don't need them to assure me. My assurance comes not from pithy statements but from the peace that passes all understanding (Namely, from God). I just wanted to rant a little bit. We are in the process of finding a place to worship for corporate gatherings at our church and it hasn't happened yet. People keep giving me empty statements instead of just listening. Have any of you ever experienced this? Let me know. What's the best line someone's ever given you? (i.e. God needed her in heaven more then you do so that's why He let her die) I've enjoyed how people are responding to my blogs through e-mail. You can also comment on here if you want to start a running conversation.

What's Up with That?

I was watching the news this afternoon and saw where a bunch of people have started showing up at a Chicago freeway underpass to see a water stain in the image of the Virgin Mary. It was interesting watching the responses of the visitors. Some cried. Others were rejoicing. I've never personally seen such phenomena (It doesn't seem to happen as much in rural Mississippi where I grew up). I'm curious why God would choose to reveal Himself in such a way. Is this for real or is it just a human response to the events in the Catholic Church over the past few weeks? It seems to bring some closer to God while others are skeptical. I'm neither at this point. Let me know what you think.

I had the opportunity to dialogue with a local High School's Freshman class about sex. I helped them understand that there are repercussions to having sex, both physically and mentally. During the several classes I got to talk with, we had time at the end to just talk with no other "adults" around. I asked them to tell me what they would like for other adults to know about them that we can misunderstand at times. The biggest thing was the need for their parents to trust them. They said a lot of their parents were tougher on them because of what they did growing up and it is causing a backlash. They resonated with the need for better communication on their parent's part. I wonder what happens when a generation of teens raised by overprotective parents gets to college. I know the students that were wildest when I was in college were the ones who had parents that called and checked in on them every night. They practically pushed their kids to rebel. It was good to see some young men and women with good heads on their shoulders though.

Music and art

Music:
I was listening to the lyrics of the 3 Doors Down song, "Let Me Go" the other day when this verse stuck out to me:

"you love me,
but you don't know who i am
so let me go
let me go"

That's really where most of us stand. We think that if people really knew us, they wouldn't want to be near us. There are times where I risk being too transparent and scaring people off. There are other times where I clam up and let nobody in. The great thing is that the God who created us also knows us, warts and all, and He still chooses not to let us go. Great love is about giving, not receiving. 1 John 4:19 tells us we are loved because God first loved us. God is the greatest lover because He gives loves, not because He receives love. Its something I try and struggle with every day. To love someone even once I get to know them (-: Its easy to say we love someone from a distance. The hard part is when we break past that barrier of pretense and get actively involved in each other's lives. Things get messy. The honeymoon's over. But that's also the time when we experience true intimacy.

Art:
I've become fascinated by Georges Rouault, an impressionist painter that kept to himself for the most part. I am falling in love with some of the modern art I'm finding and his work stands out to me (see pic below).


I'm not sure what to make of the image before you except to say that it resonates with me. I prefer to see Christ with a smile but there is also a serious side that cannot be ignored. I'd like to see more pictures of Jesus with a smile though. Have you found some that resonate with you? Please e-mail me with any you find.

Living in the Sweet Spot

I read about this great concept this past week. It's called "living in the sweet spot." When you hit a ball with a golf club or tennis racquet in the sweet spot, it seems almost effortless. Right now, I feel like I'm living in a sweet spot. For the first time, I am getting to be and do exactly what God created me for. I have to make myself sleep. I'm up at all hours of the night with my mind turning over new ideas each day. I have too much energy because I'm getting to pour it straight into my passions. My goal at Grace Park is to pastor in such a way that I release people to live in their sweet spots. That means people get to serve where their passions are. Its awesome to get to be a part of helping people become exactly who God built them to be.

A Question for Every Church

I had a great question pop into my head today. Imagine a person who is unchurched but considers themselves spiritual. What if they were to ask you, "Why should I come to church?" Better yet, "Why should I come to your church?" The easy answers are found in the Bible but the problem is, the person doesn't care. He has friends that he studies spirituality with. He doesn't necessarily ascribe to the Bible's teachings. He knows God's presence is around him.

This question hit me like a ton of bricks today. I was reading Michael Slaughter's unLearning Church. I'm about halfway through the book and its already one of my all-time favorites. Its not because he gives all the answers to how church will look in the new millennium. Its because he asks the right questions.

What does a healthy church look like? Could you digest it down to a symbol or picture? Would you have drawn a building or people? What is the right answer to the question I posed earlier? I've got ideas but I don't think I've got it figured out enough to articulate it right now! Maybe next blog...

Out of the shadows, out of the cave

I began a journey in earnest this week. I am searching for the meaning of why God put me where He has. I feel like one of the guys in Plato's cave. I've been staring at shadows on a wall for twenty-something years and all of the sudden, God pulled me out and I've seen the rest of the world. The only problem is, I can't explain it to my buddies back in the cave. This idea isn't original with me of course. I'm just now getting around to understanding that times have changed. I live in an area of Tennessee in the 7th fastest growing city in the nation. In the "buckle of the Bible belt," I'm finding out that most of the people here aren't actually from here. They have different ideas on who and what God is. I'm a pastor who thought he had everything figured out. I graduated from seminary and began piecing together all of the best parts of different church models I had seen. The only problem is, I'm cobbling together a church that will be unable to speak to the needs of the people I'm trying to reach. That is, the unchurched. I don't mean the ones that grew up in church and have a Judeo-Christian background for the most part. I mean the folks that never went to church. They don't have the Christian roots to return to after college. I'm learning I must change everything about the way I "do church." The church isn't a place, its people. I must deconstruct and reinvent the very words I'm comfortable with if I am to show people who Jesus Christ is and what being a follower of Him is about. If you've actually gotten to this point in my blog, then maybe you think I'm crazy. I know I feel like that right now. All I know for sure is that God is showing me things and I can see the thread of how He's been preparing me throughout my life. Now, I'm on a journey to see where it leads me. One of the things that has jumpstarted my journey was Dan Kimball's book Emerging Church.