My niece, Kirsten, got married this weekend (to Mike) and Mary Beth was the flower girl. I cannot imagine being more blessed on Father’s Day. Mary Beth is five. Ben is not quite 11. Christopher is 12. Allison is 14. I am the same age as Rocco Mediate and Jamie is much younger.
Monthly Archive for June, 2008
Page 2 of 4
You’re busy people, but you need to watch (better said, “listen to”) this. It will take only a moment of your time.
Introduction
Upon waking up from his nap, Orison Piper, young grandson of John Piper, has written an original missions medley. I have not spoken personally to Orison regarding the arrangement, but I think I discern his theological intent.
- Orison begins with a confession of love for collective humanity,
- He then speaks of the intention of missions to to see the Holy Spirit transform, albeit “rock,” any given culture.
- He concludes with an invitation to join in the joyous celebration of the redeemed including attendance at a ball game.
See the original post here.
Only 3 years ago I had never heard of YouTube (Marc Romine had to teach me). Now, I call my kids into the room and make them watch sports highlights (see Flutie here) on YouTube and the opening of Bonanza. It pains them.
I understand YouTube has potential. But, I didn’t think of singing groups like Journey finding band members in the Philippines in the way Glenn Shepard describes here.
What are the implication for pastoral staff searches? I’m not sure I want to consider.
if you don’t feel like reading an article about the implications of YouTube for staff searches, you can still listen to the singer Journey co-founder Neal Schon found on YouTube.
You can read or watch J.K. Rowling’s commencement address at Harvard (click here). I understand that some of you prefer not to read the Harry Potter novels. I’ve read only one or two myself. But, this is worth considering.
Of course, the controversy over Harry is long since over. But, this Christian author has an interesting pro-Harry perspective. (Click here for: Looking for God in Harry Potter
Back to Harvard Yard and the commencement address. Having experienced spectacular failure at least once in life (though not in the sense of ministry disqualification or moral failure!), I find real wisdom in Rowling’s thoughts and agree with much of what she says, though certainly not everything.
HT: Boing Boing
I can’t say that I’ve always followed this perfectly. But, it’s good advice. Click here.
About two months into kindergarten, our daughter Allison gravely announced to Jamie and me that someone had swore on the bus. I knew that we needed to process this with her, so I asked what exactly what was said.
Allison said, “Well, I am not going to say the word, because it is a bad word, but it was the ‘sw’” word.”
I racked my brain to figure out what the “sw” word was. I grew up on a farm and farmers can be pretty colorful in expressing themselves when loading livestock or getting a tractor unstuck. But, I couldn’t for the life of me think what the “sw” word might be.
Finally, I just said, “Allison tell me what the ‘sw’ word is.” She whispered. “Shut up.” I was singing on the bus today and a kid told me to shut up.
Of course, we were relieved that it hadn’t been anything worse than that. And, also thankful that our children know that phrase is out of bounds.
But, what I want to tell you today is that there are times when you should use the “sw” word: “shut-up.”
And, the person you should say it to is yourself.
Proverbs 10:19 says.
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.(Pr 10:19).”
While, it’s not a good idea to tell others to “shut up.” There is a time to whisper to yourself: “Shut up!”
Where words are many, sin is not absent.
But, don’t stop singing. Even on the school bus.
Nothing reminds me more of sports growing up than Jim McKay’s voice on Wide World of Sports. The 1972 Olympics are one of my first and most vivid sports memories. I’m continue to be mad about the basketball game and agree with refusing the medal.
I remember Olga Corbut (sp?) so vividly, even what her gym bag looked like, and the excitment of the announcers over this little girl. . . all like it was yesterday.
And, the Cold War was beginning to dawn on me, even as a nine year old. If I was beginning to understand the Cold War, I was also beginning to realize the humanity of Russia as well. All that, through the ’72 Olympics.
In it all, there was Jim McKay. Not only in the Olympics. On Wide World of Sports, I listened to his voice weekly–spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport - - I watched that same skier wipe out over an over again. To have that kind of fall even one time would be nasty — but, to have wipe out every week on Wide World of Sports seemed particularly violent.
Of course, my firends and I all knew, because someone told us at recess, that the skier died (which he didn’t). If you’re from my era, you really ought to watch the opening of Wide World of Sports one more time, and remember the late Jim McKay.
Or, read, Crunchy Con’s thoughts about the ’72 Olympics (click here).
If you find yourself longing for a better church, or marriage, or somehow feel that your career is not what it should be, then read this post from Daryl Dash (click here).
Be careful that you don’t dismiss the post because you see that it focuses on pastoral ministry. Daryl’s central thought is profound. And, it’s well illustrated via a story about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
The more I read Dashouse.com , the better I like it.
I know it’s not Christmas – - but, this all has to do with what the German’s call “sensucht.” You might also take a look at this post.
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”(Lk 12:13-21).”
HT: Desiring God Blog, for the cartoon.
Click here to read John Piper tell an incredible story of how Charles Wesley risked everything for the sake of condemned criminals.
