Random Thoughts Jumping Around in My Head

So it's been a little while since I posted. This week has been quite crazy. I'm still trying to sift through everything that happened earlier this week at the retreat. I cannot say how much I needed and enjoyed that. I just wish there were more people there who were in a similar situation. They are all in new churches that they were a part of starting. I, however, am not in that situation.

I don't know if I mentioned it already, but I am now the official head coach of Isaac's soccer team. Our head coach hadn't shown up for about 2 weeks, so I was kind of already the head coach, but now it's official. I'm excited. It's been fun so far. Just tell them to kick it and then tell them to turn the other way and kick it. LOL.

There is a lot to be excited about here in Delaware. But sometimes it's difficult seeing past today. I am realizing more and more that our family is more along the lines of the current demographics of Middletown than most in the church. We have moved here from another state for work and we have small children. That seems to be the status of most people in Middletown. It's such an interesting community. Very comfy and nice though.

We miss the Warsaw library. It was amazing. The library here is located at the high school and is shared with the high school. How crazy is that!! Oh well.

I have also decided that Starbuck's, although tasty, is a waste of money. I can go to Wawa and get a cup of vanilla cream coffee with french vanilla creamer and 2 sugars and I've got a drink just as good as any cappuccino I can get at Starbuck's. And here's the great part............IT'S ONLY $1.09!!!!!! I LOVE IT!

Ok. Enough ramblings. One more: David Crowder Band in Burlington, NJ, November 4th. Can't wait!!

Home Again!

So I'm back from my retreat this week. I must say that it was very good to be there. The Orchard Group is a church planting organization whose goal is to plant churches in the northeast. Specifically, they are focused on the New York City area. However, they have planted churches as far away as Pittsburgh and Boston.

I learned a lot. I came to realize a lot as well. However, I don't feel ready to fully express those ideas here yet. Maybe at some point I will, but not yet. I still have to sort things through.

Overall, though, it was a blessing. I definitely developed some new friendships with other church planters in this area. They all welcomed me in as if I were a part of the "Orchard Group" churches.

I even got to spend time with an old friend from Johnson Bible College. Kristy (Keck) Steppe and her husband, Jeff, were there. They are planting a church near State College, PA. Kristy and I traveled together for a summer in a singing group. That was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing on some of those experiences with her.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm tired. Watching the boys during Susan's Bible study. Can't wait to go to bed.

GO VOLS!!!!!!

What a day!

Today has been a pretty good day. I've been spending a lot of time in my office the past few days. So I've committed to spending as little time as possible down in my "hole".

So this morning I took Riley to story hour at the library. Susan would usually do it, but she was working at the book fair at Isaac's school. Riley and I had a good time, and he behaved wonderfully. Brought my laptop upstairs after we got home and did some work in the living room getting ready for Sunday.

Now I'm lounging on the couch, watching golf, playing GameBoy and typing my blog. Who says guys can't multi-task?!?! It just doesn't get any better than this. LOL

Tonight is soccer practice. Hopefully the coach shows up today. Susan and I also will be going to the school for an open house. Susan has really enjoyed getting involved and doing several activities in the community and school.

Sunday is RACE DAY here in Delaware. I will be racing out of town for a couple of days. I'm headed to Upstate NY to a retreat for church planters by the Orchard Group. Should be interesting. I have lots of questions and will be seeking lots of advice.

Well, enjoy your evening. We're definitely going to try.

Old

You ever feel old? Maybe not. Today was one of those days for me. I'm beyond feeling old because of people around me. I'm over feeling old because some of my youth group kids from Beckley now have kids of their own. I'm beyond feeling old because one of them is now the youth minister at the church I was at before.

I feel old today because my body is feeling a bit older. Granted, many people would love to look as young as I look. I always hated being asked, as a youth minister, where my youth minister was. Today my knee is aching a little, my neck and shoulder feel a little out-of-whack, and I've become as irritable as an old man.

Oh well. I always said that I couldn't wait to get older. Guess I was asking for this, wasn't I?

There's lots to be encouraged by now here in Delaware. There's still a lot of challenges ahead though. Sometimes I wonder if I'm up to it. Then God reminds me that I'm not, but He is. He is the one that faces all the challenges. He is the one that conquers them. He is in control and I am not. How amazing!!

I'm excited!!! David Crowder Band will be in Burlington, NJ, in November. Can't wait. I want to organize a group to go see them. I think it's somewhere around Trenton, east of Philly.

Did you see the Emmy's the other night? "Raymond" cleaned house. That's good. Very interesting show. Highlight was when Donald Trump dressed up and sang the Green Acres theme song with Megan Mullally. Very funny.

Colts won on Sunday. They now have a DEFENSE!! Watch out Patriots! Watch out Eagles! Peyton hasn't even gotten warmed up yet too.

I know this is a long and random post, but just kinda what's going on in my mind this evening: random thoughts.

Signs of Summer Slowing Down

So we had a good day yesterday at Northeast Christian Church. We had 95 in attendance with some regulars out. It was a very good day attendance-wise. We had a great special music number by Johnny and Jill, "You Raise Me Up". Very good. I'm amazed more and more every time I hear Johnny's voice. Amazing! He made that song sound easy and effortless. I preached on Seeking God through Prayer. Got to use our brand new wireless lapel mic. Very liberating, indeed!!

Went to Dover afterward to eat at our favorite BBQ place, Where Pigs Fly. Great food. Came home, watched some football, took a little nap. We went swimming yesterday evening at the Duartes. Not many swimming days left in the year.

Well not much more to say. Things are going well. Hope to hear from you soon!!!

Still Reading

Ok. So that last post was long. In reading my post again, it almost sounded like a forwarded email special. I may be pathetic for this, but I listen to that poem being read approximately 2-3 times a day. It's just that powerful for me.

Anyway, going to a fundraiser tonight for A Door of Hope, the local crisis pregnancy center. Ryan Dobson, son of Dr. James Dobson, is the featured speaker. Susan and I heard him speak in Warsaw less than a year ago. We're looking forward to attending with 2 couples from church. The dinner is at the DuPont Country Club up in Wilmington. Due to the location, we're assuming it is a pretty formal affair. That means I will actually be wearing a jacket or blazer tonight. Went out yesterday to find a nice maternity skirt for Susan to wear.

I've been trying to read a little more fiction the past couple of days. I'm finding that fiction helps with my creativity. It makes my mind think more visually. Of course, that is fiction's desired intent. I think that it will impact my preaching some. Naturally, I'm drawn to the writings of my long-lost relative John Grisham. Just finished Bleachers. I also have King of Torts from the library. Any suggestions for a good novelist to read. Of course, no Harlequin romance novels for me.

Got a note from my Granddaddy today. That was nice to get. I ought to call and talk to him more. We also got an email from Chris Trensey from Warsaw. Another one of those out-of-the-blue notes. Gotten quite a few of those lately. Very nice.

Hope you all are having a great Friday. Keep us in your prayers. We'd really appreciate it if Ophelia would just keep heading out to sea.

Please Read This Poem

I love this poem. I heard it read by Brian McLaren back in April, but had completely forgotten about it until I listened to the tape from the event. It's lengthy, but well worth the time.

I Stand By The Door
By Sam Shoemaker
(from the Oxford Group)

I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out.
The door is the most important door in the world -
It is the door through which men walk when they find God.
There is no use my going way inside and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where the door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind men,
With outstretched, groping hands,
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it.
So I stand by the door.

The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for men to find that door - the door to God.
The most important thing that any man can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands
And put it on the latch - the latch that only clicks
And opens to the man's own touch.

Men die outside the door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter.
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live on the other side of it -
Live there because they have not found it.

Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him.
So I stand by the door.

Go in great saints; go all the way in -
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics.
It is a vast, roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture in a little farther,
But my place seems closer to the opening.
So I stand by the door.

There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them;
For God is so very great and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia
And want to get out. 'Let me out!' they cry.
And the people way inside only terrify them more.
Somebody must be by the door
to tell them that they are spoiled.

For the old life they have seen too much:
One taste of God and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving - preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door
But would like to run away.
So for them too, I stand by the door.

I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not yet even found the door.
Or the people who want to run away again from God.
You can go in too deeply and stay in too long
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him and know He is there,
But not so far from men as not to hear them,
And remember they are there too.

Where? Outside the door -
Thousands of them. Millions of them.
But - more important for me -
One of them, two of them, ten of them.
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.

I had rather be a doorkeeper
So I stand by the door.

Amen!!

This Present Stuggle

Ok. My last couple of posts previous to yesterdays about our new son have focused on Joel Osteen. I struggle. I struggle reading a book that I don't think really belongs in a Christian bookstore. I struggle. I struggle because I want to give the man the benefit of the doubt. "Whoever is not against us, is for us."

Let me try to explain. When I was in youth ministry and the Harry Potter phenomenon first came on the scene, I was approached constantly by parents seeking my opinion. In other words, I think they wanted me to say that Harry Potter was of the devil. I refused to give them an opinion because I had never read any of the books. I felt I could not answer them sufficiently. So I went to the local library and checked out the latest one at the time, The Goblet of Fire, I think. I was completely captured by the book. But I also read it thinking of my students who would be possibly reading it too. That particular book included the death of certain individuals who were not main characters in the series. Because of this, I recommended to parents that children under middle school might want to stay away, but that it was fun to read.

Having said all that, I feel that many people who are criticizing Joel Osteen are doing the same. They are reading blogs or websites dedicated to the bashing of Joel Osteen and making judgments based solely on what they have read about him and his teaching. I am currently reading Your Best Life Now for a small group that we have. Therefore, I comment only on what I have read to this point. I also have watched him a few times on television.

Again, having said all that, I again reiterate that I struggle. I do not believe that Joel Osteen is the anti-christ. I do not believe that he is of the devil. I do believe that he is preaching spiritual milk and not spiritual meat. Very seldom in the book to this point (chapter 8) has he mentioned the importance of being "content in all circumstances" or of "seeking first His kingdom". I have heard that if you believe, anything can be yours. I have heard that, as a Christian, I deserve preferential treatment. I cannot and will not accept that kind of thinking. I believe wholeheartedly that God wants to bless me, but I also believe wholeheartedly that those blessings may not be seen in a promotion, a bigger house, or more money.

Milk. I venture to even consider it spiritual "skim" milk. Now milk is ok for infants, but people are to mature and take on spiritual meat, more substance. His church of 30,000, although I have never attended, is being fed milk. They in turn will also share milk with others. And the cycle continues. And the gospel is spread, but people may not become growing disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Again, I have no intention of accusing Mr. Osteen of heresy at all. I do just so much wish that he would preach the gospel. That he would preach the life of Christ. That he would tell people that the only way to really have a wonderful life is through a growing, consistent relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

I hope I have offended no one with my comments. If I have, please forgive me. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think about all of this. I cherish input. I have been seeking a lot of input on this topic specifically lately.

Part of my struggle with this can also be attributed to some of the books and studies I've been reading lately too. For a contrast to Osteen, please read Uprising by Erwin R. McManus and A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren. My thinking has been continually challenged by these guys in numerous ways.

Have a good one!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

BABY G3...The News You've All Been Waiting For

AND THE SEX OF BABY G3 IS..............wouldn't you like to know!!!! Hahahaha!! Today we went to the doctor's office for our ultrasound. Riley went with us while Isaac was at school. The technician asked if we wanted to know what it was or not. We said yes and she told us very quickly that it looked like it was a _______. See, you thought I was going to tell you there. Later during the ultrasound, I asked how confident she was that it was a ______. She said she was very confident that it was a ______. They main thing is that the baby's spine is forming just fine and that the heartbeat and size are quite normal.

Also spent some time this morning with 2 pastor friends over coffee. I'm constantly reminded of how different things are here than in the midwest. One is an Episcopal priest. At one point the topic shifted to homosexuality. Interesting to say the least. Even the Episcopal church in Warsaw seemed to stand close to conservatives on that issue. Good discussions with those guys though. I really appreciate them.

Well gotta run. The bus will be here soon. Soccer practice tonight.

By the way, Baby G3 is a boy.

Apology and more...

Ok. So I need to apologize to Mr. Joel Osteen. God has a way of humbling us from time to time. This morning's chapter that we read through in Your Best Life Now was actually quite good. Now I'm not quite ready to give him a free pass on everything, but he's got my attention a little bit more. Too bad it took 8 chapters to get it. LOL. Anyway, there...my apology is out there for everyone to read now.

Do you ever get to the point where you're reading too many books at once. Not all at the same time all spread out on a table....that's ridiculous. I have been working through at least three books for over a month now. Almost done with McManus, really starting to get into McLaren, as well as my weekly reading in Osteen. Sometimes I forget what I've read already. Oh well.

I'm leading a new small group tonight. I'm filling in for the next 3 1/2 months for a guy who is changing work shifts for a little bit. Should be interesting. Going into a new group of people. I went last week just to get a "feel" for the group. I'm actually looking forward to it....I think.

OK...another vent. Can we just stop already with the racial accusations going on with Hurricane Katrina?!? A lot of people stayed because they wanted to stay. There is a lot of "blame" to go around, from the local to the state to the federal gov't, but none of it has to do with race. I saw black, white, asian, etc. lined up along those highways. This hurricane affected everyone. The response would have been the same even if it was a lot of white people stranded. Too often the people who have a "voice" should just keep it quiet. The old saying goes, "It's better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

I think everyone's heart breaks for those who were affected by Katrina. I pray for those people who have been evacuated from their city and their homes. I also pray for those people who are helping them, especially the churches around the country who are taking people in. What a tremendous show of God's love and compassion!!

ULTRASOUND TOMORROW!!!! Looking forward to filling you all in on the news...if you're lucky! HA!!

Definitely a "Venting" Post

Ok. So I'm reading Joel Osteen's Your Best Life Now. Please forgive me for that. Some of you may really be into Joel's book, but I just can't do it. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Mr. Osteen and his YBLN phenomenon, it basically says that God wants to pour out His favor on you all the time. Now, I will not dispute that. I believe also that God wants to bless us in immensely. However, I also believe that God knows what is best for me.

I wanted to give Mr. Osteen the benefit of the doubt about all this. Thinking that at some point in the first 6 chapters or so, he would mention that above everything else we should seek first God's kingdom. But I have yet to read that. Maybe later in the book he really gets into this critical aspect. But if it hasn't been mentioned in the first several chapters, I highly doubt he will do it later. I have watched Joel on television late at night sometimes. His sermons are biblical, but very repetitive.

Maybe it's me. I just can't buy into a "prosperity gospel". I know that God wants to bless us. But my pleasure, my happiness, is not the most crucial thing in the world. Mr. Osteen seems to trivialize it to getting a prime parking at a park. I don't think that God favors us in those ways. I don't know. Just venting. I'm reading it for our Wednesday morning small group which consists of a lot of business and financial people. So you can see where they very much get this. However, I feel tremendously blessed by God even though we struggled to find a house that barely fits into our budget. I don't think it benefits people, especially Christians, to expect preferential treatment in every aspect of life. Life is hard....GET USED TO IT. You won't get everything you want....GET USED TO IT.

Again, maybe it's me. That's just how I'm feeling about all of this right now. Hope you all are having a good day. At least I hope you were until I completely unloaded on you. HA!!

Later.

Long Time, No Post

Wow! So it's been a while since I updated this thing. By the way, Happy Labor Day, everyone!! We've been working in the house today trying to organize the unfinished part of the basement. For a month it has been just a mass of boxes and totes. Now, however, it is an organized mass of boxes and totes. Just kidding. There's actually room to walk around down there now.

Yesterday was our last day to worship at Olive B. Loss Elementary School. Next Sunday, September 11, we will be worshipping at St. Anne's Episcopal School in Middletown. I think I've already mentioned that on here, but we're all excited about it.

Still lots of stuff on my mind concerning the ministry and church here at NCC, but I'm working through it. I'll talk it out sometime. Maybe with you all if you're lucky. LOL.

Gotta run. Keep praying on praying for the south, especially the churches and people who are showing God's love to the evacuees.