I've been receiving calls and text messages from my friends in Houston. So far, everyone is doing well.
Please pray for the city of Houston and for the Southwest Central Church.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9-11
We all woke up this morning...remembering.
I pray this morning for God's shalom (that is God's peace) to reign in this world.
There were two main theological responses to this great tragedy.
1) There was the response that said that 9-11 happened because America has turned away from God. We have declined morally. We have allowed the nature of sin to become the norm. Therefore, God brought this tragedy upon the U.S. to wake us up from our slumber.
So what was God up to on 9-11? God planned this event to snap us back to reality.
2) There was the response that said human beings sometimes make choices that are destructive, violent, and catastrophic. People have the freedom to choose to fly planes into buildings.
So where was God on 9-11? The first tear to fall on 9-11 was a tear from heaven. It was a tear that flowed down the cheek of God as he mourned over humanity. This view doesn't say that God was behind 9-11 as the planner, but instead God responded to this tragedy to work his acts of redemption.
I pray this morning for God's shalom (that is God's peace) to reign in this world.
There were two main theological responses to this great tragedy.
1) There was the response that said that 9-11 happened because America has turned away from God. We have declined morally. We have allowed the nature of sin to become the norm. Therefore, God brought this tragedy upon the U.S. to wake us up from our slumber.
So what was God up to on 9-11? God planned this event to snap us back to reality.
2) There was the response that said human beings sometimes make choices that are destructive, violent, and catastrophic. People have the freedom to choose to fly planes into buildings.
So where was God on 9-11? The first tear to fall on 9-11 was a tear from heaven. It was a tear that flowed down the cheek of God as he mourned over humanity. This view doesn't say that God was behind 9-11 as the planner, but instead God responded to this tragedy to work his acts of redemption.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Life-Reframed
My purpose for this picture isn't to show me in action while preaching (seriously, I tried to get rid of me), but I want you to see the crosses that were made to go along with the current sermon series. I'm calling this series "Life-Reframed." We are walking through the gospel of Luke from now until Easter Sunday. Each Sunday, we are going to be reframing Jesus-stories. We are in constant need of Jesus to reframe faith, belief, prayer, friendship, sinners, the lost, parties, the heart, purpose, rhythm, love, mission, sight, wealth, suffering, table, forgiveness, humility, and Lordship.Our members donated frames to place on the cross. So, each week, our frames come together at the cross.
Thanks goes to Kip Long and Ken Cox--two talented Jesus-followers.
(The funny thing is that a shepherd took these pictures during my sermon)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday Nights
I've learned to embrace Saturday night for what it always is...a night of 5-6 hours of sleep. I never sleep well the day before preaching. Here are a few reasons why:
1) I've been entrusted with truth.
2) As a minister, preaching draws you into relationships with people. By loving them, you want God to break through into their lives in extraordinary ways. Through the power of God, the word of the Lord can create new possibilities and dreams for people.
3) There is a heavy responsibility I feel on my shoulders, and I hope that this responsibility never leaves me. Weekly, it reminds me of my place in this world.
4) I love preaching! It's that feeling before a big game, or that special vacation, or possibly even the night before Christmas. Throughout the week, a word from God has been building up within me and by Saturday night I am ready to deliver it.
Saturday nights aren't for sleep.
Now, as for Sunday nights...don't call me before 9:30 on Monday morning.
1) I've been entrusted with truth.
2) As a minister, preaching draws you into relationships with people. By loving them, you want God to break through into their lives in extraordinary ways. Through the power of God, the word of the Lord can create new possibilities and dreams for people.
3) There is a heavy responsibility I feel on my shoulders, and I hope that this responsibility never leaves me. Weekly, it reminds me of my place in this world.
4) I love preaching! It's that feeling before a big game, or that special vacation, or possibly even the night before Christmas. Throughout the week, a word from God has been building up within me and by Saturday night I am ready to deliver it.
Saturday nights aren't for sleep.
Now, as for Sunday nights...don't call me before 9:30 on Monday morning.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Long week...
Therefore I have had little time to blog. Appointments, meetings, sermon prep, bible studies...
Here's what I need:
I need a Saturday of College Football. I live for Saturday's in the fall. The day begins with my good friends Kirk, Corso, Fowler, and Desmond Howard on ESPN with College Gameday. Then, I could easily sit in front of the tv and watch football from 11:00am-11:00pm.
However, Kayci doesn't go for 14 hours of ESPN/football, so I pick my games carefully.
I'm not predicting any big-time upsets this week.
Go Huskers!
Here's what I need:
I need a Saturday of College Football. I live for Saturday's in the fall. The day begins with my good friends Kirk, Corso, Fowler, and Desmond Howard on ESPN with College Gameday. Then, I could easily sit in front of the tv and watch football from 11:00am-11:00pm.
However, Kayci doesn't go for 14 hours of ESPN/football, so I pick my games carefully.
I'm not predicting any big-time upsets this week.
Go Huskers!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Is God Silent?
In the midst of strenuous circumstances like hurricanes, tsunamis, and other forms of tragedies, some people will ask the question, "Is God silent?"
However, if the church (the people of God called to live with purpose) is truly embracing our calling from God which is to represent him here on this earth; then maybe the question isn't, "Is God silent during difficult times?" but, "Is the church silent?"
However, if the church (the people of God called to live with purpose) is truly embracing our calling from God which is to represent him here on this earth; then maybe the question isn't, "Is God silent during difficult times?" but, "Is the church silent?"
Labor Day
We know about "labor." Most of us are obsessed with overworking.
How many conversations do we have with people when the question is asked, "How's life?" and the response is, "Busy!"
In the 1970's, the average American worker added 190 hours to their annual work load. That is an entire month of work. Ironically, guess when the divorce rates began to skyrocket in the US?
I understand that there are people working today (on Labor Day), but I hope that each of us will attempt to discover the necessity of "rest" and "Sabbath" in our lives.
How many conversations do we have with people when the question is asked, "How's life?" and the response is, "Busy!"
In the 1970's, the average American worker added 190 hours to their annual work load. That is an entire month of work. Ironically, guess when the divorce rates began to skyrocket in the US?
I understand that there are people working today (on Labor Day), but I hope that each of us will attempt to discover the necessity of "rest" and "Sabbath" in our lives.
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