brief update

Reflections from Vacation:

Even though I am out of state and have tried to unplug from some of the busyness and stress of ministry, I have found a great sense of renewal and understanding of the power of relationships in ministry. My heart echoes Paul's words... 'So while I am not with you in the flesh, I am with you in spirit'. I have been praying for many in our congregation who are particularly going through some tough times. You are remembered.

I have been able to rest and spend a great and wonderful time with my family and friends. Part of the renewal process is not just sitting on the couch and napping (even though I was able to do that, and it was GREAT). Renewal is about finding the parts of life and ministry that gives you energy. So even though I am on 'vacation' I have been working. For instance, I have attended an intensive class on nonviolence and social change (future posts on this to come). I have gone to a workshop presented on the '6 Faces of the Biblical Church'. I am leading an Affinity Night as part of the Natural Church Development process for a church in Indiana. I am still going to attend a discipleship event tomorrow as well. These things bring creativity and new life to me as well.

So how do you spend your Sabbath day? Is it just about resting or finding parts of our life where we can focus and see what brings life to us?

moment for music.

So now that I am on vacation and have a little bit of time to write and think about random things, I wanted to share some of my favorite parts of music. This is not so much about the genre, but more some of my favorite parts of songs. These are just some of my random musings and ideas so take them for what they are. Here are a few songs (in no particular order or or importance) that must be in your iPod.

1. Ruby Tuesday

- the beginning part of this song is the BEST! I like the chorus and all, but that is not what makes it what it is. It is the first few lines. If you don't believe me, then watch the Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson uses this to introduce a dialogue between two characters and the power is seen in just the few seconds of its use.

2. Neil Young's Philadelphia

- what else is there to say about this. Absolutely beautiful. The vocals are eery, painful, and beautiful all at the same time. Piano is simplistic and you can just picture him sitting there playing it. Love the whole thing, but as promised here is my favorite part: when he says, 'sometimes I think that I know what love's all about'.

3. Layla

- forget the guitar riff, the best part is the end where the piano kicks in. The supposed story about this song is that Clapton wrote it as a way to express his love to the woman he loved. Unfortunately, I believe this woman was George Harrison's wife. For me, I like to picture that this was his way to say something without saying it. The lyrics of the song may have communicated something, the piano part communicates something much deeper for me.

4. Under Pressure

- forget the riff that was borrowed by Vanilla Ice for his hit. The best part of this song is the bridge where the guitar kicks in and they almost scream 'why can't we give love one more chance'! That's just great.

5. Fly by Nick Drake

- the cello haunts me still. You will hear it as the introduction to the piece. If that doesn't get you, then the first line is 'please, give me second grace.' Perfect.

in His hands

Do you remember the children's song.... "He's got the whole world in His hands?"

The simplicity of the melody and text tries to overcome a complex and often troubling reality of how to reconcile a troubling and suffering world with a loving God. This is the question that many wrestle with. If God is good, loving, etc., then why... fill in the blank.

Such a study is entitled Theodicy. And while it is a very large concept and a deep question to discuss, we want to step into this conversation this Sunday at Tabernacle UMC. As part of our 'Questions' series, we are seeking to find an answer to our question of, "why is there suffering in the world?"

The hymn writer reminds us that, 'this is my Father's world.' Join us as we seek truth together.

prayer

Why do prayers go unanswered?

How do we reconcile the relationship of how prayers are answered and God seems silent at others?

This and more questions concerning prayer will be discussed this Sunday at Tabernacle UMC. Join us.

Something to think about this week in preparing your heart....

“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”

World War II Admiral, Chester Nimitz

new year.

This time of year we look ahead. We hope, we dream, we vision. If you still make 'resolutions', let me encourage you to not think of what you want to do in 2012, but to think of who you want to be in 2013. Begin with the end in mind, and this will shape how you can proceed in how to make it happen.

Here are a few thoughts on Vision from an earlier post:

Andy Stanley says,

"When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near. I don’t want to be an expert about the last 15 years of ministry. We can’t be satisfied with the status quo even when it is good. If the vision doesn’t drive it, then the past does. When the past drives your ministry, it will lead to irrelevance and will lead to an end. Success breeds complacency, Complacency breeds failure."

It is challenging to see past next weekend. When we get caught in the daily routine of life the temptation is to become too microscopic in our vision and we analyze every detail. This is not bad, but the temptation is there to lose the bigger picture. The opposite could happen when we see to telescopically. Our vision is too big that the details never get taken care of. Either way, in all of these things is the idea that it is thinking forward that allows for us to grow. We can not move in a healthy direction if we continually look backwards.

Have you thought beyond next weekend? Do you still dream? Allow for God to give you your 'life picture' and where you would desire to see yourself in the future.