Good reminder...

Great article posted by Matt Chandler of The Village Church in Dallas.

Link: Ned Flanders and Me | TheResurgence.

Sabbath

Another helpful resource on unplugging and getting sabbath is from a sermon preached by Rob Bell on November 12, 2006.  You can get the podcast by clicking here.  You can also simply download the MP3 from the Mars Hill church site by clicking here.  Download the one from 11/12/06, that is entitled "Jesus Wants to Save Christians VIII." 

I certainly don't have any of this figured out, but it's been helpful to try and incorporate some of the sabbath practices other people have mentioned, be it through sermons, articles, etc.  In my Christian Reformed days, Sabbath meant not mowing the yard and not eating out.  The whole idea that the sabbath is a gift from God for the nourishment of our souls is very needed and welcomed.  Too easy to never stop.  Too easy to be a slave to task and accomplishment.  It's easy to work.  It's difficult to rest.  I'm learning that rest is a huge act of faith.  On sabbath (Friday for me) I have to trust that things are not going to fall apart if I don't answer my cell phone or return an email.  Sabbath is reminding me that I am not in control and that's a good thing.  It's a very practical way for me to show trust and faith in the One who is in control and upholding all things.  Granted, I don't always do a great job, but it is a discipline I hope to keep growing in.  So for what it's worth check out the sermon mentioned above.  Very practical.  Peace.

Article: Addicted to Noise?

Interesting article from a few months ago. I've been reading/listening to several things reminding me of the need for sabbath. I'll post more later, but this article is quite insightful. It's written forr the Seattle Times by Mark Driscoll.

Link: The Seattle Times: Search Results.

The Dreaded Christian Table

Link: RELEVANT MAGAZINE.

Sad, but probably very accurate article.

A House Divided

This Saturday, November 18, the biggest rivalry (Michigan v. Ohio State in case you didn't know) becomes the biggest game!  Will Heather & Sydnie be victorious or Jamie & Mackinley?  Should be fun.  Can't wait.  For your viewing pleasure I am reposting the video of "Conflicted Kid" from the start of the football season.  Who would have guessed...#1 v. #2?

You should also check out these free downloads from iTunes, just in time for the big game.

Blind Date

Kissing

How much do you read?

My friend Nate Conrad posed this question in the "comment section" recently...

Hey, how do you get so much reading done in a week?  how many hours do you spend reading each week?

I'm not really sure how to answer that question.  I really have no idea how many hours.  I do know I like reading so I probably just "fit it in"--it's not scheduled out and systematic for me.  To be perfectly honest I feel like I don't read enough (as of late in particular--second child in the mix, etc.).  It's made me wonder how much do people read?  What qualifies as "a lot of reading"?  Do articles count?  Just books? 

Here's the most specific I can be.  As I've added up books from this year (including stuff from seminary--not assigned, but actually read, b/c let's be honest I don't read everything I'm assigned) I think I will complete about 30 or so books.  One of them this year is the Bible (novel idea fore me).  I'm kind of hesitant to put this number because "a lot" is all relative.  I hear of guys like Driscoll who will read 30 books for one sermon series.  These guys make my number seem puny.  I also realize anyone who reads less could be discouraged (or maybe this is just me, since I'm sure part of my identity can get wrapped up in what or how much I've read).  How sad. 

As for articles, etc.  I tend to read articles from that are linked from various blogs I follow.  I don't typically search out interesting storeis, but simply follow links from people who apparently have found something intersting/helpful, etc.  Usually I print them out and carry with me to read when I happen to have a few spare minutes.  Read between the lines...I read them whilst on the proverbial throne.  Or I read them when I'm waiting for an appointment, etc.

My goal for next year is to be more systematic with my reading.  To pre-select a few topics I want to read up on and then only buy books that pertain to the topics at hand.  How big of a nerd am I?  Please don't answer.  I love reading but it does stress me out.  I put expectations on myself to read and when I'm not I have false guilt.  I don't meet my own expectations.  I do believe reading is a needed discipline, but not one I should feel "enslaved" to.  However, I know I don't balance this out very well. 

So there's my rambling thoughts.  If you are still reading at this point you must be a really gifted reader.  Peace. 

Sermon: Kingdom of Light

Should you want to have a listen, the sermon I preached a couple weeks ago is available for you to download.  This particular recording is from the "early" service, as the power went out in the entire building 10 minutes into my sermon at the "late" service.  That was fun.  Some people actually thought it was staged, in "light" (pun is fun) of the topic for the morning. 

The sermon is from selectons of John 9 where Jesus heals a man who was born blind.  He does so in bizarre fashion...making mud with spit and dirt and placing it on the man's eyes.  Enjoy!

Download 01_kingdom_of_light.mp3

Uncle Mike

Saturday night brought the unexpected loss of Uncle Mike.  Though we don't know all the details, it appears that Mike may have had a heart attack.  Please be in prayer for his wife Eunice, daughter Jana, and the rest of the family. 

Mike was the older brother of Heather's mom.  He farmed the ground he grew up on in Northwest Ohio.  He was a kind and gentle man who loved Jesus. He loved his family well.  He served the church.  He was invested in his community.  Even though Heather and I did not see him often, he always showed great interest in our lives.  He would always ask me how my job at the church was going.  He was a genuine man.  He will be greatly missed.  It is in these moments, though exceedingly difficult, that we rest in the power of the Gospel and the reality of the Cross.  Death does not have the final word.      

The picture is from the Summer of 2005.  Heather and Sydnie went up to Ohio for a few days in July.  Mike and Sydnie are swinging outside the farm house Mike grew up in.