A rant

When did it become okay to talk on your cell phone in the library? Bizarre.

A Christmas Greeting

Meant to post this earlier...a thank you to all who have supported us this past year in both prayer and financially.  Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  Peace.

Christmas Images

Couple of Christmas shots taken around the neighborhood, that triggered a few thoughts...

Obviously, this scene was not intended to look like this by the owners of said nativity set.  However, I think it does speak to our current situation. 
Let me digress/explain...first, let me say that Joseph in the Bible is an absolute stud, who probably does not get the recognition he deserves.  I mean what guy would stick by his girl when she claims to have been impregnated by the Holy Spirit?  Joseph does not abandon her.  He does not shame her.  He sticks by her.  However, in our culture today we have far too few Josephs.  Whereas Joseph assuredly was in awe and wonder of the Christ child, as Mary is exhibiting in this photo, many of today's men (Christians included) are more comfortable taking the posture of Joseph in this picture, instead of worshiping Jesus.  Men need to be leading the charge, not laying on their backs.  Too many of us men sit idly by, embracing a passive approach to the faith.  I know I'm ranting a bit, and I'm probably reading into the photo too much, but when I passed this scene I had to go back and get my camera. I hope things change.  I hope God uses our church plant to raise up Godly men who lead their families and the church well..

This second photo was taken a few mornings ago while out on a walk with Caspian.  I passed it and had to go back and snap a picture.  Though the lights don't show up well in the shot, I love the way these folks were connecting Christmas with the bigger redemptive story of Jesus and the Cross.  It was a good reminder for me that during this season we are not just celebrating a little baby as an end in itself.  This little baby would grow up into a man.  He would live a sinless life.  He would satisfy the wrath of God by bearing this cross.  I hope we all take some time this Christmas season not only to reflect on the gift of the baby, but also on the gift of the cross.  Without the cross there would be nothing ultimately to celebrate. 

the awakening power of ART

Though this post is about a week late, as we saw David Wilcox in concert last Monday, I wanted to capture a few thoughts.  Besides the fact that I am pretty much a Wilcox groupie, there is something about art that is fascinating to me.  The way it communicates in ways that go beyond my normal, everyday experiences.  In fact it makes the normal, everyday things better.  Heather and I, in the self-reflective moments in the car after a concert, find the conversation is always better.  Things come into focus.  I'm sure there is some scientific reason behind what art does to somebody...I have no thoughts to offer there...I just know, on an experiential, existential level that it is good for the soul.  I also realize that art is not relegated to concerts in the singer-songwriter, folk category.  My encouragement would be to find something that does move your soul.  Maybe you are more of a high art person.  Maybe you love strolling through museums.  Whatever it is, art is a gift from God.  Seeing the human condition played out in a painting, a song, a sculpture...they all reflect the Imago Dei...the creatures creating like their CREATOR.  Something powerful about that. 

Vision360 Video

Download sermon :: Stand in Awe

In case you're interested, here is the mp3 of the sermon I preached at CrossPointe a few weeks ago.  It comes from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, and is part of a series at CrossPointe entitled Living Beyond the Sun.

Download _stand_in_awe____ecclesiastes_5_17.mp3

Winter Park Boat Parade

Though our girls have been sick most of the weekend, we were able to
get out for a bit tonight.  We are glad we did.  We spotted a sign
earlier today announcing the Winter Park Boat Parade
and so tonight we headed over to Dinky Dock on Lake Virginia.  We ate
our Chik-fil-a, sat on a blanket on the beach and watched a boat parade
through the chain of lakes.  There were probably 100 or so people at
this location.  It was a good communal event.  People talked, kids hung
out...it was festive...Florida style.  I had been bemoaning the weather
and the lack of Christmas feel, but tonight was good.  It also reminded
me that people really love their community.  I have heard this
sentiment expressed several times over the past couple of days...I am
grateful to be here, though often not as grateful as I should be.
Excited about planting a church that contextualizes the Gospel in and
for this community. 

The Tree is up

Making sense of the Emerging Church

Darrin Patrick of the Journey in St. Louis recently did some lectures at Covenant Seminary on the history and nature of the emerging church.  I found it to be very well informed and well balanced.  He spoke to the positive contributions of the emerging church as well as the concerns.  There seemed to be a posture of humility as he spoke about this controversial topic.  I highly recommend downloading the lectures, especially if you keep hearing this term "emerging church" and have no idea what it's all about. 

You can download the lectures by visiting here.