Evangelicals seek ‘creators of culture’ role -

This is good to see...

Link: Evangelicals seek ‘creators of culture’ role -

Focus on Faith - MSNBC.com

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the gods aren't angry tour

We got our tickets. You should get yours.

Link: the gods aren't angry tour.

Motivation is overrated

So I've also been reading through John Maxwell's book Developing the Leader Within You this week.  I found the following quotes particularly striking and somewhat counter-intuitive...

• "Too many people want to feel, then take action.  This never works"

• From a sign in a doctor's office:  "We have news for you.  Motivation is not going to strike you like lightning.  And motivation is not something that someone else--nurse, doctor, family member--can bestow or force on you.  The whole idea of motivation is a trap.  Forget motivation.  Just do it.  Exercise, lose weight, test your blood sugar, or whatever.  Do it without motivation.  And then, guess what?  After you start doing the thing, that's when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it."

• "Instead of saying to our kids, 'Get a grateful attitude,' we ask them to give one compliment to every member of the family each day.  As this becomes a habit in their lives, the attitude of gratitude follows."

I found this refreshing to read as I am finding it is more and more true in my own life.  Granted there may be an initial moment of motivation, but it is the discipline that sustains and then leads to greater motivation.  I am finding this in my waking up schedule, Bible reading, YMCA (though slacking a bit as of late), etc. 

I think there is part of me that wants to rail against discipline at times because it can seem so formulaic or legalistic, but I am finding that is really not the case.  I feel the best when I am most disciplined.  I actually feel more free and in tune with how God wants me to orient my life.  Obviously disciple can become legalistic, but that seems more of an abuse of discipline.  It's a tricky balance, one that I am learning. 

Honey Rock Camp

It's hard to believe, but this time 12 years ago (Fall of '95) Heather was preparing to leave for her semester studying at Honey Rock Camp up here in the great Northwoods!  Honey Rock is the Northwoods campus of Wheaton College.  We had the enjoyable time of driving over to the camp this morning to "stroll down memory lane" and show the girls around.  Very surreal for Heather.  I've added a few pics from our little camp visit under "Eagle River"--the girls saw where Heather lived, studied and hung out.  It was a fun morning.

We definitely feel old though.  Can't believe college was that long ago.  Weird.

Eagle River Update

Still having a great time in the Northwoods, although little Mackinley is a bit under the weather.

UPDATE: Mackinley is feeling much better and actually got in the lake yesterday!  New pics have been added to Eagle River (Friday, July 27)

 

Wildlife update:  Saw a Bald Eagle yesterday right off the boat house.  Very cool. 

Book update:  reading The Emotionally Healthy Chuch...been very challenging.  The guy is very honest about his struggles in ministry and how he finally started getting healthy.  I'm thankful for books like this as we head into the next season of ministry, that will be full of new challenges.  The book tries to bring some balance to Orthodoxy (right belief), Orthopraxis (right action) and Orthpathos (right emotions).  He argues that Evangelicalism emphasizes the first 2 to the detriment of the 3rd.  It's all about triads (i.e. John Frame).

Picture update: New pics have been added under "Eagle River"

That's all for now, as Sydnie is tearing up the coffee shop we are in.  Dad has been on the computer too long.  What's new.

Peace.

Greetings from the Northwoods

Well we made it all the way up to Eagle River, WI yesterday.  The girls did remarkably well on the plane, with only a minor meltdown by Mackinley.  This place is absolutely beautiful.  Very remote.  We are staying in this little 2 bedroom cottage on Sunset Lake.  I've posted some pics in the "Eagle River" photo album.  Not many people shots (yet).  This is our final trip before beginning the church planting apprenticeship.  It has been so nice to have a mini-sabbatical during the month of July.  Very needed.  Very relaxing. 

Related trip aside...we told Sydnie we might see a bear up here, not thinking it would actually happen.  Sure enough, a black bear ran out in front of our rental van yesterday enroute to the house.  Really cool.  Nice to be in the car though. 

I'll try to post more throughout the week.  Peace.

'Church Squared' 2007

Interesting article by Ed Stetzer.

Link: 'Church Squared' 2007.