what a run it's been...
1. This morning was a great morning. the kids did a great job sleeping until 630...
2. yesterday, there were 4 great Christmas services at my campus. I got to teach the 3pm so that Jeff could teach at Barrington. He did a great job with the message and the creative arts team did an excellent job with the program.
3. We've finished up the remodel project on the main floor. The hope at the beginning was to use existing space to more effectively allow people to connect while at the campus. in the past few services it's been open, that's exactly what we've seen. It's exciting to see people stick around for a half hour just talking about life and what they just experienced.
4. Heidi's dad continues to recover from his heart attack. We're thankful to God for this...truly a miracle!
5. We're heading over to the Sue house for a great afternoon celebrating Christmas together.
6. I'm always struck by this holiday. It brings me back to the power of the birth...God with us.
May you sense God's presence as you celebrate today!
M@
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
hold on tight...
this season has been racing by...hence my horrible posting record. Sorry, Mom!
Here are a few quick hits from the past couple weeks:
1. I thought New York politics was dirty...welcome to the home of Rod Blogowhatever...he's taken things to a new level. Makes me proud.
2. Heidi's dad had a massive heart attack...while entering the hospital where one of hte best cardiologists in east michigan was on duty. God spared him in a big way. We're grateful to God that Lou is home today and doing great!
3. The renovation projects at The Chapel are winding down. Amazing!
4. God is faithful on so many fronts. Will name more later.
M@
Here are a few quick hits from the past couple weeks:
1. I thought New York politics was dirty...welcome to the home of Rod Blogowhatever...he's taken things to a new level. Makes me proud.
2. Heidi's dad had a massive heart attack...while entering the hospital where one of hte best cardiologists in east michigan was on duty. God spared him in a big way. We're grateful to God that Lou is home today and doing great!
3. The renovation projects at The Chapel are winding down. Amazing!
4. God is faithful on so many fronts. Will name more later.
M@
Friday, November 28, 2008
why?
Why is the President-elect, with no constitutional power but the power of influence, doing more (apparently) to help move the country forward than the man who holds the actual office of President?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
sunday afternoon
We had a great set of services this morning. In the midst of the Storm series (check out www.chapel.org/storm), Jeff talked about contentment.
That one hits me in the bullseye. I call it "truck envy"...whenever I see a great truck, a little part of me (and sometimes not to little) wants my own truck. I see the great prices and financing options these days. We could probably swing it.
Not worth it to feed the beast of discontent.
The challenge was to keep my focus on God and enjoy his presence each day. How true...when I focus on God, my heart is content. When my eyes become more focused on me...greed gets strong.
Contentment...enjoying God's presence in my life.
That one hits me in the bullseye. I call it "truck envy"...whenever I see a great truck, a little part of me (and sometimes not to little) wants my own truck. I see the great prices and financing options these days. We could probably swing it.
Not worth it to feed the beast of discontent.
The challenge was to keep my focus on God and enjoy his presence each day. How true...when I focus on God, my heart is content. When my eyes become more focused on me...greed gets strong.
Contentment...enjoying God's presence in my life.
Monday, November 03, 2008
prediction
Here's my prediction for the election tomorrow...
Obama will win both the electoral and popular vote. The popular vote will be relatively close. The electoral college will not.
It's been an interesting election to watch. Neither candidate actually campaigned strong. The strongest message was "change"...which is a pretty fluffly message. Neither presented strong plans and talking points. McCain didn't give people a reason to vote for him - so this became an election about Obama - can he really lead us? And I don't think that Obama's campaign made enough mistakes to make people swarm away from him.
The result will be that we will have at least 2 years of the first truly liberal government in America (liberal democrats will control the White House, House of Reps, and Senate). Previous Democrats have not been as fully liberal as our up-coming leadership.
What do you think will happen on Tuesday?
M@
Obama will win both the electoral and popular vote. The popular vote will be relatively close. The electoral college will not.
It's been an interesting election to watch. Neither candidate actually campaigned strong. The strongest message was "change"...which is a pretty fluffly message. Neither presented strong plans and talking points. McCain didn't give people a reason to vote for him - so this became an election about Obama - can he really lead us? And I don't think that Obama's campaign made enough mistakes to make people swarm away from him.
The result will be that we will have at least 2 years of the first truly liberal government in America (liberal democrats will control the White House, House of Reps, and Senate). Previous Democrats have not been as fully liberal as our up-coming leadership.
What do you think will happen on Tuesday?
M@
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
your words
LifeChurch.tv : swerve
a leadership, technology, and innovation blog for pastors and church leaders
Your Words Can Change a Life
By Craig Groeschel on encouragement
As a senior pastor, youth pastor, or student pastor, God can often use your words in an extra special way. It is not that you are better than a non-pastor, but your words can carry more weight in a person’s mind. Like it or not, many people see you as a representative of God. You should “feel that weight” as you speak.
You can look someone in the eyes and tell them:
“I believe in you.” They may never have heard that from anyone else. Give them the gift of your faith.
“You are making a difference.” Many great people serve Christ and His church for years without ever hearing those special words.
“God has forgiven you.” Many people confess their sins to God but don’t “feel” forgiven. You can speak on behalf of God’s promises and help set someone free from any false guilt they continue to carry.
“God used you in my life.” Occasionally someone will encourage me when I’m down and not even know it. I love to give them a return gift by telling them what God did through them for me.
I’d encourage you to become more and more generous with your words! I like what God said in Deuteronomy 3:28, “But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
Commission others to ministry with your words.
Strengthen others with your words.
Encourage others as long as it is called today.
How has God used your words?
a leadership, technology, and innovation blog for pastors and church leaders
Your Words Can Change a Life
By Craig Groeschel on encouragement
As a senior pastor, youth pastor, or student pastor, God can often use your words in an extra special way. It is not that you are better than a non-pastor, but your words can carry more weight in a person’s mind. Like it or not, many people see you as a representative of God. You should “feel that weight” as you speak.
You can look someone in the eyes and tell them:
“I believe in you.” They may never have heard that from anyone else. Give them the gift of your faith.
“You are making a difference.” Many great people serve Christ and His church for years without ever hearing those special words.
“God has forgiven you.” Many people confess their sins to God but don’t “feel” forgiven. You can speak on behalf of God’s promises and help set someone free from any false guilt they continue to carry.
“God used you in my life.” Occasionally someone will encourage me when I’m down and not even know it. I love to give them a return gift by telling them what God did through them for me.
I’d encourage you to become more and more generous with your words! I like what God said in Deuteronomy 3:28, “But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
Commission others to ministry with your words.
Strengthen others with your words.
Encourage others as long as it is called today.
How has God used your words?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wisdom of Warren Buffett: On Innovators, Imitators, and Idiots
written by bill taylor at http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/taylor/
I'm not sure who said it first, but I agree with the sentiment: "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste." We're all struggling to make sense of the financial crisis that has spread around the world, to learn some lessons that will guide us as we go forward. One of my worries is that many of us will learn the wrong lessons--specifically, that we will become too conservative and risk-averse, that we will learn to fear creativity rather than embrace it. It's easy to portray the credit crunch as a case study of creativity run amok. Who's the genius who invented subprime loans? Weren't we all better off before the creation of a $500-trillion market in derivatives, hard-to-understand financial contracts that are at the root of so much of what's gone wrong? Shouldn't we declare, once and for all, that our fascination with "disruptive" technologies, "breakthrough" innovations, and financial "reengineering" does more harm than good? Leave it to Warren Buffett, one of the world's richest men, to offer the most valuable advice on this score. In a recent hour-long television interview, Buffet gave a masterful course on how the world got into this financial mess. At one point, his interviewer asked the question that is on all our minds: "Should wise people have known better?" Of course, they should have, Buffett replied, but there's a "natural progression" to how good new ideas go wrong. He called this progression the "three Is." First come the innovators, who see opportunities that others don't. Then come the imitators, who copy what the innovators have done. And then come the idiots, whose avarice undoes the very innovations they are trying to use to get rich. The problem, in other words, isn't with innovation--it's with the idiocy that follows. So how do we as individuals (not to mention as companies and societies) continue to embrace the value-creating upside of creativity while guarding against the value-destroying downsides of imitation? The answer, it seems to me, is about values--about always being able to distinguish between that which is smart and that which is expedient. And that takes discipline. Can you distinguish between a genuine innovation and a mindless imitation? Are you prepared to walk away from ideas that promise to make money, even if they make no sense? It's not easy--which is why so many of us fall prey to so many bad ideas. "People don't get smarter about things that get as basic as greed," Warren Buffett told his interviewer. "You can't stand to see your neighbor getting rich. You know you're smarter than he is, but he's doing all these [crazy] things, and he's getting rich...so pretty soon you start doing it." Andrew Oswald, a professor of economics at the University of Warwick, has a more poetic way of making the same point. Oswald is a pioneer of a field that might be called "happiness economics"--the study of the interplay between money and human satisfaction. His rigorous academic work confirms the advice that we hear in our churches and from our shrinks--the relentless pursuit of wealth may fill your bank account, but it will leave you empty as a human being. "The curse of humanity is that people feel compelled to look over their shoulders," Professor Warwick told my colleague Polly LaBarre a while back. "Happiness and self-esteem depend on rank and relative income. We are consumed by relativism. If your neighbor drives up in a new Lexus, and you're still driving the Toyota that you were perfectly satisfied with yesterday, you start to become dissatisfied." So don't use the financial crisis as an excuse to stop taking chances or downsize your ambitions. But do use the crisis as an opportunity to take stock of what really matters--and to stop looking over your shoulder.
*********************
As I read this, I thought about the church, especially the "seeker movement". About 3 decades ago, there was an "innovation" in a couple of people, who started new churches in a new way. These new churches proved effective at connecting people with God in real and profound ways. The "neighbors" looked across the street, wished that their churches were as big, and imitated what they saw. Then along come the "idiots" Buffett talked about.
And poof...unintended consequences. Is it possible that, as the "idiot" sector gets ahold of these innovations in the church that we experience a crisis of sorts? I see one impact...when the "idiots" take things too far, then the rest of the church looks at the whole movement and condemns it outright.
anyway...not as articulate as buffett...just got me thinking on a Saturday morning.
M@
I'm not sure who said it first, but I agree with the sentiment: "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste." We're all struggling to make sense of the financial crisis that has spread around the world, to learn some lessons that will guide us as we go forward. One of my worries is that many of us will learn the wrong lessons--specifically, that we will become too conservative and risk-averse, that we will learn to fear creativity rather than embrace it. It's easy to portray the credit crunch as a case study of creativity run amok. Who's the genius who invented subprime loans? Weren't we all better off before the creation of a $500-trillion market in derivatives, hard-to-understand financial contracts that are at the root of so much of what's gone wrong? Shouldn't we declare, once and for all, that our fascination with "disruptive" technologies, "breakthrough" innovations, and financial "reengineering" does more harm than good? Leave it to Warren Buffett, one of the world's richest men, to offer the most valuable advice on this score. In a recent hour-long television interview, Buffet gave a masterful course on how the world got into this financial mess. At one point, his interviewer asked the question that is on all our minds: "Should wise people have known better?" Of course, they should have, Buffett replied, but there's a "natural progression" to how good new ideas go wrong. He called this progression the "three Is." First come the innovators, who see opportunities that others don't. Then come the imitators, who copy what the innovators have done. And then come the idiots, whose avarice undoes the very innovations they are trying to use to get rich. The problem, in other words, isn't with innovation--it's with the idiocy that follows. So how do we as individuals (not to mention as companies and societies) continue to embrace the value-creating upside of creativity while guarding against the value-destroying downsides of imitation? The answer, it seems to me, is about values--about always being able to distinguish between that which is smart and that which is expedient. And that takes discipline. Can you distinguish between a genuine innovation and a mindless imitation? Are you prepared to walk away from ideas that promise to make money, even if they make no sense? It's not easy--which is why so many of us fall prey to so many bad ideas. "People don't get smarter about things that get as basic as greed," Warren Buffett told his interviewer. "You can't stand to see your neighbor getting rich. You know you're smarter than he is, but he's doing all these [crazy] things, and he's getting rich...so pretty soon you start doing it." Andrew Oswald, a professor of economics at the University of Warwick, has a more poetic way of making the same point. Oswald is a pioneer of a field that might be called "happiness economics"--the study of the interplay between money and human satisfaction. His rigorous academic work confirms the advice that we hear in our churches and from our shrinks--the relentless pursuit of wealth may fill your bank account, but it will leave you empty as a human being. "The curse of humanity is that people feel compelled to look over their shoulders," Professor Warwick told my colleague Polly LaBarre a while back. "Happiness and self-esteem depend on rank and relative income. We are consumed by relativism. If your neighbor drives up in a new Lexus, and you're still driving the Toyota that you were perfectly satisfied with yesterday, you start to become dissatisfied." So don't use the financial crisis as an excuse to stop taking chances or downsize your ambitions. But do use the crisis as an opportunity to take stock of what really matters--and to stop looking over your shoulder.
*********************
As I read this, I thought about the church, especially the "seeker movement". About 3 decades ago, there was an "innovation" in a couple of people, who started new churches in a new way. These new churches proved effective at connecting people with God in real and profound ways. The "neighbors" looked across the street, wished that their churches were as big, and imitated what they saw. Then along come the "idiots" Buffett talked about.
And poof...unintended consequences. Is it possible that, as the "idiot" sector gets ahold of these innovations in the church that we experience a crisis of sorts? I see one impact...when the "idiots" take things too far, then the rest of the church looks at the whole movement and condemns it outright.
anyway...not as articulate as buffett...just got me thinking on a Saturday morning.
M@
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Bono on bailout...
H/T Julie Clawson via Reuters, September 25 (5 days ago)
As Congress debates a White House-proposed $700 billion bailout for the worst financial crisis since the Depression of the 1930s, Bono questioned why wealthy countries had not been able to come up with enough aid for the world’s problems.
“It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger,” the U2 lead singer told Clinton’s fourth annual philanthropic summit in New York. “That’s mad, that is mad.” … “Bankruptcy is a serious business and we all know people who have lost their jobs,” Bono said, referring to the bankruptcy declared by Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. “But this is moral bankruptcy.”
* And the musician makes a good point...
what do you think?
M@
As Congress debates a White House-proposed $700 billion bailout for the worst financial crisis since the Depression of the 1930s, Bono questioned why wealthy countries had not been able to come up with enough aid for the world’s problems.
“It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger,” the U2 lead singer told Clinton’s fourth annual philanthropic summit in New York. “That’s mad, that is mad.” … “Bankruptcy is a serious business and we all know people who have lost their jobs,” Bono said, referring to the bankruptcy declared by Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. “But this is moral bankruptcy.”
* And the musician makes a good point...
what do you think?
M@
Thursday, October 02, 2008
bosox
My BoSox are back in postseason baseball again! Repeating as champs should be a hard road through LA and Tampa...two teams they struggled to beat all season.
With the Cubs also in postseason, it's a fun time of year.
Went to Family Fusion last night (a great family event at my campus). During the music, my daughter, Libby, just grabbed my hand and started dancing with me in circles. Realizing she's been watching Cinderella a bit these days, I asked her if she was dancing like Cinderella. She just smiled and nodded her head.
My girl...truly a princess. I love being her daddy...
Had an amazing time up in the Dells this past weekend. F5 was given a gift of an overnight at a waterpark. amazing! The suite we stayed in was incredible - 2 rooms, kitchen, fireplace...the works. And 3 huge indoor water parks where we spent hours and hours running, swimming, sliding, and splashing. What a great time!
Thursday awaits...
M@
With the Cubs also in postseason, it's a fun time of year.
Went to Family Fusion last night (a great family event at my campus). During the music, my daughter, Libby, just grabbed my hand and started dancing with me in circles. Realizing she's been watching Cinderella a bit these days, I asked her if she was dancing like Cinderella. She just smiled and nodded her head.
My girl...truly a princess. I love being her daddy...
Had an amazing time up in the Dells this past weekend. F5 was given a gift of an overnight at a waterpark. amazing! The suite we stayed in was incredible - 2 rooms, kitchen, fireplace...the works. And 3 huge indoor water parks where we spent hours and hours running, swimming, sliding, and splashing. What a great time!
Thursday awaits...
M@
Saturday, September 27, 2008
think about it...
Scot McKnight: The Eschatology of Politics
By UrL Scaramanga on Doctrine
by Scot McKnight
mccain_peace.jpg
Somewhere between 6pm and 8pm, Central Time, on November 4th, 2008, the eschatology of American evangelicals will become clear. If John McCain wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical has an eschatology of politics. Or, alternatively, if Barack Obama wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical too has an eschatology of politics. Or, we could turn each around, if a more Democrat oriented evangelical becomes depressed and hopeless because McCain wins, or if a Republican oriented evangelical becomes depressed or hopeless because Obama wins, those evangelicals are caught in an empire-shaped eschatology of politics.
Obama-hope.jpg
Where is our hope? To be sure, I hope our country solves its international conflicts and I hope we resolve poverty and dissolve our educational problems and racism. But where does my hope turn when I think of war or poverty or education or racism? Does it focus on November 4? Does it gain its energy from thinking that if we get the right candidate elected our problems will be dissolved? If so, I submit that our eschatology has become empire-shaped, Constantinian, and political. And it doesn’t matter to me if it is a right-wing evangelical wringing her fingers in hope that a Republican wins, or a left-wing evangelical wringing her fingers in hope that a Democrat wins. Each has a misguided eschatology.
Now before I take another step, it must be emphasized that I participate in the election; and I think it makes a difference which candidate wins; and I think from my own limited perspective one candidate is better than the other.
But, participation in the federal election dare not be seen as the lever that turns the eschatological designs God has for this world. Where is our hope? November 4 may tell us. What I hope it reveals is that:
Our hope is in God. The great South African missiologist, David Bosch, in his book Transforming Mission impressed upon many of us that the church’s mission is not in fact the “church’s” mission but God’s mission. Our calling is to participate in the missio Dei, the mission of God in this world. So, at election time we can use the season to re-align our mission with the mission of God. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God. God’s mission is gospel-shaped. Some today want to reduce gospel to what we find in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, while others want to expand it to bigger proportions (and I’m one of the latter), we would do well at election time to re-align ourselves once again with the gospel as God’s good news for our world. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God that creates God’s people. God’s gospel-shaped mission creates a new people of God. In fact, the temptation of good Protestants to skip from Genesis 3 (the Fall) to Romans 3 (salvation) must be resisted consciously. We need to soak up how God’s gospel-shaped work always and forever creates a gospel people. The first thing God does with Abraham is to form a covenant people, Israel, and Jesus’ favorite word was “kingdom,” and Paul was a church-obsessed theologian-missionary. Herein lies the challenge at election time. We are tempted to divide the USA into the good and the bad and to forget that the gospel has folks on both sides of political lines. Even more: we are tempted to think that the winners of the election are those who are blessed by God when the blessing of God is on God’s people. God’s gospel-powered mission creates a new people, the church, where we are to see God’s mission at work. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God that creates a kind of people that extends God’s gospel to the world. Chris Wright’s big book, The Mission of God, reminds us that election is missional: God creates the people of God not so the people of God can compare themselves to those who are not God’s people, but so that God’s people will become a priesthood in this world to mediate the mission of God, so that all hear the good news that God’s grace is the way forward.
Our hope is in God’s mission in this world, and that mission transcends what happens November 4th.
By UrL Scaramanga on Doctrine
by Scot McKnight
mccain_peace.jpg
Somewhere between 6pm and 8pm, Central Time, on November 4th, 2008, the eschatology of American evangelicals will become clear. If John McCain wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical has an eschatology of politics. Or, alternatively, if Barack Obama wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical too has an eschatology of politics. Or, we could turn each around, if a more Democrat oriented evangelical becomes depressed and hopeless because McCain wins, or if a Republican oriented evangelical becomes depressed or hopeless because Obama wins, those evangelicals are caught in an empire-shaped eschatology of politics.
Obama-hope.jpg
Where is our hope? To be sure, I hope our country solves its international conflicts and I hope we resolve poverty and dissolve our educational problems and racism. But where does my hope turn when I think of war or poverty or education or racism? Does it focus on November 4? Does it gain its energy from thinking that if we get the right candidate elected our problems will be dissolved? If so, I submit that our eschatology has become empire-shaped, Constantinian, and political. And it doesn’t matter to me if it is a right-wing evangelical wringing her fingers in hope that a Republican wins, or a left-wing evangelical wringing her fingers in hope that a Democrat wins. Each has a misguided eschatology.
Now before I take another step, it must be emphasized that I participate in the election; and I think it makes a difference which candidate wins; and I think from my own limited perspective one candidate is better than the other.
But, participation in the federal election dare not be seen as the lever that turns the eschatological designs God has for this world. Where is our hope? November 4 may tell us. What I hope it reveals is that:
Our hope is in God. The great South African missiologist, David Bosch, in his book Transforming Mission impressed upon many of us that the church’s mission is not in fact the “church’s” mission but God’s mission. Our calling is to participate in the missio Dei, the mission of God in this world. So, at election time we can use the season to re-align our mission with the mission of God. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God. God’s mission is gospel-shaped. Some today want to reduce gospel to what we find in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, while others want to expand it to bigger proportions (and I’m one of the latter), we would do well at election time to re-align ourselves once again with the gospel as God’s good news for our world. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God that creates God’s people. God’s gospel-shaped mission creates a new people of God. In fact, the temptation of good Protestants to skip from Genesis 3 (the Fall) to Romans 3 (salvation) must be resisted consciously. We need to soak up how God’s gospel-shaped work always and forever creates a gospel people. The first thing God does with Abraham is to form a covenant people, Israel, and Jesus’ favorite word was “kingdom,” and Paul was a church-obsessed theologian-missionary. Herein lies the challenge at election time. We are tempted to divide the USA into the good and the bad and to forget that the gospel has folks on both sides of political lines. Even more: we are tempted to think that the winners of the election are those who are blessed by God when the blessing of God is on God’s people. God’s gospel-powered mission creates a new people, the church, where we are to see God’s mission at work. Therein lies our hope.
Our hope is in the gospel of God that creates a kind of people that extends God’s gospel to the world. Chris Wright’s big book, The Mission of God, reminds us that election is missional: God creates the people of God not so the people of God can compare themselves to those who are not God’s people, but so that God’s people will become a priesthood in this world to mediate the mission of God, so that all hear the good news that God’s grace is the way forward.
Our hope is in God’s mission in this world, and that mission transcends what happens November 4th.
debate
Well, the first presidential debate is in the books. I'm a "political junkie" of sorts - and presidential elections are the Super Bowl of politics. Right now...honestly...it's a little like Kansas City and St. Louis playing at the SB.
After last night's debate, I'm actually wondering if we can get a redo on the nominating process. Here's my quick-hit reasons...
1. McCain's strength is his in-depth knowledge of government, leadership, and speaking his own mind. Last night, he was clearly working to get his lines right. And even when he had a great line (I love the one about DNA testing on bears in Montana), he couldn't deliver them with any sense that he's actually human.
2. Obama's strength is his ability to string words together in a way that inspires people to something greater than their current experience. Last night was about as uninspiring as an AP Calculus class. Pundits are giving him credit for looking directly at the camera...really! He showed no leadership. He showed a book-worm's knowledge of foreign affairs. But, as the candidate of hope, offered none to speak of.
I will confess that I didn't watch every minute of the debate. I just couldn't it. I had to do something interesting just to keep my pulse in a safe range - and by interesting, I mean watching Heidi balance the check book.
Anyway...maybe a little hard...maybe not harsh enough.
Looking forward to the VP debate on Thursday...
M@
After last night's debate, I'm actually wondering if we can get a redo on the nominating process. Here's my quick-hit reasons...
1. McCain's strength is his in-depth knowledge of government, leadership, and speaking his own mind. Last night, he was clearly working to get his lines right. And even when he had a great line (I love the one about DNA testing on bears in Montana), he couldn't deliver them with any sense that he's actually human.
2. Obama's strength is his ability to string words together in a way that inspires people to something greater than their current experience. Last night was about as uninspiring as an AP Calculus class. Pundits are giving him credit for looking directly at the camera...really! He showed no leadership. He showed a book-worm's knowledge of foreign affairs. But, as the candidate of hope, offered none to speak of.
I will confess that I didn't watch every minute of the debate. I just couldn't it. I had to do something interesting just to keep my pulse in a safe range - and by interesting, I mean watching Heidi balance the check book.
Anyway...maybe a little hard...maybe not harsh enough.
Looking forward to the VP debate on Thursday...
M@
Thursday, September 11, 2008
VP Pick - part 2
I know it's been a couple weeks (sorry), so I'm a little late to the scene. However, since I posted a quick comment about Biden, I'm taking this chance to do the same about Palin.
In short, I think McCain's pick of Sarah Palin is nothing short of a brilliant political move. That pick communicates everything McCain wants to communicate:
1. Message #1: you want an agent of change...here I am!
2. I make the decisions here, not my staff.
3. I'm ready to lead the future of my party.
4. you ticked at Obama for dissing Hillary? You have a home over here in the GOP.
And in the past couple weeks, I think the McCain campaign has handled the celebrity, shock, and furry (on the part of the liberals and flat-footed media) just about perfectly. Brilliant.
On top of communicating what he wanted to by her pick, McCain completely stole the "bump" Obama would have gotten from an excellent convention and the most-watched nomination acceptance speeches ever. Amazing timing...the day after...and for the next 3 days, America googled and read about a little-known governor from the state of Alaska. Obama who?
and on that Friday afternoon in America, there began a true race for President.
In short, I think McCain's pick of Sarah Palin is nothing short of a brilliant political move. That pick communicates everything McCain wants to communicate:
1. Message #1: you want an agent of change...here I am!
2. I make the decisions here, not my staff.
3. I'm ready to lead the future of my party.
4. you ticked at Obama for dissing Hillary? You have a home over here in the GOP.
And in the past couple weeks, I think the McCain campaign has handled the celebrity, shock, and furry (on the part of the liberals and flat-footed media) just about perfectly. Brilliant.
On top of communicating what he wanted to by her pick, McCain completely stole the "bump" Obama would have gotten from an excellent convention and the most-watched nomination acceptance speeches ever. Amazing timing...the day after...and for the next 3 days, America googled and read about a little-known governor from the state of Alaska. Obama who?
and on that Friday afternoon in America, there began a true race for President.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
VP pick
What? Are you kidding me?
So, you're a youthful, popular, history-making, visionary (?) presidential candidate. Who do you pick as your running mate? A guy who's been in the Senate longer than most of your "fans" have been alive and who can't quite keep his feet out of his mouth.
Sure, Biden ads credentials to the ticket...but that's what cabinet posts are for. I can't believe that Joe Biden is really the best Obama's team can come up with.
This decision tells a lot about his judgment...and it's disappointing.
Just a little rant for a Saturday morning...
M@
So, you're a youthful, popular, history-making, visionary (?) presidential candidate. Who do you pick as your running mate? A guy who's been in the Senate longer than most of your "fans" have been alive and who can't quite keep his feet out of his mouth.
Sure, Biden ads credentials to the ticket...but that's what cabinet posts are for. I can't believe that Joe Biden is really the best Obama's team can come up with.
This decision tells a lot about his judgment...and it's disappointing.
Just a little rant for a Saturday morning...
M@
Friday, August 22, 2008
perspective
This is an email I received from a friend. His name is left off on purpose. It was a good challenge to my perspective on the world...
**************
The question I'm most often asked by friends or those who hear me speak are about the politics of the Middle East. They go like
this:
"I know you just talked for an hour about Jesus and how his Kingdom is growing – and that's very nice – but what we want to know is what do you think about our troops being in Iraq? Should we withdraw them or leave them? And while we're at it (they say in a soft voice, looking around to be sure no one is listening), who will you vote for – McCain or Obama?"
Second most asked question I get these days is about Iran's leader – Ahmadinejad. "So....what do you think about HIM? Pretty crazy huh? I think he has nuclear weapons already. Probably going to bomb us, or at least Israel. What do you think we should do?" (As if I know). :)
Questions then range from Sudan (Darfur and the so-called "Muslim-Christian" war there), to the Hezballah, Hamas and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
In some ways, I totally understand. I'm the "Middle East expert"
dude. I know some of these people. I've been in and out of the Arab world since 1983. Lived in Beirut for 12 years. I've immersed myself in the lives of these people for a long time. I do understand them.
What I don't understand is our fascination with the politics of earth. I get several emails a week from friends who know me well, asking what I think about this or that article or email from some other friend that they received. Usually (almost always actually) these emails which they are forwarding to me, are alarmist in nature. "The Muslims are taking over." "Beware of the REAL agenda behind such and such group." They are full of fear and suspicion.
And these are the ones I get from believers. Lovers of Jesus.
People of another Kingdom. I think the emails are generally innocent, sometimes even well-meaning. They're not mean or nasty.
They're just not the point.
This may surprise you!
1. Iran probably has the largest and fastest growing church in the Muslim world? Shi'ite Iranians are turning to Christ in huge numbers.
2. Likewise, there is a significant move of God in northern Iraq among the Kurds.
3. Sudan has an incredibly strong and growing church among Muslims – even in Darfur.
4. The Hezballah of south Lebanon and the Shi'ites they represent have always been the most open to the gospel of all the peoples of Lebanon. Remember back in the early 90's it was they who gave me permission to speak in Mosques about Jesus.
5. The Hamas continuously invite Brother Andrew to speak to them about Jesus – hundreds at a time.
Let's not lose focus. Ahmadinejad is a puppet in God's hands. God will raise him up and lower him as he wills. Sadam was nothing to God. The Hezballah have been and are currently being used by God to fulfill his purposes in South Lebanon. And as much as I and many of you think the Iraq war was a bad idea, God has used it to open up a nation to hear his Word!
Jesus is the answer! Not Obama or McCain. Not troops in or troops out. And even the worst of the terrorists can never stops the plans of the King of Heaven!
Let's stay on track – don't get sidetracked into idle and silly arguments this election season that don't really matter. Do vote for the ones who you know and trust – do be involved. But know that politics is only a temporary salve to the great issues of our day. The only solution is living within you and I. The powerful Spirit of the living God.
**************
The question I'm most often asked by friends or those who hear me speak are about the politics of the Middle East. They go like
this:
"I know you just talked for an hour about Jesus and how his Kingdom is growing – and that's very nice – but what we want to know is what do you think about our troops being in Iraq? Should we withdraw them or leave them? And while we're at it (they say in a soft voice, looking around to be sure no one is listening), who will you vote for – McCain or Obama?"
Second most asked question I get these days is about Iran's leader – Ahmadinejad. "So....what do you think about HIM? Pretty crazy huh? I think he has nuclear weapons already. Probably going to bomb us, or at least Israel. What do you think we should do?" (As if I know). :)
Questions then range from Sudan (Darfur and the so-called "Muslim-Christian" war there), to the Hezballah, Hamas and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
In some ways, I totally understand. I'm the "Middle East expert"
dude. I know some of these people. I've been in and out of the Arab world since 1983. Lived in Beirut for 12 years. I've immersed myself in the lives of these people for a long time. I do understand them.
What I don't understand is our fascination with the politics of earth. I get several emails a week from friends who know me well, asking what I think about this or that article or email from some other friend that they received. Usually (almost always actually) these emails which they are forwarding to me, are alarmist in nature. "The Muslims are taking over." "Beware of the REAL agenda behind such and such group." They are full of fear and suspicion.
And these are the ones I get from believers. Lovers of Jesus.
People of another Kingdom. I think the emails are generally innocent, sometimes even well-meaning. They're not mean or nasty.
They're just not the point.
This may surprise you!
1. Iran probably has the largest and fastest growing church in the Muslim world? Shi'ite Iranians are turning to Christ in huge numbers.
2. Likewise, there is a significant move of God in northern Iraq among the Kurds.
3. Sudan has an incredibly strong and growing church among Muslims – even in Darfur.
4. The Hezballah of south Lebanon and the Shi'ites they represent have always been the most open to the gospel of all the peoples of Lebanon. Remember back in the early 90's it was they who gave me permission to speak in Mosques about Jesus.
5. The Hamas continuously invite Brother Andrew to speak to them about Jesus – hundreds at a time.
Let's not lose focus. Ahmadinejad is a puppet in God's hands. God will raise him up and lower him as he wills. Sadam was nothing to God. The Hezballah have been and are currently being used by God to fulfill his purposes in South Lebanon. And as much as I and many of you think the Iraq war was a bad idea, God has used it to open up a nation to hear his Word!
Jesus is the answer! Not Obama or McCain. Not troops in or troops out. And even the worst of the terrorists can never stops the plans of the King of Heaven!
Let's stay on track – don't get sidetracked into idle and silly arguments this election season that don't really matter. Do vote for the ones who you know and trust – do be involved. But know that politics is only a temporary salve to the great issues of our day. The only solution is living within you and I. The powerful Spirit of the living God.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
road rash and suckers...
While preparing to have an important meeting Saturday evening, I got the phone call that parents dread. Kim stepped into my office, relaying the message: Izak is on his way to the hospital in an ambulance. There's been an accident.
One of my persistent challenges is what I call "adrenaline management." It's a place when one of my family is in danger and I get an injection of about 8000 cc's of adrenaline. But this time, I didn't do too badly in the face of this crisis.
I learned that you actually can squeal the tires of a minivan - for those of you who questioned the capacity of a minivan to drag race when needed.
Getting to the hospital, I gave the registration lady (who was very kind) 45 seconds to get what she needed before I proceeded to my son's room. She made good use of the time and pointed me in the right direction.
As I walked into the room, I see my son, strapped to the board and head immobilized. "Hi, Daddy! I got to ride in an ambulance!" And then he continued his very interesting conversation with his nurse and the paramedics who carried him in. The nurse chuckled as she recounted his first words while coming into the ER - "They have automatic doors!" He loves doors...
After a thorough inspection by a great doc, a ct scan to double check, Izak was released. The flying watoozee he did over his handle bars on his bike will be remembered by those around him, but not by him.
Later that night, as I was tucking him into bed, we did our nightly routine of processing the previous day - favorite part, not favorite part, and silly part.
Izak's favorite part of today? Riding in the ambulance.
Izak's non-favorite part of today? Dropping his sucker and seeing it shatter. Really? Is that the worst part of your day? Yeah, Dad...that was awful.
Ok then...he'll be ok. And Dad will, too.
My not-favorite part of that day? getting that awful call.
My favorite part? seeing God provide. He had his hand on my boy, and protected his body. And He provided an amazing family for Heidi and me. As I got to the hospital, a couple from our small group was already there - they altered there dinner plans and rushed over as soon as they heard the news. And throughout the evening, friends popped in to love on Izak and pray with us...just to stand by. That's part of the incredible gift of a church family. And I could not be more thankful.
M@
One of my persistent challenges is what I call "adrenaline management." It's a place when one of my family is in danger and I get an injection of about 8000 cc's of adrenaline. But this time, I didn't do too badly in the face of this crisis.
I learned that you actually can squeal the tires of a minivan - for those of you who questioned the capacity of a minivan to drag race when needed.
Getting to the hospital, I gave the registration lady (who was very kind) 45 seconds to get what she needed before I proceeded to my son's room. She made good use of the time and pointed me in the right direction.
As I walked into the room, I see my son, strapped to the board and head immobilized. "Hi, Daddy! I got to ride in an ambulance!" And then he continued his very interesting conversation with his nurse and the paramedics who carried him in. The nurse chuckled as she recounted his first words while coming into the ER - "They have automatic doors!" He loves doors...
After a thorough inspection by a great doc, a ct scan to double check, Izak was released. The flying watoozee he did over his handle bars on his bike will be remembered by those around him, but not by him.
Later that night, as I was tucking him into bed, we did our nightly routine of processing the previous day - favorite part, not favorite part, and silly part.
Izak's favorite part of today? Riding in the ambulance.
Izak's non-favorite part of today? Dropping his sucker and seeing it shatter. Really? Is that the worst part of your day? Yeah, Dad...that was awful.
Ok then...he'll be ok. And Dad will, too.
My not-favorite part of that day? getting that awful call.
My favorite part? seeing God provide. He had his hand on my boy, and protected his body. And He provided an amazing family for Heidi and me. As I got to the hospital, a couple from our small group was already there - they altered there dinner plans and rushed over as soon as they heard the news. And throughout the evening, friends popped in to love on Izak and pray with us...just to stand by. That's part of the incredible gift of a church family. And I could not be more thankful.
M@
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
da Bears...
I can't believe that the Bears aren't even on the rumor radar in this Favre thing. Even if it's not that #4 would end up in Chicago (boy, the Packers would surely send him a strong message by sending him to QB purgatory...or worse), then at least I'd love to see the Bears mentioned (even just mentioned) as a landing place for Simms when he's booted from Tampa to make room for #4. Not that Simms would be a great answer, but it would tell me that the Bears management was scrapping for something on the QB dog-pile. But no...they seem to feel good about the intense QB battle waging in training camp between two clowns who have already proved that they can't handle the snaps from center.
It's good to be a Pats fan;-)
M@
It's good to be a Pats fan;-)
M@
grand haven visit
Last Sunday morning, Heidi packed up the kids and headed to West Michigan to begin our GH vacation. On Monday morning, a crazy man who loves me drove me to Milwaukee to catch the ferry at 6am - we left Lake Villa at 4:15am...that's why he's crazy and must love me! Thanks, Jamie!!
After cruising across Lake Michigan, I caught up with the vacationing F5...what a time we had. Every day, we swam for hours in the pool at Aunt Sarah's and Uncle Dave's. What a great oasis they have in their new home!! The kids loved...loved...loved every moment. And it was great to catch up with my family a bit. Thank you all for having us!
Today, we drove home...made great time...about 4 hours.
I don't know that the trip included much rest...but that's what the whole F5 thing is all about...;-)
Great to be home...
I'm thankful for a wonderful family to visit. I'm thankful we have the ability to drive there and see them like this. I'm thankful for kids who are growing up enjoying extended family.
M@
After cruising across Lake Michigan, I caught up with the vacationing F5...what a time we had. Every day, we swam for hours in the pool at Aunt Sarah's and Uncle Dave's. What a great oasis they have in their new home!! The kids loved...loved...loved every moment. And it was great to catch up with my family a bit. Thank you all for having us!
Today, we drove home...made great time...about 4 hours.
I don't know that the trip included much rest...but that's what the whole F5 thing is all about...;-)
Great to be home...
I'm thankful for a wonderful family to visit. I'm thankful we have the ability to drive there and see them like this. I'm thankful for kids who are growing up enjoying extended family.
M@
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
mid life?
I've been 35 years old for just under a week now. I don't think I mind. At 35 years old, here are a few things I've learned...
- when I stay up most of the night working...I'm actually really tired the next day.
- it's ok to walk instead of jog...both are exercise and there is merit in being able to have a coherent thought beyond "Dear God, help me live..."
- pacing yourself for the long haul is pretty smart. Flaming out tomorrow isn't.
- there are always two sides to every story. More and more, I try to learn the sides before choosing one.
- I try to not to choose sides...but bring about healthy conversations.
- eating a huge bowl of ice cream really matters...the scale doesn't lie.
- i'm not the youngest guy on staff any more...but i'm still not the oldest;-)
I still eat too much sometimes. I still stay up too late. I still run too hard. But I'm learning more and more to trust in the provision and leadership of God.
Yup...35...it's the new mid-30s...
M@
- when I stay up most of the night working...I'm actually really tired the next day.
- it's ok to walk instead of jog...both are exercise and there is merit in being able to have a coherent thought beyond "Dear God, help me live..."
- pacing yourself for the long haul is pretty smart. Flaming out tomorrow isn't.
- there are always two sides to every story. More and more, I try to learn the sides before choosing one.
- I try to not to choose sides...but bring about healthy conversations.
- eating a huge bowl of ice cream really matters...the scale doesn't lie.
- i'm not the youngest guy on staff any more...but i'm still not the oldest;-)
I still eat too much sometimes. I still stay up too late. I still run too hard. But I'm learning more and more to trust in the provision and leadership of God.
Yup...35...it's the new mid-30s...
M@
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
37 years and 1 day...
37 years and 1 day ago, the world received a gift. We received:
- a brilliant mind
- a gentle touch
- a healing hand
- a humble spirit
- an amazing mother for 3 beautiful children
- a heart that beats passionately for God
- a compassionate ear to hear broken hearts
- a discerning spirit to see behind the facade
- a beautiful voice to express a worshipful soul
- wisdom
- an authentic friend
- a woman who loves her husband beyond what he deserves
- an infectious laugh
- an illuminous smile
- a playful glanse
- empathic tears
And all of these things came packed in a wonderful baby who would grow into my incredible wife, Heidi.
Happy Birthday, my Love!!
M@
- a brilliant mind
- a gentle touch
- a healing hand
- a humble spirit
- an amazing mother for 3 beautiful children
- a heart that beats passionately for God
- a compassionate ear to hear broken hearts
- a discerning spirit to see behind the facade
- a beautiful voice to express a worshipful soul
- wisdom
- an authentic friend
- a woman who loves her husband beyond what he deserves
- an infectious laugh
- an illuminous smile
- a playful glanse
- empathic tears
And all of these things came packed in a wonderful baby who would grow into my incredible wife, Heidi.
Happy Birthday, my Love!!
M@
Monday, July 07, 2008
quiet dinner
I used to observe couples out for dinner and wonder why they didn't speak to each other much at all. Tonight, Heidi and I enjoyed a nice meal out together to celebrate her birthday (tomorrow). Tonight's dinner came on the heals of a full Family Day. After having a mind-numbing number of conversations with toddlers, I now understand...it was a very nice, peaceful, and quiet dinner for two...shhhh....
Tomorrow is Heidi's birthday!!! Words can barely express how thankful I am for this woman and how deeply I love her.
More tomorrow...
M@
Tomorrow is Heidi's birthday!!! Words can barely express how thankful I am for this woman and how deeply I love her.
More tomorrow...
M@
Saturday, June 28, 2008
meeting with cake
tonight I met with a bunch of people from the worship teams. It was good to continue to talk through burning issues in the ministry. We also ate cake. I love cake!
It's important to keep lines of communication open. It's so easy to assume things are more open than they really are or to assume that someone doesn't really want to hear the problems or questions. But it's so important to keep the unity by loving truth-telling.
I think we took another good step together tonight.
on another note...I've been running pretty hard the past few weeks. Two very hard weeks, a more normal week, and then last week was tough. I'm excited to be working on the things I'm working on, but I also need to keep track of the cost to me and my family. I think we're doing ok these days...
Still processing my trip from last week. Much to learn from other campus pastors and loved being in that group. I think God is doing great things through the multi-site movement...I'm glad to be a part of it.
Good night...
m@
It's important to keep lines of communication open. It's so easy to assume things are more open than they really are or to assume that someone doesn't really want to hear the problems or questions. But it's so important to keep the unity by loving truth-telling.
I think we took another good step together tonight.
on another note...I've been running pretty hard the past few weeks. Two very hard weeks, a more normal week, and then last week was tough. I'm excited to be working on the things I'm working on, but I also need to keep track of the cost to me and my family. I think we're doing ok these days...
Still processing my trip from last week. Much to learn from other campus pastors and loved being in that group. I think God is doing great things through the multi-site movement...I'm glad to be a part of it.
Good night...
m@
Friday, June 20, 2008
OKC
I'm spending a couple nights in Oklahoma City, OK!! Wahoo! I'm at a forum for Campus Pastors - this is the first time that I've met with people in the same role as me, but at different churches. It's fascinating to hear how they process things. We've only met a couple hours and I'm already learning things...
We meet all day tomorrow, get to experience an evening service at LifeChurch.tv...one of the churches on the leading edge of multi-site movement.
Just walking into one of their facilities, I am inspired by how well they "brand" themselves. From their web site to the physical plant, there is a common vibe.
One of the things we talked about tonight is the peer relationships among campus pastors at the same church. I truly love the guys I serve beside. I also like them...we've got a great chemistry and sense of brotherhood. That is a very unique thing, from what I'm hearing. I'm often thankful for the other guys...but tonight, I'm reminded of what a gift it is to share life and ministry leadership with them.
What did you learn today?
M@
We meet all day tomorrow, get to experience an evening service at LifeChurch.tv...one of the churches on the leading edge of multi-site movement.
Just walking into one of their facilities, I am inspired by how well they "brand" themselves. From their web site to the physical plant, there is a common vibe.
One of the things we talked about tonight is the peer relationships among campus pastors at the same church. I truly love the guys I serve beside. I also like them...we've got a great chemistry and sense of brotherhood. That is a very unique thing, from what I'm hearing. I'm often thankful for the other guys...but tonight, I'm reminded of what a gift it is to share life and ministry leadership with them.
What did you learn today?
M@
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
in my humble opinion
Whenever a person begins with or ends with "In my humble opinion," it's usually more opinion than humble. I'm not sure I'm going to capture the correct balance here, either, but I'm going to just toss out a few thoughts and see where they lead...
- I'm glad the Democratic nomination process is over. I'm pleased for Obama. I think it's his election to lose in November.
- I don't like basketball all that much. Didn't watch one game during the NBA season and I'm not carrying much regret about that. However, I did enjoy the finals. I'm a Boston guy...so I love that the Celtics embarrassed the Lakers before sending Kobe home to cry on someone's shoulder like a freshly-spanked toddler (see, not much by way of humble on this one).
- I realize people tire of watching him win...but I love watching Tiger Woods golf. It's absolutely amazing. Was Jack incredible...sure thing. But that doesn't mean Tiger isn't also. He just won a major championship with a torn ACL and 2 stress fractures in his left leg. Amazing...
- Put Tiger's wound aside...the 2008 US Open may prove to be one of the most incredible and captivating championship I may ever see. The world's #1 against the world's #150ish battling it out over 91 holes. And we didn't know the winner until hole 91...until the final putts on hole 91. Incredible thing to see.
- trying out the Facebook thing. Seems sort of fun. We'll see...
- I'm sure glad that politicians can use the price of gas for their agenda. The left can use high prices to get rid of "gas-guzzling SUVs" and the right can use it to drill off-shore and in Alaska. Don't mind me...I'm just driving to work here...don't let me get in the way of your politics...
- Red Sox...love 'em!
Well...there we go...tossing a few things out. If you want to, leave a comment or your own thoughts on things...enjoy.
Peace,
M@
- I'm glad the Democratic nomination process is over. I'm pleased for Obama. I think it's his election to lose in November.
- I don't like basketball all that much. Didn't watch one game during the NBA season and I'm not carrying much regret about that. However, I did enjoy the finals. I'm a Boston guy...so I love that the Celtics embarrassed the Lakers before sending Kobe home to cry on someone's shoulder like a freshly-spanked toddler (see, not much by way of humble on this one).
- I realize people tire of watching him win...but I love watching Tiger Woods golf. It's absolutely amazing. Was Jack incredible...sure thing. But that doesn't mean Tiger isn't also. He just won a major championship with a torn ACL and 2 stress fractures in his left leg. Amazing...
- Put Tiger's wound aside...the 2008 US Open may prove to be one of the most incredible and captivating championship I may ever see. The world's #1 against the world's #150ish battling it out over 91 holes. And we didn't know the winner until hole 91...until the final putts on hole 91. Incredible thing to see.
- trying out the Facebook thing. Seems sort of fun. We'll see...
- I'm sure glad that politicians can use the price of gas for their agenda. The left can use high prices to get rid of "gas-guzzling SUVs" and the right can use it to drill off-shore and in Alaska. Don't mind me...I'm just driving to work here...don't let me get in the way of your politics...
- Red Sox...love 'em!
Well...there we go...tossing a few things out. If you want to, leave a comment or your own thoughts on things...enjoy.
Peace,
M@
Thursday, June 12, 2008
iron 2 iron
For the past 6 months, I've been meeting weekly with a group of men. We've met at 6am every Thursday. I don't like mornings, but this group has been so very worth it! As I prayed about the guys to invite into the group, I had a sense of God's leadership with each one. I love it when He pulls things together.
It's a very diverse group of men. You probably wouldn't find them in very many groups together. But God brought us together for a purpose.
We've walked through intense discussions on theology/doctrine, personal life stories, relational pain, great victories...we've opened our lives up together. And God has used our authenticity to grow each of us.
Next Thursday is our last offical meeting together. But in the course of the last 6 months, our lives have forever been connected by the power of God's Spirit.
I'm a little tired right now...4:15 wake-up is pretty un-natural for me. But when I feel tired, I think of the reason and give God thanks for these men.
Peace,
M@
It's a very diverse group of men. You probably wouldn't find them in very many groups together. But God brought us together for a purpose.
We've walked through intense discussions on theology/doctrine, personal life stories, relational pain, great victories...we've opened our lives up together. And God has used our authenticity to grow each of us.
Next Thursday is our last offical meeting together. But in the course of the last 6 months, our lives have forever been connected by the power of God's Spirit.
I'm a little tired right now...4:15 wake-up is pretty un-natural for me. But when I feel tired, I think of the reason and give God thanks for these men.
Peace,
M@
Saturday, June 07, 2008
falling behind...
I'm just not doing a good job on the blogging front these days. Sorry about that...
I've been putting a lot of mental and writing energy into several other fronts these days. I'm teaching this weekend, which I'm excited about. I've also been working on some strategic planning at the church.
Right now, I'm watching Hillary give her concession speech. This is her first lost campaign and only the second lost campaign for the Clinton family. Bill lost and then came back...hmmm...
Anyway...have a great weekend!
M@
I've been putting a lot of mental and writing energy into several other fronts these days. I'm teaching this weekend, which I'm excited about. I've also been working on some strategic planning at the church.
Right now, I'm watching Hillary give her concession speech. This is her first lost campaign and only the second lost campaign for the Clinton family. Bill lost and then came back...hmmm...
Anyway...have a great weekend!
M@
Friday, May 23, 2008
google it
You can tell a lot about a person by their Google history. I can tell what kind of day Heidi has had by looking at what she recently Googled. Last night, while she was at work, I got the kids in bed, and then sat down at the computer. Looking up at the right hand corner of the screen, in the little Google box, I read "matchbox car in muffler"
Not too matches found for that one. I suspect there may have been one find, reading something like "so you have a toddler!"
M@
ps - Midas doesn't know how to get matchbox cars out of mufflers either! It's just best not to put them there, as tempting as it may seem...
Not too matches found for that one. I suspect there may have been one find, reading something like "so you have a toddler!"
M@
ps - Midas doesn't know how to get matchbox cars out of mufflers either! It's just best not to put them there, as tempting as it may seem...
Thursday, May 22, 2008
personal update
Not been much for blogging lately. That's because I'm running at a pretty good clip. What's new, right? So here's a little personal update:
- Heidi and I had an amazing time in Vermont a couple weeks ago. We were given a gift certificate that allowed us to spend a few nights at our favorite in - we used to go there often when we lived in New England and New York. It's been over 6 years since we have been there. That gift, coupled with the incredible gift of family and friends staying with the kids, opened the door for us to experience The Vermont Inn once again. To the Eckrote, Cary, Sue, and Gleason families...words fall short of expressing what a gift you gave. Thank you!!
- I've had the opportunity to teach a few times in the past couple months. I enjoy doing it and am continually surprised by how God chooses to use my sometimes feeble attempt at stringing words together.
- Izak won some staples in his head last week. He slipped at school and split his head open on a table. I gat the call from Heidi just before staff meeting - she was already in the city at work and I needed to pick him up from school and take him to the acute care center. I did ok at adreneline management - something I'm not always great at. Taking him to the acute care center, they confirmed that he did need stitches. But instead of stitches, they would use staples. So the doctor pushed the easy buttom and stapled my boy's head! He was brave and strong - I was proud of him. At least I felt proud once the room stopped spinning - daddy got a little "woozy"...Yup...I'm not in the medical field on purpose. Staples come out tomorrow.
- I survived Amanda, my assistant, being gone for 2 weeks. I came "this close" to really goofing things up...but she came back in the nick of time and all is well. Whew!
- I'm meeting with a group of men early on Thursday mornings. What an incredible group! I don't like mornings, but I love meeting with these guys. We started in January and have been working curriculum that I'm pulling together from several places with the intention of us becoming more effective God-led leaders in our own lives, homes, community, and church.
Well...that's the scoop for now.
Peace,
M@
- Heidi and I had an amazing time in Vermont a couple weeks ago. We were given a gift certificate that allowed us to spend a few nights at our favorite in - we used to go there often when we lived in New England and New York. It's been over 6 years since we have been there. That gift, coupled with the incredible gift of family and friends staying with the kids, opened the door for us to experience The Vermont Inn once again. To the Eckrote, Cary, Sue, and Gleason families...words fall short of expressing what a gift you gave. Thank you!!
- I've had the opportunity to teach a few times in the past couple months. I enjoy doing it and am continually surprised by how God chooses to use my sometimes feeble attempt at stringing words together.
- Izak won some staples in his head last week. He slipped at school and split his head open on a table. I gat the call from Heidi just before staff meeting - she was already in the city at work and I needed to pick him up from school and take him to the acute care center. I did ok at adreneline management - something I'm not always great at. Taking him to the acute care center, they confirmed that he did need stitches. But instead of stitches, they would use staples. So the doctor pushed the easy buttom and stapled my boy's head! He was brave and strong - I was proud of him. At least I felt proud once the room stopped spinning - daddy got a little "woozy"...Yup...I'm not in the medical field on purpose. Staples come out tomorrow.
- I survived Amanda, my assistant, being gone for 2 weeks. I came "this close" to really goofing things up...but she came back in the nick of time and all is well. Whew!
- I'm meeting with a group of men early on Thursday mornings. What an incredible group! I don't like mornings, but I love meeting with these guys. We started in January and have been working curriculum that I'm pulling together from several places with the intention of us becoming more effective God-led leaders in our own lives, homes, community, and church.
Well...that's the scoop for now.
Peace,
M@
Never say "Never!"
I read this blog by Seth Godin today...
*****************************
Never's not such a long time
By Seth Godin
"I'll never buy from you again."
"I'll never vote for that candidate if my candidate loses."
"I'll never invest in that stock."
Never seems like a really long time, doesn't it? Practically forever.
Here's the thing. People who say 'never' actually mean, "until my situation or the story changes materially." Making bad decisions in the now to honor absolute statements in the past isn't particularly sustainable. Consumers, short-sighted as they are sometimes, are able to realize this pretty quickly.
In fact, the only thing shorter than 'never' is 'always.'
***********************
This reminded me of a store in Hamburg, NY. It was a department store that had habitually bad service. Once Christmas season, I could not find a store staff anywhere...seriously...anywhere. I stood in Aisle 8 and yelled, "CUSTOMER SERVICE TO AISLE 8 PLEASE! CUSTOMER SERVICE TO AISLE 8!" A couple people scurried over but still couldn't answer my question about the sale item in the circular.
I walked out of that store and determined that I would never go back again. I didn't. And less than a year later, it closed it's doors. Either I have super powers to determine the economic future of department store chains...or a bunch of people had a similar experience and the nevers added up.
I think about this in the church where I serve. There are going to be people who just don't like the way we do things: the music, the teaching, the [insert person or ministry here]. But we're not immune to a tidal wave of "I'll never..."
There are some things that are a part of who we are that will turn people off...that's just part of reality. But that means it's even more important to make sure we're not losing people on the unimportant stuff. We can choose to be welcoming, warm, fun, helpful...and in so doing, cut off a lot of the "I'll never..." before they even happen.
I'm not sure it's even all that profound...just a good reminder to me today. I don't want people to have to stand in the aisle and yell for help...
M@
*****************************
Never's not such a long time
By Seth Godin
"I'll never buy from you again."
"I'll never vote for that candidate if my candidate loses."
"I'll never invest in that stock."
Never seems like a really long time, doesn't it? Practically forever.
Here's the thing. People who say 'never' actually mean, "until my situation or the story changes materially." Making bad decisions in the now to honor absolute statements in the past isn't particularly sustainable. Consumers, short-sighted as they are sometimes, are able to realize this pretty quickly.
In fact, the only thing shorter than 'never' is 'always.'
***********************
This reminded me of a store in Hamburg, NY. It was a department store that had habitually bad service. Once Christmas season, I could not find a store staff anywhere...seriously...anywhere. I stood in Aisle 8 and yelled, "CUSTOMER SERVICE TO AISLE 8 PLEASE! CUSTOMER SERVICE TO AISLE 8!" A couple people scurried over but still couldn't answer my question about the sale item in the circular.
I walked out of that store and determined that I would never go back again. I didn't. And less than a year later, it closed it's doors. Either I have super powers to determine the economic future of department store chains...or a bunch of people had a similar experience and the nevers added up.
I think about this in the church where I serve. There are going to be people who just don't like the way we do things: the music, the teaching, the [insert person or ministry here]. But we're not immune to a tidal wave of "I'll never..."
There are some things that are a part of who we are that will turn people off...that's just part of reality. But that means it's even more important to make sure we're not losing people on the unimportant stuff. We can choose to be welcoming, warm, fun, helpful...and in so doing, cut off a lot of the "I'll never..." before they even happen.
I'm not sure it's even all that profound...just a good reminder to me today. I don't want people to have to stand in the aisle and yell for help...
M@
Monday, May 12, 2008
testing...
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to teach in the weekend services. I taught the concluding message in the series on generosity - Being Generous With Grace. Giving grace to others...
Saturday night, the message went well...I was pleased.
Then the test...in the middle of the night - about 2:08am - I woke up to the thumping of my neighbor's music. I could not zero in on exactly which neighbor, I just know that for about 2 hours, I was enjoying the base line of some pretty thumpin' music.
I hate being awakened...especially at 2am!!
I so badly wanted to run around the neighborhood, find who it was, and give them a piece of my mind. Yup...a test. To offer grace or to do what comes naturally.
Though I didn't get back to sleep for a couple of hours, I smiled in the morning as I thought about the test...
how have you been tested lately?
Saturday night, the message went well...I was pleased.
Then the test...in the middle of the night - about 2:08am - I woke up to the thumping of my neighbor's music. I could not zero in on exactly which neighbor, I just know that for about 2 hours, I was enjoying the base line of some pretty thumpin' music.
I hate being awakened...especially at 2am!!
I so badly wanted to run around the neighborhood, find who it was, and give them a piece of my mind. Yup...a test. To offer grace or to do what comes naturally.
Though I didn't get back to sleep for a couple of hours, I smiled in the morning as I thought about the test...
how have you been tested lately?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
American Christianity
Read this quote posted on another blog today:
“Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference - so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked…I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ; I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial, and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity.”
- Frederick Douglass, 1845
Are there ways in which the same thing could be said today? Are there ways that Christianity has become "Americanized" and diluted from the Christianity of Christ?
What do you think?
Matt
“Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference - so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked…I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ; I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial, and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity.”
- Frederick Douglass, 1845
Are there ways in which the same thing could be said today? Are there ways that Christianity has become "Americanized" and diluted from the Christianity of Christ?
What do you think?
Matt
Monday, April 14, 2008
catching up
wow...it's been a crazy month. you can usually tell when I'm running fast because the posts don't happen all too often.
I've been doing some weekend teaching, which is a lot of fun...extra work, but a great time. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses these opportunities to help people know Him better. I love seeing God work.
I have also been doing a lot of extra meetings - some one-on-one and other home meetings. We're into the final year of a 3-year campaign to raise funds for building expansion on my campus. Those meetings have been great - it's one thing to get excited about visions; it's a whole other thing to get excited with other people who are excited.
Heidi is holding things down at home while I run pretty hard. I can't thank her enough for the amazing strength and grace that she exhibits under pressure.
We had a little lunchtime date today. I love when I get a little of that extra time with her.
That's a short update...
Peace,
Matt
I've been doing some weekend teaching, which is a lot of fun...extra work, but a great time. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses these opportunities to help people know Him better. I love seeing God work.
I have also been doing a lot of extra meetings - some one-on-one and other home meetings. We're into the final year of a 3-year campaign to raise funds for building expansion on my campus. Those meetings have been great - it's one thing to get excited about visions; it's a whole other thing to get excited with other people who are excited.
Heidi is holding things down at home while I run pretty hard. I can't thank her enough for the amazing strength and grace that she exhibits under pressure.
We had a little lunchtime date today. I love when I get a little of that extra time with her.
That's a short update...
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, March 27, 2008
over the door
Seth Godin (a prolific blogger on remarkability in business) writes that there is a sign over the door from the kitchen in his favorite hotel that reminds wait staff:
"If you're not proud of it, don't serve it." [Note: the word "proud" in this blog does not mean arrogance...it's used to communite something that I feel great about being a part of.]
In the hustle of life and ministry, it can sometimes be easy to settle into a standard that is less than excellent. Get the project done and out the door and then move onto the next one.
So what is a good "standard of excellence"? It's Matt's version of excellent when I can say, "I'm proud of that."
Am I proud of the message I'm writing to give this weekend?
Am I proud of the elements of the service?
Am I proud of the time I gave to the person who stopped in because they needed to speak to a pastor?
Am I proud of the way I interacted with my staff today?
What about other arenas...
Am I proud of the time I spent with my kids?
Am I proud of the time I spent along with God?
Am I proud of the way I manage my life/time/money?
"Proud of" is not the same as perfect. There are rythms to life that impact my ability to do any of the above. But in light of reality, how do I feel about what I "serve" to the people around me and to God?
What about you?
"If you're not proud of it, don't serve it." [Note: the word "proud" in this blog does not mean arrogance...it's used to communite something that I feel great about being a part of.]
In the hustle of life and ministry, it can sometimes be easy to settle into a standard that is less than excellent. Get the project done and out the door and then move onto the next one.
So what is a good "standard of excellence"? It's Matt's version of excellent when I can say, "I'm proud of that."
Am I proud of the message I'm writing to give this weekend?
Am I proud of the elements of the service?
Am I proud of the time I gave to the person who stopped in because they needed to speak to a pastor?
Am I proud of the way I interacted with my staff today?
What about other arenas...
Am I proud of the time I spent with my kids?
Am I proud of the time I spent along with God?
Am I proud of the way I manage my life/time/money?
"Proud of" is not the same as perfect. There are rythms to life that impact my ability to do any of the above. But in light of reality, how do I feel about what I "serve" to the people around me and to God?
What about you?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
unanswered prayers
This article from The Onion explains a lot:
Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites
March 19, 2008 | Issue 44•12
HOUSTON—According to an official NASA report released Saturday, nearly 32 percent of all prayers exiting Earth are deflected off satellites orbiting the planet—ultimately preventing the discharged requests for divine intervention from ever making it to the Gates of Heaven. "After impact with the satellite, these diverted prayers typically plummet back into the atmosphere, where they either burn up or eventually land, unanswered, in a body of water," the report read in part. "Of the remaining prayers, research confirms 64 percent fail to make it past the stratosphere because they aren't prayed hard enough, 94 percent of those with enough momentum are swallowed by a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and 43 percent are eaten by birds." The report concluded that, of the 170 billion prayers issued last month, one made it to God, whose reply was intercepted by a hurricane and incorrectly delivered to a Nigerian man who reportedly did not know what to do with his brand-new Bowflex machine.
***************
I'm sure there are other explainations of unanswered prayers, but some days, doesn't it feel like this one fits?
Peace,
M@
Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites
March 19, 2008 | Issue 44•12
HOUSTON—According to an official NASA report released Saturday, nearly 32 percent of all prayers exiting Earth are deflected off satellites orbiting the planet—ultimately preventing the discharged requests for divine intervention from ever making it to the Gates of Heaven. "After impact with the satellite, these diverted prayers typically plummet back into the atmosphere, where they either burn up or eventually land, unanswered, in a body of water," the report read in part. "Of the remaining prayers, research confirms 64 percent fail to make it past the stratosphere because they aren't prayed hard enough, 94 percent of those with enough momentum are swallowed by a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and 43 percent are eaten by birds." The report concluded that, of the 170 billion prayers issued last month, one made it to God, whose reply was intercepted by a hurricane and incorrectly delivered to a Nigerian man who reportedly did not know what to do with his brand-new Bowflex machine.
***************
I'm sure there are other explainations of unanswered prayers, but some days, doesn't it feel like this one fits?
Peace,
M@
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Son Rise
The windows in my office face east. I'm here really early for our first-of-the-day Easter service. I typically don't like early mornings. But the view from my window and the anticipation of a great morning are stirring me.
The sun is beginning to show itself behind the horizon of clouds. It's the tell-tale sign that the night is done and the morning is just about here.
Moment by moment it gets brighter.
Some people see only the laws of physics at work in the rotation of the earth. Today, I'm reminded of God's goodness in creating a daily reminder of a great spirital reality - the night will end and the Son will come.
Yup...it's a great day for a Son rise...
Happy Easter!
M@
The sun is beginning to show itself behind the horizon of clouds. It's the tell-tale sign that the night is done and the morning is just about here.
Moment by moment it gets brighter.
Some people see only the laws of physics at work in the rotation of the earth. Today, I'm reminded of God's goodness in creating a daily reminder of a great spirital reality - the night will end and the Son will come.
Yup...it's a great day for a Son rise...
Happy Easter!
M@
367
367...that's how many days I've been on staff at The Chapel (leap year and yesterday was the one year anniversary). I began this journey, together with my family, with an understanding of God's leadership, but no real idea what it would look like. I guess that's the essence of faith, isn't it?
After resigning from Northwest Christian Community, I didn't know what was next. The resignation was a step of faith, in itself. Heidi and I were prepared and even hoping that the next stop would be back in Buffalo, NY - not that we loved Buffalo, but we love many people there.
Even as we wondered about Buffalo, we both had a sense in our spirits that our work in IL was not done. Again, we didn't know what that would look like, but were working on trust.
This past year has been an amazing adventure. Very quickly, I connected with so many new friends - people from my campus as well as other staff. I've experienced daunting challenges. I've seen God navigate our way through those challenges. I've had hard as well as inspiring conversations with people. From the very outset, I experienced a bonding with my new church family - I was a bit startled by the intensity of that relationship.
Today, as I sit in my office, it feels like I've only been here a few days. Yet, at the same time, it feels like it's been years. I've experienced God's hand of faithfulness gently guiding through this past year. And I anticipate with excitement the same for the year to come.
Peace on the Journey,
Matt
After resigning from Northwest Christian Community, I didn't know what was next. The resignation was a step of faith, in itself. Heidi and I were prepared and even hoping that the next stop would be back in Buffalo, NY - not that we loved Buffalo, but we love many people there.
Even as we wondered about Buffalo, we both had a sense in our spirits that our work in IL was not done. Again, we didn't know what that would look like, but were working on trust.
This past year has been an amazing adventure. Very quickly, I connected with so many new friends - people from my campus as well as other staff. I've experienced daunting challenges. I've seen God navigate our way through those challenges. I've had hard as well as inspiring conversations with people. From the very outset, I experienced a bonding with my new church family - I was a bit startled by the intensity of that relationship.
Today, as I sit in my office, it feels like I've only been here a few days. Yet, at the same time, it feels like it's been years. I've experienced God's hand of faithfulness gently guiding through this past year. And I anticipate with excitement the same for the year to come.
Peace on the Journey,
Matt
Saturday, March 22, 2008
fire in the fireplace
Last night was a cold Friday night. Chicagoland won the snow lottery and we ended up with about a foot in our neck of the woods. After a busy day, preparing for and executing 3 Good Friday services at my campus, Heidi and I found ourselves in front of a roaring fire as the day came to a close.
During each service, I invited anyone who wanted to participate, to write down their sin(s) on a piece of paper and then nail them to large beams of wood on either side of the auditorium. After everyone had a chance to do so, the beams were assembled to make a cross, which was carried to the front and raised in silence. It was powerful... huge cross standing tall and bold at the front of the room, holding the written confessions of hundreds of people.
As the Campus Pastor, it was my honor to take home each of those slips of paper and dispose of them forever. Without reading any of them (but knowing each slip contained the source of guilt and shame for a person) I put handful after handful of the "sins" into the fireplace.
It was a hot fire. It was a large fire. It was a grace-filled fire. My fire only got rid of the paper. Christ on the cross got rid of the sin.
All in all...a great Friday to remember.
Peace,
Matt
During each service, I invited anyone who wanted to participate, to write down their sin(s) on a piece of paper and then nail them to large beams of wood on either side of the auditorium. After everyone had a chance to do so, the beams were assembled to make a cross, which was carried to the front and raised in silence. It was powerful... huge cross standing tall and bold at the front of the room, holding the written confessions of hundreds of people.
As the Campus Pastor, it was my honor to take home each of those slips of paper and dispose of them forever. Without reading any of them (but knowing each slip contained the source of guilt and shame for a person) I put handful after handful of the "sins" into the fireplace.
It was a hot fire. It was a large fire. It was a grace-filled fire. My fire only got rid of the paper. Christ on the cross got rid of the sin.
All in all...a great Friday to remember.
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, March 20, 2008
bracketology 2008
I really don't like basketball. I hope my kids don't pick it up as one of their sports. But if they do, I'll cheer.
But I'm a sucker for competition. So in March, I complete my brackets and trash-talk as if I've been watching all teams all year.
I got my bracket done just in time today. My final for are...
Louisville
Memphis
UCLA
Georgetown
I have a couple sleepers. And this year, I didn't have MSU going all the way - it pained me to drop them to Memphis in the Sweet 16. Sorry Coach Izzo...now watch, they win the whole dang thing!!
Share your final four if you want...
M@
But I'm a sucker for competition. So in March, I complete my brackets and trash-talk as if I've been watching all teams all year.
I got my bracket done just in time today. My final for are...
Louisville
Memphis
UCLA
Georgetown
I have a couple sleepers. And this year, I didn't have MSU going all the way - it pained me to drop them to Memphis in the Sweet 16. Sorry Coach Izzo...now watch, they win the whole dang thing!!
Share your final four if you want...
M@
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
NY, NY
"My name is David Paterson, and I'm the Governor of New York!" heard moments after taking the oath of office to replace Elliot Spitzer, who resigned because he hired hookers.
Moments later Governor Paterson told reporters that he had multiple extra-marital affairs while he and his wife were having a rough go at marriage. Apparently, she did, too.
What?!?! He didn't bring it up earlier in his political career because it didn't seem relevant. But now he doesn't want it to interfere with his governorship. Nice...
Is is too much for us to expect our leaders to be men and women of integrity? Is is possible for people to "climb the ladder" while maintaining the fabric of their character?
You know what? I actually think it's possible. I think it's possible to be a great leader without being a jerk or hypocrite. I think it's possible to lead movements while loving one's family well and cultivating healthy relationships with friends who aren't impressed with us.
It's possible. It's hard. But it's possible.
I'm grateful to be directly led by people who strive for this kind of leadership. I'm thankful that they will push me to be this kind of leader.
By God's grace...it's possible...
M@
Moments later Governor Paterson told reporters that he had multiple extra-marital affairs while he and his wife were having a rough go at marriage. Apparently, she did, too.
What?!?! He didn't bring it up earlier in his political career because it didn't seem relevant. But now he doesn't want it to interfere with his governorship. Nice...
Is is too much for us to expect our leaders to be men and women of integrity? Is is possible for people to "climb the ladder" while maintaining the fabric of their character?
You know what? I actually think it's possible. I think it's possible to be a great leader without being a jerk or hypocrite. I think it's possible to lead movements while loving one's family well and cultivating healthy relationships with friends who aren't impressed with us.
It's possible. It's hard. But it's possible.
I'm grateful to be directly led by people who strive for this kind of leadership. I'm thankful that they will push me to be this kind of leader.
By God's grace...it's possible...
M@
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Buffalo
Last week, I spent a few days in Buffalo, NY. It was great to spend some time with old friends and be with people who continue to mean a great deal to me.
This trip was unique from past trips...I had some new friends along with me. Scott and Jamie were with me. Along with having several great meetings planned, they were also eager for me to show them around my old world.
We drove around the city, where I had invested in several great ministry ventures. I drove them past our old house - a great little Civil War era cottage on two acres of land. We walked through the campus of Hamburg Wesleyan, getting a chance to meet so many people who are embedded deep in my heart.
It was my world...not theirs. I cannot overemphasize the gift it was to me that they cared so much about seeing a bit of my past. They listened as I told the stories. They waited patiently as I hugged and talked with a few friends. They met so many of the staff who are dear to me.
What a gift these men gave me. When I came on board, they talked about the desire to be a "band of brothers" in serving Christ. That hope has become a reality into which I have been invited. I am honored to lock arms with these men and follow Christ in faithful obedience.
M@
This trip was unique from past trips...I had some new friends along with me. Scott and Jamie were with me. Along with having several great meetings planned, they were also eager for me to show them around my old world.
We drove around the city, where I had invested in several great ministry ventures. I drove them past our old house - a great little Civil War era cottage on two acres of land. We walked through the campus of Hamburg Wesleyan, getting a chance to meet so many people who are embedded deep in my heart.
It was my world...not theirs. I cannot overemphasize the gift it was to me that they cared so much about seeing a bit of my past. They listened as I told the stories. They waited patiently as I hugged and talked with a few friends. They met so many of the staff who are dear to me.
What a gift these men gave me. When I came on board, they talked about the desire to be a "band of brothers" in serving Christ. That hope has become a reality into which I have been invited. I am honored to lock arms with these men and follow Christ in faithful obedience.
M@
Sue
Sue is my sister. And she hates being called "Sue". But...I'm her brother...her little brother...so I call her Sue. And she lets me!
She just recently had a big birthday. No, not 50...but not too far off from there...;-)
It's been amazing for me to see her grow as a woman, Christ-follower, mother, wife, and leader in the years I've known her.
Growing up, things were a bit more contentious, I'd say. I'm more than 5 years younger than she is...so you can imagine what a pain it was for her to have a brother like me! And she's as strong-willed as I am. So there were definitely some interesting times.
As she has neared the ripe old age of __0, she's applied her wisdom in so many ways. I see her invest in her boys with love and strength. I see her as a helper and encourager for her husband. And I see her invest in so many people.
I love you, Suzy...happy birthday!
M@
She just recently had a big birthday. No, not 50...but not too far off from there...;-)
It's been amazing for me to see her grow as a woman, Christ-follower, mother, wife, and leader in the years I've known her.
Growing up, things were a bit more contentious, I'd say. I'm more than 5 years younger than she is...so you can imagine what a pain it was for her to have a brother like me! And she's as strong-willed as I am. So there were definitely some interesting times.
As she has neared the ripe old age of __0, she's applied her wisdom in so many ways. I see her invest in her boys with love and strength. I see her as a helper and encourager for her husband. And I see her invest in so many people.
I love you, Suzy...happy birthday!
M@
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Sarah
Happy birthday to my sister, Sarah, today! She's older than I am...it's important to know that up front. Here are some of my thoughts about my older (did I mention that already) sister...
- Enough with the degrees already! With almost 40 years of education under your belt...stop already;-) Actually, I'm quite proud of her 37 Masters Degrees (maybe a slight exaggeration)...she works hard to grow and develop.
- I had her as a student teacher when I was in high school (did I mention that she's older than I). She was a good teacher way back then...I'm sure she's even better now.
- She's one of the people who taught me much about grace. As the "baby" of the family, I was occasionally inclined toward wanting my own way. Sarah was always so gracious to me.
Happy birthday, Sarah...
M@
- Enough with the degrees already! With almost 40 years of education under your belt...stop already;-) Actually, I'm quite proud of her 37 Masters Degrees (maybe a slight exaggeration)...she works hard to grow and develop.
- I had her as a student teacher when I was in high school (did I mention that she's older than I). She was a good teacher way back then...I'm sure she's even better now.
- She's one of the people who taught me much about grace. As the "baby" of the family, I was occasionally inclined toward wanting my own way. Sarah was always so gracious to me.
Happy birthday, Sarah...
M@
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Grandpa Al
I was the goofy kid down the street. I'd stop over at Al and Bette's home unannounced. And never once did they act put out. He didn't need my company - his life was full, his kids were adults, and a 7 year old kid...well, he'd done that already.
He'd let me pal around with him in the garden or down in the woodshop. As he went about his business, he made sure I was learning the trade. An early morning found us putting the boat in the water for an adventure on the high seas of Lake Michigan - the fish were safe that day.
When I kept falling down while learning to cross country ski, I'd get so frustrated. Knowing that misery loves company, Al would take a dive now and then...just so I wouldn't be alone lying in the snow.
My grandparents lived in other states. And after my father's death, his parents didn't stay in contact. Grandparents' day at school would have been a huge bummer...except that Al would be there waiting. He take an interest in my schoolwork and eat some lunch with me. He didn't have to...he just did.
He served his country in World War II. He served his community as a volunteer. He servced God through his church. He served his family as a husband, father, and provider. And this humble man served a seven year old kid from down the street.
I learned a little bit about gardening, woodwork, boating, and skiing from Al. But more than any of that, his gentle presence taught me about God's love. The gifts he gave me I carry in my soul even today.
Al lost his battle with cancer last week. But this "loss" created the opportunity for him to walk the victor's walk. Today, he see clearly what he saw as only a dim reflection in his life - God's love for him. By God's grace, you ran well, Grandpa Al. Godspeed...
Matt...the kid down the road...
He'd let me pal around with him in the garden or down in the woodshop. As he went about his business, he made sure I was learning the trade. An early morning found us putting the boat in the water for an adventure on the high seas of Lake Michigan - the fish were safe that day.
When I kept falling down while learning to cross country ski, I'd get so frustrated. Knowing that misery loves company, Al would take a dive now and then...just so I wouldn't be alone lying in the snow.
My grandparents lived in other states. And after my father's death, his parents didn't stay in contact. Grandparents' day at school would have been a huge bummer...except that Al would be there waiting. He take an interest in my schoolwork and eat some lunch with me. He didn't have to...he just did.
He served his country in World War II. He served his community as a volunteer. He servced God through his church. He served his family as a husband, father, and provider. And this humble man served a seven year old kid from down the street.
I learned a little bit about gardening, woodwork, boating, and skiing from Al. But more than any of that, his gentle presence taught me about God's love. The gifts he gave me I carry in my soul even today.
Al lost his battle with cancer last week. But this "loss" created the opportunity for him to walk the victor's walk. Today, he see clearly what he saw as only a dim reflection in his life - God's love for him. By God's grace, you ran well, Grandpa Al. Godspeed...
Matt...the kid down the road...
Monday, February 04, 2008
stunning...
The Pats' loss to the Giants last night was stunning...
- Eli wins the big one in half the career of his older brother.
- Eli spends most of the year trying to keep his job...now he's the Superbowl MVP.
- Bill Belichick was outchoached and seemd to channel the spirit of Schottenheimer.
- Brady's offensive line was...offensive.
- Eli out-Brady-ed Tom Brady. Brady is famous for getting the final drive into the end zone for the win.
- the Pats busted tail all year long to loose only one game...THE game...
Yup...stunning...
And now I know what it feels like to be a Buckeye fan...
Congrats to the Giants fans.
- Eli wins the big one in half the career of his older brother.
- Eli spends most of the year trying to keep his job...now he's the Superbowl MVP.
- Bill Belichick was outchoached and seemd to channel the spirit of Schottenheimer.
- Brady's offensive line was...offensive.
- Eli out-Brady-ed Tom Brady. Brady is famous for getting the final drive into the end zone for the win.
- the Pats busted tail all year long to loose only one game...THE game...
Yup...stunning...
And now I know what it feels like to be a Buckeye fan...
Congrats to the Giants fans.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
quick hits
Not much of an update, but I just couldn't not do something...
- not too inspired by many candidates this political season. I normally like the presidential race. At this point, it's a B-Movie kind of year...
- Go Pats!! I'm hoping for a Pats blowout this weekend...what a great way to end a football season!
- Kids are all healthy...today...
- good things going on at church. I love being a part of this ministry team! Every day I am thankful for God brining me to The Chapel.
See...not much of an update...but it's something.
Have a great weekend!
M@
- not too inspired by many candidates this political season. I normally like the presidential race. At this point, it's a B-Movie kind of year...
- Go Pats!! I'm hoping for a Pats blowout this weekend...what a great way to end a football season!
- Kids are all healthy...today...
- good things going on at church. I love being a part of this ministry team! Every day I am thankful for God brining me to The Chapel.
See...not much of an update...but it's something.
Have a great weekend!
M@
Monday, January 21, 2008
a recond beaten
With their victory yesterday, the New England Patriots hold the record for the most wins in an undefeated single season; 18-0.
The Super Bowl should live up to the hype...the good team will stand strong with the great team. But in the end, my prediction is that the great team will stand with the trophy and a place in history as the best team in NFL history.
I was hoping for the Packers last night. For starters, I think that Eli Manning doesn't deserve to be given the same title (quarterback) as Brett Favre. I love how people talk about him having a few good games...maybe Rex Grossman could get signed with the Giants as Eli's backup and learn a few things about how to string together a few good games.
I'm not a very good pundit, but those are my thoughts on a Monday.
Back to Family Day!
M@
The Super Bowl should live up to the hype...the good team will stand strong with the great team. But in the end, my prediction is that the great team will stand with the trophy and a place in history as the best team in NFL history.
I was hoping for the Packers last night. For starters, I think that Eli Manning doesn't deserve to be given the same title (quarterback) as Brett Favre. I love how people talk about him having a few good games...maybe Rex Grossman could get signed with the Giants as Eli's backup and learn a few things about how to string together a few good games.
I'm not a very good pundit, but those are my thoughts on a Monday.
Back to Family Day!
M@
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
clear test
My friend from Buffalo, Rick, had his 3-month test for bladder cancer today. For the second time the test was clear!! So many people here in Chicago have been praying for him...thank you all! It's been such an awesome answer to prayer.
M@
M@
Monday, January 14, 2008
a record tied
I've read several online sports writers today, recapping the past weekend. I was shocked that not one article mentioned that, with their victory on Saturday night, the Pats tied the standing record for most wins in one season. The 1972 Miami Dophins won all of their regular season games and the Super Bowl to finish the season 17-0. Since that time, the regular season has been extended by two games. So with this past weekend's defeat of the Jags, our boys in New England are standing at 17-0. With this Sunday's win over San Diego, they will own, alone, the single season's best record. And with the Super Bowl victory...well...you know...the records just keep coming this season.
That's all. Just a little tid-bit to taunt my wish-against-the-Pats-at-all-costs friends;-)
Happy Monday!
M@
That's all. Just a little tid-bit to taunt my wish-against-the-Pats-at-all-costs friends;-)
Happy Monday!
M@
Friday, January 11, 2008
Go, Pats!
I put that in the title box to catch the attention of a few friends. There are surprisingly few Patriots fans in Chicago. That's ok...Heidi and I are happy to root on the boys from Beantown!
It's been a crazy holiday season. We actually did a good job managing our schedules, but we both still felt a bit drained. After 6 Christmas services at my Chapel campus (which were AWESOME!!) we celebrated a nice Christmas day as F5. Then on Wednesday, we drove to Grand Haven to spend a day with my family. It was a good visit until the middle of the night when Lib woke up very sick with a respiratory thing. We were debating either driving home or to the ER at midnight...not fun. But Heidi, as the super mommy/nurse that she is, got Lib settled in and on the mend.
Heading home the next day, Levi started to have trouble breathing. Fire up the nebulizer! By Saturday, we were in the ER with him, diagnosed with Pneumonia. More meds and breathing treatments.
Friday night, the Bay City contingency arrived in town. Then on Saturday, the Pittsburgh crew showed up. I did the message in the weekend services on my campus. Thus...a crazy weekend.
But after New Years, things settled in a bit. And now it's back to routine.
In the flurry of life, it's easy to just react. Part of the journey of faith, for me, is to learn to react to not only the circumstances around me, but the voice and leadeship of God. In the busy pace, it's easy to lose that voice. But quiet moments, driving with the radio off or in the moments before the monkeys invade a still morning moment, I can recallibrate myself and listen again.
Happy New Year!
M@
It's been a crazy holiday season. We actually did a good job managing our schedules, but we both still felt a bit drained. After 6 Christmas services at my Chapel campus (which were AWESOME!!) we celebrated a nice Christmas day as F5. Then on Wednesday, we drove to Grand Haven to spend a day with my family. It was a good visit until the middle of the night when Lib woke up very sick with a respiratory thing. We were debating either driving home or to the ER at midnight...not fun. But Heidi, as the super mommy/nurse that she is, got Lib settled in and on the mend.
Heading home the next day, Levi started to have trouble breathing. Fire up the nebulizer! By Saturday, we were in the ER with him, diagnosed with Pneumonia. More meds and breathing treatments.
Friday night, the Bay City contingency arrived in town. Then on Saturday, the Pittsburgh crew showed up. I did the message in the weekend services on my campus. Thus...a crazy weekend.
But after New Years, things settled in a bit. And now it's back to routine.
In the flurry of life, it's easy to just react. Part of the journey of faith, for me, is to learn to react to not only the circumstances around me, but the voice and leadeship of God. In the busy pace, it's easy to lose that voice. But quiet moments, driving with the radio off or in the moments before the monkeys invade a still morning moment, I can recallibrate myself and listen again.
Happy New Year!
M@
Thursday, January 03, 2008
2007 Recap...
I love these moments to look back over the past year and see all that has been happening in the lives of the Furrs. God has been so faithful in a miriade of ways...I could not be more grateful for the following and even more...
- Last December/January brought much prayer, fasting, and seeking godly counsel, culminating in my decision to resign from Northwest Christian Community. I had moved my family from "home" in Buffalo in order to pursue God's leadership to step into a Lead Pastor role. That exercise went much differently than I had intended (shocking, I know, that life goes a little different than planned...). I announced my decision to the congregation, and began a journey to see what would happen next.
- God opened the door to a substative conversation with one of the senior pastors of The Chapel. As he laid out his vision for the role the church can play in the lives of people and a region, I was captured. So many of the things he talked about resonated with the deepest places of my heart. And through a very thorough and rigorous process, I joined the staff of The Chapel in Libertyville.
- I am now a Campus Pastor. No, this has nothing to do with college ministry (I had a few friends ask me how my college ministry at Liberty University was going...nope). The Chapel is one church with several local expressions, called campuses. I lead one of those campus in Libertyville. It's a gift to be a part of such an amazing staff team and community of people. The people from the church have welcomed my family and me with gracious warmth and friendship and partnership. I lead a staff that gives themselves fully to the mission of Christ. I have been welcomed into friendships of depth and healing.
- Heidi continues to grow in grace and wisdom, wearing many different hats - wife, mother, woman, Christ-follower, friend. I watch her invest in people with a heart filled with love, grace, and wisdom. It's amazing - not because I'm surprised, but because it's always amazing to be so close to the tender work of God. I see Him in her in profound ways.
- Izak is growing up. I can't believe that I met him just over 5 years ago. He enriches my life in big ways. He teaches me to speak more gently and walk more slowly. He teaches me to laugh at the silliness of life. He teaches me the peace of a good snuggle in the morning. My son is a treasure to me.
- Liberty is a young girl of confidence and passion. She is not so fast, taking her time to get where we need to go. But she gets there with a passion and a joy reserved for those who actually appreciate the journey. She sings loudly. She dances wildly. And she has an expression at the ready for any circumstance. She's totally my daughter - we both roll out of bed only when we have to and aren't completely convinced the day will be kind. But we both also warm up to the idea of walking the earth before noon...usually. She is my "baby-girl" and I love her freedom. And I suspect she's going to be pretty stoked to find out that her daddy works in a town called Liberty-ville!
- Levi is coming into his own. He loves his mommy - and does alright with Daddy when she's not around. He loves his cars and the movie, Cars. Levi and Mommy collect all the figures from the movie and make sure they are hidden in special places because you don't want to lose such a treasure. He is a boy among boys - loves dirt and car noises and big trucks. He loves to run at you from across the room. And he can be heard shouting from his crib, "Tickle me!"
My kids redeem me. Without them in my life, I would work too much, not laugh enough, and hold on to a lot more selfishness. Oh, the selfishness is still there, but in order to hold the hand of a toddler, you have to let go of a great deal of it. God uses my children to shape my heart.
When we were married, Heidi made a commitment to go where I go and make her home in that place. She has made good on that without a complaint or even a wince. I could not be the man I am without her by my side. My partner. My beloved. My friend.
As I look back over this year, it's been a very hard year. It's been a year of redemption. It's been a year of stretching and challenge. But knowing that God is walking with me, shaping my character and guidling the way, gives me the courage to advance, even if only one step at a time. This Furr Journey is truly a journey of obedience and trust. And every step of trust that I take, God has proved his faithfulness over and again. I'm not sure that it makes the next step of faith any easier, but it does increase one's confidence that it will be an adventure worth taking.
So here I am, on the edge of 2008. It will, no doubt, be another year of growth in many ways. It will be a year of more milestones for the kids. It will be anouther year in which I experience the amazing blessing of an incredible wife/friend. In all that, it will be anouther year to experience the gentle, guiding hand of my Master, who challenges, pushes, and leads me into places that feed my soul as only He can.
May you know the same in 2008.
Peace on the journey,
M@
- Last December/January brought much prayer, fasting, and seeking godly counsel, culminating in my decision to resign from Northwest Christian Community. I had moved my family from "home" in Buffalo in order to pursue God's leadership to step into a Lead Pastor role. That exercise went much differently than I had intended (shocking, I know, that life goes a little different than planned...). I announced my decision to the congregation, and began a journey to see what would happen next.
- God opened the door to a substative conversation with one of the senior pastors of The Chapel. As he laid out his vision for the role the church can play in the lives of people and a region, I was captured. So many of the things he talked about resonated with the deepest places of my heart. And through a very thorough and rigorous process, I joined the staff of The Chapel in Libertyville.
- I am now a Campus Pastor. No, this has nothing to do with college ministry (I had a few friends ask me how my college ministry at Liberty University was going...nope). The Chapel is one church with several local expressions, called campuses. I lead one of those campus in Libertyville. It's a gift to be a part of such an amazing staff team and community of people. The people from the church have welcomed my family and me with gracious warmth and friendship and partnership. I lead a staff that gives themselves fully to the mission of Christ. I have been welcomed into friendships of depth and healing.
- Heidi continues to grow in grace and wisdom, wearing many different hats - wife, mother, woman, Christ-follower, friend. I watch her invest in people with a heart filled with love, grace, and wisdom. It's amazing - not because I'm surprised, but because it's always amazing to be so close to the tender work of God. I see Him in her in profound ways.
- Izak is growing up. I can't believe that I met him just over 5 years ago. He enriches my life in big ways. He teaches me to speak more gently and walk more slowly. He teaches me to laugh at the silliness of life. He teaches me the peace of a good snuggle in the morning. My son is a treasure to me.
- Liberty is a young girl of confidence and passion. She is not so fast, taking her time to get where we need to go. But she gets there with a passion and a joy reserved for those who actually appreciate the journey. She sings loudly. She dances wildly. And she has an expression at the ready for any circumstance. She's totally my daughter - we both roll out of bed only when we have to and aren't completely convinced the day will be kind. But we both also warm up to the idea of walking the earth before noon...usually. She is my "baby-girl" and I love her freedom. And I suspect she's going to be pretty stoked to find out that her daddy works in a town called Liberty-ville!
- Levi is coming into his own. He loves his mommy - and does alright with Daddy when she's not around. He loves his cars and the movie, Cars. Levi and Mommy collect all the figures from the movie and make sure they are hidden in special places because you don't want to lose such a treasure. He is a boy among boys - loves dirt and car noises and big trucks. He loves to run at you from across the room. And he can be heard shouting from his crib, "Tickle me!"
My kids redeem me. Without them in my life, I would work too much, not laugh enough, and hold on to a lot more selfishness. Oh, the selfishness is still there, but in order to hold the hand of a toddler, you have to let go of a great deal of it. God uses my children to shape my heart.
When we were married, Heidi made a commitment to go where I go and make her home in that place. She has made good on that without a complaint or even a wince. I could not be the man I am without her by my side. My partner. My beloved. My friend.
As I look back over this year, it's been a very hard year. It's been a year of redemption. It's been a year of stretching and challenge. But knowing that God is walking with me, shaping my character and guidling the way, gives me the courage to advance, even if only one step at a time. This Furr Journey is truly a journey of obedience and trust. And every step of trust that I take, God has proved his faithfulness over and again. I'm not sure that it makes the next step of faith any easier, but it does increase one's confidence that it will be an adventure worth taking.
So here I am, on the edge of 2008. It will, no doubt, be another year of growth in many ways. It will be a year of more milestones for the kids. It will be anouther year in which I experience the amazing blessing of an incredible wife/friend. In all that, it will be anouther year to experience the gentle, guiding hand of my Master, who challenges, pushes, and leads me into places that feed my soul as only He can.
May you know the same in 2008.
Peace on the journey,
M@
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