"I don't deny that there should be priests to remind men that they will one day die. I only say it is necessary to have another kind of priests, called poets, actually to remind men that they are not dead yet."
--G.K. Chesterton
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Thursday, September 25, 2003
MAN RULES FOR WOMEN
We always hear "the rules" from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules! Please note.........These are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one. Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are, don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine.
Really. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.
1. Thank you for reading this; Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that, it's like camping.
We always hear "the rules" from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules! Please note.........These are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one. Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are, don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine.
Really. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.
1. Thank you for reading this; Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that, it's like camping.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Sometimes I wonder if prayer matters...
"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men."
-Daniel 4:17
"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes..."
-Daniel 4:25
"Heaven Rules."
-Daniel 4:26
These verses spoke to my heart.
They reminded me of the spiritual pleadings of men of God for their nations.
Priestly prayers, spiritual incense.
The yearnings, the intercession, the groanings from within, the spirit sighs that speak deeper than words.
God gives nations to the lowliest of men, I think I might qualify for that title.
Dare I pray with such boldness, such conviction?
Does Heaven really rule? Does it matter if I pray?
I remember weeping in the early morning hours in a hostel in Amsterdam. Trying not to be too loud as ripples of spiritual birth pains emerged from within and spilled out in supplications for the city..in that moment I believed.
I remember worshiping in the biblestudy room in the hostel with Lee, David and Angie; singing "God is in Control" to a simple guitar. In that moment as the music and the voices penetrated the atmosphere like fragrant incense...I believed.
I remember watching a young woman from our youth church weep at the site of the prostitues in the red light district...in that moment as those tears rolled down her cheeks...I believed.
I remember and it is in remembering that I find myself again and again and that leads me to believe that prayer does matter.
"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men."
-Daniel 4:17
"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes..."
-Daniel 4:25
"Heaven Rules."
-Daniel 4:26
These verses spoke to my heart.
They reminded me of the spiritual pleadings of men of God for their nations.
Priestly prayers, spiritual incense.
The yearnings, the intercession, the groanings from within, the spirit sighs that speak deeper than words.
God gives nations to the lowliest of men, I think I might qualify for that title.
Dare I pray with such boldness, such conviction?
Does Heaven really rule? Does it matter if I pray?
I remember weeping in the early morning hours in a hostel in Amsterdam. Trying not to be too loud as ripples of spiritual birth pains emerged from within and spilled out in supplications for the city..in that moment I believed.
I remember worshiping in the biblestudy room in the hostel with Lee, David and Angie; singing "God is in Control" to a simple guitar. In that moment as the music and the voices penetrated the atmosphere like fragrant incense...I believed.
I remember watching a young woman from our youth church weep at the site of the prostitues in the red light district...in that moment as those tears rolled down her cheeks...I believed.
I remember and it is in remembering that I find myself again and again and that leads me to believe that prayer does matter.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Smallville
The first big hook of the season. I've been caught, I dropped the show last season because I just couldn't handle the sexual tension between Lana and Clark (Kiss her you idiot!). But the lost sheep has come back to the fold, last nights show set the hook again, I'm a sucker for Sci-Fi, what can I say. Plus I like Lex's look. :)
Here is a run down of what I will be wasting my time on:
-Smallville
-24
-Alias
-Survivor
-8 Simple Rules
-Boomtown
-Orange County Choppers
-Queer Eye for the straight guy (I know, I know, I shouldn't like it but I do)
Movies I'm anxiously awaiting:
-The next Star Wars
-The next matrix movie
-The Return of the King (this one is really the one I can't wait to see)
The first big hook of the season. I've been caught, I dropped the show last season because I just couldn't handle the sexual tension between Lana and Clark (Kiss her you idiot!). But the lost sheep has come back to the fold, last nights show set the hook again, I'm a sucker for Sci-Fi, what can I say. Plus I like Lex's look. :)
Here is a run down of what I will be wasting my time on:
-Smallville
-24
-Alias
-Survivor
-8 Simple Rules
-Boomtown
-Orange County Choppers
-Queer Eye for the straight guy (I know, I know, I shouldn't like it but I do)
Movies I'm anxiously awaiting:
-The next Star Wars
-The next matrix movie
-The Return of the King (this one is really the one I can't wait to see)
Email feels like:
I'm forcing a conversation.
IM feels like:
I'm interrupting someone.
Blogging feels like:
I am talking to myself...
writing a book feels like:
Vain.
Preaching feels like:
Presumption.
Conversation feels like:
Talking to a dog, their ears perk up when you make a sound but the look in their eyes, just doesn't satisfy.
Have you ever felt this way before?
I'm forcing a conversation.
IM feels like:
I'm interrupting someone.
Blogging feels like:
I am talking to myself...
writing a book feels like:
Vain.
Preaching feels like:
Presumption.
Conversation feels like:
Talking to a dog, their ears perk up when you make a sound but the look in their eyes, just doesn't satisfy.
Have you ever felt this way before?
ANCIENT PATHS GAME UPDATE
I have been re-working my "Ancient Paths" game lately.
Taking it from a paper RPG (Role Playing Game) to a hybrid RPG/Card game.
After play testing the whole RPG concept on a few little guinea pigs, I came to a conclusion:
That it didn't scratch the itch I was wanting to scratch. There were too many snags that prevented me from accomplishing what I wanted when I started this project .
Here a few things I have discovered that are redirecting me in the creation of this game:
* I want to play not spend hours creating a campaign to play. When the itch to play comes or the time, I want to be able to play. The card format allows that not the RPG.
* There is just too many things to replicate, create, design to create a completely "sanitized" game. It has gotten overwhelming to try to reproduce or create a gaming system that is unique from the D&D system. In game play minus a few difference, it looked just like a Wizards of the Coast game.
* Card games are cheaper and easier to make. This is true in some instances.
* Card games have less stigma associated with them. This is a big one, there is just so much negative spin in certain circles on the whole issue, of course that isn't true for video games though. You can play butt loads of rpg games online or with your computer or whatever and there seems to be no negative connections. Strange paradox.
So if your interested in this stuff, please pray that I would be able to find the creative game play mechanics that I need to crossover the RPG format to a playable Card game. I like the LOTR card game and want to head in that direction but would love to hammer out a system of play that isn't a copy but stands on its own.
I have been re-working my "Ancient Paths" game lately.
Taking it from a paper RPG (Role Playing Game) to a hybrid RPG/Card game.
After play testing the whole RPG concept on a few little guinea pigs, I came to a conclusion:
That it didn't scratch the itch I was wanting to scratch. There were too many snags that prevented me from accomplishing what I wanted when I started this project .
Here a few things I have discovered that are redirecting me in the creation of this game:
* I want to play not spend hours creating a campaign to play. When the itch to play comes or the time, I want to be able to play. The card format allows that not the RPG.
* There is just too many things to replicate, create, design to create a completely "sanitized" game. It has gotten overwhelming to try to reproduce or create a gaming system that is unique from the D&D system. In game play minus a few difference, it looked just like a Wizards of the Coast game.
* Card games are cheaper and easier to make. This is true in some instances.
* Card games have less stigma associated with them. This is a big one, there is just so much negative spin in certain circles on the whole issue, of course that isn't true for video games though. You can play butt loads of rpg games online or with your computer or whatever and there seems to be no negative connections. Strange paradox.
So if your interested in this stuff, please pray that I would be able to find the creative game play mechanics that I need to crossover the RPG format to a playable Card game. I like the LOTR card game and want to head in that direction but would love to hammer out a system of play that isn't a copy but stands on its own.
Pray for health
I have been having slight chest pains and a few other naggin issues that concern me.
We do not have health insurance and so that is an issue.
I am sure it's not serious, so don't get worried.
I'm taking it easy, cutting back the coffee, cutting out pop and various other youth pastor foods.
Restarting the PLAN on Friday. (Working out).
I have been having slight chest pains and a few other naggin issues that concern me.
We do not have health insurance and so that is an issue.
I am sure it's not serious, so don't get worried.
I'm taking it easy, cutting back the coffee, cutting out pop and various other youth pastor foods.
Restarting the PLAN on Friday. (Working out).
A Church or a Crowd?
"One of the fundamental issues of misunderstanding that leads to corrupt churchmanship in our generation is the failure to distinguish between a crowd and a church. The failure to distinguish between a crowd and a church is...to misunderstand everything about preaching, everything about ministry, everything about our task."
"Let us never mistake a crowd for a church or think our business is to draw a crowd."
-Al Mohler
I think this is a often foreign truth to so many within the church and within a lot of leadership in the church.
I know that I have struggled with this thinking paradigm. I must confess that my struggles have come from the scriptures as well as cultural influences on big is better (Acts 2 being an example).
The only place where this kind of struggle isn't seen is in family. It seems everyone knows that in the family, small is better in the sense of being able to nurture, provide for, protect etc......Now granted one persons idea of small is different form the other(I have 5 children) but in principle it is the same.
But that general understanding doesn't seem to translate into many other areas.
"One of the fundamental issues of misunderstanding that leads to corrupt churchmanship in our generation is the failure to distinguish between a crowd and a church. The failure to distinguish between a crowd and a church is...to misunderstand everything about preaching, everything about ministry, everything about our task."
"Let us never mistake a crowd for a church or think our business is to draw a crowd."
-Al Mohler
I think this is a often foreign truth to so many within the church and within a lot of leadership in the church.
I know that I have struggled with this thinking paradigm. I must confess that my struggles have come from the scriptures as well as cultural influences on big is better (Acts 2 being an example).
The only place where this kind of struggle isn't seen is in family. It seems everyone knows that in the family, small is better in the sense of being able to nurture, provide for, protect etc......Now granted one persons idea of small is different form the other(I have 5 children) but in principle it is the same.
But that general understanding doesn't seem to translate into many other areas.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
"I am chaste and I am now full breasted."
-SoS 8:10
I am writing an article called: Modesty:" the power of a secret" for our youth church newsletter. I found this scripture in my study for the article, it made me laugh! I'll let you come up with your own interpretation. All I can say is there are not too many girls today, that can say the same thing. Most of the styles worn seem to shout a different message.
I love teaching on this subject and am trying to come at the whole thing from the standpoint of life not law. The life in the truth of modesty is found in the power of a secret. Nothing was more alluring to me than that my wife was a "locked" garden (sos 4:12). It was modesty and purity that I found so alluring. It was the knowledge that she was a "sealed fountain" (sos 4:12) and I was going to be the first and only one to drink from such pure streams.
Today most women are not "walls" but doors (sos 8:9-10). They are not private gardens but public squares for all to wander through. They are not sealed fountains but polluted streams, muddied waters by high traffic.
-SoS 8:10
I am writing an article called: Modesty:" the power of a secret" for our youth church newsletter. I found this scripture in my study for the article, it made me laugh! I'll let you come up with your own interpretation. All I can say is there are not too many girls today, that can say the same thing. Most of the styles worn seem to shout a different message.
I love teaching on this subject and am trying to come at the whole thing from the standpoint of life not law. The life in the truth of modesty is found in the power of a secret. Nothing was more alluring to me than that my wife was a "locked" garden (sos 4:12). It was modesty and purity that I found so alluring. It was the knowledge that she was a "sealed fountain" (sos 4:12) and I was going to be the first and only one to drink from such pure streams.
Today most women are not "walls" but doors (sos 8:9-10). They are not private gardens but public squares for all to wander through. They are not sealed fountains but polluted streams, muddied waters by high traffic.
"The pragmatic churches have become institutionalized - with some exceptions. They responded to the sixties and seventies, created a culture-driven church and don’t get that the world has changed again. Pragmatics, being fixed, have little room for those who are shaped by the postmodern revolution. A clash is emerging. The younger evangelicals will not have a voice in the pragmatic, fixed mentality. Stay there and your spirit will die (there are some exceptions, pray for discernment). Many pragmatic churches, like old shopping malls are dying. Very few people under 30 are in pragmatic churches. The handwriting is on the wall. Leave. Do a start up church. Be a tentmaker. Build communities. Small groups. Neighborhood churches. Be willing to let your life die for Jesus as you break with the market driven, culture shaped, numbers oriented, Wall-Mart-something-for-everyone church. Be an Abraham and take a risk. God will show up and lead the way."
-Robbert Webber, author of The Younger Evangelicals
-Robbert Webber, author of The Younger Evangelicals
"We imprison the burglar for breaking into our houses and stealing, but what shall we do with the educated rascal who uses his trained mind and all his gifts to ruin the very people who look up to him as a guide?"
"The greatest thing you can do is to be what you ought to be."
-From: Pusing to the Front by Orison Marden (1911)
"The greatest thing you can do is to be what you ought to be."
-From: Pusing to the Front by Orison Marden (1911)
Saturday, September 13, 2003
I read this posted on the modern churches door the other day...
Points of Revolution
> hierarchical leadership
> pulpit/pew Sunday only large meetings
> cold-call revivalist evangelism
> quick-fix altar ministry
> full-time professional pastorate
> programmed, departmentalized "ministry"
> tight, dogmatic faith statements
> extra-biblical life rules
> local ecclesiastical isolationism
> "the church" programmatically trying to spiritually form children
In response I wrote something to post on the door of someones house...
Points of the counter re.volution
> Laissez-Faire leadership
> Couch & Lounge when's the meeting, I don't know…did we start yet? Meetings.
> Fuzzy births, I'm not quite sure when I was born…
> Kick me in the head, stop going on and on, prayer requests…blah, blah, blah.
> Self-righteous, prideful, independent, Starbucks ministers…
> Vague, who do you call, where do they live, is there anybody out there ministry.
> Broad, all-inclusive, Oprahish, all roads lead up, whatever suits ya dude…faith.
> Pass the hookah bruth-a…lifestyles.
> Internet based families…nothing but net baby!
> Hey am I my brother's keeper…not my responsibility mindsets.
> Light some incense and a candle man, I'm feeling quasi-spiritual tonight!
> All we need is to hug…come on brothers hug…pass the "com" "unity" idol.
In my humble opinion:<
It's not about who, when, where or how…
The church is a people and they can gather in doors or out.
God calls men and women to feed His sheep, get over it.
People suck, that's the fact, whether they are sitting in a pew or on a couch.
Men love to be important, whether they are wearing a white collar or a hemp shirt.
Church life is sometimes boring…it makes the other times exciting.
Most of our pain comes from people who just can't stay put in life…
There's nothing holy about place, its people.
Love is all we need…and it can happen in the most unlikely places.
You need Saul; they create David.
God can be found; by those who are searching.
Child like faith is simple.
Young men are not the best leaders…they need to grow up first.
Young leaders need to be broken of their idealism to birth realism, which leads to wisdom.
All in fun folks...just thought I would skip a stone from the otherside of the pond...
Points of Revolution
> hierarchical leadership
> pulpit/pew Sunday only large meetings
> cold-call revivalist evangelism
> quick-fix altar ministry
> full-time professional pastorate
> programmed, departmentalized "ministry"
> tight, dogmatic faith statements
> extra-biblical life rules
> local ecclesiastical isolationism
> "the church" programmatically trying to spiritually form children
In response I wrote something to post on the door of someones house...
Points of the counter re.volution
> Laissez-Faire leadership
> Couch & Lounge when's the meeting, I don't know…did we start yet? Meetings.
> Fuzzy births, I'm not quite sure when I was born…
> Kick me in the head, stop going on and on, prayer requests…blah, blah, blah.
> Self-righteous, prideful, independent, Starbucks ministers…
> Vague, who do you call, where do they live, is there anybody out there ministry.
> Broad, all-inclusive, Oprahish, all roads lead up, whatever suits ya dude…faith.
> Pass the hookah bruth-a…lifestyles.
> Internet based families…nothing but net baby!
> Hey am I my brother's keeper…not my responsibility mindsets.
> Light some incense and a candle man, I'm feeling quasi-spiritual tonight!
> All we need is to hug…come on brothers hug…pass the "com" "unity" idol.
In my humble opinion:<
It's not about who, when, where or how…
The church is a people and they can gather in doors or out.
God calls men and women to feed His sheep, get over it.
People suck, that's the fact, whether they are sitting in a pew or on a couch.
Men love to be important, whether they are wearing a white collar or a hemp shirt.
Church life is sometimes boring…it makes the other times exciting.
Most of our pain comes from people who just can't stay put in life…
There's nothing holy about place, its people.
Love is all we need…and it can happen in the most unlikely places.
You need Saul; they create David.
God can be found; by those who are searching.
Child like faith is simple.
Young men are not the best leaders…they need to grow up first.
Young leaders need to be broken of their idealism to birth realism, which leads to wisdom.
All in fun folks...just thought I would skip a stone from the otherside of the pond...
'We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God.
Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming a "sub-creator" and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbor, while materialistic "progress" leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.'
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming a "sub-creator" and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbor, while materialistic "progress" leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.'
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Friday, September 12, 2003
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Profound thought ahead...
"One thing is clear to me.
You can’t know everything you’d like to know.
You can’t do everything you’d like to do.
You can’t read everything you’d like to read.
You must hold onto some things and let go of others.
Learning to make that choice is one of the big lessons of this life."
-RLP (http://blogs.salon.com/0001772/)
"One thing is clear to me.
You can’t know everything you’d like to know.
You can’t do everything you’d like to do.
You can’t read everything you’d like to read.
You must hold onto some things and let go of others.
Learning to make that choice is one of the big lessons of this life."
-RLP (http://blogs.salon.com/0001772/)
Idealism, revelation and dust lattes
So much of what I read on pomo sites reminds me of:
Moses coming down from the mount.
Tablets in hand, face blazing, heart exploding from head above water revelation.
His soul gasping fresh air for the first time...
Then he encounters the people...
A few minutes later:
He's standing in revelation rubble.
He's cramming idol gravel lattes down peoples throats.
Giving local leadership an ass whipping.
Grabbing his sword and ready to spill blood...
A bad dusk to a good dawn.
Where is the reality of John 4:21-24?
It tires me...
I am sure it's sincere
but I often feel like I have been given a mouthful of gravel
instead of ravens meat.
So much of what I read on pomo sites reminds me of:
Moses coming down from the mount.
Tablets in hand, face blazing, heart exploding from head above water revelation.
His soul gasping fresh air for the first time...
Then he encounters the people...
A few minutes later:
He's standing in revelation rubble.
He's cramming idol gravel lattes down peoples throats.
Giving local leadership an ass whipping.
Grabbing his sword and ready to spill blood...
A bad dusk to a good dawn.
Where is the reality of John 4:21-24?
It tires me...
I am sure it's sincere
but I often feel like I have been given a mouthful of gravel
instead of ravens meat.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
The truth of the matter is that the center of God's will is not a safe place but the most dangerous place in the world! God fears nothing and no one! God moves with intentionality and power. To live outside of God's will puts us in danger; to live in his will makes us dangerous.
(p. 32-33) An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind
by Erwin Raphael McManus
Safe?
Who said anything about safe?
'Course he isn't safe.
But he's good.
-C.S. Lewis
(p. 32-33) An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind
by Erwin Raphael McManus
Safe?
Who said anything about safe?
'Course he isn't safe.
But he's good.
-C.S. Lewis
One last thing. Natives usually eat before and after prayer. Maybe that is why we like to pray, because both our spirits and bellies will be full. Next time your church has a prayer meeting, offer to cater a full meal. Then you will know that this Indian secret is true...
-http://salmonhouse.blogspot.com/
-http://salmonhouse.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 08, 2003
The breastplate of St. Patrick
For my shield this day I call:
A mighty power:
The Holy Trinity!
Affirming the Three,
Confessing oneness,
in the making of all
Through love...
For my shield this day I call:
Christ's power in his coming
and in his baptizing,
Christ's power in his dying
On the cross, his rising
from the tomb, his ascending;
Christ's power in his coming
for judgment and ending.
For my shield this day I call:
Strong power of the seraphim,
with angels obeying,
and archangels attending, in the glorious
company of the holy and risen ones
in the prayers of the fathers in visions prophetic
and commands apostolic
in the annals if witness...
For my shield this day I call:
Heaven's might,
sun's brightness,
Moon's whiteness,
Fire's glory,
Lightning’s swiftness,
Wind's wildness,
Ocean's depth
Earth's solidity,
Rock's immobility.
This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me.
From evil enticements,
from failings of nature,
from one man or many,
that seek to destroy me,
near or far.
Around me I gather
these forces to save
my soul and my body...
Against knowledge unlawful
that injures the body,
that injures the spirit.
Be Christ this day my strong protector
against poison and burning
against drowning wounding
through reward wide plenty
Christ beside me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ within me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ to the right of me
Christ to the left of me
Christ in my lying, my sitting, my rising
Christ in heart of all who know me
Christ on tongue of all who meet me;
Christ in eye of all who see me;
Christ in ear of all who hear me.
For my shield this day I call
a mighty power:
The Holy Trinity!
Affirming the Three,
Confessing oneness,
in the making of all
Through love
For my shield this day I call:
A mighty power:
The Holy Trinity!
Affirming the Three,
Confessing oneness,
in the making of all
Through love...
For my shield this day I call:
Christ's power in his coming
and in his baptizing,
Christ's power in his dying
On the cross, his rising
from the tomb, his ascending;
Christ's power in his coming
for judgment and ending.
For my shield this day I call:
Strong power of the seraphim,
with angels obeying,
and archangels attending, in the glorious
company of the holy and risen ones
in the prayers of the fathers in visions prophetic
and commands apostolic
in the annals if witness...
For my shield this day I call:
Heaven's might,
sun's brightness,
Moon's whiteness,
Fire's glory,
Lightning’s swiftness,
Wind's wildness,
Ocean's depth
Earth's solidity,
Rock's immobility.
This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me.
From evil enticements,
from failings of nature,
from one man or many,
that seek to destroy me,
near or far.
Around me I gather
these forces to save
my soul and my body...
Against knowledge unlawful
that injures the body,
that injures the spirit.
Be Christ this day my strong protector
against poison and burning
against drowning wounding
through reward wide plenty
Christ beside me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ within me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ to the right of me
Christ to the left of me
Christ in my lying, my sitting, my rising
Christ in heart of all who know me
Christ on tongue of all who meet me;
Christ in eye of all who see me;
Christ in ear of all who hear me.
For my shield this day I call
a mighty power:
The Holy Trinity!
Affirming the Three,
Confessing oneness,
in the making of all
Through love
If we encounter a man of great intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is with books as it is with men -- a very small number play a great part;
the rest are lost in the multitude.
- Voltaire
Choose an author as you would a friend.
- Wentworth Dillon
Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.
- Henry David Thoreau
Thanks for the quotes Jordon...
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is with books as it is with men -- a very small number play a great part;
the rest are lost in the multitude.
- Voltaire
Choose an author as you would a friend.
- Wentworth Dillon
Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.
- Henry David Thoreau
Thanks for the quotes Jordon...
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness." -Romans 8:26a
This verse reminds me of Aragorn's musing about himself and his weakness.
"The same blood flows through my veins. The same weakness." -Aragorn
This verse is really the true source of hope isn't it.
The help of the Spirit...for us who are prone to "weakness".
This verse reminds me of Aragorn's musing about himself and his weakness.
"The same blood flows through my veins. The same weakness." -Aragorn
This verse is really the true source of hope isn't it.
The help of the Spirit...for us who are prone to "weakness".
"...while mules are good for work, they can not reproduce."
-Erwin R. Mcmanus (book: An Unstoppable force).
The combination of a horse and a donkey is a mule.
Horses are smart but not as strong as a donkey.
donkeys are stronger but not as bright as a horse.
The mule is a good balance of both but can not reproduce...
-Erwin R. Mcmanus (book: An Unstoppable force).
The combination of a horse and a donkey is a mule.
Horses are smart but not as strong as a donkey.
donkeys are stronger but not as bright as a horse.
The mule is a good balance of both but can not reproduce...
Sunday, September 07, 2003
"I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities. But from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and caught a vision of all Jesus Christ could do with them, on that day I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.”
- William Booth 1829-1912
- William Booth 1829-1912
"We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks incognito. And the incognito is not always hard to penetrate. The real labour is to remember, to attend. In fact, to come awake. Still more, to remain awake."
C.S. Lewis (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer)
C.S. Lewis (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer)
Saturday, September 06, 2003
"Can you protect me from yourself?"
I pondered this scene last night as I lay in bed.
I remembered the part where Frodo said the above words to Aragorn as he extended the ring to Aragorn in his open palm. Each day I see the "ring" extended to me in some form or fashion.
Beckoning to just take it. Simply reach out and embrace it.
It speaks to me, calls me...and there is something within me that longs to wear it again...
I pondered the response of Gandalf to the invitation of Frodo to take the ring. The fear in His eyes, the dramatic and godly fear that trembled on his lips as he pushed away the temptation.
"The same blood flows through my veins. The same weakness." -Aragorn
It flows in all of our veins, doesn't it...the venom, the virus, the plague...sin.
...evil is right there with me...-Paul (Romans 7:21)
...waging war...making me a prisoner...wretched man that I am... -(Romans 7:21-25)
...who will rescue me...? -(Rom. 7:24)
I found solace in the image of Aragorn slowly closing Frodo's palm, hiding the ring in the hobbit's hand.
Rejecting the offer...
Resisting the temptation...
Overcoming the lure...
Confirming the reality of his destiny as one who would be king.
King first of his own soul, then of a kingdom of men...
I pondered this scene last night as I lay in bed.
I remembered the part where Frodo said the above words to Aragorn as he extended the ring to Aragorn in his open palm. Each day I see the "ring" extended to me in some form or fashion.
Beckoning to just take it. Simply reach out and embrace it.
It speaks to me, calls me...and there is something within me that longs to wear it again...
I pondered the response of Gandalf to the invitation of Frodo to take the ring. The fear in His eyes, the dramatic and godly fear that trembled on his lips as he pushed away the temptation.
"The same blood flows through my veins. The same weakness." -Aragorn
It flows in all of our veins, doesn't it...the venom, the virus, the plague...sin.
...evil is right there with me...-Paul (Romans 7:21)
...waging war...making me a prisoner...wretched man that I am... -(Romans 7:21-25)
...who will rescue me...? -(Rom. 7:24)
I found solace in the image of Aragorn slowly closing Frodo's palm, hiding the ring in the hobbit's hand.
Rejecting the offer...
Resisting the temptation...
Overcoming the lure...
Confirming the reality of his destiny as one who would be king.
King first of his own soul, then of a kingdom of men...
Friday, September 05, 2003
"This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill: the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill: you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." -The Matrix
So what is the red and blue pill for you today?
So what is the red and blue pill for you today?
Hummmm...been there.
A song
I can't relive my life
I can't retrace my tracks
I can't undo what's done
There is no going back
I chased a selfish dream
Did not survey the cost
Illusions disappeared
I've found my innocence lost
Some say it's lessons learned
Some say it's a living life
I say it's choices made
Knowing wrong from right
One night I fought to sleep
In my slumber I turned and tossed
I woke to a cloudy day
And found my innocence lost
Innocent child is a beautiful thing
Secure in her father's arms
Sleeps while a mother sings
There's no way to know
All the harm this world can bring
I miss my innocence
Oh, to be innocent
My heavenly Father
The way of eternal love
That overflows with grace
I can completely trust
My broken heart repaired
And all my sin forgot
I can be pure again
In spite of my innocence lost
In his eyes I'm a newborn child
Cuz I accept his love
I have a newfound hope
Though I've found my innocence lost
I can be pure again
I've found my innocence lost
Back to "Simple Things"
-Innocence Lost © Amy Grant.
A song
I can't relive my life
I can't retrace my tracks
I can't undo what's done
There is no going back
I chased a selfish dream
Did not survey the cost
Illusions disappeared
I've found my innocence lost
Some say it's lessons learned
Some say it's a living life
I say it's choices made
Knowing wrong from right
One night I fought to sleep
In my slumber I turned and tossed
I woke to a cloudy day
And found my innocence lost
Innocent child is a beautiful thing
Secure in her father's arms
Sleeps while a mother sings
There's no way to know
All the harm this world can bring
I miss my innocence
Oh, to be innocent
My heavenly Father
The way of eternal love
That overflows with grace
I can completely trust
My broken heart repaired
And all my sin forgot
I can be pure again
In spite of my innocence lost
In his eyes I'm a newborn child
Cuz I accept his love
I have a newfound hope
Though I've found my innocence lost
I can be pure again
I've found my innocence lost
Back to "Simple Things"
-Innocence Lost © Amy Grant.
Sheesh...I quote "Seinfeld" all the time...
I really believe entertainment in a lot of ways has become a way for people to come together. It has, in fact, become--I'm convinced of this--it's become a replacement for religion. And I think that in the same way people used to quote Scripture they're now quoting ‘Seinfeld’
Michael Wolfe,Media consultant (MTV) , New Yorker December 1st, 2000
Hummm...this made me think.
"So many pastors today and pundits today, they’re saying, we’ve got to re-invent the church and get it moving forward, a new kind of Christian for the new kind of age, as Bishop Sean says. But the fact is you look at the scriptures and Christian history, the church always goes forward by first going back. And what we’re after is not re-inventing the church, but reviving the church. And part of revival and reformation is always going back to God’s standards.
This craze to be relevant. And words like re-inventing, and so on, everywhere. And we’ve got to examine these and ask what we’re really doing. And I point out simply, you know, when I first came to the faith, if the church was in bad shape, there would be prayer for revival.
Today if the church is in bad shape, we talk about re-invention. But what the church needs is revival, not re-invention. It’s not something we do by getting up-to-date, it’s something the Lord does by bringing us back to the power of his truth and his Spirit"
-Os Guinness
I really believe entertainment in a lot of ways has become a way for people to come together. It has, in fact, become--I'm convinced of this--it's become a replacement for religion. And I think that in the same way people used to quote Scripture they're now quoting ‘Seinfeld’
Michael Wolfe,Media consultant (MTV) , New Yorker December 1st, 2000
Hummm...this made me think.
"So many pastors today and pundits today, they’re saying, we’ve got to re-invent the church and get it moving forward, a new kind of Christian for the new kind of age, as Bishop Sean says. But the fact is you look at the scriptures and Christian history, the church always goes forward by first going back. And what we’re after is not re-inventing the church, but reviving the church. And part of revival and reformation is always going back to God’s standards.
This craze to be relevant. And words like re-inventing, and so on, everywhere. And we’ve got to examine these and ask what we’re really doing. And I point out simply, you know, when I first came to the faith, if the church was in bad shape, there would be prayer for revival.
Today if the church is in bad shape, we talk about re-invention. But what the church needs is revival, not re-invention. It’s not something we do by getting up-to-date, it’s something the Lord does by bringing us back to the power of his truth and his Spirit"
-Os Guinness
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Chew on This baby...
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never seen- don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
(Matthew 6 The Message)
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never seen- don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
(Matthew 6 The Message)
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Wow this touched my heart...
Doug Fields said:
This summer I got so tired of hearing and seeing the results of sin at our summer camp that I wanted to quit everything. One night I actually cried myself to sleep from a combination of tiredness and my hatred for sin. I was so saddened to hear the stories of date rape, abuse, drugs, sex, cutting oneself, suicide attempts, and unbelievable anger.
Click below to continue reading -
http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/content.asp?cid=322
Monday, September 01, 2003
My wife just said my blog is Brain Barf...
Hummmm...
WIFE HERE: My comment was mearly to explain that Blogging shows everyone what you've digested. Meaning, it is the raw essense of your insides. (note to husband: please quote me in context as to not mislead the public that you are a tortured soul with an unloving, unsypathetic spouse... : ) Love you)
Hummmm...
WIFE HERE: My comment was mearly to explain that Blogging shows everyone what you've digested. Meaning, it is the raw essense of your insides. (note to husband: please quote me in context as to not mislead the public that you are a tortured soul with an unloving, unsypathetic spouse... : ) Love you)
SO TRUE!!!
"About the books on my shelf - Many of the books I have I have not read, I just want to be the sort of person who has read those books."
This made me laugh, I thought of my book collection and my fathers too.
I pray the choice of books that find their way to my shelves; will be more about the quality of spiritual fiber woven into my inner life, then mere looks.
There is something about the look of a book, the smell and feel of it as well.
Call me strange but there are few things more luxurious than holding, smelling and beholding a well crafted book!
"About the books on my shelf - Many of the books I have I have not read, I just want to be the sort of person who has read those books."
This made me laugh, I thought of my book collection and my fathers too.
I pray the choice of books that find their way to my shelves; will be more about the quality of spiritual fiber woven into my inner life, then mere looks.
There is something about the look of a book, the smell and feel of it as well.
Call me strange but there are few things more luxurious than holding, smelling and beholding a well crafted book!
"You must turn, then, back to myth---tomorrow and the next day and the next. Read the battle of Helms Deep; it's chapter 7 of the two Towers."
"You'll need everything that helps you see with the eyes of your heart, including those myths, and the way they illumine for us the words God has given in scipture..." -John Eldredge "Waking the Dead" pg. 220-2.
This was one of those moments that strike you like lightening! If you read my previous posts and have heard me speak at all in the last year, you know that this is exactly what I have been led to do. Even to the point of speaking on Helms Deep! In fact I just recently reread that chapter and posted on it a while back! That's a serendipity do-dah!
"You'll need everything that helps you see with the eyes of your heart, including those myths, and the way they illumine for us the words God has given in scipture..." -John Eldredge "Waking the Dead" pg. 220-2.
This was one of those moments that strike you like lightening! If you read my previous posts and have heard me speak at all in the last year, you know that this is exactly what I have been led to do. Even to the point of speaking on Helms Deep! In fact I just recently reread that chapter and posted on it a while back! That's a serendipity do-dah!
I must confess, John Eldredge's books have been powerful tools in my journey over the last year. I just finished his new one "Waking The Dead", an awesome book! I've read "The journey of desire", "Wild at heart" and I'm about half way through "Sacred Romance" (This has been my least fave so far but still good).
"Do you think I am trying to weave a spell?
Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales.
Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them.
And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years."
-C.S.Lewis in "The Weight of glory"
Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales.
Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them.
And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years."
-C.S.Lewis in "The Weight of glory"
"The objection to fairy stories is that they tell children there are dragons. But children have always known there are dragons. Fairy stories tell children that dragons can be killed." -G.K. Chesterton
"I am concerned with a certain way of looking at life, which was created in me by fairy tales, but has since been ratified by the mere facts." -G.K. Chesterton
This has been a theme running through out my current spiritual consciousness of late. I have been returning to childhood. Visiting long lost friends that helped me through difficult times. When I first entered the way, I met a lot of legalists who instructed me in their own words or through their actions; that these previous companions were no longer adequate guides for the path ahead. I have found that to be untrue, in fact it was these heros that prepared me for the journey ahead as well as carried me through dark valleys
. "I am concerned with a certain way of looking at life, which was created in me by fairy tales, but has since been ratified by the mere facts." -G.K. Chesterton
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