"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
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