Romans 1:14
I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.
My heart breaks for the barbarians. There is no doubt about it, they are a hard pack of wolves that have fed on the carcasses of this world. They are brutal, raw, in your face, dirty, coarse and care not for sanitation. They don't care about rules, rites or rituals other than the ones they have learned in the dark or through pain. They don't fit tidy programs, sanitized environments or white gloved hand shakes. They will shock you or ignore you. They don't care about what you think they should care about. They can disgust you, use you, screw you or just blow past you. They are this cultures underbelly but they are not soft but have grown calloused by being dragged along the highway of life.
Obligate: to bind or compel.
I am obligated to the Barbarians.
“God saved the Jews in a Jewish way, the barbarians in a barbarian way."
-Clement of Alexandria
We need to face the reality of this truth. The barbarians among us or that live on the margins or the ostracized or ignored places within our communities are in need of those with a call to be bound to them. They are in desperate need of those who will find out how to see them saved in a "Barbarian way". The barbarian way isn't about motivation, inspiration or feeling more manly' it's far more brutal and dangerous than that. It's not something like a christianized weekend warrior thing...it's cultural baptism by blood.
It requires something from us...like Paul circumcising Timothy to reach a group within a culture...what are we willing to bleed for? Timothy heard the barbarian call and followed it in a path of his own blood.
In order to reach the Barbarian you are going to have to face the reality that you are going to have to embrace the freedom of Christ in order to get where you need to get in order to be close enough to them. You are going to have to look like them in many ways to reach them and that might require more of you than you think. Can you lose to gain? Can you throw out your prissy propriety and be counted among them? Are you willing to eat their food, drink their drink, wear their clothes, speak their language, walk their paths, know their homes, share their fears and endure their weaknesses?
Can you lose your reputation for love? The only way to traverse the steep paths towards the walled off hearts of the barbarians is to truly wear the shoes of the gospel of peace. You must be walking in the peace of the gospel. Your conscience must be at peace. You must have what the bible calls a strong conscience not a weak one. Study to find out the difference, it may surprise you.
"To bind the conscience where Scripture leaves freedom is a very, very serious crime."
It will in fact, steal from you the ability to incarnate into the people you must be to reach the ones who require you to change to reach them. You must change to see change in them.
But for some of you that change is a clarion call to abandon the safety of the familiar, the suffocation of the sanctuary and to be released back into the wilds again. You yearn for freedom, the ability to throw off the civilized trappings of the "greeks" and once again sing the songs of men instead of humming the soft melodies of the ladies.
You hear the poetry of the barbarian, etched in the stones of zion, carved there by a tattooed God, whose eyes kindle with eternal fires and his breath smolders with words that can shatter mountains, split open the dark seas of mens hearts and enflesh the dead with the breath of His nostrils.
Poetry is ultimately mythology, the telling of stories of the soul," he wrote. "The old myths, the old gods, the old heroes have never died. They are only sleeping at the bottom of our minds, waiting for our call. We have need of them, for in their sum they epitomize the wisdom and experience of the race. -Stanley Kunitz,
I dare you to listen to the whisper in the wind and follow it...you will never be the same again and isnt that what you know you desperatly need?
My course is set for an uncharted sea. -Dante
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
some things never change...
"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes." - Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam) 1466-1536
Thursday, July 27, 2006
...for that God made Heavy Metal.
Let me write the songs of a nation and I care not who writes its laws. -Plato
Finally Metallica graces us with the ability to download their fiery music on itunes. It's a good day to own an ipod. Currently listening to "Blitzkrieg" a good sonic kick in the head after a day that kicked me in the groin.
Call me carnal though I prefer Colonel...but nothing soothes the pulsing veins of emotion like a stroke from the electric guitar; it's like a good audio massage to the strained nerves.
Heavy metal is like alcohol...listen responsibly kiddies...not everything out there is good for the soul but some of it can resole the leather back into your boots. I couldn't have lost 35 pounds without the headbangers pushing me on in the gym thats for sure!
Sometime life demands you scream back at it...for that God made Heavy Metal.
Finally Metallica graces us with the ability to download their fiery music on itunes. It's a good day to own an ipod. Currently listening to "Blitzkrieg" a good sonic kick in the head after a day that kicked me in the groin.
Call me carnal though I prefer Colonel...but nothing soothes the pulsing veins of emotion like a stroke from the electric guitar; it's like a good audio massage to the strained nerves.
Heavy metal is like alcohol...listen responsibly kiddies...not everything out there is good for the soul but some of it can resole the leather back into your boots. I couldn't have lost 35 pounds without the headbangers pushing me on in the gym thats for sure!
Sometime life demands you scream back at it...for that God made Heavy Metal.
old friends....
The Twins...Colleen and Mallory, a pair of the most unique, crazy and loving young ladies from our old Ground Zero youth church. They stopped by Jacob's Well Wednesday night, it was so good to see them, it's been too long.
Youth pastoring is a tough job. So many times you wonder if all your blood, sweat and tears is in vain. It often feels like trying to build a sand castle on the edge of an incoming tide. I know I felt that often. trying to resurrect in one night what was being killed every day of the week...but the memories are worth more than gold.
The love and friendship, the prayer nights, the long rides with hours of conversation, the laughter, the tons of junk food and the moments when God danced with us were life changing.
These two have been woven into my spiritual life history..I pray they are a part of the future too...Daughters of thunder they are for sure...I pray the Lion roars through them LOUD in the days ahead, as He has in days past.
Youth pastoring is a tough job. So many times you wonder if all your blood, sweat and tears is in vain. It often feels like trying to build a sand castle on the edge of an incoming tide. I know I felt that often. trying to resurrect in one night what was being killed every day of the week...but the memories are worth more than gold.
The love and friendship, the prayer nights, the long rides with hours of conversation, the laughter, the tons of junk food and the moments when God danced with us were life changing.
These two have been woven into my spiritual life history..I pray they are a part of the future too...Daughters of thunder they are for sure...I pray the Lion roars through them LOUD in the days ahead, as He has in days past.
Such a gospel I abhor...
I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.
I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor. -Charles Spurgeon
This article is so good in my opinion. I find it glimmering with truth, like a field sown full of precious gems. I dare you to read it fully, I promise you will find a overwhelming desire to hang it's sparkling truths around your neck in honor of God's praise and grace.
Read it here: http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm
I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor. -Charles Spurgeon
This article is so good in my opinion. I find it glimmering with truth, like a field sown full of precious gems. I dare you to read it fully, I promise you will find a overwhelming desire to hang it's sparkling truths around your neck in honor of God's praise and grace.
Read it here: http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Which action hero are you?
I scored as Jack Sparrow, take the quiz and see which hero you are most like. go here to find out: http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=92013
Old books...
There will, if we follow our vision, be a time and an opportunity for the blossoming of our desires, the fulfillment of our ambition, the ripening of our ideals, for they are the petals in the closed bud which find an opportunity, sometime, somewhere, to open up and fling out their fragrance and beauty without blight or bruise to strangle growth. -Orison S. Marden
The Creator never mocked us with yearning for that which we have no ability or possibility of attaining; that our heart longings and aspirations are prophecies, forerunners, indications of the existence of the obtainable reality... Orison Swett Marden "The Miracle Of Right Thought" 1910
I found this book in a used bookstore in Lincoln City, Oregon, a small coastal town that we vacationed in this last week. I treasure my other hard bound copies of Orison Swett Marden's books and this was a great find, well worth the $40 I paid for it. You can get reprints of most of his work online but you have to hunt to find these old, hard bound copies. Finding them is like finding treasure to me...especially since my dad was there too and he didn't find it first! Used bookstores like this one are priceless to me. It frustrates me that all the big franchises and the internet are pushing these kind of stores into the margins. I would rather buy a book face to face in a store that obviously loves books than in one of these slick stores or non-fragrant websites. The store I bought this book in had all kinds of great artifacts hanging on the walls and ceilings...spears, arrow heads, shark teeth, old paintings etc...sooooo deliciously atmospheric.
We had a great trip to Oregon but I didn't get to go to my favorite bookstores while we were there. Micah got sick and the heat and humidity was so severe, we decided to come back a day early, which meant I had to miss my book hunt day in Portland. Oh the agony! It was a real bummer...I miss having access to good bookstores and especially ones that carry a great selection of used books. Spokane is really hurting when it comes to good used book stores. In fact...I can't think of one. There is a good one in Coure, D' Alene but the religion section stinks, as do most around here.
I plan to create a space in our church that will become a small book store that will focus on mainly old writers...Dead Guys often speak the loudest to me it seems. Hopefully we can see it grow and become a local source for people to encounter the truth that is hidden away in these fragile and dusty yet, life giving old books.
The Creator never mocked us with yearning for that which we have no ability or possibility of attaining; that our heart longings and aspirations are prophecies, forerunners, indications of the existence of the obtainable reality... Orison Swett Marden "The Miracle Of Right Thought" 1910
I found this book in a used bookstore in Lincoln City, Oregon, a small coastal town that we vacationed in this last week. I treasure my other hard bound copies of Orison Swett Marden's books and this was a great find, well worth the $40 I paid for it. You can get reprints of most of his work online but you have to hunt to find these old, hard bound copies. Finding them is like finding treasure to me...especially since my dad was there too and he didn't find it first! Used bookstores like this one are priceless to me. It frustrates me that all the big franchises and the internet are pushing these kind of stores into the margins. I would rather buy a book face to face in a store that obviously loves books than in one of these slick stores or non-fragrant websites. The store I bought this book in had all kinds of great artifacts hanging on the walls and ceilings...spears, arrow heads, shark teeth, old paintings etc...sooooo deliciously atmospheric.
We had a great trip to Oregon but I didn't get to go to my favorite bookstores while we were there. Micah got sick and the heat and humidity was so severe, we decided to come back a day early, which meant I had to miss my book hunt day in Portland. Oh the agony! It was a real bummer...I miss having access to good bookstores and especially ones that carry a great selection of used books. Spokane is really hurting when it comes to good used book stores. In fact...I can't think of one. There is a good one in Coure, D' Alene but the religion section stinks, as do most around here.
I plan to create a space in our church that will become a small book store that will focus on mainly old writers...Dead Guys often speak the loudest to me it seems. Hopefully we can see it grow and become a local source for people to encounter the truth that is hidden away in these fragile and dusty yet, life giving old books.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Mt. St. Helens...
I took this shot from the back road to the swimming area we hung out at on Friday. Mt. St. Helens minus her top...quite cool to see.
The bowl...
They call this "The Toilet bowl". You jump in and it spits you out down stream. I tried it...it was fun but not much of a thrill. The waterfall at Washougal WA is much better.
Dreams do come true...
What an amazing wedding it was...Jackie was a princess and Spencer was truly a prince. I was honored to marry them before God and man. It was one of the highlights of my life.
Beating the heat...
With temps over 100 in Portland, Friday we headed for the river to do a little rock jumping. Oh it was good.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Off to the Oregon coast...
Ahhhhhh...rest and relaxation in one of our favorite spots on earth, Oregon's beaches. We are joining my brother Marc and his family and my dad's family for some well deserved recouperation after a lot of change, transition and work. No better place to unwind than this. Plus I got some cash burning in my pocket and Powell's books is so calling my name! Plus, we get to take the 7-9 hour drive in our new Suburban...which means, Micah is about 8 feet behind me...oh the gas will be so worth it :)
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Wedding day!
Today I have the privilage of marrying Jackie, one of my dearest friends to Spencer, an awesome man. These two are amazing and proof that young people can fully follow the way of Christ. Young people...folow them as they follow Jesus. I love them both but Jackie has been a special treasure over the years of ministry. She has been by our side through everything...an encouragment, a blessing, a friend, a daughter, a leader and someone who always makes us laugh. She is one of God's best gifts to us. She will make Spencer a wonderful wife. I am so proud of you two. The Lord's blessing is upon you.
Monday, July 17, 2006
I am a boxers, not briefs, Reformed guy...
The two hot theologies today are Reformed and emerging. Reformed theology offers certainty, with a masculine God who names our sin, crushes Jesus on the Cross for it, and sends us to hell if we fail to repent. Emerging theology offers obscurity, with a neutered God who would not say an unkind word to us, did not crush Jesus for our sins, and would not send anyone to hell. I came to Reformed theology by preaching through books of the Bible such as Exodus, Romans, John, and Revelation, along with continually repenting of my sin. I am, however, a boxers, not briefs, Reformed guy. I am pretty laid back about it and not uptight and tidy like many Reformed guys. -mark driscoll more here: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/127/52.0.html
So where do all these denominations come from?
Have you ever wondered where all the different Christian
denominations sprung from?
Here is a chart that shows the denominational family tree form the
reformation on...I found it interesting.
http://www.modernreformation.org/churchchart.pdf
Uhggggg...
Billion Dollar Fluff...
BY ERIC LANDRY [POSTED ONLINE: JULY 8, 2005]
http://www.modernreformation.org/btt.htm#btt070805
Forbes magazine, typically dedicated to chronicling the lives of the uber-wealthy, has turned its attention on a new billion dollar business: the Christian motivational talk circuit. In a short article appearing in the July 4, 2005 issue, author David Whelan, writes that “Christian speechmakers generate perhaps $100 million a year in fees…growing 25% a year.” Although the article highlights Ken Davis, a graduate of a Bible institute who turned magic and motivation into an $800,000 annual gig, Whelan also lists more popular keynote speakers who command even more money: NFL quarterback Kurt Warner at $40,000 per appearance, actor Steven Baldwin at $10,000 per appearance, baseball pitcher Orel Hershiser at $20,000 per appearance, and actor Kirk Cameron at $5,000 per appearance. To get an idea of what sorts of messages you might hear at the events where these speakers are headliners you only need to see the title of Davis’ typical Sunday morning homily offerings: “Why the Bible compares us to sheep and how to become a super-sheep” or “Living and laughing together.” Sounds swell. Billion Dollar Fluff...
Sunday, July 16, 2006
view from our house...
Here is the the view of our church from my front porch. So nice....it's great to just walk to work now.
trees...
I love these trees in front of our house. Big roots, huge limbs with big canopies of leaves. Lot's of shade and cool in the evening.
Our house
Here is a shot of our new home in East Central Spokane...we really love it! I will add more later when the inside is all put together.
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