Wednesday, December 12, 2012
CampZing
This one showed up a year or two ago. I had it on my computer but was running low on space, and well sacrifices were made. I still laugh my butt off when I see this.
CampZing
Mokiki's sloppy swish is one of my faves this year and will likely show up at camp. I suspect that they'll be doing it all week. Woo.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
CampZing
I wanna start posting a new series. I'm gonna call it "Videos I should maybe show at camp perhaps maybe but I dunno really." I'll work on the name though. If I come across something funny I'm gonna post it. ZING.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Who are we now?
Romans 12:1-8
Who are we exactly? Not just who are we, but also who do we want to be?
If you are a Christ follower then the answer is very simple, but results may vary.
Very simply you are one who first wants to follow Christ. By thinking and acting in a similar way.
Being passionate about the things Jesus was passionate about and not letting other distractions get in your way.
Over the centuries we see people who stand out as prime examples of this singular desire. They stand out because when when the world says hate they say love.
When the world says give up they press on.
They are unique because the life of Jesus is not an old old story to them. It is something that they wanted to live too. Not only wanted to live but did live.
They believed that when Jesus said love your enemy he actually meant it.
When Jesus said you are the salt and the light to the world, that they should go and bring flavor to life and brighten it up for everyone around them.
They understood that when they took care of the kind of people that have trouble taking care of themselves that they were really serving Jesus.
For them life was not glamourous but it was significant.
They took their one life to live and instead of 'Going big' they said "Lord let me minister"
If you are Christian you are here to Worship the Lord and Minister to others.
That may sound bleak to some with "big plans".
But not to worry, ministry can take you all over the world to experience and encounter things you would never dream of. Ministry is an adventure that never stops.
This is what Paul was saying. "You have gifts, whatever they are use them and use them for ministry."
Using your gifts for ministry might take you around the world or they might take you down the street. There is no telling, but there is always a need. If you are open to putting those things first and make that what matters there will be no disappointing.
Who are we exactly? Not just who are we, but also who do we want to be?
If you are a Christ follower then the answer is very simple, but results may vary.
Very simply you are one who first wants to follow Christ. By thinking and acting in a similar way.
Being passionate about the things Jesus was passionate about and not letting other distractions get in your way.
Over the centuries we see people who stand out as prime examples of this singular desire. They stand out because when when the world says hate they say love.
When the world says give up they press on.
They are unique because the life of Jesus is not an old old story to them. It is something that they wanted to live too. Not only wanted to live but did live.
They believed that when Jesus said love your enemy he actually meant it.
When Jesus said you are the salt and the light to the world, that they should go and bring flavor to life and brighten it up for everyone around them.
They understood that when they took care of the kind of people that have trouble taking care of themselves that they were really serving Jesus.
For them life was not glamourous but it was significant.
They took their one life to live and instead of 'Going big' they said "Lord let me minister"
If you are Christian you are here to Worship the Lord and Minister to others.
That may sound bleak to some with "big plans".
But not to worry, ministry can take you all over the world to experience and encounter things you would never dream of. Ministry is an adventure that never stops.
This is what Paul was saying. "You have gifts, whatever they are use them and use them for ministry."
Using your gifts for ministry might take you around the world or they might take you down the street. There is no telling, but there is always a need. If you are open to putting those things first and make that what matters there will be no disappointing.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Sheep & Goats
In my mind and in my observation of congregational ministry the Sunday worship is what takes up a major chunk of time and energy for all who participate. For those who are Sunday only-s this is especially true. The broad understandings of what it is to worship, pray, give, and grow are understood through this weekly time. Yet it would be deceiving to understand those things through the lens of Sunday morning.
For many Sunday morning is a time of consumption or perhaps observance. It is not far off to compare it to a free play. Singing along with the songs and paying attention do not necessarily mean you are participating. It is this word that I am interested in. There are those who participate on Sunday and throughout the week. Let us consider the Christian life like a pitcher. For those new and learning they could be seen as being filled up. With perhaps the Spirit, teachings, understanding, wisdom. At some point though it needs to be understood that being a Christ follower is not exclusively about receiving but instead it is also about giving, pouring ones self out. Tipping your pitcher over and letting others be filled too.
There is a spectrum it seems. Receiving and giving are poised on either ends of the spectrum. Likely perhaps even a majority sit on the receiving end. While so few are on the giving end that when such "dedication" is observed they are either snatched up into the professional clergy or heralded as some kind of super-christian. It is as though they are going above and beyond somehow. Certainly they show dedication but should their dedication be so foreign to us? I say no.
We encounter a life that is about more than just worship, or service. We do not just find Jesus in an emotionally charged music service or a moving prayer and sermon. In Matt 25 we find that we actually encounter Jesus when we take care of "the least of these". In my head it is a idealistic notion that I've encountered numerous times from those who have returned from mission's trips. "Oh they ministered to us more than we ministered to them." Is probably the line from every mission debrief I've been witness too. When you minister nearby however you may find people who are ungrateful and hurt more than we know what to do with. Yet it is these too, those that do not give us those warm fuzzies from service that are also Jesus when we serve them.
I encourage everyone to discover the full breadth of the Gospel. Not just the good news that you talk but the good news you live and share. Let your whole life be transformed by this Gospel.
For many Sunday morning is a time of consumption or perhaps observance. It is not far off to compare it to a free play. Singing along with the songs and paying attention do not necessarily mean you are participating. It is this word that I am interested in. There are those who participate on Sunday and throughout the week. Let us consider the Christian life like a pitcher. For those new and learning they could be seen as being filled up. With perhaps the Spirit, teachings, understanding, wisdom. At some point though it needs to be understood that being a Christ follower is not exclusively about receiving but instead it is also about giving, pouring ones self out. Tipping your pitcher over and letting others be filled too.
There is a spectrum it seems. Receiving and giving are poised on either ends of the spectrum. Likely perhaps even a majority sit on the receiving end. While so few are on the giving end that when such "dedication" is observed they are either snatched up into the professional clergy or heralded as some kind of super-christian. It is as though they are going above and beyond somehow. Certainly they show dedication but should their dedication be so foreign to us? I say no.
We encounter a life that is about more than just worship, or service. We do not just find Jesus in an emotionally charged music service or a moving prayer and sermon. In Matt 25 we find that we actually encounter Jesus when we take care of "the least of these". In my head it is a idealistic notion that I've encountered numerous times from those who have returned from mission's trips. "Oh they ministered to us more than we ministered to them." Is probably the line from every mission debrief I've been witness too. When you minister nearby however you may find people who are ungrateful and hurt more than we know what to do with. Yet it is these too, those that do not give us those warm fuzzies from service that are also Jesus when we serve them.
I encourage everyone to discover the full breadth of the Gospel. Not just the good news that you talk but the good news you live and share. Let your whole life be transformed by this Gospel.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
A parable of siblings
Let me try and regale you with a story.
This story may be used as an illustration but it is completely fictional and should not be read into.
In it we find two siblings. They being siblings came from the same place. They experienced much of existence together. That is not to say they interacted with the world the same. They were very different in that sense. One was more of a thinker while the other could only do. They encountered their surroundings in vastly different ways. As a thinker the first would drift through life seeing problems and imagining solutions to all these woes. Discussing and debating with others about structure and teaching. The first never really did much about anything except to discuss and talk about how things should be or what happened to be wrong about such and such a thing. Now the second sibling was much more of a doer. They acted far more than they thought. Although their actions may not of been well thought through, they at least did something. If asked for money they would give it away, if help was needed it was also given. Hungry and sick were cared for but the second sibling was not sure why they needed to care for them.
From here the siblings are called into pastoral ministry. The first sibling goes and discusses doctrine and orthodoxy with their pastor. Many great books and curriculum are written. In distant lands it has a mediocre affect. Sunday school and bible studies are the best they'd ever been. The second sibling goes and feeds the poor and clothes the naked and does many good works at the encouragement of their congregation. All needs are met in their community.
Yet in both cases the congregations shrink. The first sibling despite their best efforts to teach their community finds an inactive body. They are hungry to learn and already quite intelligent. Yet all things Christ are encountered within the walls of their meeting place. The community around them hurts and hungers but the church was unwilling to go and encounter these people. The second sibling on the other hand has a church of doers. They were active in their community but unwilling to share the gospel with those who had greater needs to be met. Once those needs were met they continued to serve only.
Both on their own were incapable to "be Jesus" to their community. By having only doctrine or practice there is something that is lacking. We can neither be only well versed in doctrine or practice but must daily encounter both. Where are you lacking?! If you can say neither, the answer is probably both. Consider carefully the story of the siblings. It is because of their discomfort with what did not come natural to them that they did not engage in it throughly. "That is more like what my sibling would do." They would say. "There are others that will do that." Is more like what we say. Let yourself become uncomfortable. Whether you feel yourself to be stupid or sedentary do not let your predisposition dictate what you can or cannot do.
This story may be used as an illustration but it is completely fictional and should not be read into.
In it we find two siblings. They being siblings came from the same place. They experienced much of existence together. That is not to say they interacted with the world the same. They were very different in that sense. One was more of a thinker while the other could only do. They encountered their surroundings in vastly different ways. As a thinker the first would drift through life seeing problems and imagining solutions to all these woes. Discussing and debating with others about structure and teaching. The first never really did much about anything except to discuss and talk about how things should be or what happened to be wrong about such and such a thing. Now the second sibling was much more of a doer. They acted far more than they thought. Although their actions may not of been well thought through, they at least did something. If asked for money they would give it away, if help was needed it was also given. Hungry and sick were cared for but the second sibling was not sure why they needed to care for them.
From here the siblings are called into pastoral ministry. The first sibling goes and discusses doctrine and orthodoxy with their pastor. Many great books and curriculum are written. In distant lands it has a mediocre affect. Sunday school and bible studies are the best they'd ever been. The second sibling goes and feeds the poor and clothes the naked and does many good works at the encouragement of their congregation. All needs are met in their community.
Yet in both cases the congregations shrink. The first sibling despite their best efforts to teach their community finds an inactive body. They are hungry to learn and already quite intelligent. Yet all things Christ are encountered within the walls of their meeting place. The community around them hurts and hungers but the church was unwilling to go and encounter these people. The second sibling on the other hand has a church of doers. They were active in their community but unwilling to share the gospel with those who had greater needs to be met. Once those needs were met they continued to serve only.
Both on their own were incapable to "be Jesus" to their community. By having only doctrine or practice there is something that is lacking. We can neither be only well versed in doctrine or practice but must daily encounter both. Where are you lacking?! If you can say neither, the answer is probably both. Consider carefully the story of the siblings. It is because of their discomfort with what did not come natural to them that they did not engage in it throughly. "That is more like what my sibling would do." They would say. "There are others that will do that." Is more like what we say. Let yourself become uncomfortable. Whether you feel yourself to be stupid or sedentary do not let your predisposition dictate what you can or cannot do.
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