A Warning
John’s message on I Peter 5 warned against pride. He also included a warning about listening to any message offered as an alternative to the message of Peter’s letter. I would like to extend that warning.
When I was a kid, I loved the book store. As I grew and became interested in God and accepted Christ, I was drawn to that area of the book store that sold “religious” books. Years ago there would be a section of books that were messages from the Evangelical subculture of which I was a part and in adjacent shelves were the “New Age” books that seemed to me to just be creepy. It was not difficult to know what books I wanted to stay away from.
Today, most of the book stores are gone and instead of browsing shelves we browse the Internet. But more distressing is a new kind of Christianity that is getting lots and lots of digital ink. If you grew up in the same Evangelical subculture as I did (at least from age 19 on), you know all about (and reject) the “health and wealth” gospel that misreads scripture to promise the good life to its followers.
Today’s temptations are more subtle. They often start like this: Christ is Love and we are called to love our enemies.
Wait a minute! That is exactly right!! But wait. Many of these new voices are talking about the “trajectory” of scripture and learning to extend Jesus’ teaching to our current culture. They are unhooking our moral code from scripture. Once there is a disconnect with scripture there is no end of directions you can go.
Discernment and a foundation of scripture have never been more important. The new messages sound great and usually contain true elements, but beware the talk of “extensions” and about the “trajectory of scripture”.
Another caution: It is not our place to Judge our brothers and sisters. It is our duty to God to work to understand His will for our life and to make the proper moral decisions based on scripture, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the wise counsel of other believers.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Riches are Great, But There’s More!
Who doesn’t want a friend with riches? For one reason or another, people with riches like to give things away and who wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end? As a teacher in Chicago I benefited from the Gates Foundation’s gifts to the school at which I worked. Certainly some of the gifts of earthly benefactors are misguided, but it’s great to have that kind of connection.
In Ephesians 3 we learn about the unsearchable riches of Christ:
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[b] God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
“Unsearchable” is kind of a funny word. It’s the word used by the King James translators and it is repeated in a number of modern translations. I prefer (although I cannot read the original languages) the word “unfathomable” used in the New American Standard version. A fathom is a unit of measure often used for the depth of water and “unfathomable” literally means that you cannot find the bottom. This certainly captures the idea of this passage and in Ephesians, you find exactly what kind of bottomless riches Paul is talking about:
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, …
Ephesians 2:7 …so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3: 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
For me it is easier to understand the riches of God’s grace than to understand his glory even though we share both. God’s grace redeems us and:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Getting my mind around riches of his glory is a little more difficult, but seeing myself on the moving walkway (as illustrated in the message of Jan 5th), part of God’s larger plan to bring glory to his name partly by working through me, helps me understand a bit more about the unsearchable riches of God.
Understanding a little about grace and glory that he shares out of his abundance and love gives us insight into another part of the Jan 5th message: the power of God that he shares with us:
Ephesians 1 19 …and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
God’s power is the source of energy that keeps the walkway moving and enables us to (however imperfectly) do his will. Along with unsearchable riches, he grants us immeasurable… power.
And if that were the end of the story, it would be an awesome and life changing story by itself, but there is more.
John 10 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This is what makes the story irresistible. God’s love motivates his ultimate sacrifice for us. Love isn’t love if it costs nothing. Everyone knows that saying with words that you love someone doesn’t mean much (if anything) without actions to back it up.
If you want to understand the nature of God, start here: He gave his life for our redemption. He took our sins upon his sinless shoulders and suffered for us on the cross. His love demands our attention and gives us an example of how to get the attention of others.
It’s not enough for us to be “right”. It’s not enough to have “sound doctrine”. It’s not enough to share key verses or our even our life’s story.
What are you willing to give? What loving sacrifice will you make to bring God’s grace and glory into someone’s life?
Sacrifice sounds scary and depressing, but God’s unsearchable grace and glory and immeasurable power make this kind of sacrifice a holy joy. 1 John 4:19, We love because he first loved us. There is no formula. There is no one set answer to the questions above. How will you love those around you, especially those who are “unlovable”? Let the Spirit speak to you as you read and pray and listen for your answers.
In Ephesians 3 we learn about the unsearchable riches of Christ:
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[b] God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
“Unsearchable” is kind of a funny word. It’s the word used by the King James translators and it is repeated in a number of modern translations. I prefer (although I cannot read the original languages) the word “unfathomable” used in the New American Standard version. A fathom is a unit of measure often used for the depth of water and “unfathomable” literally means that you cannot find the bottom. This certainly captures the idea of this passage and in Ephesians, you find exactly what kind of bottomless riches Paul is talking about:
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, …
Ephesians 2:7 …so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3: 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
For me it is easier to understand the riches of God’s grace than to understand his glory even though we share both. God’s grace redeems us and:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Getting my mind around riches of his glory is a little more difficult, but seeing myself on the moving walkway (as illustrated in the message of Jan 5th), part of God’s larger plan to bring glory to his name partly by working through me, helps me understand a bit more about the unsearchable riches of God.
Understanding a little about grace and glory that he shares out of his abundance and love gives us insight into another part of the Jan 5th message: the power of God that he shares with us:
Ephesians 1 19 …and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
God’s power is the source of energy that keeps the walkway moving and enables us to (however imperfectly) do his will. Along with unsearchable riches, he grants us immeasurable… power.
And if that were the end of the story, it would be an awesome and life changing story by itself, but there is more.
John 10 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This is what makes the story irresistible. God’s love motivates his ultimate sacrifice for us. Love isn’t love if it costs nothing. Everyone knows that saying with words that you love someone doesn’t mean much (if anything) without actions to back it up.
If you want to understand the nature of God, start here: He gave his life for our redemption. He took our sins upon his sinless shoulders and suffered for us on the cross. His love demands our attention and gives us an example of how to get the attention of others.
It’s not enough for us to be “right”. It’s not enough to have “sound doctrine”. It’s not enough to share key verses or our even our life’s story.
What are you willing to give? What loving sacrifice will you make to bring God’s grace and glory into someone’s life?
Sacrifice sounds scary and depressing, but God’s unsearchable grace and glory and immeasurable power make this kind of sacrifice a holy joy. 1 John 4:19, We love because he first loved us. There is no formula. There is no one set answer to the questions above. How will you love those around you, especially those who are “unlovable”? Let the Spirit speak to you as you read and pray and listen for your answers.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thoughts on Evangelism: How do you Deal with Father Issues?
Thoughts on Evangelism: How do you Deal with Father Issues?
Last Sunday we heard a marvelous testimony of how a family had been hurt by a father’s actions (and inactions) and broken by divorce. Family members for years were among the walking wounded. Then, in a moment of clarity, the Lord touched the wayward father, and years of pain were healed. It is a great illustration of God working through prayer to change lives.
But what happens when that moment of clarity does not come? When fathers and children do not find resolution or when death separates family members before such clarity can come. Or what happens to children who never meet their fathers?
Hebrews 12 talks about fathers:
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
How does this read to a son or daughter whose father has been absent or abusive or self-absorbed? How do you witness about God the Father to someone who has never met his father?
Maybe a place to start is Matthew 27: 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus himself knows what it means to be a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Though he knew his death was necessary, he felt abandoned by God the Father. So Jesus deeply understands what it means to have a bad father or no father at all. As you witness to those with father issues, this may be a place to start. One huge difference is that God the Father was not “disciplining” Jesus his son: Jesus’ death is necessary to heal OUR relationship with God, not to heal Jesus’ relationship with his Father God.
To help a new believer understand this relationship between a father’s discipline and our adoption as sons and daughters I think there are two things you can do.
First, you can help the new believer (or someone asking questions) think about someone in their life who asserted authority in a caring way: a teacher or pastor or uncle or brother. If they can see that the person disciplined them for their own good, you have got a good example. Certainly you can emphasize that, as a human, that person in their life probably has made plenty of mistakes of their own. But we can learn even from mediocre examples. Try to draw parallels between that important person in their life and how God the Father has led and disciplined you in your life.
Second, and more important, you can become a leader in that person’s life as you disciple them in the faith. God grants us the authority to preach his word and do his will on earth. That authority is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ and is enabled by our knowledge of Jesus. That puts a responsibility on us to be in prayer and in God’s Word regularly so that we can align our will with our Father’s will. We will not be perfect. But we are responsible to do the Father’s work and that will include teaching and helping others understand their relationship with God. You may be called to be that caring, loving one who disciplines that we talked about in the last paragraph. Just because it is a heavy responsibility does not mean you are not called by God to assume it.
Pray about it. Maybe you have father issues. That might make you uniquely qualified to help a new believer with their own issues. Maybe God is calling you to have a discipling relationship that is modeled after the kind of loving Father described in Hebrews 12. If you are called to help or lead someone into a deeper walk with Jesus, remember to talk to those who are your spiritual leaders for help and advice and go to them for prayer. Taking on this kind of relationship may be scary, but it brings a deep joy to you and to your Father.
Last Sunday we heard a marvelous testimony of how a family had been hurt by a father’s actions (and inactions) and broken by divorce. Family members for years were among the walking wounded. Then, in a moment of clarity, the Lord touched the wayward father, and years of pain were healed. It is a great illustration of God working through prayer to change lives.
But what happens when that moment of clarity does not come? When fathers and children do not find resolution or when death separates family members before such clarity can come. Or what happens to children who never meet their fathers?
Hebrews 12 talks about fathers:
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
How does this read to a son or daughter whose father has been absent or abusive or self-absorbed? How do you witness about God the Father to someone who has never met his father?
Maybe a place to start is Matthew 27: 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus himself knows what it means to be a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Though he knew his death was necessary, he felt abandoned by God the Father. So Jesus deeply understands what it means to have a bad father or no father at all. As you witness to those with father issues, this may be a place to start. One huge difference is that God the Father was not “disciplining” Jesus his son: Jesus’ death is necessary to heal OUR relationship with God, not to heal Jesus’ relationship with his Father God.
To help a new believer understand this relationship between a father’s discipline and our adoption as sons and daughters I think there are two things you can do.
First, you can help the new believer (or someone asking questions) think about someone in their life who asserted authority in a caring way: a teacher or pastor or uncle or brother. If they can see that the person disciplined them for their own good, you have got a good example. Certainly you can emphasize that, as a human, that person in their life probably has made plenty of mistakes of their own. But we can learn even from mediocre examples. Try to draw parallels between that important person in their life and how God the Father has led and disciplined you in your life.
Second, and more important, you can become a leader in that person’s life as you disciple them in the faith. God grants us the authority to preach his word and do his will on earth. That authority is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ and is enabled by our knowledge of Jesus. That puts a responsibility on us to be in prayer and in God’s Word regularly so that we can align our will with our Father’s will. We will not be perfect. But we are responsible to do the Father’s work and that will include teaching and helping others understand their relationship with God. You may be called to be that caring, loving one who disciplines that we talked about in the last paragraph. Just because it is a heavy responsibility does not mean you are not called by God to assume it.
Pray about it. Maybe you have father issues. That might make you uniquely qualified to help a new believer with their own issues. Maybe God is calling you to have a discipling relationship that is modeled after the kind of loving Father described in Hebrews 12. If you are called to help or lead someone into a deeper walk with Jesus, remember to talk to those who are your spiritual leaders for help and advice and go to them for prayer. Taking on this kind of relationship may be scary, but it brings a deep joy to you and to your Father.
I guess I really do have a chronic illness...
Google "psoriatic arthritis" and read all about it. The description of symptoms matches me perfectly! There are 5 varieties and I seem to have symptoms of about three kinds. Right now I am experiencing a pretty bad flare up in the lower back: dance lessons canceled, cane retrieved from it holder.
Thinking back, I've had symptoms for years and for years have denied that there was any problem. Do you really mean it's not normal to be in pain all the time?? I thought it was a natural consequence of the various sports abuses I've put myself through over the years.
The “Last Week’s Sermon” Game or Are You Ready to Talk About Jesus?
The “Last Week’s Sermon” Game or Are You Ready to Talk About Jesus?
I’d like to invite you to play a game I made up. We are all familiar with the scripture: "...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." But, are you really ready?
Here’s my game: Imagine that someone asks you to tell them about Jesus and what he means to you and why he is important, and your response has to come from Last Week’s Sermon.
To play the game, you pretend to have a conversation where someone asks you a leading question about your faith or about Jesus and you respond by using last week’s message along with your own personal references and knowledge to tell the person about Jesus Christ.
It’s a game, but the rules are loose. You are certainly allowed to use other scripture references and certainly you should use some of your own personal stories and knowledge, but the main part of your response should come from the content of the week’s message.
Here’s a sample. “It’s Christmas and everyone is talking about Christ and I know that you go to church. What do you say about the meaning of Christmas and Jesus and religion and all that stuff?”
Like Nehemiah (Neh 2:4), shoot a quick prayer of thanks toward heaven and say: “I’m glad you asked. Just last week at church we heard a story about Jesus that came from a book in the Old Testament by a prophet that lived 800 years before Jesus even came to earth! BTW, a prophet is a messenger that brings God’s message to people, and this prophet, Isaiah, predicted that Jesus would be born and he would bring light and be a light for his people who were in the middle of a terribly dark period of their history. Isaiah was writing to a people that were have super hard times and they were cursing the government and life in general. Isaiah told them that a light would come in the form of a child and that light would be the Wonderful Counselor, the Might God, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
“And if you think about each name, you’ll get why the coming of Jesus means so much to me and to everyone: Jesus is God come to earth. He lived with us and walked with us for a season and then returned to God the Father to plead our case before his throne. We can call God our Everlasting Father because of restored relationship.
“My own connection with my real father has been tenuous at best. I met him only a couple of times in my whole life, and although he said that he prayed for me, it’s been hard to relate to him as a father and now he’s passed away. So thinking of God as my Everlasting Father is really meaningful for me.”
You get the idea. Use Last Weeks Sermon as a reference and as a springboard to talk about your relationship with Jesus. Use the game to mentally practice what you might say so you’ll be ready when God sends you someone with a question.
I’d like to invite you to play a game I made up. We are all familiar with the scripture: "...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." But, are you really ready?
Here’s my game: Imagine that someone asks you to tell them about Jesus and what he means to you and why he is important, and your response has to come from Last Week’s Sermon.
To play the game, you pretend to have a conversation where someone asks you a leading question about your faith or about Jesus and you respond by using last week’s message along with your own personal references and knowledge to tell the person about Jesus Christ.
It’s a game, but the rules are loose. You are certainly allowed to use other scripture references and certainly you should use some of your own personal stories and knowledge, but the main part of your response should come from the content of the week’s message.
Here’s a sample. “It’s Christmas and everyone is talking about Christ and I know that you go to church. What do you say about the meaning of Christmas and Jesus and religion and all that stuff?”
Like Nehemiah (Neh 2:4), shoot a quick prayer of thanks toward heaven and say: “I’m glad you asked. Just last week at church we heard a story about Jesus that came from a book in the Old Testament by a prophet that lived 800 years before Jesus even came to earth! BTW, a prophet is a messenger that brings God’s message to people, and this prophet, Isaiah, predicted that Jesus would be born and he would bring light and be a light for his people who were in the middle of a terribly dark period of their history. Isaiah was writing to a people that were have super hard times and they were cursing the government and life in general. Isaiah told them that a light would come in the form of a child and that light would be the Wonderful Counselor, the Might God, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
“And if you think about each name, you’ll get why the coming of Jesus means so much to me and to everyone: Jesus is God come to earth. He lived with us and walked with us for a season and then returned to God the Father to plead our case before his throne. We can call God our Everlasting Father because of restored relationship.
“My own connection with my real father has been tenuous at best. I met him only a couple of times in my whole life, and although he said that he prayed for me, it’s been hard to relate to him as a father and now he’s passed away. So thinking of God as my Everlasting Father is really meaningful for me.”
You get the idea. Use Last Weeks Sermon as a reference and as a springboard to talk about your relationship with Jesus. Use the game to mentally practice what you might say so you’ll be ready when God sends you someone with a question.
Best Year Ever (Year End Letter)
Best Year Ever! (Again!) I thought last year was the best ever, but this year was better.
This is the year that Spotlight (formerly Christian Youth Theater) came into our lives. First, Bonnie was invited to teach voice for the Lake County group. Then last summer, Bonnie costumed the Spotlight Adult show: Thoroughly Modern Millie. The talent (of Bonnie and the actors and the other people responsible for the production, including Elle who was the vocal director) was truly awesome. Michael got to see the show Every Night and loved it more each time he saw it! Bonnie got to make lots of new friends and work with some very talented people. Subsequently, Bonnie taught a voice class at the North Cook Spotlight group and is assisting in a Lake County class for the fall/winter session. Spotlight is a great organization dedicated to highlighting Jesus Christ through the performing arts. To complete the Spotlight part of the letter, Elle (Erin Laurel) is now a full time Spotlight employee working in several areas of the company, but mainly in marketing. This spring Elle will be directing a show for the Kenosha group and she has already invited Bonnie to work on the costuming.
You may have gathered that Elle must have left the Fred Astaire system, and you are correct! This is a huge change for her to leave the world of Ballroom and be totally involved with a Christian organization!
Another big, big change: Bonnie and Michael have closed the door on the Ballroom Dance Gown business!! The business was bought by our friend Michael, owner and manager of the Burr Ridge Fred Astaire. Michael always made us feel welcome in his studio, even before it was his studio and he made the dresses an important part of introducing his students into the world of Ballroom Competition. Once the Lord led Bonnie away from ballroom, it was a marvelously short time from that realization to the dresses leaving our house for Burr Ridge.
So, you might think that Bonnie might take a little time off to recover from years of intense work: you would be wrong. In addition to large, labor intensive contracts with the Mundelein HS Show Choir, Bonnie has started a new Etsy business: Bonnie’s Belle Babies, making infant and child clothing and accessories!
Giles, our SIL, has done a lot of graphic work for us. He made the banner above, but Michael inexpertly inserted our granddaughter’s picture over Gile’s graphic. Briana and Giles are working hard to realize their dream of a successful startup company. Cool Perks (mycoolperks.com) is a kind of electronic couponing company that uses smartphones and computers to actually pay people who distribute coupons to their friends. This kind of startup takes a tremendous amount of work and delightful and intelligent people (Briana and Giles) to explain and sell the concept to businesses.
Did I mention how Delightful it is to have Giles, Briana, and Giselle living with us? Getting daily exposure to this family and watching Giselle grow up is awesome!
We don’t get to see them every day, but Joel, Jen, and Sloane are just 30 minutes away. Sloane is awesome and Jen keeps us up-to-date with her amazing pictures. Joel works his computer magic mainly from home, so they are the Nuclear Family. We’ve had some great times with them this year.
Bonnie went to Haiti for the third time this year, then had surgery to repair her left thumb. She liked it so much, she’s going to do both again this coming year, but this time the right thumb. Michael had an ankle fusion and (finally) returned to daily bike riding and he hasn’t been physically so well off for a number of years! He’s teaching math two days a week at College of Lake County and spends another couple of days watching Giselle and Ezra, both great kids! He gets to read a lot of his favorite Dr. Seuss books and watch SpongeBob and Phineas and Ferb.
We’ve had a lot of changes, a lot of fun, a lot of little children, a lot of work, and, as always, we have found that God is Good, All the Time!
This is the year that Spotlight (formerly Christian Youth Theater) came into our lives. First, Bonnie was invited to teach voice for the Lake County group. Then last summer, Bonnie costumed the Spotlight Adult show: Thoroughly Modern Millie. The talent (of Bonnie and the actors and the other people responsible for the production, including Elle who was the vocal director) was truly awesome. Michael got to see the show Every Night and loved it more each time he saw it! Bonnie got to make lots of new friends and work with some very talented people. Subsequently, Bonnie taught a voice class at the North Cook Spotlight group and is assisting in a Lake County class for the fall/winter session. Spotlight is a great organization dedicated to highlighting Jesus Christ through the performing arts. To complete the Spotlight part of the letter, Elle (Erin Laurel) is now a full time Spotlight employee working in several areas of the company, but mainly in marketing. This spring Elle will be directing a show for the Kenosha group and she has already invited Bonnie to work on the costuming.
You may have gathered that Elle must have left the Fred Astaire system, and you are correct! This is a huge change for her to leave the world of Ballroom and be totally involved with a Christian organization!
Another big, big change: Bonnie and Michael have closed the door on the Ballroom Dance Gown business!! The business was bought by our friend Michael, owner and manager of the Burr Ridge Fred Astaire. Michael always made us feel welcome in his studio, even before it was his studio and he made the dresses an important part of introducing his students into the world of Ballroom Competition. Once the Lord led Bonnie away from ballroom, it was a marvelously short time from that realization to the dresses leaving our house for Burr Ridge.
So, you might think that Bonnie might take a little time off to recover from years of intense work: you would be wrong. In addition to large, labor intensive contracts with the Mundelein HS Show Choir, Bonnie has started a new Etsy business: Bonnie’s Belle Babies, making infant and child clothing and accessories!
Giles, our SIL, has done a lot of graphic work for us. He made the banner above, but Michael inexpertly inserted our granddaughter’s picture over Gile’s graphic. Briana and Giles are working hard to realize their dream of a successful startup company. Cool Perks (mycoolperks.com) is a kind of electronic couponing company that uses smartphones and computers to actually pay people who distribute coupons to their friends. This kind of startup takes a tremendous amount of work and delightful and intelligent people (Briana and Giles) to explain and sell the concept to businesses.
Did I mention how Delightful it is to have Giles, Briana, and Giselle living with us? Getting daily exposure to this family and watching Giselle grow up is awesome!
We don’t get to see them every day, but Joel, Jen, and Sloane are just 30 minutes away. Sloane is awesome and Jen keeps us up-to-date with her amazing pictures. Joel works his computer magic mainly from home, so they are the Nuclear Family. We’ve had some great times with them this year.
Bonnie went to Haiti for the third time this year, then had surgery to repair her left thumb. She liked it so much, she’s going to do both again this coming year, but this time the right thumb. Michael had an ankle fusion and (finally) returned to daily bike riding and he hasn’t been physically so well off for a number of years! He’s teaching math two days a week at College of Lake County and spends another couple of days watching Giselle and Ezra, both great kids! He gets to read a lot of his favorite Dr. Seuss books and watch SpongeBob and Phineas and Ferb.
We’ve had a lot of changes, a lot of fun, a lot of little children, a lot of work, and, as always, we have found that God is Good, All the Time!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Marriage
But I do have a couple of comments. Often wives store up their complaints over time. Sometimes it's over things that aren't quite worth mentioning at the time, or circumstances prevent bringing it up. But during hormonal times or other stress, often the filters come off and the whole pile of problems come tumbling out. When that happens it may trigger your own set of stored complaints, partly in defense, partly because you think "well, if she's going to bring that up, this is my chance to bring up the other thing that bothers me". Bringing up your complaints At This Time is hardly ever a good idea. The best thing to do is listen carefully and patiently. It may well be that you will hear something that you had no idea was a problem, or knew about but didn't think it was a problem. It may be a problem to her and you may get an insight on how to serve your wife and family in the future. Patience doesn't mean condescension! What your wife says is important for you to hear with a humble heart. You may not agree with everything she is saying, but this is also not the time to engage in lengthy arguments. It is time to listen.
That doesn't mean it is never time to respond and share your own feelings, but it is better to leave it for when you are both at your best - and then only one issue at a time. More later, but you need to know we care about both of you and want the best for your marriage! Last night you told me that you know of women who have husbands "worse" than, but are filled with joy and and are Godly women. I don't doubt that and celebrate that God can bring men and women to a place within difficult relationships that they can praise God and have an effective ministry. But this does not let the husbands off the hook. You are more than just familiar with Ephesians 5 and other scriptures talking about the relationship between husbands and wives, but this morning it hit me that, like teachers, husbands are held more accountable. The fact that a wife may be growing and rejoicing in God is a testimony to that woman's walk with God, but doesn't let the men "off" of their responsibility to love their wives like Christ loves the church. More than once, I have gotten the feeling that you want to let certain men off the hook.
Another thing that has bothered me is your claim that because there was a "presenting sin" like pornography in cases like mine that our cases are different than others. I am certainly not denying my sin, but I was a lousy husband and father long before I got involved in pornography. I was lucky to have a defining event that let me reset my life in better channels.
That doesn't mean it is never time to respond and share your own feelings, but it is better to leave it for when you are both at your best - and then only one issue at a time. More later, but you need to know we care about both of you and want the best for your marriage! Last night you told me that you know of women who have husbands "worse" than
Another thing that has bothered me is your claim that because there was a "presenting sin" like pornography in cases like mine that our cases are different than others. I am certainly not denying my sin, but I was a lousy husband and father long before I got involved in pornography. I was lucky to have a defining event that let me reset my life in better channels.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Below are excerpts from the Vision document I wrote (on another sleepless night) some time ago.
What I realized tonight, is that living the vision is not beyond any in our fellowship. Bonnie lives this vision more than I, but I thought I might provide some examples:
Bonnie for weeks cooked meals almost daily for friends with serious medical issues.
She and I are going to a friend who suffered an accident so that she can help plan and execute what is needed to facilitate our friend's daughter's wedding coming up at the end of July.
We participated with others on our block in a homecoming celebration for a soldier returning from Afghanistan.
After church I was able to pray with a brother obviously in deep depression.
Frequently, after-church interventions are embodiments of loving and serving each other, and loving and obeying God.
We have frequently been the recipients of this same love and care from the body. During our lowest moments financially (and emotionally), people brought us food (sometimes, seemingly out of the blue), gave us gift cards, and helped financially. I can't tell you how much that has meant to us both.
I feel these are all examples of what it means to be a Christian Community. These are the kind of things that are going on all over the church, but I think we can do a far better job. Even well connected people often feel alone in their troubles and pain. Too often we wait for disaster before we reach out. We need to encourage people to listen to the Spirit of God inside them prompting them to reach out. Many times, this kind of reaching out just requires some of our time to listen and pray with each other.
I think we need to keep asking ourselves: What is God prompting us to do? When I shared with Eric my concern for someone in the fellowship, he rightly pointed out that if God had put that concern on my heart, it was probably for me to do something about it.
My vision for the fellowship is to be a people who hears God and acts in love and obedience to Him to love and serve others.
Personal Vision
Or, I should say, Vision for Each Person.
a) We must love God and worship him above all else corporately and individually.
b) The fellowship of believers should be a family that loves each other. As in a family, we should feel at the same time both safe and challenged: safe to share our fears, joys, thoughts, and gifts in an atmosphere of love, and challenged to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. As a responsible member of the family we must listen, love, support, and encourage, as well as (at the direction of the Spirit), admonish or even rebuke each other.
This love within the fellowship enables love beyond the community of believers to all for whom Christ has died. From the safety of the fellowship, we are empowered to love those around us in our communities and workplace (even on the highway). We live the love of Christ.
c) We should serve one another. We should live lives of willing service looking for opportunities to meet the needs of others, first in the fellowship of believers (including our own families), then in the community.
d) We should grow in the knowledge of our Lord so that we might bear fruit through his power and in his name.
e) We should use our gifts to edify the body and to bear witness of Christ to the world. Here, I use gifts in a broad sense to include all the gifts of the Spirit and talents granted by God. As a fellowship, we should educate and encourage using our gifts to glorify God.
1. Those who sing or dance or play an instrument or deliver a line or reading should do so to the glory of God. Such talents are given to help us worship and glorify God. People with such gifts lead us in worship by letting us partner with them as they meet God and give their talents as an offering to him.
2. Those given a Word of prophesy, wisdom, exhortation, or knowledge or a gift of discernment must share, first with the Elders and then with the fellowship.
3. Those given a gift of healing, tongues, or interpretation must share with the fellowship.
I Corinthians 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
4. All are called to testify of God’s work and glory, first to the fellowship, then to the community.
What I realized tonight, is that living the vision is not beyond any in our fellowship. Bonnie lives this vision more than I, but I thought I might provide some examples:
Bonnie for weeks cooked meals almost daily for friends with serious medical issues.
She and I are going to a friend who suffered an accident so that she can help plan and execute what is needed to facilitate our friend's daughter's wedding coming up at the end of July.
We participated with others on our block in a homecoming celebration for a soldier returning from Afghanistan.
After church I was able to pray with a brother obviously in deep depression.
Frequently, after-church interventions are embodiments of loving and serving each other, and loving and obeying God.
We have frequently been the recipients of this same love and care from the body. During our lowest moments financially (and emotionally), people brought us food (sometimes, seemingly out of the blue), gave us gift cards, and helped financially. I can't tell you how much that has meant to us both.
I feel these are all examples of what it means to be a Christian Community. These are the kind of things that are going on all over the church, but I think we can do a far better job. Even well connected people often feel alone in their troubles and pain. Too often we wait for disaster before we reach out. We need to encourage people to listen to the Spirit of God inside them prompting them to reach out. Many times, this kind of reaching out just requires some of our time to listen and pray with each other.
I think we need to keep asking ourselves: What is God prompting us to do? When I shared with Eric my concern for someone in the fellowship, he rightly pointed out that if God had put that concern on my heart, it was probably for me to do something about it.
My vision for the fellowship is to be a people who hears God and acts in love and obedience to Him to love and serve others.
Personal Vision
Or, I should say, Vision for Each Person.
a) We must love God and worship him above all else corporately and individually.
b) The fellowship of believers should be a family that loves each other. As in a family, we should feel at the same time both safe and challenged: safe to share our fears, joys, thoughts, and gifts in an atmosphere of love, and challenged to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. As a responsible member of the family we must listen, love, support, and encourage, as well as (at the direction of the Spirit), admonish or even rebuke each other.
This love within the fellowship enables love beyond the community of believers to all for whom Christ has died. From the safety of the fellowship, we are empowered to love those around us in our communities and workplace (even on the highway). We live the love of Christ.
c) We should serve one another. We should live lives of willing service looking for opportunities to meet the needs of others, first in the fellowship of believers (including our own families), then in the community.
d) We should grow in the knowledge of our Lord so that we might bear fruit through his power and in his name.
e) We should use our gifts to edify the body and to bear witness of Christ to the world. Here, I use gifts in a broad sense to include all the gifts of the Spirit and talents granted by God. As a fellowship, we should educate and encourage using our gifts to glorify God.
1. Those who sing or dance or play an instrument or deliver a line or reading should do so to the glory of God. Such talents are given to help us worship and glorify God. People with such gifts lead us in worship by letting us partner with them as they meet God and give their talents as an offering to him.
2. Those given a Word of prophesy, wisdom, exhortation, or knowledge or a gift of discernment must share, first with the Elders and then with the fellowship.
3. Those given a gift of healing, tongues, or interpretation must share with the fellowship.
I Corinthians 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
4. All are called to testify of God’s work and glory, first to the fellowship, then to the community.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Vision Statement December 2009
Thoughts on Vision
I see a two tiered vision for TCC: the first personal, the second, corporate.
Personal
First, some scripture taken from Christ’s last words to his disciples: words meant to guide both in the short period of Christ’s absence from them and after the Spirit is given to them. Each paragraph contains an instruction from Christ as to how we should live. I can’t study the words in the original language, but the verbs are active. I have italicized the commands.
a) John 13:12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant [3] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Summary: we are called to serve one another.
b) John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” And John 15: 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, [1] for the servant [2] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Summary: We are commanded to love one another.
c) John 14: 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; [1] believe also in me…6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. [4] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Summary: We are to believe in God (New International Version: Trust in God; trust also in me.)
d) John 14: 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, [6] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Summary: We are to keep his commandments because we love him. Keeping his commandments demonstrates our love for him.
e) John 15: 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Summary: We are commanded to abide in Christ.
f) John 15: 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Summary: We are to bear witness (New International Version: you also must testify).
I can’t quote all of Ephesians, but I take that book as a “how-to” manual both personally and for churches. The section below is typical:
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family [3] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Personal Vision
Or, I should say, Vision for Each Person.
a) We must love God and worship him above all else corporately and individually.
b) The fellowship of believers should be a family that loves each other. As in a family, we should feel at the same time both safe and challenged: safe to share our fears, joys, thoughts, and gifts in an atmosphere of love, and challenged to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. As a responsible member of the family we must listen, love, support, and encourage, as well as (at the direction of the Spirit), admonish or even rebuke each other.
This love within the fellowship enables love beyond the community of believers to all for whom Christ has died. From the safety of the fellowship, we are empowered to love those around us in our communities and workplace (even on the highway). We live the love of Christ.
c) We should serve one another. We should live lives of willing service looking for opportunities to meet the needs of others, first in the fellowship of believers (including our own families), then in the community.
d) We should grow in the knowledge of our Lord so that we might bear fruit through his power and in his name.
2 Peter 1: 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to [3] his own glory and excellence, [4] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, [5] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities [6] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
e) We should use our gifts to edify the body and to bear witness of Christ to the world. Here, I use gifts in a broad sense to include all the gifts of the Spirit and talents granted by God. As a fellowship, we should education and encourage using our gifts to glorify God.
1. Those who sing or dance or play an instrument or deliver a line or reading should do so to the glory of God. Such talents are given to help us worship and glorify God. People with such gifts lead us in worship by letting us partner with them as they meet God and give their talents as an offering to him.
2. Those given a Word of prophesy, wisdom, exhortation, or knowledge or a gift of discernment must share, first with the Elders and then with the fellowship.
3. Those given a gift of healing, tongues, or interpretation must share with the fellowship.
I Corinthians 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
4. All are called to testify of God’s work and glory, first to the fellowship, then to the community.
Although presented in outline form, no ranking is implied beyond points a) and b). Even the sub-points of e) are to be taken as co-equal with points c) and d). Actually, co-equal is not correct. As each is gifted by God, so each is empowered in a particular area, and so those areas, for that person, may become more important and most visible of that person’s ministry.
Corporate Vision
I believe that we are called to serve the community and communicate the glory and love of God to the community. I would like to think that in addition to serving the “baby boom generation” that we may also be called to serve the “Generation X’ers”: maybe even primarily!
We can’t do everything, and I don’t have a particular vision of how to proceed: I don’t know what our service will look like.
I do believe that by fulfilling the first part of the vision, the Personal Vision, we enable a people to work together to fulfill a broader corporate vision. So, in some sense, work on the Personal Vision must proceed and grow and never stop. As we enable the Personal Vision, we enable people to follow the call of Christ to serve in the broader community.
But what are we to do corporately to serve the community and engage those who do not know Christ?
I see a two tiered vision for TCC: the first personal, the second, corporate.
Personal
First, some scripture taken from Christ’s last words to his disciples: words meant to guide both in the short period of Christ’s absence from them and after the Spirit is given to them. Each paragraph contains an instruction from Christ as to how we should live. I can’t study the words in the original language, but the verbs are active. I have italicized the commands.
a) John 13:12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant [3] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Summary: we are called to serve one another.
b) John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” And John 15: 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, [1] for the servant [2] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Summary: We are commanded to love one another.
c) John 14: 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; [1] believe also in me…6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. [4] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Summary: We are to believe in God (New International Version: Trust in God; trust also in me.)
d) John 14: 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, [6] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Summary: We are to keep his commandments because we love him. Keeping his commandments demonstrates our love for him.
e) John 15: 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Summary: We are commanded to abide in Christ.
f) John 15: 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Summary: We are to bear witness (New International Version: you also must testify).
I can’t quote all of Ephesians, but I take that book as a “how-to” manual both personally and for churches. The section below is typical:
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family [3] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Personal Vision
Or, I should say, Vision for Each Person.
a) We must love God and worship him above all else corporately and individually.
b) The fellowship of believers should be a family that loves each other. As in a family, we should feel at the same time both safe and challenged: safe to share our fears, joys, thoughts, and gifts in an atmosphere of love, and challenged to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. As a responsible member of the family we must listen, love, support, and encourage, as well as (at the direction of the Spirit), admonish or even rebuke each other.
This love within the fellowship enables love beyond the community of believers to all for whom Christ has died. From the safety of the fellowship, we are empowered to love those around us in our communities and workplace (even on the highway). We live the love of Christ.
c) We should serve one another. We should live lives of willing service looking for opportunities to meet the needs of others, first in the fellowship of believers (including our own families), then in the community.
d) We should grow in the knowledge of our Lord so that we might bear fruit through his power and in his name.
2 Peter 1: 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to [3] his own glory and excellence, [4] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, [5] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities [6] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
e) We should use our gifts to edify the body and to bear witness of Christ to the world. Here, I use gifts in a broad sense to include all the gifts of the Spirit and talents granted by God. As a fellowship, we should education and encourage using our gifts to glorify God.
1. Those who sing or dance or play an instrument or deliver a line or reading should do so to the glory of God. Such talents are given to help us worship and glorify God. People with such gifts lead us in worship by letting us partner with them as they meet God and give their talents as an offering to him.
2. Those given a Word of prophesy, wisdom, exhortation, or knowledge or a gift of discernment must share, first with the Elders and then with the fellowship.
3. Those given a gift of healing, tongues, or interpretation must share with the fellowship.
I Corinthians 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
4. All are called to testify of God’s work and glory, first to the fellowship, then to the community.
Although presented in outline form, no ranking is implied beyond points a) and b). Even the sub-points of e) are to be taken as co-equal with points c) and d). Actually, co-equal is not correct. As each is gifted by God, so each is empowered in a particular area, and so those areas, for that person, may become more important and most visible of that person’s ministry.
Corporate Vision
I believe that we are called to serve the community and communicate the glory and love of God to the community. I would like to think that in addition to serving the “baby boom generation” that we may also be called to serve the “Generation X’ers”: maybe even primarily!
We can’t do everything, and I don’t have a particular vision of how to proceed: I don’t know what our service will look like.
I do believe that by fulfilling the first part of the vision, the Personal Vision, we enable a people to work together to fulfill a broader corporate vision. So, in some sense, work on the Personal Vision must proceed and grow and never stop. As we enable the Personal Vision, we enable people to follow the call of Christ to serve in the broader community.
But what are we to do corporately to serve the community and engage those who do not know Christ?
Christams Letter December 2009
Christmas letter Dec. 2009
Psalm 71:17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
We’ve had a pretty wonderful year! We hope you did too!
Michael started the new year with two new knee joints, on which he was able to dance (unsteadily) within a few weeks. He emerged from physical therapy (where he did a lot of whimpering) ready for anything!
In March our house emerged from foreclosure and we had a much better mortgage! We are so thankful to family and friends who helped us get through this terrible financial time!
Our ballroom dance gown business had a great year. Over two days at one contest we had over 40 dresses on the floor. We’ve added about 26 dresses to bring our total to 70 dresses for sale or rent. We’ve gotten quite a good reputation and have provided dresses for dancers as far away as Georgia!
A real high point for us was our sponsorship of a professional couple who wound up winning the Theatre Arts division at the Ohio Star Ball (that’s the one they often televise on PBS)! Megan and Vince are wonderful, besides being wonderfully talented.
Our business grew so much that we had to get a new (used) vehicle to transport the dresses. We traded in our much loved (and much used) Chrysler 300 for a Cadillac SRX! We got “such a deal” on a low mileage pristine vehicle. Once you’ve had leather seats, it’s impossible to go back to cloth or vinyl.
It wasn’t all great: in February our grand dog Dante and 2 year-old Bichon Yoder escaped and started running the neighborhood at evening rush hour. Although we recovered Dante with no harm, Yoder was hit by a car and killed. Three strangers stayed with him until Michael arrived. On the way home, with the help of other strangers on the street and in cars, Michael was able to find Dante. At home, our neighbors were with us out on the street and were a great comfort to us as we mourned. Two weeks later, our 9 year-old Bichon, Ben was diagnosed with a terminal illness and died within a couple of weeks. Too Sad: he died in Michael’s arms.
Within days of Yoder’s death, we had contacted the Ohio breeder from whom we had obtained him and found two newborn females would be available in a matter of weeks! A quick trip to Ohio with our girls (Briana and Elle), and we brought home the Most Wonderful little Girl: Millie. She is Yoder’s sister and cousin and is completely delightful!
In the spring, Michael’s Dad Byron passed away. It was not peaceful, but it was fairly short. Michael misses not being able to share old movies with his Dad.
In the fall, we were able to start dancing again and even participated in the Holliday Ball Dance competition! Too Much Fun!
It was also the year of Facebook. We are present under our business name: BonniesBelleGowns and have a great time keeping in touch with fellow dancers, friends from church, and old friends and relatives with whom we would otherwise never have had contact!
We are also excited about what God is doing through our church: We’ve had a time of turmoil, then a time of healing, and now we seem poised on the edge of a time of reaching people for Christ in new ways! Bonnie is a mentor mom for our MOPS group. We are involved in a number of different ministries and look forward to seeing how God uses us and the church in the coming year!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Just a Few Minutes
In just a few minutes, I'll be starting Math 122, College Algebra as a late-start class at College of Lake County, a class for which I'll not be paid until.... I don't know.
Just like a certain production house has shorted me by $500 and I will be paid... I don't know.
And tonight, an Elder's meeting: short and sweet or long and bitter?? I don't know.
I hope the methotrexate kicks in soon, my ankles are killing me!
Just like a certain production house has shorted me by $500 and I will be paid... I don't know.
And tonight, an Elder's meeting: short and sweet or long and bitter?? I don't know.
I hope the methotrexate kicks in soon, my ankles are killing me!
Monday, March 31, 2008
I really don't want to work...
I haven't written in a long time, so here are some random thoughts:
Bonnie's Belle Gowns (http://BonniesBelleGowns.com) has undergone some major transitions. In 2007, is was all about building and selling (about 50 dresses for the year). In 2008, it's all about building and renting. The good part is that we are creating an inventory that will pay back for quite a while. The bad part is that we don't make anywhere near as much money.
I sure would like to be stoning again (for money) and watching (listening to) movies as I work.
I'm in the middle of a couple of correlations that I don't like. It's always hard when a state decides a particular topic is not necessary for a particular grade and so, has no standards to cover it. When the book insists on having a whole chapter on that subject, it makes it hard to find standards that fit. It's not that bad: it's just a lot of work.
Spring seems to finally be starting and it's the first day of April. That also means our mortgage is 30 days late. One of our dogs seems to have a cataract and needs a $250 dollar check up. That's about what it costs for two dance lessons and a dance class, so we are cancelling this week.
People still owe me money, but it's less and less and I haven't logged that much more to replace it. Logging enough hours is difficult, but the Lord has been good: I've hardly been idle at all, He always seems to send something just in time.
No time at least to work on the motorcycle in my driveway: I've vowed to get it going and licensed this year!!
Church is good, even though our pastor left because he needed to deal with some flaws in his personality that manifested in his management style.
There are still piles of frozen snow around here and there even though it is raining. We got 8 inches late in March. I still haven't dug Joel's bike out of the storage area. I hope the battery does not have to be replaced.
Can't put it off any longer: have to go to work.
Bonnie's Belle Gowns (http://BonniesBelleGowns.com) has undergone some major transitions. In 2007, is was all about building and selling (about 50 dresses for the year). In 2008, it's all about building and renting. The good part is that we are creating an inventory that will pay back for quite a while. The bad part is that we don't make anywhere near as much money.
I sure would like to be stoning again (for money) and watching (listening to) movies as I work.
I'm in the middle of a couple of correlations that I don't like. It's always hard when a state decides a particular topic is not necessary for a particular grade and so, has no standards to cover it. When the book insists on having a whole chapter on that subject, it makes it hard to find standards that fit. It's not that bad: it's just a lot of work.
Spring seems to finally be starting and it's the first day of April. That also means our mortgage is 30 days late. One of our dogs seems to have a cataract and needs a $250 dollar check up. That's about what it costs for two dance lessons and a dance class, so we are cancelling this week.
People still owe me money, but it's less and less and I haven't logged that much more to replace it. Logging enough hours is difficult, but the Lord has been good: I've hardly been idle at all, He always seems to send something just in time.
No time at least to work on the motorcycle in my driveway: I've vowed to get it going and licensed this year!!
Church is good, even though our pastor left because he needed to deal with some flaws in his personality that manifested in his management style.
There are still piles of frozen snow around here and there even though it is raining. We got 8 inches late in March. I still haven't dug Joel's bike out of the storage area. I hope the battery does not have to be replaced.
Can't put it off any longer: have to go to work.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
My Motorcycle will never be ridden
I have a gs850 1980 suzuki that I will probably never ride. I never should have bought it in the first place: I paid 200 dollars, sight unseen, crashed and with a lost title.
I now believe that the title will never appear.
I have put on new handlebars, replaced the instrument cluter, cleaned the carbs, unbent, lubed, etc., etc.
I guess all I get out of it is the pleasure of having done it.
Once it is running well, I will probably sell it as a parts bike complete or part it out on Ebay.
Someday I'll actually get to ride a motorcycle.
I now believe that the title will never appear.
I have put on new handlebars, replaced the instrument cluter, cleaned the carbs, unbent, lubed, etc., etc.
I guess all I get out of it is the pleasure of having done it.
Once it is running well, I will probably sell it as a parts bike complete or part it out on Ebay.
Someday I'll actually get to ride a motorcycle.
More Business
Our business partner took actions that led to feelings of betrayal. He put out two dresses for quotes at a rival business because he thought our prices were too high.
It was hard to deal with, because we thought the deal was that he would send business our way for a fee. Oh well, he has a lot on his mind and other business obligations that are at odds with our mutual business.
Eventually, we will partially sever ties: now, all orders are initiated through him. We need to be able to deal with orders directly and we soon will.
Eventually, it will all work out, but right now things feel a little bleak. It doesn't help that my other business is at a virtual standstill.
I love my participation and am seeking to expand it: I need to be more involved with the record keeping and the calculations. We pay the state sales tax, but it does not show up on the invoice -- I'm not even sure that that is legal. It makes things complicated because the sale price of the dress is made up of the following:
material
stones
labor to build the dress
labor to count, process, and glue the stones
supplies
state tax
a percentage to our partner
a fee for design
So here is the question -- on what part of the this all do we pay sales tax?
I'll go now and try to look it up.
It was hard to deal with, because we thought the deal was that he would send business our way for a fee. Oh well, he has a lot on his mind and other business obligations that are at odds with our mutual business.
Eventually, we will partially sever ties: now, all orders are initiated through him. We need to be able to deal with orders directly and we soon will.
Eventually, it will all work out, but right now things feel a little bleak. It doesn't help that my other business is at a virtual standstill.
I love my participation and am seeking to expand it: I need to be more involved with the record keeping and the calculations. We pay the state sales tax, but it does not show up on the invoice -- I'm not even sure that that is legal. It makes things complicated because the sale price of the dress is made up of the following:
material
stones
labor to build the dress
labor to count, process, and glue the stones
supplies
state tax
a percentage to our partner
a fee for design
So here is the question -- on what part of the this all do we pay sales tax?
I'll go now and try to look it up.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The cutest, smartest,...
dog. Last week we drove 420 miles to Ohio: Amish Country to get a Bichon puppy. This is the best smartest doy we've ever had (except maybe for our other Bichon). Cute, active, learning to act just like the big boys (our other Bichon and our daughter's Shitsu), Yoder is a complete delight.
Have you read The Four Agreements?
I found out about this book at one of those beginning of the year teacher conferences. Got it (off half.com) read it, loved it. But I keep forgetting what each of the four agreements are.
I always remember: Let your word be impeccable, and Always do your best, but I always forget about the other two. I know one of them has to do with Hey, it's not about you. Meaning that the things people say that hurt or seem to belittle or otherwise disrespect you, really stem from issues and turmoils within that person and often don't have anything to do with you at all.
Well, I keep the book around so I can always check. Here are all four:
Be impeccable with your word.
Don't take anything personally.
Don't make assumptions.
Always do your best.
This last one often trips me up: when I'm busy being depressed about what other people say or do, I usually wander around and don't at all do my best. I have to keep reminding myself.
Besides! being depressed about what other people say and do violates the middle two: peoples' vitriol aimed at me is more about them than me! Also, I commonly misinterpret what other people mean by making assumptions.
I'm so ineffectual when depressed...
I always remember: Let your word be impeccable, and Always do your best, but I always forget about the other two. I know one of them has to do with Hey, it's not about you. Meaning that the things people say that hurt or seem to belittle or otherwise disrespect you, really stem from issues and turmoils within that person and often don't have anything to do with you at all.
Well, I keep the book around so I can always check. Here are all four:
Be impeccable with your word.
Don't take anything personally.
Don't make assumptions.
Always do your best.
This last one often trips me up: when I'm busy being depressed about what other people say or do, I usually wander around and don't at all do my best. I have to keep reminding myself.
Besides! being depressed about what other people say and do violates the middle two: peoples' vitriol aimed at me is more about them than me! Also, I commonly misinterpret what other people mean by making assumptions.
I'm so ineffectual when depressed...
It's Been a While
...so I thought I would write a quick update.
First, family news: my wife's mother fell at the nursing home and broke her hip. They sent her to the hospital where a blood test showed a super high platelet (sp) count (which probably means some kind of cancer) and a low hemoglobin, which means she's been losing blood. Not a good thing. She is a DNR, so the cancer thing was not (will not be) pursued, but the low hemo meant she could not have the operation that would fix her hip.
After a couple of units of blood, a weaning off of the cumidn (sp?), and by the end of the week she was ready for surgery.
Every day (she as alzheimers) we would explain the accident, why she was there, where she was, and what was going to happen. She would always say that noone had told her!
Once the new blood brought up her strength, she showed distinct signs of humor!
Well, she's back at the nursing home mending. We still have to remind her of why she's there.
First, family news: my wife's mother fell at the nursing home and broke her hip. They sent her to the hospital where a blood test showed a super high platelet (sp) count (which probably means some kind of cancer) and a low hemoglobin, which means she's been losing blood. Not a good thing. She is a DNR, so the cancer thing was not (will not be) pursued, but the low hemo meant she could not have the operation that would fix her hip.
After a couple of units of blood, a weaning off of the cumidn (sp?), and by the end of the week she was ready for surgery.
Every day (she as alzheimers) we would explain the accident, why she was there, where she was, and what was going to happen. She would always say that noone had told her!
Once the new blood brought up her strength, she showed distinct signs of humor!
Well, she's back at the nursing home mending. We still have to remind her of why she's there.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Oops, we thought we had insurance...
but we really don't.
Do you know what limited major medical means?
It means they will pay a TOTAL of 4,000 dollars for a total knee replacement.
Do you know what a total knee replacement costs? 25k to 40k
Oh well, I'm glad we found out this way, because now we know we have to get some real insurance.
Now that I'm diagnosed, we'll have to get the insurance and wait a year.
I guess I'll schedule another shot of cortizone.
Do you know what limited major medical means?
It means they will pay a TOTAL of 4,000 dollars for a total knee replacement.
Do you know what a total knee replacement costs? 25k to 40k
Oh well, I'm glad we found out this way, because now we know we have to get some real insurance.
Now that I'm diagnosed, we'll have to get the insurance and wait a year.
I guess I'll schedule another shot of cortizone.
It's a little late, but...
I thought I would start blogging about the birth of a new business. My wife has partnered with the people who own the dance studio at which we dance and is now making ballroom dance gowns for students and teachers to wear in competition.
My part started with registering the business with the IRS and with the state so we could get our much desired tax letter.
I also acted as the graphic designer: I designed a couple of logos and used them to adorn invoices and business cards, etc. Also made an ad mock-up and created a simple webpage.
We also contracted for some really cool labels for her women's and men's line of clothing.
The market was ready because of a recently completed competition that was coming up. She had to cut off orders because there is just no way to mass produce custom designed and built gowns.
Her partner designs most of the dresses and he is outstanding: not only a gifted dancer but a talented designer, musician, etc. (the list goes on).
It was during this push that I found my true calling in life: stoner. Well, I mean Rhine-Stoner! Someone has to glue on thousands of stones and since we don't have a sweatshop in a Pacific Rim country, we do it our selves.
Out coolest scene was both working on different parts of the dress at 8pm so we could rush it to the studio so the student could dance in it before the competition. We sat at corners of the card table (which all of a sudden showed it had one short leg and started rocking) and frantically glued rhinestones to finish the dress.
Turned out to be the best dress ever!
At the competition, all the ladies got high praise and gave out my wife's name. I'm keeping the rhinestone thing quiet (for my part in it) because I don't want anyone to think anyone can do it. I like it, but it takes hours and hours for each dress.
A typical dress has anywhere from 8 gross to 30 gross of stones, each one glued on individually!
Once we give a cut here and there and to the state and IRS, we still have some money left! And even after the competition, we still have orders for more dresses. Luckily, people who take ballroom dance lessons often have lots of money -- but it's OK, they like to spend it (as we do) because everyone is having such a great time!
More on the business as it occurs.
My part started with registering the business with the IRS and with the state so we could get our much desired tax letter.
I also acted as the graphic designer: I designed a couple of logos and used them to adorn invoices and business cards, etc. Also made an ad mock-up and created a simple webpage.
We also contracted for some really cool labels for her women's and men's line of clothing.
The market was ready because of a recently completed competition that was coming up. She had to cut off orders because there is just no way to mass produce custom designed and built gowns.
Her partner designs most of the dresses and he is outstanding: not only a gifted dancer but a talented designer, musician, etc. (the list goes on).
It was during this push that I found my true calling in life: stoner. Well, I mean Rhine-Stoner! Someone has to glue on thousands of stones and since we don't have a sweatshop in a Pacific Rim country, we do it our selves.
Out coolest scene was both working on different parts of the dress at 8pm so we could rush it to the studio so the student could dance in it before the competition. We sat at corners of the card table (which all of a sudden showed it had one short leg and started rocking) and frantically glued rhinestones to finish the dress.
Turned out to be the best dress ever!
At the competition, all the ladies got high praise and gave out my wife's name. I'm keeping the rhinestone thing quiet (for my part in it) because I don't want anyone to think anyone can do it. I like it, but it takes hours and hours for each dress.
A typical dress has anywhere from 8 gross to 30 gross of stones, each one glued on individually!
Once we give a cut here and there and to the state and IRS, we still have some money left! And even after the competition, we still have orders for more dresses. Luckily, people who take ballroom dance lessons often have lots of money -- but it's OK, they like to spend it (as we do) because everyone is having such a great time!
More on the business as it occurs.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Random Thoughts and Adventures of the Day
Yesterday I had an x-ray taken that shows no cartilage in half of each knee. No wonder it's hurt so much over the years and I'm afraid to run. It was limping through the auto show that finally got me to get it checked out: I'm so relieved I wasn't just wimping out! I got a cortisone shot in one knee and it seems to work to relieve the pain, but I want a more permanent solution.
Got an answer to my message from the other day: he says that in 17 years of pastoring, he's seen more people with too high an opinion of themselves and fewer with the self-hate I mentioned although he agrees that self-hate is a form of idolatry because it means you think more of your own opinion about yourself than God's opinion of you. I bow to his anecdotal evidence but most of the people I know cover self-hate with bluster that looks like conceit. I don't know...
Had a student give me an apology for seeming to doze in class tonight. I didn't blame her. If I had to listen to anyone (even someone as wannabe interesting as I am) for the duration of the 2.5 hour class I would be snoozing. She's actually very sharp and certainly didn't need to apologize.
Got our car back from its $550 dollar visit to the auto shop: front end fixed and it's smooth riding again, just like it was when we first got it. It is quite a pleasure to drive it.
Had a solo dance lesson today because my wife is sick. Even so she still had to work all day, but I did have a good lesson. It's all about learning to be a better leader now: standing up straight, head up, frame strong, push with the right don't pull with the left. And our favorite teacher isn't planning to dump us: whew!!
Adventure in the morning taking a taxi cab to sick call: worked out well and cost only $15. We'll do it again when we have to. And they take credit cards.
Got an answer to my message from the other day: he says that in 17 years of pastoring, he's seen more people with too high an opinion of themselves and fewer with the self-hate I mentioned although he agrees that self-hate is a form of idolatry because it means you think more of your own opinion about yourself than God's opinion of you. I bow to his anecdotal evidence but most of the people I know cover self-hate with bluster that looks like conceit. I don't know...
Had a student give me an apology for seeming to doze in class tonight. I didn't blame her. If I had to listen to anyone (even someone as wannabe interesting as I am) for the duration of the 2.5 hour class I would be snoozing. She's actually very sharp and certainly didn't need to apologize.
Got our car back from its $550 dollar visit to the auto shop: front end fixed and it's smooth riding again, just like it was when we first got it. It is quite a pleasure to drive it.
Had a solo dance lesson today because my wife is sick. Even so she still had to work all day, but I did have a good lesson. It's all about learning to be a better leader now: standing up straight, head up, frame strong, push with the right don't pull with the left. And our favorite teacher isn't planning to dump us: whew!!
Adventure in the morning taking a taxi cab to sick call: worked out well and cost only $15. We'll do it again when we have to. And they take credit cards.
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