Monday, November 09, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Random Wednesday
In no particular order...
I brought some chocolate for an afternoon snack today. Unfortunately, I left it in the car, and it's 72 degrees today (read: 80+ in the car). Guess I'll eat it with a spoon...
I went to Fast Signs at lunch to pick up signs for our new Wednesday night classes that begin tonight. The only problem was that they misspelled a word, so I had to come back again later to pick up the revised sign. The lady apologized over and over. I told her that it really was ok, in fact, if people didn't make mistakes, I wouldn't have a job. : )
Matt Dabbs posted his Top Church of Christ Blogs - November 2009 Edition today. I'm cracking up because we all know Terry's Blog should be ranked higher than mine, but I just might have to have a little fun with those rankings here in the office...
I've been working on the Workshop quite a bit lately. That means I haven't been working on the cd project. This led me last week to the unfortunate realization that the cd project will not be ready for this Christmas season. Boo! But, I learned long ago that we all have a fixed amount of time to work on things, and the wise ones learn how to prioritize.
Regarding the new classes I mentioned earlier, I begin facilitating a class on meditation tonight. We'll be doing a modified form of Lectio Divina. The month of November was chosen specifically for this class because things begin getting so hectic this time of year, and we felt like people need a chance to rest in God's presence. I'm looking forward to it!
I brought some chocolate for an afternoon snack today. Unfortunately, I left it in the car, and it's 72 degrees today (read: 80+ in the car). Guess I'll eat it with a spoon...
I went to Fast Signs at lunch to pick up signs for our new Wednesday night classes that begin tonight. The only problem was that they misspelled a word, so I had to come back again later to pick up the revised sign. The lady apologized over and over. I told her that it really was ok, in fact, if people didn't make mistakes, I wouldn't have a job. : )
Matt Dabbs posted his Top Church of Christ Blogs - November 2009 Edition today. I'm cracking up because we all know Terry's Blog should be ranked higher than mine, but I just might have to have a little fun with those rankings here in the office...
I've been working on the Workshop quite a bit lately. That means I haven't been working on the cd project. This led me last week to the unfortunate realization that the cd project will not be ready for this Christmas season. Boo! But, I learned long ago that we all have a fixed amount of time to work on things, and the wise ones learn how to prioritize.
Regarding the new classes I mentioned earlier, I begin facilitating a class on meditation tonight. We'll be doing a modified form of Lectio Divina. The month of November was chosen specifically for this class because things begin getting so hectic this time of year, and we felt like people need a chance to rest in God's presence. I'm looking forward to it!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Training a new Cowboy!
I enjoyed taking Lukas to his first OSU game a week ago. Other than being a little chilly, it was a great night! He got to see OSU beat Missouri and begin learning the Cowboy traditions.
As we left, he told me, "When I go to college, I'm going to OSU!"
His Momma will be proud, won't she, Brenda? : )
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What are we teaching here? Part 2
3 years ago, this post caused quite the stir with one. He thought I was just an angry Cowboy. I insisted (and still do) that it had far less to do with the team involved but was instead about the poor example being set.
Tonight I'm taking my own team to task in the same way.
Most of you have probably heard in the news that OSU's star receiver, Dez Bryant, is currently suspended - waiting on a ruling from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. His sin was lying about a visit with Deion Sanders. It was a bad move by Dez, and certainly worthy of some punishment, although the jury is still out on how much.
My complaint is not with Dez, although he was wrong.
Nor the NCAA, although they are often hypocritical.
My complaint is with OSU.
The school reported that Dez was held out of the September 26 OSU-Grambling St. game due to a hamstring injury.
The only problem is that today's reports are that OSU admits Dez was really held out because of the eligibility question.
Does anyone else see the sad irony?
Dez is out for lying, yet OSU lied about why he was out.
I'm really disappointed in my school today. I expect better.
Boo, OSU. : (
*************************
Update 10/15, 9:30 a.m.
I e-mailed OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder last night about my disappointment, asking for his response. Both he and another staff member have already contacted me this morning with an explanation. I am impressed that they would respond so quickly.
I was assured that at no time did anyone with knowledge about the NCAA investigation ever state that Dez was missing the Grambling St. game due to injury. That includes Coach Gundy...I am told if you listen to his press conferences both before and after the Grambling St. game (which are archived on-line at http://www.okstate.com/), you will find that he never made reference to an injury. Yes, assumptions were made as to the reason for Dez being sidelined, but those were neither confirmed nor denied by the few who knew the real reason.
While I still believe it would have been most honorable to set the record straight about the facts rather than let false information spread, I can also understand that sometimes the appropriate answer is "No Comment" and that privacy must be maintained while the process works itself out behind the scenes. I think I would want that respect if I were in the same situation.
So, I'll cut them some slack. Instead of "really" disapponted, I'll modify to "slightly" disappointed.
*************************
Tonight I'm taking my own team to task in the same way.
Most of you have probably heard in the news that OSU's star receiver, Dez Bryant, is currently suspended - waiting on a ruling from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. His sin was lying about a visit with Deion Sanders. It was a bad move by Dez, and certainly worthy of some punishment, although the jury is still out on how much.
My complaint is not with Dez, although he was wrong.
Nor the NCAA, although they are often hypocritical.
My complaint is with OSU.
The school reported that Dez was held out of the September 26 OSU-Grambling St. game due to a hamstring injury.
The only problem is that today's reports are that OSU admits Dez was really held out because of the eligibility question.
Does anyone else see the sad irony?
Dez is out for lying, yet OSU lied about why he was out.
I'm really disappointed in my school today. I expect better.
Boo, OSU. : (
*************************
Update 10/15, 9:30 a.m.
I e-mailed OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder last night about my disappointment, asking for his response. Both he and another staff member have already contacted me this morning with an explanation. I am impressed that they would respond so quickly.
I was assured that at no time did anyone with knowledge about the NCAA investigation ever state that Dez was missing the Grambling St. game due to injury. That includes Coach Gundy...I am told if you listen to his press conferences both before and after the Grambling St. game (which are archived on-line at http://www.okstate.com/), you will find that he never made reference to an injury. Yes, assumptions were made as to the reason for Dez being sidelined, but those were neither confirmed nor denied by the few who knew the real reason.
While I still believe it would have been most honorable to set the record straight about the facts rather than let false information spread, I can also understand that sometimes the appropriate answer is "No Comment" and that privacy must be maintained while the process works itself out behind the scenes. I think I would want that respect if I were in the same situation.
So, I'll cut them some slack. Instead of "really" disapponted, I'll modify to "slightly" disappointed.
*************************
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Break Time
Time for a break. The ZOE Conference is my renewal time every year. I look forward to seeing friends from all over the country, traveling with some great people, and worshipping from the depths of my soul.
On to Nashville - see you next week!
On to Nashville - see you next week!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Authority - 6
So we find ourselves in an awkward spot. No longer can we dogmatically declare that if God commands it, we do it. Nor can we claim that we specifically follow all of the examples given in scripture. Instead, we realize that each of us requires some way to determine the relevance and application today for each command and example.
Let me say up front, I am not binding my way of interpreting scripture on you. I am sharing with you what makes sense to me, and how I arrived at that conclusion. If it is helpful to you, that’s wonderful. If you choose not to give it a fair look, that’s your call. If you give it consideration and in the end can’t agree, that’s ok, too. To our own Master each of us will stand or fall.
What if we let Jesus teach us about interpretation?
Let’s consider His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and 6. I’ll not copy the entire text, but if your Bible isn’t handy, click here.
In verse 17, Jesus begins with a qualifying statement: He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. That is key.
You see, the first accusation typically lobbed when one proposes a different way of interpreting scripture is along the lines of questioning their commitment to the Word or to God – as if they are trying to weasel out of something. Be assured, no one here is trying to abolish God’s commands or examples. Rather, our desire is to fulfill and accomplish their purpose in our lives.
Beginning in verse 21, Jesus begins to deconstruct their view of what it means to keep a command. “Do not murder” speaks to more than just the physical act of murder…it addresses the heart full of anger towards his brother. “Do not commit adultery” speaks to more than just the physical act of adultery…it addresses the lusts of the impure heart.
One by one, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter regarding various commands and examples that they were familiar with from the Old Law and from Israel’s past.
In doing so, I believe He is providing guidelines regarding how to interpret Biblical commands and examples today.
I believe Jesus is teaching us to determine the principle behind the command or example, and commit to follow that principle to the best of our ability in our lives, rather than merely their expression through those specific commands and examples.
I’ve heard a mistaken view of these words of Jesus taught many times. It goes along the lines of suggesting that Jesus was raising the bar – making the Old Law commands more stringent for the New Covenant He was implementing.
I disagree.
Was it not always sinful to be consumed with anger? Was it not always sinful to be full of lust?
Jesus isn’t raising the bar, He’s explaining to a people who thought they were keeping the law by following the precise letter of the command that they have missed the heart – the principle – of the command.
I think we need to hear that today. Too many seem to believe that if they can just replicate every tiny detail of a command or example from the New Testament as close as possible to how they might have done it in the first century, then they have fulfilled the law’s requirements.
I think it’s possible Jesus might say to them, “Your hearts are far from Me.” Because it’s not about keeping the details to a “T”, it’s about the heart of the individual.
We can find numerous examples in the Bible where God overlooked commands and details that weren't followed precisely when the heart of the individual was right. However Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 15 that it doesn't work the other way. Keeping the details doesn't cover for an impure heart.
Man looks at the outward appearance:
Have they killed anyone? Have they committed adultery?
The Lord looks at the heart:
Is their heart full of anger? Is their heart full of lust?
That’s not quite as easy as following a checklist of outer appearances.
It also opens the door for some disagreement on what exactly the principle is and how it is expressed and fulfilled in our lives. But that’s nothing new…it’s not like we haven’t already had disagreement using other methods to interpret scripture. If we're going to disagree, let's disagree while using Jesus' method, shall we?
So, how does this look in real life?
Let me say up front, I am not binding my way of interpreting scripture on you. I am sharing with you what makes sense to me, and how I arrived at that conclusion. If it is helpful to you, that’s wonderful. If you choose not to give it a fair look, that’s your call. If you give it consideration and in the end can’t agree, that’s ok, too. To our own Master each of us will stand or fall.
What if we let Jesus teach us about interpretation?
Let’s consider His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and 6. I’ll not copy the entire text, but if your Bible isn’t handy, click here.
In verse 17, Jesus begins with a qualifying statement: He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. That is key.
You see, the first accusation typically lobbed when one proposes a different way of interpreting scripture is along the lines of questioning their commitment to the Word or to God – as if they are trying to weasel out of something. Be assured, no one here is trying to abolish God’s commands or examples. Rather, our desire is to fulfill and accomplish their purpose in our lives.
Beginning in verse 21, Jesus begins to deconstruct their view of what it means to keep a command. “Do not murder” speaks to more than just the physical act of murder…it addresses the heart full of anger towards his brother. “Do not commit adultery” speaks to more than just the physical act of adultery…it addresses the lusts of the impure heart.
One by one, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter regarding various commands and examples that they were familiar with from the Old Law and from Israel’s past.
In doing so, I believe He is providing guidelines regarding how to interpret Biblical commands and examples today.
I believe Jesus is teaching us to determine the principle behind the command or example, and commit to follow that principle to the best of our ability in our lives, rather than merely their expression through those specific commands and examples.
I’ve heard a mistaken view of these words of Jesus taught many times. It goes along the lines of suggesting that Jesus was raising the bar – making the Old Law commands more stringent for the New Covenant He was implementing.
I disagree.
Was it not always sinful to be consumed with anger? Was it not always sinful to be full of lust?
Jesus isn’t raising the bar, He’s explaining to a people who thought they were keeping the law by following the precise letter of the command that they have missed the heart – the principle – of the command.
I think we need to hear that today. Too many seem to believe that if they can just replicate every tiny detail of a command or example from the New Testament as close as possible to how they might have done it in the first century, then they have fulfilled the law’s requirements.
I think it’s possible Jesus might say to them, “Your hearts are far from Me.” Because it’s not about keeping the details to a “T”, it’s about the heart of the individual.
We can find numerous examples in the Bible where God overlooked commands and details that weren't followed precisely when the heart of the individual was right. However Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 15 that it doesn't work the other way. Keeping the details doesn't cover for an impure heart.
Man looks at the outward appearance:
Have they killed anyone? Have they committed adultery?
The Lord looks at the heart:
Is their heart full of anger? Is their heart full of lust?
That’s not quite as easy as following a checklist of outer appearances.
It also opens the door for some disagreement on what exactly the principle is and how it is expressed and fulfilled in our lives. But that’s nothing new…it’s not like we haven’t already had disagreement using other methods to interpret scripture. If we're going to disagree, let's disagree while using Jesus' method, shall we?
So, how does this look in real life?
Monday, September 28, 2009
More clips...finally
I've hit the cd editing wall over the past, oh, 4 weeks. : (
But, here are a couple of new ones for you to enjoy:
You Raise Me Up
(Jason Thornton on the solo)
Think About His Love
(I'm actually not quite finished with this one yet, but close)
But, here are a couple of new ones for you to enjoy:
You Raise Me Up
(Jason Thornton on the solo)
|
Think About His Love
(I'm actually not quite finished with this one yet, but close)
|
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