THE GOAL IS SOUL
If the goal is soul, how do we get there? Well for me, a huge part of the journey to soul is music, both playing it and listening to it. Music is a powerful soul force in my life. So I thought I would highlight a couple of artists and recordings that are nurturing my soul right now.
First up - Jeremy Camp. Right now I am listening to his latest release, "Live Unplugged." It is my favorite (plus you get a bonus DVD of the concert - what a deal). Jeremy has quite a faith story. Camp experienced a major loss in his life as very early in his marriage, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and shortly after died. After losing his newlywed wife, Jeremy fueled the pain and hurt into his songwriting as a testimony of unwavering faith in God's comfort and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. One of the things I love most about his music is the message of hope that is born from real pain and heartbreak. If you would like to learn more about his story, follow this link to an interview from the March 2003 issue of Christianity Today.
Camp rocks! In fact some of his other releases may be a bit much for some of you. That's why I recommend the "Live Unplugged" release. Think Creed meets Jars of Clay with the a string quartet and an awesome percussionist thrown in for good measure.
My favorite tracks - Understand (track 1):
Every time I fall down on my face
I see the one who bore all my shame
Well to know that you are everything I need you to be
You're my ever present help in time of need
I know you understand it all
So why don't I get back on my feet again...
And Empty Me (track 6):
Holy fire, burn away my desire
For anything that is not of You and is of me
I want more of You and less of me
Empty me, empty me
Fill won’t You fill me with You, with You…
What a great prayer – may it be so!
Stay Connected…
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
GENERATIVE FRIENDSHIPS - PART 2
For two Sundays during the month of November, my good friend Terry Mann and I partnered together in a non- traditional pulpit exchange. I had a blast hanging out with the people of Fountain Park Church and you can listen to the message I shared with them based upon Ephesians 3:14-21 and 1 Corinthians 13 entitled, "Gong."
Terry did a great job opening up Genesis 41 and the Joseph story to our congregation and you can listen to his message, "What's in a Name?"
Thank God for generative friendships!
Stay Connected...
For two Sundays during the month of November, my good friend Terry Mann and I partnered together in a non- traditional pulpit exchange. I had a blast hanging out with the people of Fountain Park Church and you can listen to the message I shared with them based upon Ephesians 3:14-21 and 1 Corinthians 13 entitled, "Gong."
Terry did a great job opening up Genesis 41 and the Joseph story to our congregation and you can listen to his message, "What's in a Name?"
Thank God for generative friendships!
Stay Connected...
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
AN AIDS TEST EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE
What do you know about AIDS, the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time?
Find out by taking the World Vision AIDS Test now. This interactive test—which takes just a few minutes to complete-could change the way you think about AIDS forever.
Stay Connected...
What do you know about AIDS, the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time?
Find out by taking the World Vision AIDS Test now. This interactive test—which takes just a few minutes to complete-could change the way you think about AIDS forever.
Stay Connected...
Monday, November 21, 2005
THE GOAL IS SOUL
My favorite poet, prophet, and Irish rock star has a saying (you might even call it a life mantra) “the goal is soul.” That resonates with me, especially as I think about the great commandment of Jesus, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength.” Many of us have some handle on the heart, mind and strength stuff (passion, intellect and muscle), but when it comes to loving the Lord with soul, things tend to get a bit fuzzy.
Lately I have been reading a great book by Ronald Rolheiser, The Holy Longing - The Search for a Christian Spirituality. He talks quite a bit about soul. Here is a brief except to get the conversation started:
“A healthy soul, therefore, must do two things for us. First, it must put some fire in our veins, keep us energized, vibrant, living with zest, and full of hope as we sense that life is, ultimately beautiful and worth living. Whenever this breaks down is us, something is wrong with our souls. When cynicism, despair, bitterness, or depression paralyzes our energy, part of the soul is hurting. Second, a healthy soul has to keep us fixed together. It has to continually give us a sense of who we are, where we came from, where we are going and what sense there is in all of this. When we stand looking at ourselves, confusedly, in a mirror and ask ourselves what sense, if any, there is to our lives, it is this other part of the soul, our principle of integration, that is limping.” (14)
What comes to your mind when you hear the word soul? Is there anything in Rolheiser’s description that resonates with you? Anything you question or disagree with?
Stay Connected…
My favorite poet, prophet, and Irish rock star has a saying (you might even call it a life mantra) “the goal is soul.” That resonates with me, especially as I think about the great commandment of Jesus, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength.” Many of us have some handle on the heart, mind and strength stuff (passion, intellect and muscle), but when it comes to loving the Lord with soul, things tend to get a bit fuzzy.
Lately I have been reading a great book by Ronald Rolheiser, The Holy Longing - The Search for a Christian Spirituality. He talks quite a bit about soul. Here is a brief except to get the conversation started:
“A healthy soul, therefore, must do two things for us. First, it must put some fire in our veins, keep us energized, vibrant, living with zest, and full of hope as we sense that life is, ultimately beautiful and worth living. Whenever this breaks down is us, something is wrong with our souls. When cynicism, despair, bitterness, or depression paralyzes our energy, part of the soul is hurting. Second, a healthy soul has to keep us fixed together. It has to continually give us a sense of who we are, where we came from, where we are going and what sense there is in all of this. When we stand looking at ourselves, confusedly, in a mirror and ask ourselves what sense, if any, there is to our lives, it is this other part of the soul, our principle of integration, that is limping.” (14)
What comes to your mind when you hear the word soul? Is there anything in Rolheiser’s description that resonates with you? Anything you question or disagree with?
Stay Connected…
Friday, November 18, 2005
ETERNAL GOD
Recently I have found myself reading, reflecting upon, praying and singing the words of Moses, the man of God as they are recorded in Psalm 90. This Sunday in our worship gathering we will take time to do so communally and we will introduce a powerful song by the Robbie Seay Band called, "Eternal God."
Perhaps God has something to say to you this day through these ancient words:
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, you mortals." A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90, TNIV).
Stay Connected...
Recently I have found myself reading, reflecting upon, praying and singing the words of Moses, the man of God as they are recorded in Psalm 90. This Sunday in our worship gathering we will take time to do so communally and we will introduce a powerful song by the Robbie Seay Band called, "Eternal God."
Perhaps God has something to say to you this day through these ancient words:
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, you mortals." A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90, TNIV).
Stay Connected...
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
BRINGING BACK MEMORIES
My wife Patty is the best. When I got home tonight after a very long day, she surprised me with an early Christmas gift (complete with Christmas bow and sticker) - The Vertigo 2005 U2 Live from Chicago DVD.
If you didn't have the opportunity to see U2 this time around, go as quickly as you can to your local Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Best Buy, wherever and purchase it! Incredible, stuff, really.
Stay connected...
My wife Patty is the best. When I got home tonight after a very long day, she surprised me with an early Christmas gift (complete with Christmas bow and sticker) - The Vertigo 2005 U2 Live from Chicago DVD.
If you didn't have the opportunity to see U2 this time around, go as quickly as you can to your local Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Best Buy, wherever and purchase it! Incredible, stuff, really.
Stay connected...
Monday, November 14, 2005
WEEKEND UPDATE
It's Monday - what kind of weekend did you have? Mine was filled with a wide variety of life giving experiences.
On Friday night and Saturday morning our worship team gathered for our annual fall retreat. We have been doing this for a couple of years now every November and it is a fruitful time. On Friday night we share a meal together and then spend time watching DVD's of various worship settings and reflecting together upon what we see. This year's line-up included Tommy Walker and his team in Zambia, Hillsong and Delirious united with a worshipping congregation of about 20,000, Shane and Shane in an intimate coffee house kind of setting, and Jars of Clay live in concert. As well, we watched Rob Bell's Nooma, Rain, reflecting upon the times our Father has carried us through the storms of life.
On Saturday morning we worked on a bunch of new material. Be on the lookout for some of these songs in upcoming worship gatherings:
It's Monday - what kind of weekend did you have? Mine was filled with a wide variety of life giving experiences.
On Friday night and Saturday morning our worship team gathered for our annual fall retreat. We have been doing this for a couple of years now every November and it is a fruitful time. On Friday night we share a meal together and then spend time watching DVD's of various worship settings and reflecting together upon what we see. This year's line-up included Tommy Walker and his team in Zambia, Hillsong and Delirious united with a worshipping congregation of about 20,000, Shane and Shane in an intimate coffee house kind of setting, and Jars of Clay live in concert. As well, we watched Rob Bell's Nooma, Rain, reflecting upon the times our Father has carried us through the storms of life.
On Saturday morning we worked on a bunch of new material. Be on the lookout for some of these songs in upcoming worship gatherings:
- Wholly Yours by David Crowder Band
- Communion by Third Day
- Salvation Is Here by Hillsongs
- I'm Not Ashamed by Tommy Walker
- Holy Is the Lord by Eoghan Heaslip
- Wrap Me in Your Arms by Michael Gungor
- For This Reason and All of Me by Lincoln Brewster
Sunday morning I made the long journey to the North Hills to spend the morning with Terry Mann and the Fountain Park community. It was a true joy worshipping with them and having the opportunity to sharing from God's Word with them. My message was entitled, Gong, and we looked together at Ephesians 3:14-21 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
And last night to cap off the weekend off, I was at Heinz Field watching our Pittsburgh Steelers give the Cleveland Browns a pretty good beat down. Love it! Thanks Tom, it was a blast!
Stay Connected...
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
GENERATIVE FRIENDSHIPS
A couple of years ago I was introduced to a new way of thinking about friendship. I’m not really a “let’s just hang out kind of guy,” so this new way of thinking and living truly resonated with me.
The Emergent Movement talks about generative friendships – friendships that bear kingdom kind of fruit. Friendships that are filled with conversations (and lots of coffee) that move us deeper into the way of Jesus. I have been blessed with a number of these kinds of friendships, near and far, face to face and via the web and for each of them I am thankful.
Over the next two Sunday mornings I am going to be celebrating one of my most significant generative friendships. Twice a month Terry Mann, the lead pastor from Fountain Park Church and I spend a Monday morning together, drinking coffee, sharing our dreams and challenges, bouncing ideas off one another, praying and encouraging one another.
We enjoy spending time together so much that we decided to hang out together on a Sunday morning at one another’s worship gathering. This Sunday I will be speaking at their worship gathering (actually two of them) and on November 20, Terry Mann will be speaking at Christ Community Church of the South Hills. This is a non-traditional pulpit exchange (would you expect anything else from us?). In a normal pulpit exchange, pastors typically switch it up on a Sunday. We will be together for these two Sundays celebrating the connection we have in Christ and we pray that the energy from our relationship ignites some fire and passion in our communities of faith as well.
What do you think about generative friendships? Who has God brought into your life that moves you deeper into the things of God and helps you bear fruit? I would love to hear your story.
Yeah God for generative friendships!
Stay Connected...
A couple of years ago I was introduced to a new way of thinking about friendship. I’m not really a “let’s just hang out kind of guy,” so this new way of thinking and living truly resonated with me.
The Emergent Movement talks about generative friendships – friendships that bear kingdom kind of fruit. Friendships that are filled with conversations (and lots of coffee) that move us deeper into the way of Jesus. I have been blessed with a number of these kinds of friendships, near and far, face to face and via the web and for each of them I am thankful.
Over the next two Sunday mornings I am going to be celebrating one of my most significant generative friendships. Twice a month Terry Mann, the lead pastor from Fountain Park Church and I spend a Monday morning together, drinking coffee, sharing our dreams and challenges, bouncing ideas off one another, praying and encouraging one another.
We enjoy spending time together so much that we decided to hang out together on a Sunday morning at one another’s worship gathering. This Sunday I will be speaking at their worship gathering (actually two of them) and on November 20, Terry Mann will be speaking at Christ Community Church of the South Hills. This is a non-traditional pulpit exchange (would you expect anything else from us?). In a normal pulpit exchange, pastors typically switch it up on a Sunday. We will be together for these two Sundays celebrating the connection we have in Christ and we pray that the energy from our relationship ignites some fire and passion in our communities of faith as well.
What do you think about generative friendships? Who has God brought into your life that moves you deeper into the things of God and helps you bear fruit? I would love to hear your story.
Yeah God for generative friendships!
Stay Connected...
Monday, November 07, 2005
LIQUID GRACE
I've been away for a while and it feels good to blog-in. The past two weeks have been challenging and the last seven days especially trying. It began with a complete computer crash, a trip to the ER with a blood clot in my leg (no worries - according to the doctors it was superficial and clinically irrelevant, two words I typically do not want attached to me) and the opportunity to walk with a friend of mine (and our community at large) through the death of his wife.
Yesterday during our worship gathering, we concluded a five week series on Environments and our metaphor was water. Did you ever stop to think about the shape of water? What shape does water have? You can't answer that question, because water doesn't really have a shape of it's own - it is fluid and takes the shape of the container holding it.
The phrase Erwin McManus uses is "liquid grace." And he writes in his book, An Unstoppable Force: "The Christian community is not a place without interpersonal crisis or challenge. In some sense we are all hypocrites in transition. We're all working it out. Sometimes fighting with God, sometimes working with God. That's why biblical community is such an extraordinary gift. It's not about being perfect or loving people who are always easy to love; it's about loving people through the love of God. It's about being loved even when you blow it, being loved even when you do not deserve it, an being loved by others who know you all too well, even when you find it difficult to love yourselves."
This past week I have received countless expressions of liquid grace. They have come to me through a variety of containers: my sisters and brothers on our leadership team (not perfect, but growing), my co-laborers in ministry (thanks Marlaena and Joe), members of Christ Community, and friends within the larger community. And mostly especially through my wife Patty. It is not good for this man to be alone and God showers me with His grace daily through
her life.
Thank God for His liquid grace!
Stay connected...
I've been away for a while and it feels good to blog-in. The past two weeks have been challenging and the last seven days especially trying. It began with a complete computer crash, a trip to the ER with a blood clot in my leg (no worries - according to the doctors it was superficial and clinically irrelevant, two words I typically do not want attached to me) and the opportunity to walk with a friend of mine (and our community at large) through the death of his wife.
Yesterday during our worship gathering, we concluded a five week series on Environments and our metaphor was water. Did you ever stop to think about the shape of water? What shape does water have? You can't answer that question, because water doesn't really have a shape of it's own - it is fluid and takes the shape of the container holding it.
The phrase Erwin McManus uses is "liquid grace." And he writes in his book, An Unstoppable Force: "The Christian community is not a place without interpersonal crisis or challenge. In some sense we are all hypocrites in transition. We're all working it out. Sometimes fighting with God, sometimes working with God. That's why biblical community is such an extraordinary gift. It's not about being perfect or loving people who are always easy to love; it's about loving people through the love of God. It's about being loved even when you blow it, being loved even when you do not deserve it, an being loved by others who know you all too well, even when you find it difficult to love yourselves."
This past week I have received countless expressions of liquid grace. They have come to me through a variety of containers: my sisters and brothers on our leadership team (not perfect, but growing), my co-laborers in ministry (thanks Marlaena and Joe), members of Christ Community, and friends within the larger community. And mostly especially through my wife Patty. It is not good for this man to be alone and God showers me with His grace daily through
her life.
Thank God for His liquid grace!
Stay connected...
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