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!

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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!

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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?

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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).

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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.

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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:

• 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!

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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!

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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!

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STUCK IN A MOMENT WITH U2

Here are a few memorable moments for me from the concert this past Saturday…

THE FIRST TIME – In October 1980 a quartet of from Dublin released their first album, “Boy;” as they say, the rest is history. This song reminded me of a series of worship gatherings at our church this past summer, “Prodigal People” taken from the powerful story that Jesus told in Luke 15. Bono sang:

I have a lover, a lover like no other
She got soul, soul, soul, sweet soul and she teach me how to sing
Shows me colors when there's none to see
Gives me hope when I can't believe that for the first time I feel love

I have a brother when I'm a brother in need
I spend my whole time running, he spends his running after me
When I feel myself going down, I just call and he comes around
But for the first time, I feel love

My Father is a rich man, He wears a rich man's cloak
Gave me the keys to His kingdom coming, gave me a cup of gold
He said "I have many mansions, and there are many rooms to see."
But I left by the back door, and I threw away the key
And I threw away the key, yeah I threw away the key
Yeah I threw away the key
For the first time I feel love

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY – In a post 9-11 world, Bono’s introduction to this classic song resonated with me: “America, this is your song now….”

I can’t believe the news today
Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away
How long... How long must we sing this song?
How long? how long...
Broken bottles under children’s feet
Bodies strewn across the dead end street
But I won’t heed the battle call
It puts my back up Puts my back up against the wall
Sunday, bloody Sunday

PRIDE – I actually received two text messages during this song. One was from Bono in response to my text message in support of the ONE Campaign (try texting your full name to 86483 and see if it works). The second was from a friend who told me that she actually became a Christian at a youth event while the band was playing that very song – how awesome is that?

MISS SAVRAJO – Stripped down with the Edge playing keys and Bono doing his best impression of an Irish tenor, handling the Italian operatic lines originally sung by Luciana Pavarotti (who received birthday greetings from Bono and their crowd as he celebrates his 70th birthday this month).

SOMETIMES YOU CAN’T MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN – This was an emotionally powerful moment as Bono actually took off his shades and notes from deep within his soul poured forth as he sang about his combatant, yet loving relationship with his late father.

PARTY GIRL – Did you ever wonder what happens to a guy in the audience with a sign that reads, “Me + Guitar = Party Girl?” You get to jump onstage and play the song with the band. The guy was pretty good – he had all the chords changes down and even got a chance to play the lead part (all the time standing right next to the Edge). Catchy little tune from “Under a Blood Red Sky” and impressive performance by the guy; I think I would have peed myself.

One more post coming about the ending of the concert and until then...

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U2 COMES TO PITTSBURGH

Over the past five years or so, God has used U2 as a powerful catalyst in my life to press deeper into Scripture, God’s heart, and God’s kingdom. And after month and months of anticipation, this past Saturday I had the opportunity to gather with family members and friends (both near and scattered all around the Mellon Arena) to experience first hand the art and heart of U2. Later this week I will share a few of my favorite moments of the concert, but today I am thinking about the larger impact and impressions the event had on me.

COMMUNITY – How many bands have come and gone over the last 29 years? Why do I ask that question? Because the four members of U2 have been together for 29 years of uninterrupted musical community. While countless other bands flame out, burn out, implode and explode, these guys continue to make music together and truly enjoy one another. While recognizing the unique contributions each member brings to the table, in U2’s case, 1 +1 + 1 + 1 = “One” incredible musical experience far beyond the individual contributions. I loved to watch the non-verbal communication on stage – the occasional glance and smile, huddling together around a mic, the sharing of the spotlight; a look from Bono that signaled one of his famed lyrical improvisations; these guys are living inside one another’s skin. One of my favorite moments was during an acoustic version of “Stuck in a Moment;” when the Edge blew a change, Bono whispered in his ear and they played it a second time this time nailing it perfectly.

What I experienced on Saturday night was a powerful vision for musical community. I have been playing with some guys in a band for a few years now and I pray that 30 years from now we have the kind of love for the music and more importantly for one another that I saw on display on stage at the Mellon Area.

THE EDGE – While Bono may be the soul of U2, the Edge is the heart. Above the stage was a large screen that contained four separate viewing areas, one section dedicated to and focused upon each of the four band members. Quite often I found myself captivated with the Edge, riveted on his amazing guitar skills. The man plays with incredible passion and simply makes his guitar sing. Whether he was blazing through classic riffs from “One” or “Where the Streets Have No Name” or the tasteful changes on his acoustic on “The First Time” or “Stuck in a Moment,” the signature sound of U2’s music flows from the Edge’s heart through his hands.

TRANSCENDENT MOMENTS – Last week I read about a workshop that will be presented at Willow Creek’s Next Generation Conference on worship leadership entitled “Everything I Needed to Know abut Worship Leading I Learned from an Irish Rock Star.” Let me tell you, U2 understands flow and how to move (and there is a big difference between move and manipulate) an audience. In a recent interview in Rolling Stone, Bono was asked, “What are you trying to do with the audience?” He responded, “To lose my own sense of self, self consciousness – and theirs. It’s an amazing thing. We’re not really a rock & roll band. We’re pretending to be a rock & roll band and sometimes we get away with it… Our set list is designed in a kind of three-act structure, to get people out of themselves and to get ourselves out of ourselves. And to get to a place where everything feels possible…Our definition of art is the breaking open of the breastbone, for sure. Just open-heart surgery.”

I have been a worship leader for quite a few years and feel like I have a pretty good experience base to draw from; but, Bono and the boys took me to school. There were times when I thought my heart was going to explode (Elevation and Where the Streets Have No Name) and tender moments when tears flowed freely (Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own). Surely the presence of the Lord was in the place and I knew it!

It’s a beautiful day; don’t let it get away!

CALLED AND SENT

I didn't sleep much last night. And that's ok. God was stirring me.

After a potent worship gathering in the morning, a frustrating Steeler loss in the afternoon, last night a large group of people gathered for worship at the Open Door, followed up with a lively dialogue with Tony Jones about the shape of the emerging church. Tony is the national coordinator for Emergent and possesses one of the sharpest theological minds you will ever encounter (check out Tony's blog for some heavy duty stuff).While I am not a huge fan of the phrase "emerging church," (I much prefer missional church), Tony rearticulated the heart of the movement - Emergent is all about rethinking theology and rethinking the Church within the context of friendships with a heart to simply follow Jesus into the world. That my friends, energizes me – big-time!

This brings me to the called and sent thing. The first pattern of a missional church is "discerning missional vocation." The word vocation signifies a call and in the Scriptures that call is to participate in God's grand purpose for the world. The call is to come to Jesus and then follow Him into the world and join the activity of God wherever and wherever we are able.
Missional Churches are continually seeking clarity on the call, especially as it relates to identity and location. They give attention to:

• where they are in a geographic, social, and cultural context
• when they are in the flow of history and change
• who they are in continuity with a tradition and re-forming it in the present
• why they are welcoming God's call and entering God's coming reign

Let me raise a few questions:

Where are We? Where is our missional assignment? While I understand we have a responsibility to be engaged in mission to the ends of the earth, our primary responsibility is local. How would you answer the “where are we” question? Are you/we clear about that? I have to confess I am wrestling with this one right now and am unsure that our faith community is zoned in on this one.

When are We? Are we aware of the unique opportunities that stand before us in our time? The Scriptures speak of these moments as kairos moments, opportune times. Because God has placed us in a particular space and time, there are unique situations that face us and demand our attention and energy? What unique opportunities stand before us, right here, right now?

Who are We? Our faith communities are rooted in a theological and historical flow.
Are we clear about our roots and are we re-thinking together about how we will faithfully express ourselves in our world today?

I will save the “why we are” question for later. But in the meantime I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the above. Is God stirring anything in you about the identity and call of the church in the world today? What do you think?

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PATTERN 1 – MISSIONAL VOCATION

The first pattern that is identified in missional congregations is that of missional vocation. The authors define it as follows:

"The congregation is discovering together the missional vocation of the community. It is beginning to redefine success and vitality in terms of faithfulness to God's calling and sending. It is seeking to discern God's specific mission vocation (charisms) for the entire community and for all its members.”

Ok, without unpacking that definition (I will do that in the next post), let me raise a few questions:

should a church be concerned about success?
how do we typically define success in church?
are these good and accurate indicators of congregational health?
what new benchmarks might a missional church want to consider as better indicators of congregational effectiveness and health?

What do you think? Jump in – share your thoughts and ideas with the community.

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TREASURE IN CLAY JARS

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power from is God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Each month I spent some time with other 4 or 5 other guys in the Pittsburgh region talking about leadership in the missional church. Two of us are old guys and the rest of the group are what I like to call emerging leaders - they keep me on my toes and I am grateful to God that our lives and ministries are becoming more and more interconnected. Believe me, there is a lot of iron sharpening iron that occurs.

This fall we determined that we would read together a book published by The Gospel and Our Culture Network entitled Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness (Lois Barrett et al.). The book is a follow-up to a seminal book on the missional chucrh written in 1998 by Darrell Guder, Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America.

Treasure in Clay Jars centers on case studies of nine missional congregations from across the United States and Canada that are diverse in their denomination affiliations, worship styles, political stances, and socioeconomic background. The book explores eight concrete patterns common to these churches. Although the patterns may look different in each setting, the authors argue that these eight patterns can be recognized in any congregation seeking to participate in God's mission in the world. These patterns are not so much about specific activities, but more so about the very heart and soul of the church. The authors write: "the church does not exists for itself, but for participation in God's mission of reconciliation...Mission is the character of the church in whatever context it exists."

For today let me simply list the eight discernable patterns and then in some follow-up posts, I'll share some thoughts and reflections on these patterns and open up some dialogue. As you read through the list, are there any that get your pulse rate up? Which ones energize you or stir up your curiosity? Drop a comment, would you?

Pattern 1, Missional Vocation
Pattern 2, Biblical Formation and Discipleship
Pattern 3, Taking Risks as a Contrast Community
Pattern 4, Practices That Demonstrate God's Intent for the World
Pattern 5, Worship as Public Witness
Pattern 6, Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Pattern 7, Pointing Toward the Reign of God
Pattern 8, Missional Authority

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SOMETHING TO BE

Well I capped off my weekend by spending a couple of hours with my daughter Abby at Heinz Hall (along with a few other friends scattered throughout the venue) enjoying the Rob Thomas concert. The show rocked. For those of you not familiar with Rob, he is the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty and his biggest commercial hit was a song he wrote and recorded with guitar genius Carlos Santana, “Smooth” (he did a great scaled back version last night –I love to hear deconstructed arrangements - very Sting-like – but that’s a different story). The show included stuff from his solo project, great MB20 songs, obscure Tabitha’s Secret songs and a few classic covers like “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie), “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” (Tom Petty and Stevie Nix) and a beautiful Tracy Chapman song.

Rob opened the song with the title track from his solo project, “Something to Be.”

I can't stand what I'm starting to be
I can't stand the people that I'm starting to need
There's so much now that can go wrong
And I don't need somebody
Trying to help it along
It's the same old song
Everybody says you've been away too long
Everybody wanna tell you what went wrong
Wanna make you like an icon
Till you believe that they're right

I've been looking for something
Something I've never seen
We're all looking for something
Something to be…

The song reminds me that life is all about being. Yesterday in our worship gathering I reminded our community that it is not only important to know who we are but as well to possess a vision of who and what we will become.

Rob’s opener got me thinking - a number of years ago I discovered a book by Brennan Manning (Abba’s Child) that radically changed my life (perhaps even saved my life): Manning said, “Define yourself as one radically loved by God.”

I heard not long ago that the key to real life is “simply” to become what we all ready are.

We're all looking for something
Something to be…

What do you think?

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WEEKEND PREVIEW

Well it's Friday and that means the weekend is upon us. For most of you that means down time, but for those of us in the ministry thing everything has a sense of building toward Sunday. Here's a quick look at the next couple of days in my life - what's happening in yours?

Friday night is Pizza Night in the Timm Household. We have a few places in the rotation like Pepperoni's in Bethel Park, Little Nippers on Beverly Road, Mineo's and my favorite, Caruso’s in Uptown Mt. Lebanon. What's your favorite - who's got the best slice in your neighborhood?

Saturday night my son Sam's high school soccer team has a big match as they take on Peters. I must say everyone had pretty low expectations for the team this year, but they have worked their way up to a number two ranking in WPIAL. Peters in the only undefeated team in WPIAL AAA and the match is on their pitch; it will be a real test. What kind of games will you be playing (or watching) this weekend?

Sunday morning we begin a new series at our church's worship gatherings. I am pretty pumped abut the series on "Environments." Each week we'll be looking at an element in the creation and allowing it to serve as a metaphor for our life as the People of God. Here are the five environments and they way they speak to our call and purpose as a community of faith:

Wind - Mission is why the Church Exists
Fire - Relevance to Culture is not Optional
Earth - Creativity is the Natural Result of Spirituality
Wood - Structure must Submit to Spirit
Water - Love is the Context for All Mission

Do any of these elements peak your curiosity?

And on Sunday night I will bring the weekend to a close by attending the Rob Thomas concert at Heinz Hall. Rob is the former lead singer for Matchbox 20 and earlier this year released an excellent solo project. I have never attended a rock concert at Heinz Hall; the acoustics should be great. How about you: what are you listening to these days?

Have a great weekend and stay connected…

THE TASK OF LEADERSHIP

True confessions - I have a fascination with the papacy. Although I disagree with Rome on a number of theology points, in 1978 as a nineteen year pre-Christian, I watched as the white smoke billowed forth from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and Karol Wojty³a was introduced to the world as Pope John Paul II. From that moment I was hooked - the mystery, the intrigue, the pomp and ceremony, the hat (yes the hat!). Patty as a former Roman Catholic can't quite figure it out (nor can I for that matter). Part of my Christmas Eve tradition for the past twenty-some years has been watching at least a portion of the Pope's Christmas Eve mass.

This past semester I have been teaching a class on Leadership at the Greater Works School of Ministry and our primary text has been Reggie McNeal's book, "A Work of Heart." But a couple of weeks ago we took a detour and spent an entire class discussing leadership lessons from the life of John Paul II. A bunch of American protestants spending two hours learning about leadership from the life of a polish priest - pretty cool stuff if you ask me.

John Paul II has been the only pope I've known. And now we have Benedict XVI. Only time will tell if he captures my interest like John Paul, but I thought I should try to get to know the man. And so I spend some time reading the text of his homily from his installation mass this past Sunday. Again, there is much I do not agree with biblically and theologically; but Benedict made this profound statement about the task of leadership:

“My real program of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole church, to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by Him so that He himself will lead the church at this hour of our history,”

I love these words. Leadership isn't about promoting our own agenda or asserting our own will - it's all about bringing the community together to listen for the voice of God and than following Him into the future. In this hour of history, I find myself privileged to serve with a number of sisters and brothers in a strong leadership community in my local church. I could think of no higher goal than together discerning the voice of Christ and following Him with faith and obedience.

Let the ones who have ears, hear what the Spirt is saying to the Church!

CELEBRATE SOMETHING EVERYDAY

How can we up our amazement factor? Celebrate something everyday. Take time to say thanks. I was reading today in Mark 8 where we find the miracle of the loaves and fish - Jesus takes seven loaves of bread and a few fish and feeds thousands - amazing! When the disciples the bread and fish, the first thing Jesus did was give thanks. One of the church fathers, St Bede said this about Jesus' actions:

"As Jesus was on the point of refreshing the multitude, he gave thanks. He gave thanks in order to teach us for the favors we have received from heaven and to impress upon us how much he himself rejoices at our spiritual refreshment."

For some of us it is a fairly common practice to give thanks before a meal. What if we stretch it out a bit and began to say thanks in advance of the events, people, and experiences that bring refreshment to our souls? Before we tee off on the first hole - say thanks for birdies and double bogies and everything in-between. Before we embark on a walk - say thanks for legs that carry us and a glorious creation to enjoy. Before we listen to a piece of music - say thanks for ears that hear and souls that respond to a beautifully crafted song.

Open your eyes; there's great stuff all around. Stuff that is well worth celebrating and giving thanks.

BECOMING A PERSON OF WONDER, HOPE AND IMAGINATION

The other day our family rented what I must say was one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. "Finding Neverland" is the story of JM Barrie, the imaginative genius behind the story of "Peter Pan." Seeing the film brought back a fond childhood memory; in fact one of my earliest Pittsburgh memories (our family moved to Pittsburgh when I was 10 years old). My parents took me and my younger brother to a local production of "Peter Pan" and I was particular amazed and captivated by Peter's ability to fly across the stage of Baldwin High School (sorry for the aside). "Finding Neverland" goes far beyond a children's story - it is a film about wonder, hope, and imagination, themes that all of us should revisit on a regular basis.

Jesus came to announce and enact the kingdom of God. He invited people to enter into it and experience a whole new dimension of life. In his invitations, Jesus used many images to help people understand what God's kingdom was all about - one of the most powerful is found in Matthew 18:

Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 18:2-4)

Why did Jesus liken the kingdom to a child? Because children have a tendency to live more naturally as people of wonder, hope, and imagination.

In what way is Neverland similar to the kingdom of God? It has to be believed to be seen. I love what Darrel Manson had to say about Neverland and the kingdom (http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/comments/darrel/2004/11/finding-neverland.html)

"But Neverland is more than an issue of imagination versus reality: it is also a matter of belief. One does not merely imagine Neverland. Neverland requires belief not so much an intellectual assent as a complete emotional acceptance. When we allow ourselves to believe in such a place as Neverland (or perhaps the Kingdom of God), we open the door to a reality that is beyond us. To find such a new reality is among the greatest gifts of childlikeness and is a blessing that only an adult can truly appreciate."

Check out "Finding Neverland." Watch it with the eyes, ears and imagination of a child. While it's not the Gospel, you just might find your thoughts turned toward the kingdom of heaven.

TO HANNAH

I know a girl she puts the color inside of my world
and she's just like a maze
where all of the walls all continually change.
And I've done all I can
to stand on the steps with my heart in my hand
Now I'm starting to see
maybe it's got nothing to do with me.
Fathers be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers be good to your daughters, too.

Boys you can break, you find out how much they can take.
Boys will be strong and boys soldier on,
But boys would be gone without warmth from a woman's good, good heart.

(John Mayer, Daughters)

It's hard to believe but this morning I woke up as the father of an 18th year old daughter. It seems like just yesterday when your mom and I brought home a beautiful, bald-headed baby girl from the Beaver Medical Center (we wondered if you would ever have any hair; no worries, God has crowned with grace and beauty). And today I am sitting in a coffee shop listening to John Mayer with tears in my eyes, grateful for all the incredible gifts you have brought into my life. Growing up in a family without any sisters, your presence in my life has taken me into places I could have never dreamed of. Hannah, thanks for putting the color inside my world:

the joys of shopping; (even in NYC and Chicago - and look out LA);
the trials of parallel parking (as they say the 4th time is the charm);
our annual August bike rides at Ohiopyle (we finally made it to the end of the trail);
the music of artists like John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5, Mraz, Something Corporate, and Dashboard Confessional (you know I love those chords);
sharing cups of coffee at Border's or Starbucks (thanks for being the only one in our family who will drink the stuff with me).

Hannah - you are an incredible gift from God and it has been a joy these past 18 years being your father. It's blows me away to even imagine that God would entrust me with such a precious gift. Thanks for inviting me into your world and the more I know you, the more I love you. May God continue to bring much warmth from your good, good heart.

Happy Birthday Hannah!