When I was growing up some of my friends went to churches that did a "30 Hour Famine." I thought they were crazy. They starved themselves to raise money for hungry people around the world. I'm a lover of food and wasn't really sure I was cut out to participate. Giving up food for five hours can be a stretch for me, let alone 30. I think I went awhile without food when I had my wisdom teeth out, but you're drugged up and I physically could not eat so it's different than making a decision not to eat. I also don't like to be told I can't do things and it started to motivate me to wonder if I was strong enough to make it. Of course this was more than 10 years ago but in the back of my mind I've always wondered.
Yesterday around 1:30 pm I ate a late lunch (some quality PB&J) and inadvertently started my 30 hour famine. When I really think about it, at first I think it was out of stress and maybe a little pity. Work has been kicking my butt and after a late lunch I wasn't exactly starving for dinner. I also ate the same thing for dinner Sunday and Monday night and more leftovers weren't exactly tempting me. The evening passed and I started wondering how long I could go.
World Vision sponsors the "30 Hour Famine" events and while I've given to them in the past I'm not a current donor. I do think there are so many people less fortunate than we are and not eating made me take a look at the blessings in my life. Thankfully I had work to distract me today but I finished off my own 30 Hour Famine this evening. I didn't really fundraise or do any community service projects but I experienced hunger and I hope I can take the lessons I learned as I continue to grow as a person.
20Jesus looked at his disciples and said: God will bless you people who are poor. His kingdom belongs to you! 21God will bless you hungry people. You will have plenty to eat! God will bless you people who are crying. You will laugh! 22God will bless you when others hate you and won't have anything to do with you. God will bless you when people insult you and say cruel things about you, all because you are a follower of the Son of Man. 23Long ago your own people did these same things to the prophets. So when this happens to you, be happy and jump for joy! You will have a great reward in heaven. Luke 6:20-23
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
new start...
I'm grateful for new starts. Sometimes we have a new start that only happens once. Sometimes we have a new start every year with just a new year's resolution. Sometimes we have a new start that comes every couple months with a fresh perspective. And sometimes we have a new start every day. I try not to let a bad day become a bad week. I can start over now.
Yesterday was perhaps not all I was hoping it would be. I went to sleep with a lot on my mind praying today would bring a new start. I woke up and went to church... I didn't have anyone to sit with but I think sometimes that's just what I need to eliminate distractions. We sang a couple of great songs to start and then they showed the Lifehouse "Everything" skit. It is one of my favorites and gets to me every time. When they start singing "You're all I want, You're all I need" I always get goosebumps praying God would hold off the junk in my life and make Him my everything. After the video we sang "We are Hungry," one I didn't remember doing before but thought it really fit into the theme of the morning.
I've been working a ton this week with the new school year beginning and the football media guide due tomorrow. Every year it's the same and I know it's coming, but I'm not always good at balancing it all. I will be thoroughly relieved to send it off tomorrow and catch up on some other things I've neglected lately. Today I opted to work from home other than a brief photo shoot at school so I was watching one of my favorite tv show's "One Tree Hill." Thoroughly documented through my blog I'm a sucker for the drama but even more of a sucker for what I find are the thought provoking voiceovers and literary quotes. They were showing a couple of reruns on the Soap net and there was one of my faves, episode 413 Pictures of You (no I didn't memorize them all I googled it :).
They're given a class assignment to get to know their partner through the five steps and then take a picture of each other for the yearbook.
1. Share something personal with your partner.
2. Lighten up. Do an impression of a celebrity or a famous character.
3. Admit something that worries you, or something you are afraid of.
4. What do you want to be in ten years?
5. Tell your partner some secret.
Brooke is the party-girl sometimes slut of the high school and she's paired up with a new kid Chase, a "clean teen" (virgin club). Brooke liked Chase but lied to him about who she is and her past. Part of their conversation...
Brooke: I was worried I wouldn't be enough for you. That's why I lied. That's what I'm afraid of. Not being enough, not... good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not...
Chase: Brooke, your the student council president, captain of the cheerleaders and probably one of the most popular girls in school. How is that not good enough?
At first glance, it doesn't make sense. Brooke is what many girls dream of.. to be class president, cheerleader, popular... but even that wasn't enough. I think sometimes we're all looking for something else, wondering if we're enough. Or at least Brooke and I are. Eventually Chase begins to trust Brooke again (all within a single class period... the assignment creates fast foward forgiveness :) and their conversation continues...
Chase: Still think you're not good enough?
Brooke: I don't think that ever goes away. But I think you just have to learn to deal with it, you know? Learn to use it.
Chase: So let's use it, then.
I think we'd all be a lot better off if we could learn to deal with our insecurities or our weaknesses and use them for something positive. Some days are better than others. But then, that's why I get a new start.
Yesterday was perhaps not all I was hoping it would be. I went to sleep with a lot on my mind praying today would bring a new start. I woke up and went to church... I didn't have anyone to sit with but I think sometimes that's just what I need to eliminate distractions. We sang a couple of great songs to start and then they showed the Lifehouse "Everything" skit. It is one of my favorites and gets to me every time. When they start singing "You're all I want, You're all I need" I always get goosebumps praying God would hold off the junk in my life and make Him my everything. After the video we sang "We are Hungry," one I didn't remember doing before but thought it really fit into the theme of the morning.
I've been working a ton this week with the new school year beginning and the football media guide due tomorrow. Every year it's the same and I know it's coming, but I'm not always good at balancing it all. I will be thoroughly relieved to send it off tomorrow and catch up on some other things I've neglected lately. Today I opted to work from home other than a brief photo shoot at school so I was watching one of my favorite tv show's "One Tree Hill." Thoroughly documented through my blog I'm a sucker for the drama but even more of a sucker for what I find are the thought provoking voiceovers and literary quotes. They were showing a couple of reruns on the Soap net and there was one of my faves, episode 413 Pictures of You (no I didn't memorize them all I googled it :).
They're given a class assignment to get to know their partner through the five steps and then take a picture of each other for the yearbook.
1. Share something personal with your partner.
2. Lighten up. Do an impression of a celebrity or a famous character.
3. Admit something that worries you, or something you are afraid of.
4. What do you want to be in ten years?
5. Tell your partner some secret.
Brooke is the party-girl sometimes slut of the high school and she's paired up with a new kid Chase, a "clean teen" (virgin club). Brooke liked Chase but lied to him about who she is and her past. Part of their conversation...
Brooke: I was worried I wouldn't be enough for you. That's why I lied. That's what I'm afraid of. Not being enough, not... good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not...
Chase: Brooke, your the student council president, captain of the cheerleaders and probably one of the most popular girls in school. How is that not good enough?
At first glance, it doesn't make sense. Brooke is what many girls dream of.. to be class president, cheerleader, popular... but even that wasn't enough. I think sometimes we're all looking for something else, wondering if we're enough. Or at least Brooke and I are. Eventually Chase begins to trust Brooke again (all within a single class period... the assignment creates fast foward forgiveness :) and their conversation continues...
Chase: Still think you're not good enough?
Brooke: I don't think that ever goes away. But I think you just have to learn to deal with it, you know? Learn to use it.
Chase: So let's use it, then.
I think we'd all be a lot better off if we could learn to deal with our insecurities or our weaknesses and use them for something positive. Some days are better than others. But then, that's why I get a new start.Sunday, August 9, 2009
Christ follower...
Yesterday I was driving to Raleigh to visit with some friends from Camp Wo-Me-To. I could dedicate an entire blog to Wo-Me-To... now that I think of it, I would be surprised if I haven't already. Long story short... (well as short as I can make it :) I grew up at Camp Wo-Me-To spending a week there every summer since 1991. I met some of my closest friends as a camper and then in 1997 I was finally able to work there as a counselor-in-training before serving as a counselor from 1998-2000. In 1995 I made a decision to follow Christ at Wo-Me-To... I technically became a Christian and was baptized in 1992 but I think I really began to grasp the concept in 1995. In 1996 I met my best friend Laura and the Riley family has embraced me and treated me as their own over the past 13 years. In 1997, I led my first person to Christ... I think I cried just as much as she did. :) I continued to grow and go through ups and downs through camp but it was nothing less than an amazing experience... every single year.
I met Cara in 1997 when she came to camp as an Acteen (girls entering grades 7-12) and I was a counselor-in-training for her cabin. She came back in 1998 as a counselor and we became fast friends. Jen and I were both new staff members in 1997 and worked together every year through 2000. After seeing Cara at my little sister's wedding in June we talked about getting together with Jen since the three of us all live in N.C. now. Jen facebooked us not long after and plans were in the works. Back to the drive... I was listening to a sermon from New Hope Church in Durham and they're going through a One Prayer series where some different pastors have had a chance to speak. Steve Ellis spoke July 26 and I was listening to his message on "God is More." He asked the question, "Am I follower of Christ or just a user?" It just struck me. So many times we get into a routine of just asking for things or taking advantage of God's omniscience. I really want to be a Christ follower and not just a user.
Another message I was listening to earlier this week while traveling was about how to deal with it when we pray and God says "no." Many times we get frustrated and don't understand why He wouldn't give us what we want (or what we may even think we need). The pastor referenced Paul's request to take away the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). It seems like a perfectly legitimate request... scholars have debated what the thorn was... some say an eye disease or something wrong with his eyes. Paul was a great guy too... he had done a lot to spread the news about Christ, why wouldn't God want to help him? The pastor said that too often when God says yes, we run off taking credit for the answered prayer and become independent of Him. Sometimes by saying no, God is saying, "depend on me." He can do it... sometimes not in the way we expected or in the time we desired, but He can see the big picture.
I'm reading Nehemiah right now. It was one of my favorite books during the summer of 1999 while I was working at Camp Wo-Me-To and I wanted to re-read it. Nehemiah 9:26-31 talks about the Israelites quest to get out of slavery and Nehemiah talks about how the people took advantage of God's graciousness. Verses 27 and 28 say, "So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time"
We keep screwing up and God keeps saving us. I am grateful.
I met Cara in 1997 when she came to camp as an Acteen (girls entering grades 7-12) and I was a counselor-in-training for her cabin. She came back in 1998 as a counselor and we became fast friends. Jen and I were both new staff members in 1997 and worked together every year through 2000. After seeing Cara at my little sister's wedding in June we talked about getting together with Jen since the three of us all live in N.C. now. Jen facebooked us not long after and plans were in the works. Back to the drive... I was listening to a sermon from New Hope Church in Durham and they're going through a One Prayer series where some different pastors have had a chance to speak. Steve Ellis spoke July 26 and I was listening to his message on "God is More." He asked the question, "Am I follower of Christ or just a user?" It just struck me. So many times we get into a routine of just asking for things or taking advantage of God's omniscience. I really want to be a Christ follower and not just a user.
Another message I was listening to earlier this week while traveling was about how to deal with it when we pray and God says "no." Many times we get frustrated and don't understand why He wouldn't give us what we want (or what we may even think we need). The pastor referenced Paul's request to take away the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). It seems like a perfectly legitimate request... scholars have debated what the thorn was... some say an eye disease or something wrong with his eyes. Paul was a great guy too... he had done a lot to spread the news about Christ, why wouldn't God want to help him? The pastor said that too often when God says yes, we run off taking credit for the answered prayer and become independent of Him. Sometimes by saying no, God is saying, "depend on me." He can do it... sometimes not in the way we expected or in the time we desired, but He can see the big picture.
I'm reading Nehemiah right now. It was one of my favorite books during the summer of 1999 while I was working at Camp Wo-Me-To and I wanted to re-read it. Nehemiah 9:26-31 talks about the Israelites quest to get out of slavery and Nehemiah talks about how the people took advantage of God's graciousness. Verses 27 and 28 say, "So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time"
We keep screwing up and God keeps saving us. I am grateful.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
three years ago...
Three years ago today I started working for Methodist College... now University. My entire 2006 was a bit crazy and full of changes and it's weird to think back to how far I've come since then. In January 2006, my friends Kim and Justin started trying to talk me into working these summer camps in NC and NM during the end of June and most of July. I knew I'd have to quit my accounting job in Maryland to do it so I wasn't sure I was ready to for that risk. I wasn't thrilled with the job and I wasn't resigned to living with my parents for the rest of my life, but if I quit, what was I going to do when the camps were over? I had already left my job and came back once for grad school, I didn't think they'd let me do it again. I prayed about it and decided it was a risk I needed to take. In March the Methodist Sports Information Director left and during a trip to visit Kelsie my old "boss" Coach Jarman asked me if I would be interested. Of course I was interested, but I didn't have any experience and I was already committed to the camps through July. I knew if it was going to work out, it would have to be a God thing.
Long story short, I got an interview (a six-hour interview) and accepted the job and started to make plans to move back to Fayetteville. I had to coordinate a lot of plans between camp and moving all to start Aug. 1 (a month later than what Methodist wanted). Turns out my first day on the job was scheduled to be the USA South Athletic Conference Football Media Day. I actually ended up cramming a season preview and 10-page packet about the team July 31st and then left my apartment at 4 am on the 1st to drive to Williamsburg, Va. for my first official day on the job. I walked into a room of other SIDs and football coaches and I suppose it may have been the whole deer in headlights thing I had going on, but everyone knew I was the rookie. During the SID meeting before the media day started they asked my opinion on stuff and I had to admit I had no idea what they were talking about. Supposedly there was a big debate on how to list player information on rosters... who knew? I've learned so much in the past three years. I'm not sure I can make this business a lifelong career but I'm grateful for all of the people I've met and the opportunities I've had. On Monday we have another football media day. Thankfully I'm not a rookie anymore.
Long story short, I got an interview (a six-hour interview) and accepted the job and started to make plans to move back to Fayetteville. I had to coordinate a lot of plans between camp and moving all to start Aug. 1 (a month later than what Methodist wanted). Turns out my first day on the job was scheduled to be the USA South Athletic Conference Football Media Day. I actually ended up cramming a season preview and 10-page packet about the team July 31st and then left my apartment at 4 am on the 1st to drive to Williamsburg, Va. for my first official day on the job. I walked into a room of other SIDs and football coaches and I suppose it may have been the whole deer in headlights thing I had going on, but everyone knew I was the rookie. During the SID meeting before the media day started they asked my opinion on stuff and I had to admit I had no idea what they were talking about. Supposedly there was a big debate on how to list player information on rosters... who knew? I've learned so much in the past three years. I'm not sure I can make this business a lifelong career but I'm grateful for all of the people I've met and the opportunities I've had. On Monday we have another football media day. Thankfully I'm not a rookie anymore.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
summer travels...
I don't have many opportunities to take time off during the school year so I try to take advantage of a flexible schedule during the summer. I've had a few good trips already but made plans to make a trip to visit my friends in Mississippi this weekend. I drove 10 hours on Thursday from Fayetteville to Meridian and had some quality time with the Busby's. On the way I drove through Alabama... my first experience in the state... and my 26th state visited.
After a sweet breakfast at the Clarkdale Diner I drove seven hours to Johnson City, Tennessee to visit my little sister and my new brother-in-law. I could only stay for a night but it was great to see the newlyweds and their new place.
Kelsie and I visited a church in the area where the pastor spoke from Ezra 7. He spoke a lot on the value of reading the bible referencing the Back to the Bible organization's research. They found people who read the bible 0-1 times per week had no significant change in their life. Those reading 2-3 times per week had some change while people who read the bible 4 or more times per week have significant change in their life. The most memorable portion of the sermon was Dr. Land's discussion on families. He told a story from 20 years ago when he and his wife were preparing to speak at a marriage conference. He was studying a passage on how a husband should love his wife and felt God asking him, "Are you the kind of husband you would want your daughter to marry?" He realized he had always compared himself to his dad or other men in his life but when he really thought about the man he would want his daughter to marry, he had some work to do. He went and apologized to his wife and always tried to remember the message. He took it further and asked the wives, "Are you the kind of wife you would want your son to marry?" He mentioned that every day you're creating the job description that your children will look to fill. If you are disrespectful to your spouse, you're inadvertently showing your children the disrespect they should take from their spouse.
After a brunch with Kelsie this morning I drove another seven hours back to my parents' house in Maryland. My mom made my favorite dinner (we're not sure what the official name is but we call it sausage stuff :) and somehow I've managed to stay awake. I'm excited tomorrow to catch up with some high school friends and hopefully see some of the Inter-Rail crew on Tuesday before driving back to work on Wednesday. Students begin to arrive in less than a week... time to cram but hopefully I can rest up first!
After a sweet breakfast at the Clarkdale Diner I drove seven hours to Johnson City, Tennessee to visit my little sister and my new brother-in-law. I could only stay for a night but it was great to see the newlyweds and their new place.
Kelsie and I visited a church in the area where the pastor spoke from Ezra 7. He spoke a lot on the value of reading the bible referencing the Back to the Bible organization's research. They found people who read the bible 0-1 times per week had no significant change in their life. Those reading 2-3 times per week had some change while people who read the bible 4 or more times per week have significant change in their life. The most memorable portion of the sermon was Dr. Land's discussion on families. He told a story from 20 years ago when he and his wife were preparing to speak at a marriage conference. He was studying a passage on how a husband should love his wife and felt God asking him, "Are you the kind of husband you would want your daughter to marry?" He realized he had always compared himself to his dad or other men in his life but when he really thought about the man he would want his daughter to marry, he had some work to do. He went and apologized to his wife and always tried to remember the message. He took it further and asked the wives, "Are you the kind of wife you would want your son to marry?" He mentioned that every day you're creating the job description that your children will look to fill. If you are disrespectful to your spouse, you're inadvertently showing your children the disrespect they should take from their spouse.
After a brunch with Kelsie this morning I drove another seven hours back to my parents' house in Maryland. My mom made my favorite dinner (we're not sure what the official name is but we call it sausage stuff :) and somehow I've managed to stay awake. I'm excited tomorrow to catch up with some high school friends and hopefully see some of the Inter-Rail crew on Tuesday before driving back to work on Wednesday. Students begin to arrive in less than a week... time to cram but hopefully I can rest up first!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
birthdays
I've always had this thing for birthdays. I'm not sure when it started but I know I was thrilled to spend nearly every birthday from 9-18 at a camp of some kind. There were tons of people celebrating with me. Having a summer birthday not everyone remembers my birthday. It's hard when you don't see someone to always remember. I'm sure I've forgotten my fair share of birthdays myself. Of course now we have facebook to remind us. Two years ago I took my birthday off facebook just to see who remembered. It didn't go well. I've caved to the system and I appreciate the multitude of people who left me well wishes this year.
On Tuesday a couple of my friends and I drove to Alexandria, Va. We checked into our hotel and realized it actually had a pretty sweet view. We found the metro station and walked into Olde Towne in Alexandria to get dinner. We ate at King Street Blues and had amazing ribs before heading to nearby Light Horse. They were supposed to have a singer but Shane somebody never showed up so we entertained ourselves. We eventually headed back to the hotel and toasted my birthday at 1:03 am with some fine H2O.
We spent Wednesday in DC at at WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the San Antonio Silver Stars. I was one of three fans in the crowd routing for the Silver Stars since my favorite player Shanna (Zolman) Crossley is on the team. She missed the trip with an injury but the Stars pulled out the one point victory.
We had an exciting trip home belting out some tunes to make the time go by. I made it home in time to get ready for Dan to arrive. Dan and I met some friends from work Thursday night for more birthday celebration and then my parents arrived Friday to continue the birthday fun. I've been itching for the blackberry storm since it came out... waiting for them to get the glitches out and waiting for my account to afford it. Thankfully my parents bought it for my birthday but I'm still attempting to learn to use it!
Regardless, it was one of the best birthday weeks I've had in a long time. It was nice to be surrounded by people again. I'm thoroughly grateful.
This morning in church Rev. John Cook talked about evangelism. He quoted D.T. Niles who said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." He told a story from his time at his first church. Everyone wanted him to talk to this girl and lead her to Christ. He figured people had talked to her before but he went and gave her his speel but she turned down his offer to receive Christ. He went on to pray with her and when he finished she had tears coming down her face. She said, "You're the first person who cared enough to come." Do we care enough to come?
This afternoon I watched USA Softball storm through Australia to reach the World Cup championship. Jennie Finch pitched a shutout victory. It was good to watch some games especially since right now softball won't be in the Olympics anymore. One of ESPN's commentators, Michele Smith was promoting the committee working to bring softball back to the Olympics. Check out www.backsoftball.com to show your support.
After softball came the US Women's National Team soccer game against Canada. I've been a huge fan of the USWNT since 1995. I've bordered obsessive at times but it's hard to keep up with them now with my job. Today Abby Wambach was going for her 100th international goal in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y. I can't imagine the pressure. She broke her leg a little more than a year ago missing the Olympics. Now back where all of her friends and family are she's trying to score a historic goal. Beth Mowins reminded the audience numerous times she averages a goal every 97 minutes but things were looking tough early. Abby was trying to get free but it wasn't until the 78th minute when Lauren Cheney (the player who took Abby's place on the Olympic roster) fed Abby and she slipped one to the far post side netting for the goal. ESPN showed Abby celebrate with her teammates and coach and of course panned up to show her parents who were celebrating just as much. It has to be a cool feeling to score 100 international goals... but I think it has to be an even better feeling to score 100 international goals with your parents enjoying it just as much.
Just a thought or two to ponder on fine sunday... I leave you with the historic toast marking the 27th anniversary of my birth :)
On Tuesday a couple of my friends and I drove to Alexandria, Va. We checked into our hotel and realized it actually had a pretty sweet view. We found the metro station and walked into Olde Towne in Alexandria to get dinner. We ate at King Street Blues and had amazing ribs before heading to nearby Light Horse. They were supposed to have a singer but Shane somebody never showed up so we entertained ourselves. We eventually headed back to the hotel and toasted my birthday at 1:03 am with some fine H2O.
We spent Wednesday in DC at at WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the San Antonio Silver Stars. I was one of three fans in the crowd routing for the Silver Stars since my favorite player Shanna (Zolman) Crossley is on the team. She missed the trip with an injury but the Stars pulled out the one point victory.
We had an exciting trip home belting out some tunes to make the time go by. I made it home in time to get ready for Dan to arrive. Dan and I met some friends from work Thursday night for more birthday celebration and then my parents arrived Friday to continue the birthday fun. I've been itching for the blackberry storm since it came out... waiting for them to get the glitches out and waiting for my account to afford it. Thankfully my parents bought it for my birthday but I'm still attempting to learn to use it!
Regardless, it was one of the best birthday weeks I've had in a long time. It was nice to be surrounded by people again. I'm thoroughly grateful.
This morning in church Rev. John Cook talked about evangelism. He quoted D.T. Niles who said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." He told a story from his time at his first church. Everyone wanted him to talk to this girl and lead her to Christ. He figured people had talked to her before but he went and gave her his speel but she turned down his offer to receive Christ. He went on to pray with her and when he finished she had tears coming down her face. She said, "You're the first person who cared enough to come." Do we care enough to come?
This afternoon I watched USA Softball storm through Australia to reach the World Cup championship. Jennie Finch pitched a shutout victory. It was good to watch some games especially since right now softball won't be in the Olympics anymore. One of ESPN's commentators, Michele Smith was promoting the committee working to bring softball back to the Olympics. Check out www.backsoftball.com to show your support.
After softball came the US Women's National Team soccer game against Canada. I've been a huge fan of the USWNT since 1995. I've bordered obsessive at times but it's hard to keep up with them now with my job. Today Abby Wambach was going for her 100th international goal in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y. I can't imagine the pressure. She broke her leg a little more than a year ago missing the Olympics. Now back where all of her friends and family are she's trying to score a historic goal. Beth Mowins reminded the audience numerous times she averages a goal every 97 minutes but things were looking tough early. Abby was trying to get free but it wasn't until the 78th minute when Lauren Cheney (the player who took Abby's place on the Olympic roster) fed Abby and she slipped one to the far post side netting for the goal. ESPN showed Abby celebrate with her teammates and coach and of course panned up to show her parents who were celebrating just as much. It has to be a cool feeling to score 100 international goals... but I think it has to be an even better feeling to score 100 international goals with your parents enjoying it just as much.
Just a thought or two to ponder on fine sunday... I leave you with the historic toast marking the 27th anniversary of my birth :)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
worship
The message at church this morning was centered around worship. The new pastor at Snyder talked mentioned a book called Worship Evangelism by Sally Morgenthaler. He read the first paragraph that says, "Worship has always been a controversial subject within the church. Historically, whole movements and denominations have been birthed over what did or did not happen on Sunday mornings. The way we worship is often as much a part of our Christian identity as whom we worship - sometimes even more so. Consequently, worship arouses intense personal feelings, and we tend to get defensive about it. I write this book well aware of the risks. Yet I also write with the deep conviction that it is time for the American evangelical church to face the truth: We are not producing worshipers in this country. Rather, we are producing a generation of spectators, religious onlookers lacking, in many cases, any memory of a true encounter with God, deprived of both the tangible sense of God's presence and the supernatural relationship their inmost spirits crave. A sickening emptiness pervades much of the born-again experience of the 90s, and the hollow rituals played out week after week in so many of our worship centers attest to it."
Morganthaler sparked quite a movement in the late 90s and early 2000s with her book. She spoke at numerous conferences helping churches to transform their worship services to reach the "unchurched." I haven't read her entire book but I agree with her opening. Of course in 2007, Morganthaler published an article in which she "rethinks her own paradigm." Unfortunately she found so many churches took this worship evangelism and were so centered on the inside, they were missing the mark in trying to reach the outside.
"Between 1995 and 2000 I'd traveled to a host of worship-driven churches, some that openly advertised that they were 'a church for the unchurched.' On the good occasions, the worship experience was transporting. (I dug a little deeper when that happened. Invariably, I found another value at work behind the worship production: a strong, consistent presence in the community.) Too many times, I came away with an unnamed, uneasy feeling. Something was not quite right. The worship felt disconnected from real life... Then there were the services when the pathology my friend talked about came right over the platform and hit me in the face. It was unabashed self-absorption, a worship culture that screamed, 'It's all about us' so loudly that I wondered how any visitor could stand to endure the rest of the hour."
Morganthaler truly began to question where worship was headed. She found, "those churches whose emphasis was dual - celebrated worship inside, lived worship outside - were the minority." Sometimes it can be hard to discern the motives of each worship team. We have found some success in all the bells and whistles like colored spotlights and fancy video production but I think it's all for naught if you're focus is not on God and bringing people closer to Him.
Rev. Cook reminded us today at Snyder it says every week in our bulletin/program, "God is our audience and you are the choir! Clap, dance, sing, pray, shout, be silent, bend your knee, listen - Let us bow before the Lord, our Maker, give all that we are and worship Him!" (Yes it does say dance in a baptist church :) I believe we are called to worship together in corporate worship but sometimes it comes with so many distractions. One of my favorite videos on worship is:
I want to worship for the audience of One.
Morganthaler sparked quite a movement in the late 90s and early 2000s with her book. She spoke at numerous conferences helping churches to transform their worship services to reach the "unchurched." I haven't read her entire book but I agree with her opening. Of course in 2007, Morganthaler published an article in which she "rethinks her own paradigm." Unfortunately she found so many churches took this worship evangelism and were so centered on the inside, they were missing the mark in trying to reach the outside.
"Between 1995 and 2000 I'd traveled to a host of worship-driven churches, some that openly advertised that they were 'a church for the unchurched.' On the good occasions, the worship experience was transporting. (I dug a little deeper when that happened. Invariably, I found another value at work behind the worship production: a strong, consistent presence in the community.) Too many times, I came away with an unnamed, uneasy feeling. Something was not quite right. The worship felt disconnected from real life... Then there were the services when the pathology my friend talked about came right over the platform and hit me in the face. It was unabashed self-absorption, a worship culture that screamed, 'It's all about us' so loudly that I wondered how any visitor could stand to endure the rest of the hour."
Morganthaler truly began to question where worship was headed. She found, "those churches whose emphasis was dual - celebrated worship inside, lived worship outside - were the minority." Sometimes it can be hard to discern the motives of each worship team. We have found some success in all the bells and whistles like colored spotlights and fancy video production but I think it's all for naught if you're focus is not on God and bringing people closer to Him.
Rev. Cook reminded us today at Snyder it says every week in our bulletin/program, "God is our audience and you are the choir! Clap, dance, sing, pray, shout, be silent, bend your knee, listen - Let us bow before the Lord, our Maker, give all that we are and worship Him!" (Yes it does say dance in a baptist church :) I believe we are called to worship together in corporate worship but sometimes it comes with so many distractions. One of my favorite videos on worship is:
I want to worship for the audience of One.
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