Baby Out The Window?

I have been rereading Theophilus (www.theophilus.org), the cartoon, written and drawn up by Bob West. The first time I read Theophilus, I was at school in Oklahoma, where it helped me shape some of my doctrinal disagreements with the "One True Church." This go around, it has me questioning long time assumptions and asking the question, "Did I throw the baby out with the bathwater?"

Almost all COC peeps come from the same mold when it comes to modern day healings, miracles, and tongue speaking. This is the mold that says these things ceased when the last of the apostles died. A lot of our desire to argue this doctrinal stance was fueled by the many charismatic mega-ministries of the 80's and early 90's when televangelism was in its heyday. It was easy to dismiss modern healings when I saw the cheesy, staged healings that occurred on Benny Hinn programs. But I wonder now, in an effort to dismiss the charlatans, did I rightly dismiss the miraculous act of healing?

Most COC peeps would attest that they believe God still heals people today. However, there is this stigma that goes with the subject, so we are often quick to point that man has no part in this process. In other words, if a cancer patient beats the cancer, it might be because the Doctor helped the patient through the right course of treatment, or it might be because God healed them, but it is definitely not a mixture of the two. Why is this? Is this because we are afraid of the implications, or how it might change our neat, packaged little idea of how "church" is to be "done." If I have a friend with arthritis, and I believe that God has the power to heal them, and I lay my hands on them and pray over them, AND it is God's will that this person be healed, why is it so hard to believe that they WILL be healed?

God most certainly is bigger than the boxes we try to contain Him in. Even within the text of the Bible he works outside of the lines on a regular basis. So, why do I have such a hard time believing?

I invite discussion (as if anyone is actually reading this).

Newness.

I haven't updated in so long that I have nearly forgotten what it is like to write something that no one else will ever read!

God is SO good! Melissa, Keegan and I are now living and settled in Corpus Christi, Texas. I never thought that I would live in Texas, but I eventually had to succumb to the dark side... We absolutely love the people here, and are so excited to grow closer with them. My new title is Youth and Family Minister, and I love the work.

We are preppin for two babies. Melissa, Keegan and I are about to have our world rocked. I'm stoked.

The whole idea of newness has been reinvented for us here. New home, new relationships, new friends, new ideas, new coworkers, new church-family, new responsibilities, new climate, new everything...

nothing.

For over a week, I have felt like I have nothing worth writing.

Not being in active ministry is like slow torture. I have done everything that I can do while I am out of a job... We went up to York, NE for a week while I taught a class for high school students at Soul Quest. I have kept up with students through Facebook and AIM. I even taught a last minute Wednesday night class for 5th-7th grade students when we were visiting Mel's grandparents' church when I heard there was some old crusty guy preaching... I just miss being with students.

I thought that I could burn off some of this energy through putting all of my thoughts into my blog, but lately I have come up with nada.

It's Been A Hard Day's Night.

Whew. Isn't that what you're supposed to say when you finally get a moment to take a breath of fresh air?

We have been travelling like none other, and I am glad to say that we are finally "home."

The past few months have been a real journey for Melissa and I. Well, actually the past 2 years have been a REAL journey for Melissa and I.

Through this journey, Melissa and I bathed this journey in lots of tears and lots of prayer. I must say that over the past two years God has taught me lessons in patience that I did not know were possible to learn. I can also honestly say that I have not prayed as earnestly in any other period of my life as I have with my wife over the past two years. There is lots more I could say about this, but sometimes less is more.

On another note, Soul Quest at York College was amazing! This was the 25th anniversary of SQ...fittingly we gave it the theme this year of Legacy. The speakers were amazing...we brought in Mike Myers, Phil Treat, Kimball Matkins and Toby Slough; all guys who have had a big part in making Soul Quest what it is today. We also brought in Andy Spell who led us in amazing times of worship...can I say WOW...what a truly nice guy!

On another note, after Soul Quest, we travelled down to South Central and Southwest Oklahoma for two weeks amidst the rain and flooding, and here are some of the pictures I shot while down there (got to throw a few in of my son!).

Class at Soul Quest

Well, I thought I would post some excerpts from my class that I taught at Soul Quest. This and other info is also available at the Soul Quest group site on Facebook.

Living a Christlike Life - Responding to Human Injustice

(These are only excerpts from my class, Holy Lives - Forever Focused, taught at Soul Quest 2007, for a full transcript - email me.)

Class Theme - "Our lives today should reflect the life our Savior lived because we are focused on living in eternity with Him."

Class Text - Hebrews 13 (selected verses)

At the core of His nature Christ was concerned about human justice and the underdog.
- Those who were suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed (Matt. 4:24)
- The poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3)
- Those who mourn (Matt. 5:4)
- The meek (Matt. 5:5)
- Those with leprosy (Matt. 8:2-3)
- Tax collectors and “sinners” (Matt. 9:10)
- A woman who bled for 12 years (Matt. 9:20-22)
- The dead (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-25)
- The blind (Matt. 9:27-30)
- The mute (Matt. 9:32-33)
- Those who are weary (Matt. 10:28-30)
- Those with shriveled up body parts (Matt. 11:9-13)
- Those who are hungry (Matt. 14:13-21)
- Those who are from “enemy” nations (Matt. 15:22-28)
- The lame and the crippled (Matt. 15:30-31)
- Children (Matt. 18:1-6 and Matt. 19:13-15)
- Those who are single (Matt. 19:11-12)
- Those who are financially incapable of approaching God because of man’s religious rules (Matt. 21:12-13)
- Those who dwell on the streets (Matt. 22:1-14)
- The hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, those who need clothed, the sick, and those in prison (Matt. 25:34-40)
- The deaf (Mark 7:31-37)
- The widow (Mark 12:41-44)
- A woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11)

What would it look like for us as Christ followers to live a Christ-like life?

Is it just about living as a “good” person? Is it just about worshipping? Is it just about “going to church?” Is it just about leading others into a relationship with him, you know...fulfilling the Great Commission?

All of these things are certainly part of being followers of Christ, but without living a life that imitates His, we fall short of what it means to truly follow Christ.

What would the world look like if nothing else changed except each one of you went home and began to change how you respond to the issues of human injustice that are all around you? What would it look like if everyone from Soul Quest went home and did the same?

It might create a safer space, a kinder place, a better world for the folks living under the overpass near your house, or the kind old man living in the nursing home down the street from your home, or the next door neighbor who has been dealt a disorder or handicap and doesn't get many visitors...

How do you go about actively being the hands and feet of Christ to those around you and to those whom you’ve never met? You start by releasing yourself of the fears and prejudices that you have built up in your life. The fears that keep you from touching those who are crippled, diseased, or handicapped. The prejudices that keep you from reaching out to someone in a different socio-economic group, or someone with different colored skin than yours. The fears that keep you from holding the hand of someone that is dying of old age, or AIDS. The prejudices that keep you from sitting down to get to know someone you perceive as ugly, or someone who is a practicing homosexual.

Next, you have to align yourself with the mind of Christ. You must begin to search your surroundings and find opportunities to make rights out of wrongs, to introduce Christ, to show love and mercy.

Lastly, it is not simply enough to identify injustice in the world, you must actually do something about it! You have to get off of your rear and start making waves!

So, what can you and I do? (Here is a short list...I will post links in the coming days where you can find more!)
- Fight world hunger (any way that you can)
- Fight hunger in your community
- Support legislation that provides better education in impoverished areas
- Support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
- Speak out against prejudice
- To fight prejudice: include everyone regardless of their race, gender, color, religion, disability, or orientation
- Raise awareness by talking about social justice issues
- Write letters to your governors and congressmen
- Join a human rights organization
- Recycle
- Don't buy from companies that use sweatshops
- Don't buy from companies that use child labor
- Be a volunteer
- Go on a mission trip, or 2 or 3
- Have a servant's heart
- Eat local foods
- Use search engines that donate money per search to the charity of your choice
- VOTE!
- Donate blood or plasma
- Collect canned goods for a local shelter
- Collect eyeglasses and ship them to a missionary in a 3rd wolrd country to distribute
- Donate your hair to Locks-Of-Love
- Be a Big Brother/Big Sister
- Don't waste gas, drive gently
- Participate in community service projects and events
- Visit the homebound; find a "good news" story and bring it along for them to read
- Become a penpal with a teen in Africa or Mexico. Send them a couple of bucks so that they can afford to send the next letter back to you.
- PRAY!
- Host a screening of Murderball to raise public awareness about people with disabilities
- Donate to the Paralympics
- Volunteer at Special Olympics events
- Organize a Shoe Drive for Soles 4 Souls
- If you have athletic shoes you can no longer use, send them to Nike Reuse-A-Shoe
- Walk instead of drive when possible
- Support the various missions of the Carter Center
- Join the Freecycle Network at Freecycle.org
- Recycle your cell phone at a charity that will give it to a victim of domestic abuse
- Make donations to the Nyaka AIDS Orphans School to support the education of Ugandan children who have lost a parent to AIDS
- Educate yourself and read! Visit www.gutenberg.com to free access of tens of thousands of books online!
- Drink fair trade coffee and eat fair trade chocolate
- Consider organ donation
- Fight for the Invisible Children of northern Uganda - Buy a bracelet online!

You have been summoned to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world. This is your personal call to get up and begin living the life of Christ, breathing his love and mercy into this broken, hurting world.

These are only excerpts from my class, Holy Lives - Forever Focused, taught at Soul Quest 2007. If you would like the full transcript, please email me at the address listed below. Please remember to be responsible with this information. I will not be held liable for the websites listed here, if they were for some reason to go defunct and sell their domain to someone with a less honorable purpose. If you would like to use this information for a class or a devotional, feel free to do so. If you have the intention of quoting this for use in a publication or for other uses, please email me at gregbukovatz@yahoo.com.

Australian Christianity - A Glimpse into the Future

"Not many people like change, so of course there’s going to be resistance. But sooner or later the pain of being a shrinking, ignored community of faith within American culture will be greater than the pain of embracing the change necessary to get out there and engage missionally and generously with the unchurched."

This recent quote by Michael Frost, author of Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture, in an interview with Fred Peatross, is right on!

When a car has been stripped of all of its' bells and whistles, what can it still do? It can still take you places. This is also true with the body of Christ. When we no longer can rely on our attractional models and programming, buildings, and big budgets, we can still journey with others toward Christ. There will be a day when the body of Christ in America will no longer be able to rely on anything else to get people in the door, rather it will be all about Christ. Wow! What will those changes look like? What will that look like for the little bitty Church of Christ in Howard, KS? How about lifechurch in Edmond, OK? What will this look like for Saddleback, Willow Creek, or The Potters House?

"Shalom is not the destination, but the Journey."

A really late night thought before I head off to bed. I owe credit to the ridiculously long list of bloggers I have been reading over the past couple of hours, because they all seem to be saying the same thing, and I am going to say the same...man do I feel like a sheep (that is not supposed to be a pun based on what I am fixing to say...)

So, Matthew 25 kept creeping up, and the idea of being the hands and feet of God to those around us. To feed the hungry, to give the thirsty a drink, to take in the alien, to clothe those who are in need, to look after those who are sick, to visit those who are in prison...this is bringing the kingdom of God into action. This is bringing peace into the world. Walking through life, doing life, we each have the ability and opportunities to create and enact shalom.

On a somewhat related note, but completely aside, Mel and I have got some completely crazy missional opportunities that we are becoming aware of. Pray for us, not only that God will provide a job, but that we will choose the right place to be.

On an unrelated note, I have been invited to teach a class at Soul Quest this year at York College. God has been doing some really cool creative stuff in my head, and I was stinkin excited when I figured out that what I wanted to teach and the scripture that I was to use were right in line with each other! I have Hebrews 13 to teach from and I am going to center the "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" theme with verses 12-14 which is goin to blow the top off my class! Consider this comparison: the words of Jesus in Matt. 25 where we see Jesus as being represented among the disenfranchised, and Heb. 13:13, where the text says, "Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore." THAT IS RICH! It is a direct command to go and be Christ (bearing his disgrace), to those he represents!

Really Meaning What I Say

So I was reading the Interview with Shane Claiborne by Sara Barton on the New Wineskins website, and I was just struck by the authenticity of Shane. He truly lets the Gospel soak into and pour out of every area of his life. Shane has written this new book, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, and he helped start a counter-cultural Christian community in Philadelphia called The Simple Way.

In this interview, it comes out that Shane makes and wears his own clothing because he doesn't want to support in any way the sweatshops and horrible living conditions of those who have to work in the sweatshops. I began to think about this and what this would mean in my own life. I also started thinking about the ordinary...the things in life that I take for granted and the invisible people that make those things possible for me to have. This challenged me to think about the food I eat, and the people that prepare it...

You know how we always pray before a meal, "God bless the hands that prepared it," or something to that effect? I have always interpreted this to be a blessing toward the one in the house that just cooked the meal, usually various family members or friends. But, what if we actually were praying this as a blessing to those who don't ever get any recognition for their part in our diet? What if we prayed blessings over the millions of factory workers, farmers, cooks, and servers who poured their sweat, time and energy into giving us our food products? If we believed that God would actually bless them, then would something change? Would God bless farmers with crops that were in so much abundance that "world hunger" would be a thing of the past? Could conditions for factory workers change to the point that it would noticeably change the fabric of our society in positive, measurable ways? Would the single mom who prepares and serves my food at the local eatery finally be able to begin paying her bills on time and saving money to retire on?

Who knows what God will do? I pray that radical change takes place...change that first becomes irresistible to those who are Christ-followers, and then to the rest of our society.

Jack Bauer Power Hour

Ok, so I thought I would repost some amazing facts about everyone's favorite hero, JB. (I found these posted as a comment on someone else's blog, so forgive me if these are your personal intellectual properties!)

If you wake up in the morning, it’s because Jack Bauer spared your life.

If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he’d shoot Nina twice.

Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.

Jack Bauer’s favorite color is severe terror alert red. His second favorite color is violet, but just because it sounds like violent.

Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.

Jack Bauer got Hellen Keller to talk.

Jack Bauer killed 93 people in just 4 days time. Wait, that is a real fact.

Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.

1.6 billion Chinese are angry with Jack Bauer. Sounds like a fair fight.

Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.

Let’s get one thing straight, the only reason you are conscious right now is because Jack Bauer does not feel like carrying you.

Killing Jack Bauer doesn’t make him dead. It just makes him angry.

When life gave Jack Bauer lemons, he used them to kill terrorists. Jack Bauer hates lemonade.

In grade school, a little boy punched Kimberly Bauer, and Kimberly ran home to tell her dad. That little boy’s name? Stephen Hawking.

Jack Bauer does not sleep. The only rest he needs is what he gets when he’s knocked out or temporarily killed.

In kindergarten, Jack Bauer killed a terrorist for Show and Tell.
Jack Bauer literally died for his country, and lived to tell about it.

As a child, Jack Bauer’s first words were “There’s no time!”

Jack Bauer’s family threw him a surprise birthday party when he was a child. Once.

Guns don’t kill people, Jack Bauer kills people.

Everytime Jack Bauer yells “NOW!” at the end of a sentence, a terrorist dies.

Jesus died and rose from the dead in 3 days. It took Jack Bauer less than an hour. And he’s done it twice.

If you send someone to kill Jack Bauer, the only thing you accomplish is supplying him a fresh set of weapons to kill you with.

Jack Bauer could get off the Lost island in 24 hours.

Bilingual Ramblings and Job Search Update

It is really strange. Normally I constantly have really profound things rolling around in my head, but there hasn't been much goin on up there except stalled decisions the past couple of days.

I am embattled with decisions. Do I or do I not teach a class this year at Soul Quest? Do I wait to put break pads on a car that is just sitting there, or do I go ahead and get it done now? Do I continue to think about something offensive somebody said to me the other day, or do I just let it pass? Do I sell a bunch of antique stuff on Ebay with only what I know about it, or do I take it to someone who knows more about it and get their advice first? Do I or do I not tweak the t-shirt design? Do I go to bed now or finish this bad boy?

Je ne sais pas.

For those who have asked and/or are wondering how the job search is going: I will speak in code... I have had 4 phone interviews with one congregation and am waiting to find out whether or not they would like us to come for a weekend interview. I have had a face-to-face interview with one congregation and am waiting to find out whether or not they would like us to come for a weekend interview. I have had 2 phone interviews with another congregation and have been invited to come next Tuesday-Thursday for an interview. I have my resume out with two other congregations, one of which I am going to have a phone interview on Sunday afternoon with, and the other of which is moving about the pace of a baby snail... My life right now is Wait...Wait...Wait Some More.

Would you rather swallow a live worm or a live goldfish?

Hit The Road Jack...

We're hittin the road tonight in about 30 minutes. It is a 6 hour drive home to Wichita...keep us in your prayers!

In other news: there is a minister's breakfast and meeting tomorrow morning in Wichita that I will be joining my brother-in-law Lance at. Afterwards, we are hittin the food venues at Riverfest for lunch. Fun stuff!

Would you rather get a tattoo or body piercing?

Don't Go To Church

So, I have this t-shirt that I wear every now and then when I know I am going to be in a place with big crowds. It says on the front, "Don't Go To Church," but on the back it says, "Be The Church." I have heard critics say that I shouldn't even wear the shirt because it sends mixed messages. My reply to said critic, "Go bother someone else with your critiques."

I like to see people's response as I come walking by. I don't select certain people to walk past, or parade by pointing to my shirt, I just go about my business. But, while out and about, I listen. I see people that look at the front of my shirt and start laughing and then tell the person next to them to check out my shirt. These people oftentimes think that I am a walking billboard for the atheist, agnostic, or those who have been hurt in the name of the Christian religion. Oftentimes, these individuals will check out the back of my shirt as I come walking by and I will either hear them remark with a deflated sigh, "Oh," or they will say something like, "That's kinda cool." I also see lots of people that look at my shirt as we pass each other, and they shake their heads and place a scowl across their face. Sometimes when these people pass and then turn around to look at the back of my shirt (probably expecting a portrait of Satan), they see the line about being the church, and they exclaim, "Oh!" It is that sense of surprise that drives me NUTS!
You see, it is that mentality of judgement that so many Christians possess that turns away the very one they are here to reach out to!

This is an interesting experiment for me. It really hurts for others to look at you as if you were a piece of trash. It makes me feel like less of a person when someone looks at me with an invalidating stare.

There will not be any major reform amongst followers of Jesus. So where do the changes start taking place? I believe it has to start in individual congregations. There needs to be Christians who rise up...Christians who are not shaken by a "Satan Rules" t-shirt, or by the sight of two males kissing. Christians who do not get wierded out by chatting with wiccans, or people who have horns or scales implanted under their skin.

I think of:
- Romans 14:10 - "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."
- Matthew 7:1-2 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

It is past time for those of us who are Christ followers to embrace the hands of those who are pre/post/non Christian and begin showing them what Christ was really about. As Christ Himself said, "For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. (John 12:47b)" Salvation is more important than judgment in our Lord's eyes. Therefore it should have precedence in our own.

Lord, let your Church be about bringing the sick to Christ. Let there be no room in our lives for judgment.

Updates, Travels, and Shout-Outs

Well, for those who may be wondering what Melissa, Keegan, and I are up to, here goes!

We have been living with my parents since March 04 of this year. I resigned from my position in Springfield in order to better provide for Melissa and Keegan... We were doing fine, but I really began feeling like I was not doing all that I could to provide for my family. We really wanted to be able to get Melissa home, for several reasons, and to accomplish this I have to get a pretty significant pay raise. So, I am in the middle of looking for a new position in student ministry.

The search has been interesting. I have looked at churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Right now, I have several congregations that I am talking with. We fully believe that God is preparing a specific place for us. So, we will see what happens! I just pray that God does it quickly...the well is running dry, if you know what I mean!

Last Monday, one of our good friends passed away from his fight with cancer. David's funeral was scheduled for Friday, so Tuesday morning, we saddled up and came to the Ozarks to spend a little time with Melissa's parents and to be here for the viewing on Thursday night and the funeral on Friday. Tuesday was also our 8th anniversary. Our plan all along had been to go to Chili's for dinner, so we drove in to Branson for dinner. Not the classiest place, but that is where we went on our first date. Definitely an enjoyable time!

We are headed back to Wichita tomorrow. I have a phone interview tomorrow with a church in Oklahoma, and a face-to-face interview with a church in Kansas on Tuesday night.

Keegan had a minor surgery a few weeks back. We had ear tubes put in to help with all of the ear infections he was having. He is doing much better now. He sleeps better at night, and there has been no recurrence of the infections.

I suppose that is all of the news for now. Time for some shout-outs to the East Grand Teens!

Stephanie Brown! You are simply awesome. I miss your laugh!
Derek Johnson! Good to see you this week. You have an amazing work ethic! Keep it up.
Holly Chunn! You are missed. You will find who you are supposed to be when you seek it from God.
Alex Mills! Rock on. Miss you bud. Continue to seek God - Seek Him in the ordinary, and seek Him in the extraordinary.

I will post more shout-outs later!

~The Official Blog Party ~

Hey there friends! Well, I hope I am not creeping you out thru this strange medium I have chosen as a gathering place for the day... There are an amalgam of elements offered here today that should wet your creative and communicative whistles; take advantage of them all! Enjoy and DON'T FORGET to go and check out my previous posts!

Thanks for stopping by! Peace and Blessings to you on your journey.

Greg Bukovatz

~the obp~ Faith Haiku!

Okay, so this is a little out there. You might have to stretch your cranial muscles a bit to participate...something that most of you are not accustomed to on Saturdays, I know...get over it!

Here's the deal, if you need to revisit grade school to find out how to write a haiku, let me save you the embarrassment. There are hundreds of rules for haikus, but let me make this very simple...we will use the most basic of all haiku forms, the 5-7-5 structure. This is very simple. Your poem will have three lines, the first and third line having five syllables apiece, and the second line will have seven syllables.

I think it would be fun if everyone would join with me and write within the common theme of your faith journey...wherever you might be. If you are agnostic, tell me about it... If you are following teachings of Buddha or Muhammad, write your 'ku... If you are a Christ-follower, let me hear it... I just want everyone to use this post to express where they are at on their faith journey! As always, to submit, just add it as a comment under this post, and please keep it clean!


stretching, growing, bold.
the aroma of jesus
sweet smell of his blood.

_____________________


worshipping our Lord--
you say po-tay-toe, I say.
unified in Him.

~the obp~ Artful Alliteration Anxiously Articulated!

For all of you V for Vendetta fans...here's your shot to let your creative juices come sloshing out of your colossal cranium! As always, to submit, just add it as a comment under this post, and please keep it clean!

Here are some exceptional examples,

Sally sells seashells by the seashore (ok...it's a tongue twister too...take that!)
Frederic fortuitously found fairies flying fairly far from France's founding fathers' forts.
Mark Mancuso magnanimously made Meagan Mills Minnesota's "Most Matrimonied Maiden!"


Actuate An Alliteration!

~the obp~ I realize that I am not funny, but...

Here's your opportunity to submit your best joke, may it be piratey, churchy, or umm...whatever! As always, to submit, just add it as a comment under this post, and please keep it clean!

This guy died and found himself at the Gates of Heaven where St. Peter asked him if he would like a tour. Naturally, the guy said yes, and magically he found himself walking up this long hallway with Peter. They came to the first door with a window on it and the guy looked in and saw all of these people in there worshipping without a care in the world -- some with arms in the air, some jumping up and down, and others clapping and dancing to the singing and music. The man asked Peter, "Who are these people?" Peter replied, "Oh, they are the Amish Christians...they were so reverent and somber in their worship on earth that when they got to Heaven and realized they had the freedom to praise God with more than just their lips, well...let's just say we haven't been able to keep them still..."

The man and Peter walked on a bit more and came to another door with a window. This time the man looked in and noticed the worshippers being very quiet and reserved in their worship. "Who are these people," the man asked? "Oh," Peter replied, "They are the Pentecostals. When they got to Heaven and realized that worship could also be accomplished by recognizing God in quietness, peacefulness, and reverence, they took to it immediately!" "Wow..." the man said, "that's amazing!"

Again, they began to walk and came to a third door. The man looked in and saw a group of people arguing and fighting amongst each other. Confused, the man again asked Peter, "Who are these people?" Peter replied in a hushed tone, "Oh...that's the Church of Christ folks. Don't talk to loud; they don't know the rest of us are here!"


POST AWAY!

~the obp~ Would You Rather?

Here's your shot to give me your best "Would You Rather?" As always, to submit, just add it as a comment under this post, and please keep it clean!

Here are some classic examples:

Would you rather: be Spiderman for a day or be Superman for a day?
Would you rather: get caught picking your nose in public or get caught passing gas in public?
Would you rather: meet Barack Obama or Rudi Giuliani?
Would you rather: go for a week without brushing your teeth or go for a week without a shower?
Would you rather: be born with a mental handicap and be incredibly handsome/gorgeous or be born with a physical handicap and be incredibly intelligent?
Would you rather: be given 5 minutes to speak with Jesus Christ or 5 minutes to speak with George Bush?
Would you rather: pilot an airplane or captain a submarine?

NOW CREATE!

Were Abraham and Sarah "Separated"?

Melissa, Keegan and I are in Kimberling City right now staying with her parents down at their lake house. We made the journey so we could be here for David's viewing and funeral. By the way, over breakfast this morning, we were all discussing people we have known who have died and at the viewing were laying on chaise lounge chairs because the family hadn't yet picked out a casket! To me, that sounds like the foundation of a good country-western song! "Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die...Lord I want to go to Heaven, I just don't wanna go tonight..."

Anyhow, usually when we come we worship with her parents at the Kimberling City COC, even though the average age is...well let's just say "blue-hair." Last night, the teacher was giving an account of Abraham's life and was bringing up some rather interesting questions, which got me thinking. The teacher never said this, but based off of one of the questions he asked, I am asking the question: Could Abraham and Sarah have actually been "seperated" after he took Isaac up to Mt. Moriah?

The text says that after the blessing from God, he went with his servants to Beersheba where he began to live. But at the beginning of the next chapter, we find out that Sarah has died and she was living at Hebron in Canaan.

What was the reason for the dual-household living? Was this sort of arrangement common in those days? Was Abraham starting a new family with Keturah by this point? The text doesn't mention them until after Abraham sent for a wife for Isaac, but that does not mean that their family had not already been started. Was there friction between Sarah and Abraham over "the sacrifice?" Did she tell him before he left with Isaac, If you even think about doing it, don't you dare show your face back here! ?

We know that Abraham still must have had great feelings for Sarah, as he journeyed back to Canaan to "mourn for Sarah and to weep over her." He also bought some prime real estate to bury her in, and which he was later buried in as well.

What to think of this? Who knows? I suppose it is one of those things that the Word is ambiguous about. Have any of you studied this at all? Do the Jewish traditions or extra-biblical texts have anything to say about this subject? I would be interested in your comments or information.

A Friend Gone Home

John David Watkins - Go And Rest With Our Lord!

Here are a couple of excerpts taken out of David's obituary in the Springfield News-Leader:

"John "David" Watkins was born August 7, 1966, to John and Shirley Watkins and left us for Heaven May 7, 2007. In a very blessed life, he valued above all the gift of his wife, Hope, and his three children, Nathan, Jacob and Sierra. Many family members and hundreds of friends will grieve with them. Early in life, David developed a strong character highlighted by a deep faith, easy-going calm nature, inquisitive mind and cheerful confidence. He recalled the most important lessons he learned growing up were to love God and others. He attended church camp each summer and one summer was baptized by his father in the camp swimming pool."

"David taught his children the faith his dad had passed on to him. He was blessed to see his own two sons make a decision for Christ in 2006. David baptized them both. David was active in church and in the lives of his children. He especially enjoyed coaching Mighty Mites football for his boys. Weight-lifting was a passionate hobby throughout his life, along with hunting, hiking and reading. David met his 2004 cancer diagnosis with courage and grace, and showed tremendous faith and peace to the end. David is now with his Savior. We are left with joyful memories and his legacy of faith. One day we will see him again, all sickness gone, strong and smiling. We are so thankful to the Lord for sharing David with us for 40 years."

David Watkins was a true friend and mentor for so many. His love for the Lord has been an example to many and a blessing in the lives of those he left behind.

Hope, my heart is mourning for you and the kids. You all are deeply loved and prayed for.

David, I am so excited for you! What an amazing day you had yesterday! I can only imagine the joy you have for reaping the rewards of a race well run. Your curiosities will now all be answered. We look forward to seeing you again brother!

Reflections On Loving The Vulnerable

Much has been said about Craig Ferguson's opening monologue on his show, The Late Late Show, in which he shared about his battles with alcoholism, and his decision to protect the vulnerable members of society from jokes made by him. I am sure that you have heard atleast one minister reference it in a sermon, or a coworker mention it in passing, and so I do not wish to beat a dead horse. But, I do want to share a few reflections on this amazing moment from late night television.

As a society, we have held a video camera up in front of the "babies" of society for far to long. The weak and vulnerable in our society are preyed upon by us, the consumer. We pay to see shows like Entertainment Tonight march the vulnerable across the screen, highlighting whatever mistake or sin they participated in recently. What is worse, is when these vulnerable people "fall," we push them off to the side and move on to the next one...

I wish that I could say that this is what "others" or the "world" does, but that would be a lie. I am afraid that far to many times in my own life, I have participated in this senseless mockery of God's children. I would be lying if I told you that I have not been brought to tears on many occasions lately because of this.

My mind turns to the book of John and the story in chapter 9 of the man who Jesus healed who was born blind. I find it so sad that to Jesus' disciples, this man held no importance other than being an example for a deep theological discussion. They did not care enough to ask Christ to heal him, they did not invite him to join them in their journey, and they did not offer any sort of help to the man. His value to them was simply to be the jumping off point for their question, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

I also consider Matthew 9:10-13, "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?' One hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

How often in my own life, have I mocked the mistakes of vulnerable people in our society, like Britney Spears, Anna Nicole, Paris Hilton, the Osbournes, and others? Just as important, how often in my life have I made fun of the vulnerable people that I know personally, or those that I might brush against on the street. It brings me immense emotional pain to think back to my junior high and high school years where I treated many people in my life as pieces of trash; laughing at their imperfections, yet not recognizing the grotesque, black stain upon my own heart.

I have begun a journey of asking for forgiveness. There is no way that I will ever be able to remember all of the people that I may have slighted over the years, but as I come across them, I am seeking forgiveness. I want to live out Isaiah 58. By doing away with "malicious talk," I can begin to be an individual who will "rebuild the ancient ruins." I want to bring validation to those of God's children who may not yet realize, because of all of the times that they have been cut down, that they have a Father and a friend who loves them.

Church In A Deserted Town?

My mind is reeling with images of Greensburg and the many other townships of Kansas and other surrounding states that have been hit by the devestating storms that this weekend cooked up.

My heart pours out to the victims of these storms that lost family members and/or their possessions.

The small town of Greensburg has been declared as having a status of "martial law." Citizens are able to come in for a few hours during the day to try to locate belongings, lost pets, and mourn their loss.

Several major news publications have noted that there are no longer any houses of worship located in Greensburg. Yet, I can't help but sense that on this Sunday, in the midst of more storms on the way, the body of Christ was present, active, and God-focused in the town of Greensburg.

Milling through the destroyed buildings and homes, various Christ followers shared in each others sorrow and pain. Extended families which had gathered together stood on the rubble of their homes and shed tears while thanking God for the fact that they were safe and still alive.

Is this not the body of Christ in Greensburg engaged in the same acts that the universal Church is always engaged in? It obviously didn't take place in a building. It may not have been led by a group of religious leaders. It also did not follow a specific regimen or order. However, Christ following men and women edified each other, reflected upon the providence of God, and lifted up heartfelt prayers of gratitude and requests for wisdom and guidance.

If all congregations could be as relevant to the needs of people in our times of worship!

Greensburg may take years to rebuild, and its' congregants may not have formal buildings to worship in for months to come, but in their loss they have shown those around them that meaningful worship and edification can be found despite Greensburg's temporary population of 0.

Celebrating In Newness

Daily, I am in awe.

For the past 386 days, I have continually been in awe by the newness of my son. Every day he seems to do something new, and every day it surprises Melissa and I. We look at each other, shake our heads and say, "Can you believe he just did that?!"

Today was a proud moment for me...and an experimental one for Keegan. This morning, I took my son to McDonald's for the first time. A new first...just Daddy and Keegan sitting down at McD's eating breakfast and enjoying a Saturday morning out together. There is something Americana about a father and son eating an early Saturday morning breakfast at McDonald's...

This was experimental in that Keegan got to eat a manly Deluxe breakfast and sample all of the tasty delights of a hot, styrofoam packaged, smorgasbord. No specially tested Gerber today. No mixed grains cereal or oatmeal. No healthy, vitamin enriched food off of the baby aisle at Walmart. No siree! I have introduced the archenemy of all parents: McDonald's.

Is McDonald's all bad? It has taken a pretty rough hit in recent years. From the urban legends of dirty needles in the ballpits to the documentary of "Supersize Me," it has certainly taken a few punches. However, they have tried to clean up their appearance by dropping the option to "supersize," sprucing up their stores with flat panel tv monitors, fireplaces, and comfortable couches and lounge chairs, creating a line of premium products, and a renewed sensitivity toward customers and their desire for healthier food.

Have I started Keegan into a downward spiral that will leave him circling the drain of life, overweight and under-exercised? By enjoying this simple pleasure of breakfast with dad at the largest artery clogging burger chain in the world, will Keegan become enslaved to the magical charms that McDonald's seems to have upon the children of America?

I'm not convinced. I'm a doubter of this popular myth.

I believe that I have the power and the responsibility to make choices. I believe it is also my responsibility to teach my son how to make wise choices. Will I succumb to his every wish as a five year old child when he wants to go and eat greasy burgers and fries at McDonald's just so he can go and play in a urine saturated, hairball infested, germorama, indoor playground? Not a chance.

But that won't stop me from enjoying a quiet Saturday morning at McDonald's every now and then eating pancakes and hashbrowns with my son, whom I love.