Dean Christensen

A Passage to India

2011-09-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Becki & I are headed to India in October. Click the picture to the left to read about what we'll be doing while we're there.

An Adventure on the River

2011-05-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

Flat tire? No big deal. Until you discover that the truck you bought with those shiny custom wheels doesn't have that special lug-nut key that you need to get the wheel off. Oh well, I'll just call my roadside assistance... wait, no cell coverage in the Deschutes canyon? Let the adventure begin!

I walked into a campground and explained my predicament. A very nice guy named Tom from Bend drove me to where we could get cell service so I could call for help. That help ended up being my roadside assistance who phoned for a tow-truck to come tow me back to where Becki and I were camping. Funniest part of the conversation with the dispatcher for the roadside assistance was her insistence that she needed a cross-street to tell the tow truck where to go. I explained that there were no cross-streets on the Deschutes River Access Road, but she insisted that she could not dispatch a truck without a cross-street. Aye-yi-yi!!! We finally settled on having the tow truck come to where Becki was, and she could ride with him to where I was.

I headed back with Tom to his campsite near my truck. As we drove, he learned that I was a pastor, and got real quiet. He was apologizing for his language and informed me that I'd probably hear more language slip out once we got back to the camp. I told him not to worry about it, and asked him not to spread the leprous news about my occupation to the rest of the group (nothing puts the kabosh on a party like finding out there's a pastor there!) We had a deal. I spent the next 3 hours around a camp-fire with a dozen very colorful people who were happy to offer me beer, margaritas, joints (been a long time since I've been offered one of those!), and some "magical cookies" (I don't even want to know!) while we waited for a tow truck to come from Alabama (actually not sure where the tow truck was coming from, it never got there).

Eventually, a "loosened up" cowboy named Paul from The Dalles walked into the camp to join the party. He heard about "New Guy" (no one could remember my name, but everyone needs a name, so I was "New Guy") and says "Aw *****, I can get that wheel off! I got this special tool! (Lord knows what that's used for!) Let's go git'r done!" Cowboy Paul did git'r done, and everyone cheered and offered up another round of drinks and magical cookies, which I politely declined, and I was on my way. I got back to Becki at about midnight.

After I got back, I learned that my cell phone (which I had left with Becki, because that was the number the tow-truck was going to use) had died, and the likelihood was that no truck was going to come that night. Thanks to a good internet connection and facebook, she had mustered a bunch of people to pray. I'm pretty convinced that my colorful friends from Bend and Cowboy Paul from The Dalles were direct answers to those prayers - proving again that the Lord, does indeed, work in mysterious ways!

Glorious Day

2011-04-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

I much prefer this version to the viral Casting Crowns one... besides, Jeff's was first.

Lenten Fast - Week Five

2011-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Suggested Fast – Food
Food is one of the most basic needs of our lives. It sustains, energizes, and heals us. Not only that, but food brings comfort; it is the centerpiece for much of our fellowship. Jesus used food as the tangible representation of His own life in one of our most important sacraments.

Without food we soon lose strength, begin to wither, and will eventually die. Long before we experience any real physical effects of going without food, our stomachs and our minds will tell us to eat. They will nag at us, complaining louder and louder until we feed the desire – all the while, reminding us of our need, of our mortality.

While our abundance in America can make us prone to gluttony (a very real sin issue), the purpose of this week’s fast is to intentionally deny ourselves of the very thing that sustains us. As the hunger grows, we redirect our appetites to the Bread of Life – Jesus, who is our true sustainer, our source of abundant life – and allow Him to satisfy our deepest pangs of spirit-hunger. It’s a good idea to use this time to confess sins and read Scripture.

As with the other fasts, you need to determine the extent and length of the fast. You may wish to skip a certain meal each day this week, or fast for a whole day, or multiple days. It is very important to make sure that you are physically able to do the fast you are intending. If you choose to fast for several days, you should consult a physician about how to do that safely.

Prayer
Lord, You have built into us a need for food. You also have created it for our pleasure. Today though, I choose to lay aside this need, this desire, this comfort, in hopes of drawing close to You. As I do this, feed my spirit, nurture my soul, remind me of Your sustaining presence in my life. May each pang of hunger prompt me to pray, feasting on Your very self.

As you break the fast…

Lord, thank-you for the food You have provided to sustain my body. May I never take one bite for granted. May this food strengthen me to do Thy will this day. – Amen.

Suggested Scripture Readings
Nehemiah 9:1-3; Matthew 6:16-18

Lenten Fast - Week Four

2011-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Suggested Fast - Work

Most of us are familiar with something the Bible calls "Sabbath". Most of us probably know that it has something to do with worship on Sunday (actually, it doesn't... Jewish Sabbath time runs from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.) Most of us probably believe that it is something from Old Testament Law that we are free from. In the end, most of us are clueless when it comes to Sabbath.

In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan says this:

The root idea of Sabbath is really quite simple. It's that all living things thrive only by an ample measure of stillness. God stitched into the nature of things an inviolable need to be left alone now and then. The primary way we receive this aloneness and stillness is, of course through sleep. Sabbath, however, is a form of rest unlike sleep. Sleep is so needed that, defied too long, catches you and has its way with you. Sabbath won't do that. Resisted, it backs off. Spurned, it flees. It's easy to spend most your life breaking Sabbath and never figure out that this is part of the reason your work's unsatisfying, your friendships patchy, your leisure threadbare, and your vacations exhausting. We simply haven't taken time. We've not been still long enough, often enough, to know ourselves, our friends, our family... our God.

Most of us are busy people. And here in America, it's a badge we wear proudly. It gives us status. The busier we are, the more important we must be. Or maybe people will think we're really earning our keep. Or maybe they'll feel sorry for us... probably not. More likely, they'll feel guilty and create more busyness for themselves.

At the root of our Sabbath breaking lifestyle is the great sin of pride. Pride - because people might think I'm important. Pride - because I think that I'm really responsible for making my life successful. Pride - because I think I can do it just fine without God. All of this makes us fearful of Sabbath, and so we don't do it. We stay busy, ignoring the rhythms God has placed deep inside us. Perhaps ignoring God Himself. Practicing Sabbath let's us exercise trust in God. Jewish rabbis have a saying... "we don't keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath keeps us."

This week, we'd like to encourage you to enter into the "rest of God". This is more than just taking a day off. Rather, it is a way of orienting your life toward God - to die to self and your need to be busy, to feel important. It is a time to quiet your spirit and worship the Creator - to stop your busyness and rest in His care, His love, His provision. Perhaps you can go for a long walk, "peditating" on Scripture as you walk. Perhaps you can go to the mountains, or to the ocean, and read through Isaiah 40 - celebrating the greatness of God. Perhaps it is simply sitting in your back yard, intentionally centering your relaxing, or rest, on Him.

Prayer
O God, You are the Lord of the Sabbath. You planted in me a deep need for Sabbath rest and command me to pay attention to this need. Lord, I confess that I have ignored it, pushed it aside, closed my ears to its call - and have listened too much to the call of the world to be busy, to accomplish, to impress. The tragedy Lord, is that it is now hard for me to hear it at all. I repent Lord, of this sin against Your ways - of the pride that often drives it, and ask that You would help me to stop the busyness, my addiction to it, and to replace it with Your rest. Give me this week, times of refreshing with You. Open my ears to hear Your call to enter Your rest. -Amen

Scripture
Exodus 20:8-11; Psalm 62; Hebrews 4:1-11; Psalm 23

Lenten Fast - Week Three

2011-03-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Suggested Fast – Fossil Fuel
One of the foundations of our faith is that we worship the Creator-God. We also celebrate that we are created in His image. As image bearers of the Creator, our rule and dominion over the earth is that of a steward or a caretaker, not a reckless exploiter. God intended us to live in harmony with nature, and yet, we have more often than not been at odds with nature.

Throughout Scripture we see God’s high regard for His creation. One of the principles of His kingdom is that creation needs periods of rest. This week, remembering our role as stewards of creation – and honoring this principle of giving creation a rest, consider fasting from fossil fuels. You may want to walk or ride a bike to work. You may consider a day where you deny yourself the comfort of heating your home, or a meal where you don’t cook. As with the other fasts, you decide how extensive and how long your fast will be.

As you are “inconvenienced” by this fast, remember that part of our goal in the fast is to experience death – death to our wants, death to personal comfort at the expense of creation. Direct you worship to the Creator and look for ways to honor His creation. Consider other ways in which you can worship Him by being a good caretaker of our temporary home on this planet.

Prayer
(begin by reading Psalm 104 out loud, then continue with the prayer)

O God, Creator of all, I praise You for the beauty of Your creation. King of the universe, You have made all this for Your own glory. I am reminded that when I am careless with Your creation, I sin. I confess my complicity in failing to be a good steward of Your Creation. I have not been attentive to Your kingdom principles that require seasons of rest for all creation, and for this I ask Your forgiveness. As Your image bearer, I ask for Your help as I seek to walk gently on Your earth, looking for ways to replenish what I have taken away, and to heal what I have damaged. -Amen

Scripture
Gen 1:28-31; Leviticus 25:1-7; Ps 104; Romans 8:19-22

Lenten Fast - Week Two

2011-03-20T06:00:00.002-07:00

Suggested Fast – Technology

We live in the “Silicon Forest”, surrounded by technology. We may believe that technology makes our lives easier, but in many ways it complicates life too. At times our use of technology can be a replacement for real conversation (blogs, myspace, etc.) or a pipeline to sin (internet porn, gambling, etc.) At the very least, our use of technology can divert our attention away from relational time with people (TV, computers, etc.)

Even worse, our 24/7 availability to everyone else has made us unavailable to God. Finding uninterrupted “alone time” with God is rare.

This week, consider fasting from the use of technology (your work may require this to be a one day fast, or a portion of each day.) Consider how you might simplify your life. Redirect your attention to having real, face to face time with others, and more importantly, with God. If the use of technology has been an area of sin for you, confess it and consider how you can become pure in this area of your life.

Prayer
Lord, forgive me. The technology that was designed to make my life easier has become my master. I confess to You that I have become too dependant on – even enslaved to – my computer, cell phone, iPod, or PDA. I pretend that these things help me to connect with people, when in reality they have become an escape from authentic relationships. It grieves me Lord, to think that these things have made me unavailable to You, who offer to me the most intimate and satisfying relationship of all.

Lord, help me this week to “unplug” from technology and instead “plug in” to authentic relationships. Relationships with others – and most importantly, with You. As I simplify my life this week, may I discover a new intimacy with You that leaves me longing for more. I welcome you to speak to me, uninterrupted, in Spirit language that my spirit understands. Out of those times with You, may I then look for opportunities to enjoy relationship with others you put in my path.

Help me in those times, full of Your Spirit, to be a minister of Your grace & peace. – Amen

Scripture
1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 119:9-24; Acts 2:42-46

Lenten Fast - Week One

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Over the next 6 weeks, I'll be posting a series of fasts that our church is going through together. If you find them helpful in your observance of Lent, feel free to join us.

The Lenten Journey
Lent is a season where we are reminded of our mortality and our sin. It is a 40 day journey to Good Friday (the Cross), and then to Easter (our Great Hope – The Resurrection.) It is an intentional journey that calls us to repent of sins that we have grown accustomed to and to turn our attentions and affections toward Christ, where they belong.

To aid in this journey, we will be sending out six emails, one each week, that are designed to help you focus on God. Each week we are suggesting a fast that we hope will deepen that experience. Don’t mistake this for some legalistic set of rules that you must keep to please God. It is simply a way for you to discipline your thoughts and prayers during this season as we journey together toward Easter.

Fasting – What & Why
Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the cords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting underscores that fasting is not simply “going without” but should be accompanied by the twin practices of generosity and solidarity.

Each of the suggested fasts are just that—suggested. What degree you take the fast, and how long you decide to do it are entirely up to you. We hope that this will truly enhance your journey toward the celebration of Easter.

Week One
Suggested Fast – Consumerism
We live in a culture defined by what we can buy next. It feeds our selfishness and tells us we need more, more, more. In this first week of the Lenten journey, consider fasting from consumerism by refraining from buying goods of any kind. You may want to do this for one day, or the entire week.

As you deny yourself of those selfish desires; as you die to power of consumerism, redirect your efforts to selfless giving to others– just as Christ gave of himself.

Prayer
We live in Your world, O God, and for this, we praise and thank You. Among Your treasures we creatures have fashioned many things to make our lives easier, healthier, and freer. But we have also created more things than we need, more than we can ever use. When these things distract us from our purpose in this life, we are misusing the world You have created. When these things prevent others from having their basic needs met, Your creation is corrupted. Help us to keep our eyes open to this temptation of consumerism. Help us to be followers of Jesus who are focused on the important and simple things in life – Christians who care for others and are willing to share our riches with those who have unmet needs. Give us the courage to go against our culture when it confuses wants and needs. Remind us that when the journey of life in this world is complete, we take with us only our relationships – with You and with the people You have given to us to love.

We pray for these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Suggested Scripture Readings
Isaiah 58:6-12; Psalm 52; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 13

New 3D Technology

2011-01-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

This is awesome! I think we're going to try to implement this at our church.

Hallelujah!

2010-11-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

Can't say why for certain... but this made me cry. Good tears... worship tears. To the surprise of the regular holiday shoppers, 600 "disguised" choristers practiced this "Random Act of Culture" in a shopping mall in Philly. Wow.

Why Do We Yanks Call It "Soccer"?

2010-06-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

An interesting article by Steve Amoia on the history of the game.

Contrary to what the media and others want you to believe, the word “soccer” is not an American creation. Or, “They (rest of the world) call it football, and we (North Americans) call it soccer.”

Derivation of the word

The word was derived from Association Football, which was the original term given to the game in the 1860s at the elite schools that spawned the sport in England. The abbreviation “Assoccer”, which became “soccer,” was used by the British upper classes of that period. When the sport was embraced by the less fortunate, the name of “soccer” was passed down. But most commoners used the word “football” to describe their new game. Nowadays, from the British Royal Family down to the passionate supporters in the terraces at Anfield (Liverpool FC), Old Trafford (Manchester United), or Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC of London), the game is called football. Or “footy.”

Game and Name Exported by Sailors, Coaches, and Immigrants

When immigrants, coaches, and sailors exported the game overseas, the word “football” was loosely translated to fit the local languages. For example, Fútbol does not literally mean “football” in Spanish. Nor does Futebol translate into “football” in Brazilian Portuguese. The words “fut or fute” do not mean “foot” in either language. It was the English influence that still is found today.

Many professional soccer teams in Argentina have English names: Arsenal, Banfield, Newell’s Old Boys, and River Plate to name a few of the more famous ones. Real Madrid was originally called the “Sociedad Madrid Football Club” by its British founders in 1902. If you look closely, you can see the initials MFC in their famous logo. In Italy, one of the most famous clubs, AC Milan, was founded as the Milan Cricket and Athletic Club in 1899. In Italy, the coach is called “Mister.” As a tribute to the early English coaches who taught the game in that country. Italy has its own unique term for the game, where it is known as “calcio,” not football. The word translates to “kickball.”

Coming to America

When the sport arrived on our shores in the late 19th century (the US National Team played its first game against Canada in 1885), it was called Association Football. It was not called soccer. Only after the Second World War was the sport commonly referred to as “soccer.” Perhaps due to the growing impact of the NFL (American Football), and the belief that the game was foreign. Which is strange, because in the early 20th century, there were many industrial teams and leagues throughout the country.

While the sport was not as popular as baseball, it was on the sporting landscape. The USA competed at the first World Cup, which was held in Uruguay. The American team finished third, which remains its best historical performance. Many well-known soccer nations such as England, Germany, and Italy did not compete at the first World Cup. In fact, up until the 1970s, the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) used the word “football” in its title.

Other Countries Call it Soccer

In some areas of the Caribbean, along with Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, you can say the word “soccer” and the locals will understand its meaning. Although the emphasis is to call the sport football, the English legacy remains. One region of the former British Empire that did not embrace the game was India, where cricket remains the most popular spectator and participant sport.

Day At The Zoo

2010-06-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

We took our grandson Ari to the zoo the other day. His name means "Lion" in Hebrew. So here's a picture of me with Ari and... well, Ari.

10 Days on the Deschutes

2010-05-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Started my vacation with 10 days camped along side the Deschutes river. First of all, I'm reminded of what a great wife I have. While she doesn't fish, she - like me - loves the quiet of wide open spaces, the sound of the river going by, and the nightly drives up and down the river looking at wildlife (deer, pronhorn, river otter, and countless species of birds). She claims to even enjoy the cooped up time with me - sitting inside or outside the trailer reading or talking... just being (that's pretty amazing to me, but pretty cool nonetheless).

Secondly, I'm reminded of the importance of regular Sabbath built into my life. Been too long since I did this. Gotta do it more.

I didn't take a lot of pictures, but snapped a few down at the river...

Nice 16 incher... that's my fishing buddy Reuben over on the bank.

This one measured in at 17"... it looks to me like he's smiling for the camera.

This is a mother Merganser with 16 little ones in tow.

Planning a Worship Service

2010-05-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

I occasionally work with new worship leaders in helping them plan worship. This process can take years of mentoring from start to finish. However this video really boils it down to the necessary elements. I think I'll be using this from now on...

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

New Fishing Buddy

2010-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

My sweet wife insisted that it was time. I wasn't sure, but already he's a good little friend.

Meet Reuben... he's half German Shorthair Pointer, half Weimaraner.

Why are his wrinkles so much cuter than mine?

Neither of these little boys are too sure about the other...

Tuckered out...

Advent Vigil - Week Four

2009-12-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

Jesus Promised as our Prince of Peace

In the first week of Advent, we remembered that Jesus comes as our Wonderful Counselor – Pure Wisdom. In the second week of Advent we celebrated that He comes as Mighty God – the omnipotent creator of all. In the third week, we considered that He comes to us as Everlasting Father – the source of all life.

In this last week of Advent, we embrace Him as the Prince of Peace.

Living in a world that is so full of strife, who of us hasn’t longed for peace? The Hebrew word for peace, however, means much more than the absence of conflict or the end of turmoil. Shalom conveys a deep sense of tranquility, wholeness and completion. Cornelius Plantinga Jr. puts it this way…

“We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight…the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”

Bill Risinger says it this way… When the heavenly host said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14), we should have heard in this the news of hope. When peace was announced at Christmas, it was the coming of the transformation of the world from the way it’s not supposed to be into “the way things ought to be.” God was bringing Shalom to the world!

Christmas brought the good news that the Prince of Shalom had come to conquer sin and death and to establish His Kingdom on earth. This gives us real hope in the here and now. We are not waiting for pie-in-the-sky future stuff. While we wait for the return of our King Jesus to bring the final restoration of ultimate Shalom, we must move obediently with His Spirit to bring His Shalom Kingdom into our broken and needy world.

Scripture Reading
As you meditate on these Scriptures this week, remember that these were written by people who were familiar with great hardship and persecution. Some were even murdered for proclaiming this kind of shalom.

Monday – Phil 4:5-7; Tuesday – Jn 14:27; Wednesday – James 3:16-18;
Thursday – Col 3:14-16; Christmas Day – Eph 2:14, 17-18

Prayer
As you pray this week, ask yourself “what are the broken areas in my world that need His Shalom?” Then invite him to speak His Shalom into those situations. Ask Him to use YOU as an instrument of His Peace.

Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, speak Your shalom into our chaos. May Your deep shalom rule in our hearts, bringing wholeness to our brokenness. Teach us to become peacemakers – loving justice, doing right, and leading others along the path of peace.

You may also want to use this prayer, by St. Francis of Assisi, as a part of your daily prayers this week.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

Advent Vigil - Week Three

2009-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Jesus Promised as our Everlasting Father
In the first week of Advent, we remembered that Jesus comes as our Wonderful Counselor – Pure Wisdom. In the second week of Advent we celebrated that He comes as Mighty God – the omnipotent creator of all.

In this third week, we consider that He comes to us as Everlasting Father. Everlasting, because He always was and always will be. Father, because He is the Source of all life. How amazing that this infant Jesus was at the same time infinite God. Almost in the same breath, the prophet Isaiah calls him a “child,” and a “counselor,” a “son,” and “the everlasting Father.”

The Apostle Paul, in that great hymn quoted in Colossians reminds us that...

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation;
because by Him everything was created,
in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have first place in everything.

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself
by making peace through the blood of His cross —
whether things on earth or things in heaven.

It’s often been said that our impressions of God are largely formed by our fathers. How interesting then that Jesus, the “image of the unseen God” is also called our Everlasting Father, the one who perfectly shows us what God is like – loving, providing, protecting, comforting, present, disciplining, consistent, serving, strong – the list goes on.

Scripture
Each day this week, meditate on one of these Scriptures that speak to an aspect of the “eternal fathering” of Jesus.

Monday – Jn 1:1-5 (His eternal nature); Tuesday – Lk 12:22-34 (His provision);
Wednesday – 2 Cor 1:3-7 (His comfort); Thursday – Ps 91 (His protection);
Friday – Eph 3:14-21 (His deep love); Saturday – Heb 12:5-11 (His discipline)

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You today as my Everlasting Father. A Father who loves, protects, guides and disciplines. I acknowledge today that You are good. Whatever my dysfunctional views of “father” may be, I pray that You would reveal Yourself to me today as a good father… the best Father. Draw me closer to the intimate relationship You desire for us to share as Father and child. ~ Amen

Advent Vigil - Week Two

2009-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

Jesus Promised as our Mighty God
In this second week of Advent we celebrate that He comes as Mighty God. He who spoke the universe into existence and parted the sea, was the One who healed the sick and turned water into wine. He who caused Moses to tremble and take off his shoes, was the One who said “I AM” and caused soldiers in the garden to fall to the ground when they came to arrest him. He who breathed life into the first man, secured everlasting life with His resurrection power that defeated the grave.

When the John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was “…the One who was promised, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus himself replied “Tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the Good News.” Read this description from Revelation 12…

I saw the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow, His eyes like a fiery flame, His feet like fine bronze fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters. In His right hand He had seven stars; from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was shining like the sun at midday.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild? I think not. And who wants that kind of Savior anyway? It may make for a nice greeting card, but it won’t go very far when it comes to defeating evil, healing people, and setting the world right. No, we need a Mighty God to do that kind of work.

Scripture

As you move through this second week of Advent, we encourage you to meditate on these texts that speak to Jesus’ great power:
(Monday—John 1, Tuesday—Colossians 1:15-20, Wednesday—Mark 4:35-41, Thursday—Matthew 8:5-13, Friday—Mark 1:14-45, Saturday—Acts 3:1-10).

Before you pray, identify a specific area that you especially need to see Jesus’ might and power displayed. As an act of worship, go to Him now with that need and ask for His power to work in that situation.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I worship You today as my Mighty God. I acknowledge my weakness, my frailty, my powerlessness to do what most needs doing. I believe that You are able to anything that brings you glory. Believing that this would advance Your Kingdom and Your fame, I ask you now to ________________. I also ask for Your power to be revealed in me today. The power of Mighty God – Jesus to re-create, heal, defend, and fill me with the resurrection power of God. ~ Amen

Advent Vigil - Week One

2009-11-30T09:21:00.001-08:00

I'll be posting here a collection of guided advent meditations that we are going through at our church. I hope they will be helpful to you as you navigate this holiday season...

Advent: \'ad-'vent\ noun (from Latin adventus, “arrival”)
1: The coming of Christ at the incarnation.
2: The period of 4 weeks before Christmas.

Vigil: \'vi-jəl\ noun (from Latin vigilia, “wakefulness”)
1: A period of sleeplessness.
2: An occasion for devotional watching or observance.

At Advent, we celebrate the incarnation of God in Jesus. We sing the verses of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in a minor key and rehearse the feelings of abandonment and longing felt by those to whom God had become silent. We sing the refrain of the same song and “Rejoice”, for He has come—the WORD has become flesh. We watch with devotion for how He might come anew into our lives today.

In foretelling His coming, the prophet Isaiah declared that He would be known by four names...

Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Each week in our Advent Vigil (a period of devoted watching for His incarnation) we want to reflect on one of the four names of the Promised One. We want to welcome Him into our lives and remind ourselves of how each of these beautiful names from this ancient prophecy (2,700 years old) perfectly speak to our need today.

Week One - Jesus Promised as our Wonderful Counselor
In our first week of Advent, we remember that Jesus came as our Wonderful Counselor. He is the One who knows and understands. He never needs to be informed, but rather informs every situation of our lives. His wisdom is complete, His counsel incomparable. He is never anything but wise in every thing He does. James, the brother of Jesus, tells us that “if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.“ (James 1:5)

What are the things in your life right now that need the wisdom of Jesus? Where do you especially need clarity and understanding? Solomon (the wisest human besides Jesus) says that “… the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Pr. 2:6) Ask Him to give you the wisdom, knowledge and understanding you need, and then look for it, listen for it, earnestly seek it—from Him, not from the world.

Scripture
This week we encourage you to read one chapter from Proverbs each day. We suggest that you read the chapter that corresponds with that days date (Monday—Prov. 30, Tuesday—Prov. 1, Wednesday—Prov. 2, and so on).

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You and praise You for coming as my Wonderful Counselor. I recognize that you alone, O Lord, are the source of all wisdom. I confess to you my tendency to try to answer my questions with the world’s “wisdom”, which is foolishness to You. Come Lord, I open myself to receive Your wisdom in all areas of my life, especially _________. Amen

Having Friends for Dinner...

2009-11-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

New Breed of Organist

2009-11-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hat tip to Pat Keener for this one.

Delivered

2009-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

After 3 weeks of painful labor, my wife delivered (by surgery) a healthy 5mm kidney stone on Saturday afternoon.

Suggested names were "Rocky", "Crystal", and "Pearl". I think I'm going with "Kevin". Why Kevin? Because I was once on staff with a pastor whose name is Kevin Stone.

Seems fitting.

Huh?

2009-09-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

My wife and I spent the better part of the day in urgent care and then the ER for severe abdominal pain (the full story later).

While doing her examination, the Physicians Assistant asked her some questions...

PA: Have you ever had any surgery in this area?

Wife: Yes, a hysterectomy.

PA: When?

Wife: 2002

PA: When was your last period?

I laughed (out loud). He was offended, then got defensive.

He musta missed anatomy and physiology in college... scary.

Cancer Wins? Not on Your Life!

2009-07-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

A year ago, almost to the day. I got a call from my good friend Jeff telling me that the cancer was back... with a vengeance. It was bad - real bad, he said. We made a commitment to each other to walk that journey together; to do it honestly, transparently, and with a tenacious determination to learn from it.

One of the early lessons learned was to enjoy every moment God gives us. To breathe fresh air, enjoy creation, listen to music we loved, make our conversations count, and go fishing. You see, almost all of the important things in life can happen when you go fishing. When Jesus' disciples were at a loss for what to do after the cross, they went fishing. Here are a couple pics from one of our last outings.

The cancer was a reminder that our world is flawed, broken, wrong. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Middle school kids are not supposed to watch their dad waste away from cancer. Young women are not supposed to be widows. Things are not okay... not "right". In our times together we inevitably came back to the topic of Hope. Hope, capital "H", isn't some kind of wishful thinking. This kind of Hope is one that understands, with certainty, that Jesus' resurrection from the grave was the beginning of our Creator God setting things right. Jesus was/is the "first fruits" of what will someday happen to we who follow Him.

Yesterday, Jeff's body succumbed to the nasty cancer. But, just like the grave that had no victory over Jesus, the cancer didn't win. It couldn't. Because Jeff was/is a part of what Jesus started, today, Jeff is more alive than he has ever been. Today, he is whole.

Sometimes when someone we love dies, we say we lost them. I'm reminded that "losing" something or someone implies that I don't know where they are. In my last coherent conversation with Jeff on Tuesday, we reaffirmed our love and appreciation for each other. When I left, we hugged and said "see you later". It wasn't "good-bye" and we both knew it.

I already miss Jeff a lot. But I'm also filled with a great HOPE. A certainty that one day I'll see him again. Things will all be made "right". And in that place of right-ness, that New Heaven - New Earth, I think we'll go fishing.

Up

2009-06-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Just went to see "Up", the movie.

Classic Pixar animation, wonderful story... made me laugh, made me cry. Don't miss it.

Deschutes River

2009-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

18" of pure fun...

I talked with a guy on the river today who said that these Deschutes Rainbows have "shoulders... an 18 incher here fights you like a 24 incher anywhere else. I don't know for sure if that's true, but this one gave me a wild ride!

Starting Young

2009-06-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

My grandmother started me pretty young at the piano. Doin' the same for my grandson.

True to the Music

2009-04-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

Since the mid-seventies, KINK radio has been my music station of choice. For most of those years, Les Sarnoff was the one introducing me to new music. Most of the artists I listen to I discovered through his program... many of them, due to interviews he did with the artist in studio. A lot of pirated albums in Portland were compliments of Les' KINK Album Preview.

Les was responsible for a Thanksgiving tradition in my family. Every Thanksgiving, at 12pm, we listen to "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie. It's 18 minutes and 34 seconds that my kids can recite from memory.

When I think of Les Sarnoff, I think of "how it used to be" on the radio. How KINK used to be more of an indie/underground/folk/rock station... how they used to be before big money made all the decisions.

Les died Friday night after a year-long fight with cancer. It kinda feels like those old days of FM radio are gone with him.

That's kinda sad.

Saying Goodbye

2009-04-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've had 3 canine companions in my life. Droopy, a wiener dog I had as a very small child (gotta love that name, huh?); Betsy, a german-shorthair pointer I got for my 8th birthday; and Rocky, a beagle that was a gift from my wife 12 years ago.

I was too young to really remember what became of Droopy. Because I was away at college, my dad ended up taking Betsy in her old age and did an incredible job with her "hospice" care. Today, I had to bury Rocky.

We had a tree go down in our back yard which took out part of our fence. Rocky escaped and spent about 12 hours running loose before someone took him to the pound. When we got him back, we noticed he couldn't walk very well. Soon, he couldn't walk at all, wouldn't eat, and was noticeably in a lot of pain. Turns out, his back had gotten "really messed up" on his little outing. Don't know what happened (car? a cruel person?), and probably don't want to know. The vet said that he wouldn't get better. So we had him put down.

When we're young, we never really think about the fact that we will have to say goodbye to pets. We don't really have any concept of lifespan. However, when we get older, we know better. We know that we'll bond to these animals, talk to them, process with them, call them "friend" and then one day - most likely bury them. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we put ourselves through that pain? Why would you ever go out and get another dog - train it, care for it, love it, etc. only to one day have to say goodbye? I'm not sure why... but one day, I'll probably do it again.

For today though, I'll just quietly miss Rocky. The talks, the walks - him just being there... always being there to listen. That's a good friend.

Reboot... Ah, That's Better

2009-04-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

After one of my most grueling weeks of the year (over 1oo hours), I took a couple days to catch up on some rest. While sleep is good, it doesn't necessarily press the reset button for me. One thing that usually does the trick is a day on the river, flyfishing.

Every once in a while, I'm so wiped out that it's hard for me to even convince myself to go fishing. It's in those times that I can usually count on my wife to force me to go (crazy, I know). Today was one of those days. I was full of excuses why I might not go. Those included less than stellar fishing reports and snow in Maupin yesterday. Anyway, I finally went.

God served up beautiful weather (too warm for anything more than short sleeves) and lots of fish (four about the size of the one pictured below, and a handful of smaller ones.) This one was the first fish of the year - a beautiful Deschutes Redside. Photo quality is a little lacking as I forgot the camera... shot it with the cell phone.

Lenten Fast - Week Six

2009-04-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Suggested Fast – Noise
As we enter into Holy Week, a time when we are especially aware of the price paid for our sin, we thought that would be appropriate for us to fast from noise.

Much of this world’s noise is thrust upon us, but much else is self inflicted. We’d like to suggest that you find time throughout the week for periods of silence, fasting from external noise and from speaking. On Friday, to the degree that your commitments allow, spend the day in silence. Together, we will break that silence as we come together for our Good Friday service.

Prayer
Lord, I talk too much. It’s Your turn. Speak, for Your servant is listening.

Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:7; Psalm 46:10

Lenten Fast - Week Five

2009-03-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

Lenten Fast - Week Four

2009-03-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Suggested Fast – Work
Most of us are familiar with something the Bible calls “Sabbath”. Most of us probably know that it has something to do with worship on Sunday (actually, it doesn’t… Jewish Sabbath time runs from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.) Most of us probably believe that it is something from Old Testament Law that we are free from. In the end, most of us are clueless when it comes to Sabbath.

In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan says this:

The root idea of Sabbath is really quite simple. It’s that all living things thrive only by an ample measure of stillness. God stitched into the nature of things an inviolable need to be left alone now and then. The primary way we receive this aloneness and stillness is, of course through sleep. Sabbath, however, is a form of rest unlike sleep. Sleep is so needed that, defied too long, catches you and has its way with you. Sabbath won’t do that. Resisted, it backs off. Spurned, it flees. It’s easy to spend most your life breaking Sabbath and never figure out that this is part of the reason your work’s unsatisfying, your friendships patchy, your leisure threadbare, and your vacations exhausting. We simply haven’t taken time. We’ve not been still long enough, often enough, to know ourselves, our friends, our family… our God.

Most of us are busy people. And here in America, it’s a badge we wear proudly. It gives us status. The busier we are, the more important we must be. Or maybe people will think we’re really earning our keep. Or maybe they’ll feel sorry for us... probably not. More likely, they’ll feel guilty and create more busyness for themselves.

At the root of our Sabbath breaking lifestyle is the great sin of pride. Pride – because people might think I’m important. Pride – because I think that I’m really responsible for making my life successful. Pride – because I think I can do it just fine without God. All of this makes us fearful of Sabbath, and so we don’t do it. We stay busy, ignoring the rhythms God has placed deep inside us. Perhaps ignoring God Himself. Practicing Sabbath let’s us exercise trust in God. Jewish rabbis have a saying… “we don’t keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath keeps us.”

This week, we’d like to encourage you to enter into the “rest of God”. This is more than just taking a day off. Rather, it is a way of orienting your life toward God – to die to self and your need to be busy, to feel important. It is a time to quiet your spirit and worship the Creator – to stop your busyness and rest in His care, His love, His provision. Perhaps you can go for a long walk, “peditating” on Scripture as you walk. Perhaps you can go to the mountains, or to the ocean, and read through Isaiah 40 – celebrating the greatness of God. Perhaps it is simply sitting in your back yard, intentionally centering your relaxing, or rest, on Him.

Prayer
O God, You are the Lord of the Sabbath. You planted in me a deep need for Sabbath rest and command me to pay attention to this need. Lord, I confess that I have ignored it, pushed it aside, closed my ears to its call – and have listened too much to the call of the world to be busy, to accomplish, to impress. The tragedy Lord, is that it is now hard for me to hear it at all. I repent Lord, of this sin against Your ways – of the pride that often drives it, and ask that You would help me to stop the busyness, my addiction to it, and to replace it with Your rest. Give me this week, times of refreshing with You. Open my ears to hear Your call to enter Your rest. -Amen

Scripture
Exodus 20:8-11; Psalm 62; Hebrews 4:1-11; Psalm 23

Lenten Fast - Week Three

2009-03-16T07:32:00.001-07:00

Lenten Fast - Week Two

2009-03-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Week Two
Suggested Fast – Technology
We live in the “Silicon Forest”, surrounded by technology. We may believe that technology makes our lives easier, but in many ways it complicates life too. At times our use of technology can be a replacement for real conversation (blogs, myspace, etc.) or a pipeline to sin (internet porn, gambling, etc.) At the very least, our use of technology can divert our attention away from relational time with people (TV, computers, etc.)

Even worse, our 24/7 availability to everyone else has made us unavailable to God. Finding uninterrupted “alone time” with God is rare.

This week, consider fasting from the use of technology (your work may require this to be a one day fast, or a portion of each day.) Consider how you might simplify your life. Redirect your attention to having real, face to face time with others, and more importantly, with God. If the use of technology has been an area of sin for you, confess it and consider how you can become pure in this area of your life.

Prayer
Lord, forgive me. The technology that was designed to make my life easier has become my master. I confess to You that I have become too dependent on – even enslaved to – my computer, cell phone, iPod, or PDA. I pretend that these things help me to connect with people, when in reality they have become an escape from authentic relationships. It grieves me Lord, to think that these things have made me unavailable to You, who offer to me the most intimate and satisfying relationship of all.

Lord, help me this week to “unplug” from technology and instead “plug in” to authentic relationships. Relationships with others – and most importantly, with You. As I simplify my life this week, may I discover a new intimacy with You that leaves me longing for more. I welcome you to speak to me, uninterrupted, in Spirit language that my spirit understands. Out of those times with You, may I then look for opportunities to enjoy relationship with others you put in my path.

Help me in those times, full of Your Spirit, to be a minister of Your grace & peace. – Amen

Scripture
1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 119:9-24; Acts 2:42-46

Lenten Fast - Week One

2009-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Lenten Journey
Lent is a season where we are reminded of our mortality and our sin. It is a 40 day journey to Good Friday (the Cross), and then to Easter (our Great Hope – The Resurrection.) It is an intentional journey that calls us to repent of sins that we have grown accustomed to and to turn our attentions and affections toward Christ, where they belong.

To aid in this journey, we will be sending out six emails, one each week, that are designed to help you focus on God. Each week we are suggesting a fast that we hope will deepen that experience. Don’t mistake this for some legalistic set of rules that you must keep to please God. It is simply a way for you to discipline your thoughts and prayers during this season as we journey together toward Easter.

Fasting – What & Why
Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the cords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting underscores that fasting is not simply “going without” but should be accompanied by the twin practices of generosity and solidarity.

Each of the suggested fasts are just that—suggested. What degree you take the fast, and how long you decide to do it are entirely up to you. We hope that this will truly enhance your journey toward the celebration of Easter.

Week One
Suggested Fast – Consumerism
We live in a culture defined by what we can buy next. It feeds our selfishness and tells us we need more, more, more. In this first week of the Lenten journey, consider fasting from consumerism by refraining from buying goods of any kind. You may want to do this for one day, or the entire week.

As you deny yourself of those selfish desires; as you die to power of consumerism, redirect your efforts to selfless giving to others– just as Christ gave of himself.

Prayer
We live in Your world, O God, and for this, we praise and thank You. Among Your treasures we creatures have fashioned many things to make our lives easier, healthier, and freer. But we have also created more things than we need, more than we can ever use. When these things distract us from our purpose in this life, we are misusing the world You have created. When these things prevent others from having their basic needs met, Your creation is corrupted. Help us to keep our eyes open to this temptation of consumerism. Help us to be followers of Jesus who are focused on the important and simple things in life – Christians who care for others and are willing to share our riches with those who have unmet needs. Give us the courage to go against our culture when it confuses wants and needs. Remind us that when the journey of life in this world is complete, we take with us only our relationships – with You and with the people You have given to us to love.

We pray for these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Suggested Scripture Readings
Isaiah 58:6-12; Psalm 52; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 13

Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days (minus Sundays) of grieving over our sin. Growing up in a Conservative Baptist tradition, Lent was a foreign "ritual" to me. One that was observed by Lutherans and Catholics and Eastern Orthodox - all who worshiped foreign gods. (I should also note that we baptists were equitable in our disdain for foreign gods - the Pentecostals were included in our list of people to never intermarry with).

Eventually though, I began to understand that these other kinds of Jesus followers were not the enemy, not the anti-Christ, but people who had spiritual insights and practices that I could learn from. Some might even be beneficial to my spiritual growth.

Back to Lent... One of the things I discovered was that Easter, separated from Lent, isn't as big of a celebration. However, when I go through the grieving of Lent - grasping the gravity of my sin and actually grieving over it, Easter becomes a hope-filled celebration that has a deeper and longer lasting impact.

Today, Ash Wednesday, we grieve over sin. Today, in the ancient tradition that displayed grief with sackcloth and ashes, we mark ourselves with ash - a reminder of our mortality (ashes to ashes, dust to dust) that is a direct result of our sin.

For many, the Lenten season includes fasting. Scot McKnight points out in his new book on fasting, that for the people of God, the why of fasting should be a response of grief and not a means to an end. I'll be posting some suggested fasts here through the Lenten season. I invite you to join me and some others in my community of faith as we make the journey towards Holy Week and Easter.

Here is a wonderful prayer to begin the season. It was written by St. Simeon, around 900AD.

A Repentance Prayer

Behold, O Christ, I now kneel before You in the presence of Your holy angels as if I were kneeling before Your fearful judgment seat, awaiting Your sentence and rendering an account of all my evil deeds.

Behold, I bow my head, and lay my sins before You, and I confess them and reveal them. O Lord, look down upon my humble condition and forgive me all my transgressions.

Have I not sinned through pride, vainglory, slander, idle speech, unkind laughter, intemperance, hatred, envy, selfishness, ambition and falsehood?

Now, O most wonderful King, O most loving Lord, show forth your mercies to me a sinner; manifest in me the might of Your goodness and the power of Your loving kindness; receive me as You received the Prodigal Son.

Against You alone I have sinned. O Lord my God, I put my trust in You; be my Savior, and according to your great goodness and mercy, absolve, remit, and forgive all my sins. Where sin has abounded, let your grace abound much more, so that I may give glory to You, and to Your Eternal Father, and to Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Feet

2009-01-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Uncle Andy wears size 13 feet. Maybe that's why he took so many shots of these tiny ones...

More Pictures... 1 Day Old

2009-01-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

A Happy Family

Father Abraham

Ari studying daddy's face

He's Here!

2009-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

Ari Mathew Abraham was born on January 10, at 3:33pm. I'm so happy.

More pictures to come...

Advent Vigil - Week Four

2008-12-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

Monday – Phil 4:5-7; Tuesday – Jn 14:27; Christmas Day – Eph 2:14, 17-18

Advent Vigil - Week Three

2008-12-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

Family Out in the Cold

2008-12-14T11:47:00.000-08:00

We canceled 2 of our 3 worship services this morning. While folks were leaving after that 1st one, I noticed that the holy family in the stable was sorely unprepared for the inclement weather. I happened to have a small stocking cap in my office and was able to take care of Joseph.

However, the baby Jesus doesn't even have a blanket! I fear it might be too late for him... looks like a severe case of hypothermia.

Advent Vigil - Week Two

2008-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Week Two-Jesus Promised as our Mighty God
In this second week of Advent we celebrate that He comes as Mighty God. He who spoke the universe into existence and parted the sea, was the One who healed the sick and turned water into wine. He who caused Moses to tremble and take off his shoes, was the One who said “I AM” and caused soldiers in the garden to fall to the ground when they came to arrest him. He who breathed life into the first man, secured everlasting life with His resurrection power that defeated the grave.

When the John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was “…the One who was promised, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus himself replied “Tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the Good News.”

Read this description from Revelation 12…

I saw the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow, His eyes like a fiery flame, His feet like fine bronze fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters. In His right hand He had seven stars; from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was shining like the sun at midday.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild? I think not. And who wants that kind of Savior anyway? It may make for a nice greeting card, but it won’t go very far when it comes to defeating evil, healing people, and setting the world right. No, we need a Mighty God to do that kind of work.

Scripture
As you move through this second week of Advent, we encourage you to meditate on these texts that speak to Jesus’ great power:

(Monday—John 1, Tuesday—Colossians 1:15-20, Wednesday—Mark 4:35-41,
Thursday—Matthew 8:5-13, Friday—Mark 1:14-45, Saturday—Acts 3:1-10).

Before you pray, identify a specific area that you especially need to see Jesus’ might and power displayed. As an act of worship, go to Him now with that need and ask for His power to work in that situation.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I worship You today as my Mighty God. I acknowledge my weakness, my frailty, my powerlessness to do what most needs doing. I believe that You are able to anything that brings you glory. Believing that this would advance Your Kingdom and Your fame, I ask you now to ________________. I also ask for Your power to be revealed in me today. The power of Mighty God – Jesus to re-create, heal, defend, and fill me with the resurrection power of God. ~ Amen

Advent Vigil - Week One

2008-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Each week in our Advent Vigil (a period of devoted watching for His incarnation) we want to reflect on one of the four names of the Promised One. We want to welcome Him into our lives and remind ourselves of how each of these beautiful names from this ancient prophecy (2,700 years old) perfectly speak to our need today.

Week One - Jesus Promised as our Wonderful Counselor
In our first week of Advent, we remember that Jesus came as our Wonderful Counselor. He is the One who knows and understands. He never needs to be informed, but rather informs every situation of our lives. His wisdom is complete, His counsel incomparable. He is never anything but wise in every thing He does. James, the brother of Jesus, tells us that “if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.“ (James 1:5)

What are the things in your life right now that need the wisdom of Jesus? Where do you especially need clarity and understanding? Solomon (the wisest human besides Jesus) says that “… the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Pr. 2:6) Ask Him to give you the wisdom, knowledge and understanding you need, and then look for it, listen for it, earnestly seek it—from Him, not from the world.

Scripture
This week we encourage you to read one chapter from Proverbs each day. We suggest that you read the chapter that corresponds with that days date (Monday—Prov. 1, Tuesday—Prov. 2, and so on).

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You and praise You for coming as my Wonderful Counselor. I recognize that you alone, O Lord, are the source of all wisdom. I confess to you my tendency to try to answer my questions with the world’s “wisdom”, which is foolishness to You. Come Lord, I open myself to receive Your wisdom in all areas of my life, especially _________. Amen

Nestucca Cutts

2008-10-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

My friend Jeff spent summer's in Montana fishing small streams with his grandpa, but didn't know where to find small-stream-fly-fishing here in Oregon. Yesterday we went down to the Nestucca in search of some Sea-run Cutthroats.

This was his first time with a flyrod in many years, and it was fun to watch the casting rhythm come back quickly after so long (like riding a bike?) It was even more fun to watch this big one rise to his perfectly placed October Caddis.

Jeff's fighting a nasty cancer in his liver, but I'm praying for many more days like this in the future. The beautiful drive through the falling yellow leaves, the herd of elk, good conversation, and - of course - the fishing, made it a day I'll cherish for years.

Fall Colors

2008-10-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Ah, the beautiful colors of Fall! I had a very productive couple days on the Nestucca, near Blaine on Sunday and Monday.

Trask River

2008-10-08T19:50:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots from Monday on the Trask river.

Searun Cutthroat

Release

Swimming Away... Can you see him?

Drum Machine

2008-10-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

As long as there has been music, there have been drummer jokes. I have had the privilege of working with some great ones, and I have also worked with some of the others... 'nuff said about that. A band-mate of mine sent me this video.

Be sure to double click the video so you can check out the comments. My favorite one... "Is the tractor available New Years Eve?"

Cut Throat

2008-09-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

Pronunciation: \ˈkət-ˌthrōt\
Function: noun
Date:1535
1: killer, murderer

2: a cruel unprincipled person

Based on these definitions, one might understand why I'd want to hunt and catch such a beast (although, most would say "leave this to the authorities.) But you might also be perplexed as to why - after a long fight that left the above mentioned near death - why, oh why would I carefully revive him and let him go on his way to continue his merciless destruction of those smaller and weaker than he?

Well, I did it because it's illegal NOT to let them go. That's right - taking this beast to the local authorities would have earned me a huge fine, and perhaps some jail time! That's because the Cutthroat I was pursuing was this one...

3: a large spotted trout (Oncohynchus Clarki, or Salmo Clarki) chiefly of northwestern North American that has reddish streaks on the integument of the lower jaw.

It was a good day.

East Meets West

2008-08-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

My friend and long-time band mate, Mike Toney, turned me onto these guys. Not sure what to say except it's just really cool!

Christmas in July

2008-08-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Last week, I got to spend a couple days on the Wallowa River with an old friend. Mike is actually the one who taught me to fly fish.

In the evenings, we sat in the deafening silence on his deck (he lives in the woods) eating burgers and catching up - hoping to hear a wolf call or two (the wolves recently discovered in northeastern Oregon are not far from his place).

During the days, we floated the Wallowa River on our pontoon boats - casting to Wallowa Rainbow.

Christmas??? Well, my pontoon boat was a Christmas present from my wife. This was its maiden voyage. It performed swimmingly, and I was grateful for a wife who gave the gift of the boat - and the gift of a couple days to enjoy it.

Thanks Sweetie.

"Gay-Phobic"

2008-07-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Oh my...

Christian Site's Ban on 'G' Word Sends Homosexual to Olympics

What's on Your ipod?

2008-07-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Kevin told me a story today about a dedication of a new Dalit Education Center in India. It seems that the DJ hired to set up the sound system was playing some music through the system while he was setting up.

His first selection was Hindu temple worship music. He was asked to pick something more appropriate to the occasion (these are Christian based education centers)

His second selection was a movie soundtrack. I'm not sure what the movie was but I'm guessing it wasn't Chariots of Fire, as the DJ was promptly asked to pick something more appropriate.

After a while, Kevin found himself humming along to a familiar tune... and a familiar voice. It was yours truly!

How in the world this guy got a hold of my music is anyone's guess (I'm pretty sure he didn't buy the CD), but once I got over the weirdness of being in a playlist with Hindu Temple Worship and some inappropriate movie soundtrack, I actually thought it was cool that some random Indian DJ was playing and listening to music that proclaims Jesus as supreme.

Why I Fish

2008-07-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

In his book "Long Wandering Prayer", David Hansen defines this kind of prayer as thinking outloud in the presence of God. I like that. It goes a long way to explaining what happens with me when I spend a day on the Deschutes river with my Creator.

I see Him in the high desert flora.
(anyone know this plant? the blossom is about 3" across)

I see Him in the wildlife.

I learn lessons about the importance of following closely.

And then, of course, there are the fish.

Maltbie Babcock had it right when he penned this hymn in 1901...

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

I would just add that while some see His beauty and His promise in the rainbow when they look up, I see it when I pull a rainbow out of a river.

Street Sweep Truck Sucks up Dog

2008-06-17T19:12:00.001-07:00

A street-sweeping truck has sucked a dog up through its bristles on a New York street, leaving its horrified owner holding nothing but the leash. Full story here...

Careful where you walk your dog!

Reverend Meredith

2008-06-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

I was watching the NBC folk eulogizing Tim Russert this morning. It sounds like he was a pretty swell guy. Deep faith, family guy, full of joy and life.

Then Meredith Viera, who's child's first word was f*** (guess who he heard that from?), decided to get spiritual on us.

"The last time I spoke with him... he had this big smile and his eyes were full of tears. That's how I think of him. To quote The Lord's Prayer, or paraphrase it - Tim Russert's cup runneth over."

Umm, the Lord's Prayer??? Try the 23rd Psalm Meredith. Maybe you should go back to asking those really hard questions on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

Equally disturbing were her co-hosts knowing nods, as if to say "wow, that was beautiful Meredith." I think I'll puke now.

My Three Sons

2008-06-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had one of the best Father's Days ever. After church, my 2 sons and 1 son-in-law and I loaded up the truck and went out to the Nehalem River for a little fly-fishing.

I had taken Andy out before - and struck out. Renjy had never been before. We went to a sure-fire hole where Ben had hooked his first cutthroat on a fly about a year ago. The favored spot did not disappoint. Both Andy and Renjy caught their first fish on a fly. I've dubbed the hole "First Fish Hole".

We had an awesome time talking, laughing, gasping (as Ben pulled a classic "River Runs Through It" free float, holding his rod overhead), and just enjoying the beauty of the river and each other.

I love to fish, and I love to spend time with the boys. Doing both at the same time made for a near perfect Father's Day. Add to that the awesome news that Katy's "with child", an amazing wife of 26 years who gave me those children, and all I can say is, I'm a blessed man!

The Next Generation

2008-06-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of what I thought was a "normal" Mother's Day meal with Katy & Renjy, the announcement was made. I was speechless. Excited, proud, anxious... and speechless. I'm going to be a grandpa.

As you can see from the picture, there is a little person growing inside my little girl who in about 7 months time, will be welcomed into our world. You can follow the progress on the sidebar.

For those of you who care, please pray for a healthy pregnancy and that God would be preparing the parents for the task ahead.

Cool Tool

2008-03-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Stumbled upon this cool Bible study tool yesterday. Biblemap.org Combines Scripture with Google-maps. Just type in book/chapter you are reading and click on any of the cities mentioned in that verse. Also gives history and current info on that city.

Video of the Week

2008-03-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Recommended Film

2007-11-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

Watched a moving documentary last night. "God Grew Tired of Us" is the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan - their flight to safety in Ethiopia, then Kenya; and finally the immigration of a select few to the U.S.

I won't go into a full review here, but I wanted to comment on one particularly disturbing aspect of the film. It was embarrassing to watch these young men (who had endured incredible hardship, formed their own system of government, prayed fervently for peace, and learned a new culture) treated as if they were stupid, dangerous thugs.

As my wife and I discussed the film, we reflected on some of the prejudice and racism we see in our own community. We were reminded of recent conversations with people from our Multi-Cultural church - one conversation where someone expressed their frustration with 1st generation immigrants who were still learning the language, another conversation with a person who wanted their child in an all-anglo sunday school class, yet another where a person pulled a child from one school because there were too many of a specific ethnic group there. My wife, who sells used books, told me of a book she recently saw that talked about our education system being "dumbed down" because of other ethnicities in the system (I think it may be being "dumbed down", but if it is, it is because those teaching them think they are less capable.) Our son-in-law (an East Indian) has talked about being treated differently everywhere from public places to girlfriends houses simply because he's "brown".

It seems that the thinking goes something like this... "People who look, think, and act like me are smart. People who look, think, and act differently are stupid." Talk about stupid!

My friend Nathan explored this on his blog. Brad, a commenter on this blog, is an educator who is also passionate about cultures coming together in unity. I'm hoping he may have some insight on the education piece of this issue. Others, like Jennifer, have experienced this first hand as one of the growing number of inter-racial marriages.

In the end, I'm convinced that the new kingdom that Jesus invites us into is the only solution to this craziness.

In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:28

What To Do With Evil?

2007-11-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

I just finished "Evil and the Justice of God" by N.T. Wright. Wright is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

This book, as the title implies, explores the problem of evil in our world and develops a theology of what God is doing about it. My brain is still wrestling with some of what he proposes, but near the end of the book, I was really encouraged by this wonderful paragraph.

"...and now (Revelation 5:9-10) the Lamb has ransomed people from every nation in order to make them a royal priesthood, serving God and reigning on the earth. This theme, so frequent in the New Testament and so widely ignored in Christian theology, is part of the solution to the problem [of evil]. It isn't that the cross has won the victory, so there's nothing more to be done. Rather, the cross has won the victory as a result of which there are now redeemed human beings getting ready to act as God's wise agents, his stewards, constantly worshiping their Creator and constantly, as a result, being equipped to reflect His image into His creation, to bring His wise and healing order to the world, putting the world to rights under His just and gentle rule. A truly biblical ecclesiology should focus not so much on the fact that the church is the community of the saved but that the church is the community of those who, being redeemed through the cross, are now to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and to reign on the earth. Our fear of triumphalism on the one hand, and on the other hand our flattening out of our final destiny into talk merely of "going to heaven," have combined to rob us of this central biblical theme. But until we put it back where it belongs we won't see how the New Testament ultimately offers a solution to the problem of evil.

Paraphrased... a big part of what God has saved us for is to work with Him in "putting the world to rights". My question for you... what would that look like in your home, neighborhood, workplace, world?

Pretty Good News

2007-11-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Been doing some reading lately. Well, I actually read quite a lot… just haven’t posted about it much. Okay, I haven’t posted much about anything lately – so this seemed like a good thing to appease the blog-gods. I’ll give you fair warning… this could be a long post.

I should also preface this post by saying that while on the outside I may have the appearance of a well behaved evangelical, on the inside I’m often troubled by the too neat, too “we have all the answers about God” approach that shaped my Christian upbringing. There are times that I find myself caught between a modern and post-modern world; relating to and understanding parts of both, while also rejecting some aspects of both. (some of you might think I’m suffering from a bad case of spiritual bi-polar disorder and need to get help… quick!)

Anyway, one of the things that has bothered me over the years is that the gospel we preach is too small, and perhaps not very relevant. For example, we say that Jesus died for our sins so we can go to heaven. For many, that may be gospel (really good news.) But for many others, we have to first convince them that there is a heaven (and a hell to be avoided) before we explain the gospel, which might end up being just "pretty good news". Surely, a gospel from God would have to be really, really good news. So good, in fact, that it would be hard to resist. And yet, time and time again, my experience tells me that the gospel we preach is pretty resistible by a lot of the people we share it with.

Now, before some of you go crying “Heretic!” or “Blasphemer!” let me try to assure you that I do believe with all my heart that I am a sinner, and my sin caused a separation (death) from God (my source of life), and that Jesus’ work on the cross somehow paid my debt and restored my relationship to God. In fact, part of my frustration has been, how can I believe the above statement – while at the same time, reject that it is not the whole answer? Asking these questions out loud causes really odd looks from some, and real frustration and hurt from others.

There are, you probably realize, several other ways of explaining the gospel. Different theologians over the years have focused on different statements in Scripture to explain the gospel. But each of those explanations seems to leave out aspects of one of the other explanations, and results in a “too small” gospel.

Lately, when discussing the gospel, I’ve sort of landed on this really broad definition that says “the gospel is that the kingdom of God is breaking in, changing everything, and Jesus invites us to be a part of that.” This, of course is way too loose for many – like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall.

I recently read Scot McKnight’s “Embracing Grace” (remember, this post was about reading?). In it, McKnight says that the gospel is too big for just one story to be able to tell it. One metaphor (penal substitution, for example) cannot tell the whole story. In order to tell it, we will need Irenaes’ story of Recapitulation, Anselm’s story of Satisfaction, the early theologian’s story of Ransom, the reformer’s story of Penal Substitution, Abelard’s story of Moral Example, and even more contemporary stories –being written today– like the Christus Victor story. This may make your head spin (it does mine), but at the same time it begins to form a story of Gospel that is VERY BIG and VERY GOOD NEWS.

In the end, McKnight lands on a definition of gospel that says that “the gospel is the work of the triune, interpersonal, relational God to form a community in which cracked Eikons (that’s us – cracked “image of God” people) are restored through the Cross and Resurrection and Pentecost to union with God and communion with others for the good of the world.

I rather like that. And as I talk to people, they seem to think that if such a thing were true, that’d be really good news. Trouble is, they don’t always see us promoting that gospel. But that’s another post.

Expressivo

2007-10-19T21:50:00.001-07:00

My wife hates the way guitar players screw up their faces when they play solos. I tell her that they're just feeling the music and expressing it on their face. This guy takes it to a whole new level!

For those of you who go to my church, how cool would it be if everyone expressed the music this way?

Thanks to Pat at The Good Donut for showing it to me!

Grand Worship

2007-08-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Becki and I visited the Grand Canyon today. As it was the first time for both of us, neither of us was sure what to expect. One of Becki’s family members told us that you are likely to be overwhelmed by the awesome power of God. One of my family members told us that it’s just a big hole in the ground.

I really had no idea what to expect. Really… none. We had extended a “take our son back to college” trip and turned it into a little vacation for the 2 of us. I really hoped it wasn’t just a big hole in the ground, but I also didn’t want to get my hopes too high.

We parked in the lot and walked over to the first of many viewing points. I was amazed! I’m not exaggerating when I say that I couldn’t speak. Not so much because of the sheer beauty (it was beautiful!) but because I felt a strange sense of God’s awesomeness, even presence there. It was kind of a “take off your shoes...” moment. It reminded me of when I was a kid and got to watch my older cousin Randy take in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. He was from Pennsylvania and had never seen such a sight. He just stood there, alone, for the longest time. I guess Becki’s sister was right. Sorry, un-named family member of mine.

The sacredness of the moment was in pretty steep competition with the din of the the crowd. This is peek tourist season, and they (we) were out in droves. Many internationals chattering away in various tongues; children (too many unsupervised) running around, going off the trails, throwing assorted items of clothing over the edge; and young lovers oblivious to their surroundings – clinging and slobbering as if it might be their last goodbye.

No sooner had Becki said something about God getting people’s attention, than a huge black cloud exploded with a flash of lightening, a boom of thunder, and a deluge of huge raindrops. It was as if HE was saying “HEY!!! People... I’m speaking through this creation… shut up and listen.” I’m not sure any of the people heard Him, but they scattered mighty quickly (being native Oregonians, the rain doesn’t bother us) Suddenly the place was empty, we were alone. The holy hush this place deserved was back, and we were both caught up in worship.

We spent the next several hours working our way down the canyon (downstream, not down to the floor) enjoying the vistas and marveling at the constant changes as the sunlight and clouds morphed the picture. Curtains of rain seemed to usher in new scenes, as in a play. As we approached the last viewpoint in the line (Hermit’s Rest) we saw a huge rainbow arching across one of the side canyons. Once again, we were caught up in worship.

We wondered if anyone else was drawn to worship in this place, or had it become just something to do when you’re in Arizona? (kind of like seeing the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona (we did that yesterday, and that’s quite another story).

Well just when a person might give up any hope of God getting credit for any of this, I stumbled across this sign… it’s from Psalm 68:4. Kinda funny, I think. All of the hullabaloo about separation of church and state, and here – at a national park that celebrates the millions and millions of years it took “nature” to carve this ditch – here, at last, God is honored. Very cool.

We finished the visit at sunset with a few hundred people at the Hopi Point Vista, a perfect place for watching sunsets. And you know what? I think in the hushed “wow’s” and “that’s amazing’s”, worship may have happened for some people who never find themselves in a church. I think, for most of us gathered there, there was no escaping Creator’s awesome power and beauty.

Thanks God, for a beautiful day. And thanks for a wonderful soulmate who loves to stand in the rain on the rim of the canyon and worship.

3 Funny Videos

2007-07-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

These are a couple years old now, but I just found them today. They made me cry from laughing so hard...

Karate Kid

Spinach/Spanish

Injured Bad

iTunes Missile

2007-07-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

I received a software update for iTunes this morning. At the suggestion of a friend, I actually read the EULA. Here is item #10 of the agreement...

10. Export Control. You may not use or otherwise export or reexport the Apple Software except as authorized by United States law and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Apple Software was obtained. In particular, but without limitation, the Apple Software may not be exported or re-exported (a) into any U.S. embargoed countries or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Department of Commerce Denied Person’s List or Entity List. By using the Apple Software, you represent and warrant that you are not located in any such country or on any such list. You also agree that you will not use these products for any purposes prohibited by United States law, including, without limitation, the development, design, manufacture or production of missiles, or nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Are they serious?

Too Far?

2007-07-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Bob Hyatt made it into USA Today in an article about churches and patriotism called "Faith Shouldn't be Red, White and Blue". It's a good article. You should read it.

My church is nowhere near the overboard "worshiping America" that he speaks about in the article, but I always find myself a bit torn on these more patriotic weekends (4th of July, Veterans Day, etc.)

I have a deep appreciation for those who, throughout our nation's history, have fought for the freedoms we now enjoy. I also know that for those who have personally fought for our freedom, it is nearly impossible for them to separate patriotism from worship. When they see the flag, they say "I risked my life so that we could gather to worship." Some have family or friends who gave their lives for this cause.

Yesterday, many (most?) churches across the US sang patriotic songs as a part of their worship service. We didn't. Not one. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church with 4 worship services through the weekend. My task (as worship leader) is to lead these diverse generations and ethnicities into a worship experience where they encounter God and are deeply changed in the process. How do I lead Koreans, East Indians, Hispanics, Chinese, Ethiopians, and others in worship through these patriotic anthems?

After one of those 4 services (one that had a high percentage of men who served in WWII) a couple of men that I respect and love came up to me and asked why we couldn't sing at least one patriotic song. "Couldn't we at least sing 'God Bless America'? What's so bad about that song?" I told them that I really appreciate their view on this, but it just didn't fit with the theme we were working with this weekend. They both left disappointed in my answer.

A week ago I was having a conversation about these issues with some guys in their 20's. They were wondering if we could take the flags out of the sanctuary during the services that target younger people. I said "sure, but isn't that the service that our soldiers coming home from Iraq will tend to come to? How would they answer that question?" The 20-somethings didn't know what to say. They had perceived the issue as something pertaining to people 2 generations removed from them... an easy choice.

I am not personally prone to patriotism expressed in church. It just seems too easy to cross the line into "Worshiping America" instead of worshiping God. Our Pastor closed the service yesterday with a great prayer that thanked God for our independence, but also acknowledged that what we really need is for more of us to declare greater dependence... dependence on God. To me, the image above is DEFINITELY crossing that line. But where is the line? Is there a line?

Your thoughts?

Tech Support

2007-06-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently blogged about a communication snafu between he and his wife. It reminded me of one of my favorites…

I was in an online chat session with Dell support to address a malfunctioning computer. Here is the conversation:

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "Thank you for contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Jayati and rep id is 114928. How may I assist you today?"

Dean Christensen: "Several weeks ago we had a laptop repaired. When it came back, there was a letter saying it needed a new AC adapter, but that it was back-ordered. I've heard nothing and would like to know the progress of this support ticket."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "Please let me know if the system working on AC adapter?"

Dean Christensen: "No! The AC adapter was broken and needed replacing. That's what Dell told me. They said that they would be sending one, but it's been several weeks now with no response."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "You need not worry at all, as I will resolve the issue for you."

Dean Christensen: "Okay, thank you."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "However, please confirm me if the light on the AC adapter stays solid green."

Dean Christensen: "You don't seem to understand... let me try again. The computer and AC adapter were sent to Dell for repair. They replaced the Mother Board because the AC connection on the board was faulty. They sent the computer back to me (repaired) and instructed me that the AC adapter was also bad, but a new one had been ordered. It has now been several weeks, and we have not seen that new adapter. I'm wanting to know the status of that ordered part .

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "Thank you for elaborating."

Dean Christensen: "I'm sorry if I wasn't clear in the beginning."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "That is fine."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "I will send you the AC adapter."

Now, I like to think of myself as a guy who is quite capable of multi-tasking. My wife says I should never attempt it, but I still try all the time. On this particular occasion, my wife’s instant message window popped up and she started talking to me about the house or kids or something that I don’t really remember right now. I do remember shifting windows back and forth many times between her and Jayati, the Dell support guy. Suddenly, as I was wrapping up my conversation with my wife, the conversation with Jayati went sideways…

Dean Christensen: "Okay, I love you."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "You what?”

Dean Christensen: "I love you, I’ll see you tonight."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "I’m Sorry?”

Dean Christensen: "Oh! No, I’m sorry, I was talking to my wife."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "Your wife?"

Dean Christensen: "Yes, you see, my wife was talking to me in another window on IM and… you’ll send the AC adapter then?"

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "You need not worry, I will make sure it is sent to you."

Dean Christensen: "Thank you so much for your help."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "Have all your issues been resolved? Are you satisfied with the level of support provided to you in this interaction?"

Dean Christensen: "Yes, thank you"

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "It was a great experience chatting with you. You have been really cooperative."

Dean Christensen: "You too."

Agent (Jayati_01114928): "It was a pleasure assisting you ;-)"

Dean Christensen: "Thanks again… goodbye"

Now, I have no idea what agent Jayati, the Indian support guy for Dell thought of our little chat session – and his little “wink” at the end freaked me out. But I think perhaps my wife is right… I shouldn’t try to multi-task.

Under the Influence

2007-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

I grew up surrounded by music. My grandmother began teaching me to play piano at about 4 years old. One of my uncles had a Johnny Cash album that I loved listening to when I was at his house (loved “Ring of Fire). Another uncle gave my family a Kris Kristofferson record that was great (Jesus Was a Capricorn… loved the harmonies with him and Rita Coolidge).

The first album that was my very own left a mark though. I played it ‘til the grooves were going through the other side. That first album was Elton John’s 1974 release of his greatest hits. It was quickly followed with an earlier release simply called Elton John. My dad made fun of him, calling him Elton Toilet (you know, like “I gotta go to the John”), but I couldn’t get enough – and my playing began to take on Elton’s influence… that heavy bass line and the percussive right hand. (the old ladies in church never stopped complaining about my "banging on the piano")

Around that same time, I started listening to KINK radio here in Portland. On KINK, I discovered James Taylor and Jackson Browne. While they were primarily guitar players, they both left a bit of a folk-rock mark on me.

A couple years later I discovered Billy Joel. Now Billy was tough… a boxer… and a “piano man”. I was in high-school now and discovered that while all the guys thought playing the piano was gay, the girls loved it. Cool! I even wrote some “Just the Way You Are-esque” love songs (they’re horrible!) and added some of Billy’s chord progressions and voicings to my tool-kit . Billy’s signature dress was jeans with a sport coat and tennis shoes. I started dressing like him too.

In 1978 (the year I graduated high-school) I discovered a new sound. The Doobie Brothers had recently hired a replacement for their leader, Tom Johnston. His name was Michael McDonald. It was almost like I was hearing music for the first time. I quickly began acquiring every Michael McDonald recording I could find. I also began adding his percussive R&B rhythms to my playing. He was a god to me (not the greatest thing, but I guess we all do it). I made a comment to a mentor of mine about how cool it would be if Michael became a Christian and wrote Christian songs. He challenged me to pray for him. I started doing that. Slowly, over the years as I followed his career, I noticed his searching lyrics began including answers. In 2001 he released a Christmas album called “In the Spirit”. On it, the song “Peace” tells of his journey to Christ. He had become a Christian. He doesn’t know me, we’ve met… talked briefly… and he doesn’t know I prayed for him. But I’m convinced it worked. And one might even ask "who influenced whom?"

Anyway, those are the big musical influences in my life. Matt, you asked.

PS – I’ve never listened to a Keith Green album, so he isn’t one of the influences… sorry, Keith fans.

Let Sleeping Blogs Lie

2007-04-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Bit o' the Blogger Block going on here. Cut me some slack.

Help me Laugh, Help me Cry

2007-02-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:15 says "Rejoice with those who rejoice, Weep with those who weep."

This story reminds me of one way that happens in a faith community.

A four-year-old child's next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Pretty dang cool, I think.

Tags:

life

Ingmar Bergman on Art & Worship

2007-02-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Ingmar Bergman was a filmmaker who was particularly known for depicting rather dark stories on the silver screen. A few years ago, a friend shared this quote with me (in bold font below) that I found to be really intriguing, and quite insightful. I'd love to hear your thoughts on his statements.

“People ask what are my intentions with my films – my aims. It is a difficult and dangerous question, and I usually give an evasive answer: I try to tell the truth about the human condition, the truth as I see it. This answer seems to satisfy everyone, but it is not quite correct. I prefer to describe what I would like my aim to be. There is an old story of how the cathedral of Chartres was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Then thousands of people came from all points of the compass, like a giant procession of ants, and together they began to rebuild the cathedral on its old site. They worked until the building was completed - master builders, artists, labourers, clowns, noblemen , priests, burghers. But they all remained anonymous, and no one knows to this day who built the cathedral of Chartres.

"Regardless of my own beliefs and my own doubts, which are unimportant in this connection, it is my opinion that art lost its basic creative drive the moment it was separated from worship. It severed an umbilical cord and now lives its own sterile life, generating and degenerating itself. In former days the artist remained unknown and his work was to the glory of God. He lived and died without being more or less important than other artisans; 'eternal values,' 'immortality' and 'masterpiece' were terms not applicable in his case. The ability to create was a gift. In such a world flourished invulnerable assurance and natural humility. Today the individual has become the highest form and the greatest bane of artistic creation.

"The smallest wound or pain of the ego is examined under a microscope as if it were of eternal importance. The artist considers his isolation, his subjectivity, his individualism almost holy. Thus we finally gather in one large pen, where we stand and bleat about our loneliness without listening to each other and without realizing that we are smothering each other to death. The individualists stare into each other's eyes and yet deny the existence of each other.

"We walk in circles, so limited by our own anxieties that we can no longer distinguish between true and false, between the ganter's whim and the purest ideal. Thus if I am asked what I would like the general purpose of my films to be, I would reply that I want to be one of the artists in the cathedral on the great plain. I want to make a dragon's head, an angel, a devil - or perhaps a saint - out of stone. It does not matter which; it is the sense of satisfaction that counts.

"Regardless of whether I believe or not, whether I am a Christian or not, I would play my part in the collective building of the cathedral.”

Stuff Happens

2007-01-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Stuff happens.

What do the world’s religions have to say about this vexing existential problem?

Taoism: Stuff happens. Who gives a stuff?

Hinduism: This stuff has happened before and will happen again.

Buddhism: The stuff that happens doesn’t really.

Zen: What is the sound of stuff happening?

Islam: The stuff that will happen will happen.
Judaism: Lord, why is this stuff happening to me?

Evangelicalism: Jesus, we praise you, we bless you, and we just really wanna ask "why this stuff isn’t happening to someone else"?

Catholicism: Stuff happens because you deserve it.

Open Theism: Stuff happens to God too.

Pentecostalism: Tuffs appensh.

High Church Anglicans: Verily, verily, stuff happeneth.

Atheism: Stuff happens. Then you die. No more stuff.

Rastafarianism: Let’s smoke the stuff.
Hare Krishna: "Stuff" happens! "Stuff" happens! "Stuff" happens! "Stuff" happens! . .

Jehovah's Witnesses: Let us in and we'll tell you why stuff happens.
Quakers: Quietly praise God for the blessings that stuff brings.

Calvinists: Stuff won't happen to you if you work hard enough.

Christian Scientists: Agree that there is no stuff.

Televangelists: Stuff won't happen to you if you send in your love offering.

Any that were missed?

HT to Monastic Mumblings for this hilarious bit of... stuff.

A "Creed" from the Book of Hebrews

2007-01-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

Some of you have asked for a copy of the "creed" we read from the Book of Hebrews this weekend. Here it is...

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.

We believe that Jesus is the heir of all things and the creator of the universe. He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He provided purification for our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven and serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

Therefore, since we have a Great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
This high priest meets all our needs—He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from their sins.

Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

And let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Tags:

worship

Meditating on Hebrews 11

2007-01-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

We’re studying Hebrews 11 right now. I can already tell that this is going to be another series where God really messes with us… or rather, “messes with ME.”

We started two weeks ago by looking at the first 2 verses. From those verses, we got a definition of faith. We learned that faith is acting on a God implanted hope. A hope that sees the unseen in a way that becomes more real than the things we see with our eyes.

So this week, we looked at Abel – the first in the list so many of us have come to know as the “Hall of Faith”. Abel, as you may recall, was the first homicide victim in the Bible. He and his brother both brought an offering to the Lord. His offering pleased the Lord, his brother Cain’s did not. Cain got ticked and killed him.

So a couple things came into focus for me this weekend…

A God-implanted Hope.
So, what was Abel’s hope that he was acting on when he brought the better offering? I’ve been stewing on this for a couple weeks now; even looking ahead to the people who will be mentioned in the coming weeks. I can’t seem to get away from the thought that the “God-implanted hope” was not a specific task. It was bigger than that. Sure, specific actions flowed out of that hope as they acted in faith, but I’m thinking that the hope was on a pretty grand scale.

What if Abel’s “hope” was a restored worship? A proper understanding of who God is with a deep desire to respond to Him appropriately. Or how ‘bout Enoch? Could it be that he somehow had a God-planted hope, or longing for an intimacy with God that men hadn’t known since The Garden? Noah? 2 Peter 2:5 tells us he was a herald of righteousness. Did his God-implanted hope come from looking around and seeing nothing but evil?

I guess what I’m thinking is perhaps there was a hope for the Kingdom of God to be realized. To return to it. I’m not positive this holds up through the whole chapter, but it’s something I’m meditating on.

All of this also causes me to question what the God-implanted hope is in me. What is it in you?

Abel’s Worship
Something else that came into focus for me this weekend had to do with worship. As pastor John talked about Abel’s worship, he asked us to consider our own worship. He said many churches being built today are built to be an auditorium, others are built more like a night-club. But, he said, really the sanctuary is an altar. As he said that, it occurred to me that an altar is really an instrument of death. It’s a place where you sacrifice something, and the thing being sacrificed is killed.

What does that mean for us? Well, it seems to me that if this is true (and I believe it is), then every time we come to worship, something in us must die. That’s pretty contrary to how we tend to think of worship. There are a lot of people out there (I call them worship junkies) who love the feeling they get when the music plays and they sing. Doesn’t sound very much like an execution, now does it? It seems to me that we do a pretty poor job of coming into worship with a right mindset. I’m afraid we tend to approach worship much more like Cain than Abel. An approach that asks the question “how little can I give and still fulfill my duty?” rather than “I am nothing, God is everything, He owns it all anyway, I’m going to give it all.”

Following Abel’s lead, the only thing we should desire to get out of worship is the pleasure of God. In the end, his reward was simply that… and an intimacy with God (through death) that exceeded any other reward.

What’s in a Name?
Lastly, it was pointed out that Abel is a name that means “vapor”, or “nothing”. Here one minute, gone the next. Now, pastor made a bit of a joke about how maybe his parents coulda done a better job naming him. But I got thinking that maybe his name was sort of prophetic. Could it be that his name speaks to his understanding of his self importance in light of the greatness of God? Could it also be that God knew that Vapor’s (Abel’s) life would be cut short? Here one moment, gone the next.

Not “preaching”… just pondering.

Tags:

Worship

Wind Storm 2006

2006-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

Then God said to Jonah, "What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?" Jonah said, "Plenty of right. It's made me angry enough to die!" (Jonah 4:9 - The Message)

Angry enough to die? No, but it kinda put a damper on the weekend.

Amazing... Grace-less

2006-11-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like... Ted Haggard.

That great hymn is likely one of the best known hymns in the world. Even movies and TV portray religious people singing this song when they show a "church" scene.

It's interesting to me how quick we "wretches" are to condemn when others fall into sin. While the media is having its hey-day with Ted Haggard and his sin, Christians are having their own shark fest with him too. We seem to forget the Apostle Paul's words after his long list of sins that prevent people from inheriting the Kingdom of God - "...and such were some of you."

This past weekend, my church began a series in the book of Jonah. We all remember him as the guy who tried to run from God. Few of us remember why. Chapter 4 gives us the answer. Jonah knew that God was compassionate, full of mercy and grace, and would forgive the Ninevites if they repented. They did, and He did. Jonah had a grace-less heart.

One of my favorite scenes in "Walk the Line" is when Johnny Cash is going to sing in prison and his agent doesn't want him too. His agent says "There are a lot of Christians who support your music and they don't like the idea of you going into the prisons." Cash's response is perfect... "Well then, maybe they're not Christians."

Please understand, I believe that sin is ugly. I believe that as pure worship rises to God as sweet smelling incense, the stench of sin rises to Him like the smell of a dead animal rotting under your house. It is especially tragic when one who is preaching against specific areas of sin is secretly practicing those very sins.

However, grace is the theme of the church. It's the song we sing. It's the one of the few things we have to offer the world (along with the very presence of God living through us). I wonder... will those watching Christians attack pastor Haggard will see grace? Would they see grace in how we treat the homosexual community Haggard preached against, yet was alledgedly enmeshed in?

It seems to me that what they need to see is sorrow over the destructiveness of sin; and prayer for all those who will pay for the sinful choices.

If the words of the song are true, then we have no choice but to extend that same grace to others. After all, our namesake - the One we follow does. And boy, am I glad.

Halloween Flashback

2006-10-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, my friends and I would stay up late and watch Saturday Night Live (back when it was actually funny!). After SNL (so, like at 1am) was SCTV; a Canadian comedy show that introduced us to Great White North with Bob & Doug McKenzie (Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis). The show also gave us our first glimpses of John Candy, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, and other really funny people.

One of my favorites was Joe Flaherty and John Candy in Count Floyd's Monster Chiller Horror Theatre. Here's a sample... Dr. Tongue's 3D House of... Pancakes. Scarey!!!

Blog Blots

2006-10-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came into my office today; laughing and shaking his head. I asked him what was up, and he said that he had been reading some blogs and had discovered the service they provide to our society.

I, of course, asked him to enlighten me. He then told me that blog posts and the comments they generate serve as a pre-screening for people who are in serious need of psycho-therapy.

His belief was that most of the people who post and comment have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

What does this say about me?

Wanna comment?

Tags:

life

The Lonliest Place on Earth?

2006-09-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

I work weekends. Have for about 25 years. I work at a church. And I don't get out much. I mean, I don't have the opportunity to get out and see what's going on at other churches very often. When I have a weekend off, I like to visit other churches. Not just to check out what other churches are doing, but to be led into worship - rather than being the worship leader.

In the past couple years, I've faced a very disturbing question. If I didn't work for a church, would I go to church? The question really scares me, because when I visit churches I tend to leave very discouraged. Most times, I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to find a church that would compel me to keep coming back.

There are basically 3 things I'm looking for in church. Maybe there are more, but I find that if these 3 are there, I leave feeling like I'd like to go back. The big 3 for me are Community - Authenticity - and did I meet with God? If the first two aren't there, it makes it hard for me to discern the 3rd.

I visited a couple other churches this weekend. Both were relatively new, growing churches in the Portland area. For the most part, the focus of this post will be just one of those churches. It's the cool place to go right now. Lots of young families go there. There's not a great way to say this, and I don't really mean for it to be critical, but it was an example of why I fear that I wouldn't go to church if I didn't work there.

Briefly, my experience was this - I walked in, looking for all the world like a lost puppy. I walked past the man at the door, hoping for a "good morning" and a program that would help me know what to expect. I got neither. I found my way into the worship center and sat down. For nearly 15 minutes, I sat alone - watching other people talk to each other. It appeared that there was some kind of community going on here - I just wasn't invited to be a part of it. No one talked to me. As the service started, there were lots of inside jokes and inside illustrations the pastor mostly talked about his family and his staff (oh, wait... those were the same). Again, many of the people there seemed to be connected, but I remained a stranger.

Authenticity is a very hard thing to judge. All I will say here is that it "felt" pretty plastic to me.

Lastly, did I meet with God? We sang familiar songs. The band was decent. The sermon was okay (not great, but no heresy). But the service was absent of any sense of transcendence for me. Not once did I feel a connection with God.

No connection with people. No connection with God. Shoulda stayed home. You see why I'm afraid of that question? Not only does it scare me that I wouldn't attend church if I didn't work at one, it also scares me because every week there are people who wander into the church I work at. Is their experience similar to mine? Oh God, I hope not.

If you're a person who calls Village your home, please - please - please go out of your way to include people. Be aware of those around you who may not be feeling a part of the community. Don't let church be a lonely place. Don't be plastic. Be real, in your conversations and in your worship. And together, let's seek after an encounter with God. Please don't sit passively watching the show. Engage with God. Come to the Table and commune with Him. Use your gifts to minister those around you. Be the church.

If, God forbid, you've visited my church and were alone - I'm sorry. I hope you've found a worshiping community that has enfolded you. If not, maybe you'd give us another shot at it.

One more thing. I visited another church yesterday. A church that gave me hope. I left saying to myself - "I could go there".

Tags:

Worship

Leaky Roof... an Addendum

2006-08-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'd like to comment on something I find really cool about the previous post. I've done a lot of teaching on worship over the past 20+ years. One of the points I have made has to do with the Biblical understanding of the word "praise".

Years ago, Hebrew professor Dr. Ron Allen taught me something that's found in his book "Praise: A Matter of Life and Breath". To teach the point he made, I've told a story... a parable - if you will.

There was a man (I usually tell the story as if it happened to me) who had a leaky roof. It was really bad. Every night when it rained, he wondered where the water would come in to his house that night.

One day, a friend found out that his roof was leaking. He came over to help patch the roof and found that the roof was beyond repair, and would need to be replaced. But the man didn't have enough money to pay for a new roof. This friend said, "let me see what I can do."

A few days later, the friend showed up with tools, materials, and workers to put a new roof on the house. They worked hard; and in a week's time, they had a new roof on the house.

Now, as you can imagine, the man with the leaky roof is overwhelmed with gratitude for this act of kindness. He didn't ask them to do it; he didn't even tell them I needed it; but they came and gave and worked because they loved him.

In our culture, when it was all finished, I would shake their hands and say "thank you". However, if I lived in Hebrew culture during Bible times, I wouldn't say that. You see, the concept of "thank you" didn't exist. Instead, my response would be to shake their hand and say to them "I will tell your name." And then I would go around the community and brag on the kindness of those who had helped me. I might say "Do you know Brad?... You don't? Well, let me tell you about him. See he heard that my roof was leaking and he talked with Aser and they rounded up some guys and materials..." and I proceed to tell the story.

Biblical praise is the "I will tell your name." It's bragging on God for who He is and what He's done, and what He will do in the future.

So, I just think it's pretty amazing that after 20 years of using that illustration, I'm now living it.

Thanks God... I'm gonna tell your name.

Tags:

worship

Getting My Feet Washed... On My Roof

2006-08-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, we studied John 13. That's the story of when Jesus washes the disciple's feet. As you may remember - Jesus was about to die; He was in the "upper room" with His disciple's for the "last supper"; and in an act of profound servanthood, He washes the dirt (dust, donkey doo, and cow crap) off of their feet. The disciples were humiliated at being served by their Lord, but Jesus said "...unless I wash you, you have no part with me". Jesus ends the story by telling the disciples that they should do the same for each other.

Some churches have even initiated foot-washing services in an attempt to obey this command. However, as we looked at the story, we discovered that the message was really about serving each other, not about washing feet. We talked about several different ways we can serve each other.

We were challenged to consider a ministry of...

Presence - Just being there
Going to marginal places - Nursing homes, Homeless shelters, etc.
Availability - Willingness to be interrupted in our busy schedules
Surrender - Giving up rights, money, things
Anonymity - Doing, without expecting acknowledgement
Guarding - Protecting each other's reputations
Receiving - Yes, receiving help from others can be a form of service

Well, this past week, I got my feet washed up on my roof. A group of guys from my church knew that my roof was in disrepair. They also knew that I did not have the funds to pay for a new roof. So, a couple of them decided to get a crew together and take care of it. They took care of materials, labor, food for the crew, everything.

When I was first approached, I really struggled with it. It was humbling to be in a position to receive help from others. In fact I took a couple weeks to think about it before I said "okay". When I finally did respond, I said "my pride says 'no', but my theology says 'yes'". See, I was like Peter in the foot-washing story. Peter said to Jesus "No, Lord! You'll never wash my feet!" He was too proud. So was I.

But my pride nearly kept me from getting a huge blessing. Of course, the roof was a huge blessing. But even better than that, was the sense of community and camaraderie that we all got to experience. I got to hear guy's stories about how they came to faith in Jesus. I got to work along side some 13 year olds who did a man's share of work each day, and came back for more the next day. I got to "know" some guys that were just faces before. Now I have relationship with them. Huge.

There's a lot of talk these days about how a big church can't have community. I just want to say that's bunk. Maybe it takes more intentionality. Maybe it's harder to pull off. But Brad, Aser, Chris, Cyrus, Ross, Ross Jr., Scott, Bobby, Erik, Richard, Seth, JR, Bob, Buddy, Ted, Kelly, James, Wayne, Dave, David, Ken, Eric, Mike, Alex, Paul, Rob, Ron, Kimberly, Shirley, Chick, Cheryl, Sarah, Michelle, Emily, and Elyse all showed me that community does still exist. The old fashioned "barn-raising" is still possible.

At the very end of the story of the foot-washing is this statement "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing." If that statement is true (and I believe it is) then not only have I been blessed by this roof project, but all of you who served will be too. God's cool that way, huh?

Tags:

Worship

Reflections on a Wedding...

2006-07-05T11:02:00.001-07:00

My first post on this blog was right after the engagement of my daughter. This past weekend, she was married. As the father of the bride, I’ve given myself a couple days to reflect on this new stage of life (as much for me as for her) and try to process some of the emotions I’ve been experiencing.

Things that surprised me…

Father of the Bride - I have either sung or officiated at about 350 weddings (in fact, I think I’ve only “attended” about 3 or 4 in my life.) So, I’m pretty familiar with how they are supposed to run. I know where people are supposed to stand or sit, what they are supposed to say, and nearly every other minute detail of how things should go. I was surprised with how much I didn’t know about this wedding. I became the stereotypical father of the bride who only knows he is to take that long walk down the aisle and proclaim (or quiver) “…her mother and I.”

Worship - Most weddings are the biggest day of a bride’s life. It is a day she has dreamed of since childhood, and we all encourage the fairy tale aspect of a wedding. One local wedding chapel advertises on its website “…well Cinderella, you’ve found your price charming! Now all you need is the perfect ballroom…”

I’ve been in other ceremonies where the couple’s desire was for the event to be one of worship. And so, they have a worship band lead the congregation in singing. They have the elements many would associate with worship. And, I believe, God honors their intent.

However, in this wedding, there was no “congregational singing”, no opportunity for response. Katy & Renjy stated in their program that all the attention on them makes them extremely uncomfortable and that they did not want to do anything that would steal any of God’s glory. In other words, this event was to be all about God. The music, the message (one of the best I’ve ever heard), and every element of the ceremony pointed to God, His supremacy, and His goodness. Not even a single love song to each other.

What surprised me was that more than any wedding I’ve ever been to (and more than most church services) worship happened. Looking back, I say “of course, that’s what we wanted”… but it still surprised me – caught me off guard, in a wonderful way.

No Tears, Just Joy - For the past several years, whenever I have seen the bride walk down the aisle, I’ve gotten choked up anticipating the day when I would walk Katy the aisle. I pretty much knew I would be a mess when the time came. However, when the moment came, I was so caught up in worship – so overwhelmed with a profound sense of God’s goodness and His pleasure with this event, that I could do nothing but join that “celebration dance” and escort my daughter down that aisle with greater joy than I can recall in years… perhaps since that precious daughter was born.

A bit of advice on how to marry a daughter…

I realize that most of you don’t know my new son-in-law. Renjy is an amazing addition to our family. When they became engaged, many of my daughter’s girlfriends said “wow, he’s hot!” My wife’s friends all talked about the beautiful children they would have one day. There was no shortage of young women at this wedding looking mighty forlorn, wishing it was they who were walking down the aisle with Renjy. And, no shortage of young men wishing it was they who were waiting at the front of the church for Katy. I have been the envy of many a father with a marriageable daughter. Many of them have asked me “how did you get so lucky to get Renjy as a son-in-law?”

Here’s what I know… from the day she was born, we began praying for who Katy’s spouse would be. Praying that he would be a devoted follower of Jesus. Praying that his parents would model for him what a godly marriage relationship looks like. Praying for his purity in relationships, and that he would save himself for Katy.

We also taught Katy from a very early age that beauty, true beauty, comes from the inside, not from the outside. Not from dressing a certain way, or having a lot of makeup on. True beauty would come from her Spirit-driven compassion for people, and from the light of Christ shining out of her. Her name means “pure” and we were convinced that a character of purity would be an attractive light others. And we prayed that God would cause her to live out that purity. She has done that. And in his own words, that character is what drew Renjy to Katy.

Raise them to love and follow God. And pray for them everyday. Simple. Ha! Not simple at all. It’s a lot of hard work. But sitting back, reflecting on this day, it was worth it.

Thanks God, for pouring out Your blessings on us.

Tags:

life

A Good Place To Be...

2006-06-05T16:09:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I found myself discouraged in ministry and questioning whether I should hang in where I was serving, go find another ministry to serve in, or leave it entirely and go back to being a tile setter (my previous trade).

I pretty quickly ruled out setting tile, as I still had a strong sense of God’s call on my life and a gifting for leading worship. But I decided that I would look for another church to go to. I had become convinced that I had to go somewhere else to find the church I was looking for.

Over the course of about 2 years God (I’m convinced it was God, and not just coincidence) closed door after door. One of the last ones I pursued was a “done deal” in everyone’s mind. It was a perfect fit, and we would be moving to the other side of the country. Then at the 11^th hour, God again closed the door. I knew with certainty that He wanted me to stay, but I was not very happy about it. I had become resigned to the fact that I may never find the church I was looking for.

Then an amazing thing happened. God began to change me, and He began to change us. Slowly, but surely, I began to see glimpses of that church I was looking for… right here! A church committed to being something more than a gathering of white people, pretending to be perfect, going through the motions of “church”.

This weekend was a continuation of that discovery. This weekend we looked at the conversation between Jesus, the shaming Pharisees, and a woman caught in adultery. Jesus masterfully calls them on their “shame game”, extends grace and forgiveness to the woman, and all the while maintains a strong stance on purity “…now go, and quit sinning.”

After spending some time in John 8, we responded in worship by acknowledging that all of us have “junk” (the Bible calls it sin) and that we’d be a whole lot better off if we’d just admit it (the Bible calls that confession) and allow the cross to do what it was intended to. A friend of mine says that the church ought to be more like an AA meeting “Hi, I’m Dean, I’m a sinner”… “Hi Dean.” I think he’s right.

We ended the service with a testimony by one of our staff and their spouse. In it, they “came clean” on a pretty big sin committed years ago. They talked about how shame had kept them hostage for years. Afterwards, people embraced this couple, affirmed their love for them, and many began to seek freedom from their own shame. I also know that in many churches, perhaps most, this person would have been ostracized and removed from any kind of ministry.

As I led and observed authentic, deep worship happening, and saw multiple ethnicities coming up to extend grace to this couple, I thought to myself “man, I’m glad I stayed”. Then I offered up a simple prayer “thank you, Lord for closed doors… this is a good place to be.”

Tags:

worship

My First American Idol

2006-05-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

I watched my very first episode of American Idol last week. I'm probably one of the only people in the country that's never seen it, so I was asking questions along the way about how this whole thing works. My friends graciously guided me along.

It was "Elvis" week on Idol. So, all of the contestants sang old Elvis songs. Here's my take on the 4 contestants I heard.

Taylor Hicks (unfortunate name, I think) did a nice job with "Jailhouse Rock". He had a bluesy, New Orleans quality to his voice. I bet he'd sound good doing anything by Michael McDonald.

Katherine McPhee did a peppy, fun version of "Hound Dog" with "Shake, Rattle, and Roll". She reminded me of that chick in "Walk the Line" - lots of bubble, okay voice. Someone mentioned she can't dance, and forgot the words.

Chris Daughtry sang something I can't remember and looked into the camera like he was trying to pick me up. Felt creepy. And what's the deal with carrying around the microphone stand? Dude... get a guitar or somethin'! His voice was pretty good though.

Elliot Yamin sang something (again, I don't remember what) looking for all the world like Mr. Tumnis in the Chronicles of Narnia, only with really bad teeth (ugh!) Worst of all, he has this machine-gun vibrato that really grates on me. I mean, it's toltally out of control! I'll take the Cowardly Lion from "The Wizard of Oz" over this guy.

And in the end, I learn that I have to wait till the next night to find out how the voiting went. Well, the next night floored me! America likes Machine-gun Tumnis and votes the guy who can sing off!? We live in a weird world.

Moral of the story? Don't carry your mic-stand around. People don't like it.

Accidental Busynessman

2006-05-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know… it’s been a while. Too long. But I've been really busy. It’s funny to me that my last post was about the “big hill” of Easter. I didn’t know it then, but right after that – the really steep switchbacks would start. I think (knock on wood) that the terrain is now going to level out for a bit.

The week after Easter I had a little “procedure” to correct an umbilical hernia (who ever heard of that? – crazy!) It was a day-surgery, so I thought I’d be back in the groove in a day, right? Wrong. Took about a week to feel that my bowels weren’t going to fall out of my belly. (sorry, that’s sick – I know)

The week after that, I traveled to Atlanta for a conference on how to have a Multi-Ethnic church. Very good stuff. I think I was most moved by a message by Mark DeYmaz of Mosaic Church in Littlerock. He gave a great message on the Biblical mandate for Multi-Ethnic church. So much more than Rodney King’s “why can’t we just get along.” I was really honored to be there with an Indian, a Korean, an El Salvadorian, and a Chinese… all from our leadership team at our church. We’ve got a long way to go, but at least we’re going the right direction.

The next week I was in Klemtu, BC. Klemtu is on a small island (10 miles by 15 miles) off the BC coast. There is a First Nations fishing village there that we’ve been working with for about 5 years. I was up there to do a seminar on building better relationships. Klemtu is a very isolated, hard place. There are about 350 people who live there. Every time I go, I leave with a heavy feeling. It’s not a hopeless feeling (I’m confident of our hope in Jesus) but it is a pretty helpless feeling. Pray for them if you’re given to that sort of thing.

I returned from Klemtu, slept one night in my own bed, and then headed out to the Oregon coast for a planning retreat with the pastors of our church. It was a good time, and we got a lot of good work done.

In that past couple days, many people have asked “how are ya?” My response started sounding too familiar… “busy… too busy” I would say. Something felt funny to me as I said that. Then, sitting in the worship service listening to the sermon, the words left the pulpit and headed out over the congregation like a freshly launched missile looking for it’s target… beep, beep, beep, target found! I didn’t even see it coming. Out of nowhere (the sermon wasn’t even about being busy) I heard “Jesus was always intentional, and He was never in a hurry.” Wham! Got me.

I hear a lot of people say they're really busy. I’m sure they are too. Most of us are. And here in America, it’s a badge we wear proudly. It gives us status. The more busy we are, the more important we must be. Or maybe people will think we’re really earning our keep. Or maybe they’ll feel sorry for us. Probably not. More likely, they’ll feel guilty and create more busy-ness for themselves.

I know that there are seasons of life that require more from us, like this past month for me. But that statement really got me thinking. In my busy-ness, am I just in a hurry? Do I like the busy-ness because it makes me feel like I’m doing a good job? Or am I being intentional with my time. Making the most of every opportunity, as the Apostle Paul says.

I think I’m going to try something. I think I’m going to try not telling people I’m busy. Maybe I can do something to break that crazy cycle in my circle of influence.

That's all for now... gotta run (just kidding)

Big Hill... Better than Disneyland

2006-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Years ago, we lived in a house that had 14 steps up to the front door. One Halloween a tiny little guy dressed as some in-vogue super-hero made the long climb up the stairs while my wife held the door open and waited for his magic words that would deliver candy. "Whew... Big hill" was what came out. Ever since, "Whew... Big hill" has become the code phrase in our home for "That was a long, hard day."

In my job, there are two times a year that are crazy-busy big hills. Christmas and Easter. Today ended the second of those for me. This past week was a grueling big hill that had most days starting at 4am and ending at about 11pm. By all rights, I should be feeling burnt out. My body and my brain are tired. But I feel a deep sense of gratification tonight.

This week, we ran a worship experience we call a Christ Centered Labyrinth. It is a multi-sensory, multi-media encounter with God that left most people only able to whisper "wow" as they left. We held a Good Friday service where we unashamedly grieved the death of Jesus, but not through "Easter eyes". People allowed the gravity and injustice of the crucifixion to wreck their evening and their weekend. At the end, the incense rose up through the gnarled cross hung in the center of the room and we moved through a "virtual" Stations of the Cross and the 7 last words of Jesus, many wept uncontrollably. Today, we celebrated that Jesus is no longer dead; that he didn't stay in the grave, but rose to secure life for all who would follow him. What a journey.

Last year I had a revelation... an epiphany. After hosting the labyrinth all day, I figured out what I love about this week. I'm a worship leader. And at its core, that has nothing to do with music - and everything to do with connecting people with God. That's what I get to do during Holy Week. Help connect people with God. What a privilege.

One woman came out of the labyrinth crying and struggling to find words to express her feelings. After a few minutes she said, "that was better than Disneyland." Yep, it is. Thanks to all who helped pull off this week. Thanks to all who came to experience it. Thanks God, for showing up. You're a lot better than Disneyland.

Tags:

worship

Hindu Woman Describes a Worship Leader

2006-04-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

An elderly hindu couple came to church today with a friend. Because of the language barrier, there was much they did not understand. But my friend told me afterwards that they were very moved by the worship time after the sermon. Speaking of the worship leader, the hindu woman said that "... his spirit became one with the Divine Spirit."

Humbled, and honored.

Tags:

Worship

Bono - fied

2006-04-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of friends who worship Bono. Really kinda bugs me. Bugs me like Amy Grant worship did in the 80's. Bugs me like Beatles worship bugged my father-in-law in the 60's. So many Christians look for any hint of spirituality in their heroes so they can justify worshiping them. Stupid. You like their music? Great. Listen to their music. But quit trying to convince me that they are the next Billy Graham.

Anyway, Bono's a great musician, hugely popular, and that gives him a platform. My opinion is that most famous people should shut up and sing, or shut up and act, or maybe just shut up. Too many times they go on and on about stuff they know nothing about, and because they sing good - people listen, and follow.

So, a friend sent me this link to a speach Bono did at a prayer breakfast at the Whitehouse. I thought... "O great, here we go again." Wow, was I wrong.

This is a great speach. I don't know who wrote it (probably not Bono) or if he even said everything that's in print here, but it doesn't matter. This blog entry isn't really about Bono. It's about being Christ in the world, and these are powerful words about that. Hope it gets you thinking like it did me.

Tags:

life
worship

“Christians are S’posed to go to Church…”

2006-03-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

This weekend I tried something different in worship. Usually one of the professional “clergy” does the Call to Worship, or Invocation (2 sides of a coin that invites the people and God to come together). These generally range from some really nice ones from Scripture, to some pretty informal ones that are more like… “hey, we’re here to worship and we’re gettin’ started”.

But this weekend, I decided “what the heck, we’re a whole room full of priests (1 Peter 2:9) – why don’t we have someone from the community pray the invocation. Now, this can be a bit scary if no one steps up – but thankfully, in each service, someone did. And it was really, really good. The prayers were really beautiful, unrehearsed cries for God to come and meet with us, and for us to be changed in His presence. And, I think for the most part, God really answered those prayers.

In one of the services, a young woman prayed. Her prayer was so honest, and so beautiful, and so… sacred. It was the prayer of a priest. In her honesty, she said “God, I don’t really know why I’m here tonight.” And later… “but please come here and meet with us tonight, cuz we really need you.” But in between those statements, right after the “…I don’t know why I’m here tonight.” She said “… I just know Christians are supposed to go to church.”

“Christians are supposed to go to church.” Really? I just finished a book by Eddie Gibbs on the Emerging Church. It’s a sociological study of emerging churches around the world and what we can learn from them. In it he talks about one church that made t-shirts for their members. On the front of the shirt it said “Don’t Go To Church”. On the back it said “Be The Church”. I was thinking about this after “church” on Saturday night. I’d love for us to have shirts like that. But even more, I’d love for us to put that into practice.

Many of the people who come to the Saturday night service are younger people who really identify with a lot of the emergent church language. So, when I quote Gibbs about being the church rather than just going, they are all over that like stink on a pig (I have a cowboy friend who says that). There is a growing understanding that the church must be missional, must be Christ in the community, in the world. I’m all over that like… well you know. One of my favorite (and most convicting) Scriptures is Isaiah 58 where God talks about the kind of fast he desires. It’s not a fast from food, but rather a fast from selfishness where we take care of the poor and the hungry, the orphan and the widow. If we want to please God, that kind of living is not an option. It is a mandate for the church (James hits this in his book in the New Testament too)

However, sometimes we (dang… I’m gonna step on toes here) get excited about “being the Church” out there, and forget that “being the Church” also means when we’re gathered. In fact, while the word “Church” carries a meaning of “called out ones”, its main meaning is “the gathered ones”. So, what does it mean to “be the Church” when we’re gathered? This is already getting long, so let’s let the commenting cover some of what it might involve. But I can tell you that one of the things it ISN’T. It isn’t sitting passively, watching the paid guys do “church”. All who gather for the worship service (or work) must come ready to do the work of the service. Granted, for many parts of the service, permission and freedom must be given by the paid guys so that the people can do it, but way too often I see the same devout indifference that I grew up with in my childhood tradition.

So here’s what I really wanted to say… I think Christians are supposed to be church, not just go to church. I also think that there is action involved in being the church. So, I guess I would say that not only are we to be the church, but we’re to do church too. I wonder what would happen if everyone who came to church put their best effort into being and doing church. What does that look like? Not sure… I’ve never seen it. Shall we try it?

And, by the way, Heather… I think you were being and doing church when you led us all in that wonderful invocation on Saturday. Thanks.

Tags:

Worship

Worship Music Resources

2006-03-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

Below are some of the worship songs I've written. Feel free to use them all you want. I would appreciate you recording them on your CCLI report.

Be Still & Know - PDF
The Boasting Song - PDF
Come, Lord (an invocation) - PDF
Great is Your Name - PDF
Make Us One - PDF
Repentance Song - PDF
So Little Time - PDF
We Will Worship You - PDF
Who May Go Up? - PDF
You Are the Image of the Unseen God - PDF

And here are some mp3's of my worship CD - "We Will Worship You"
You Are Holy
Forever
Let Everything That has Breath
We Will Worship You
The Greatest Gift
Great is Your Name
Holy & Awesome
All Hail the Power
Worshiping Worship
The Heart of Worship
I Will Never Be the Same
All of Me
Enough
Here I Am to Worship

Tags:

worship

Norman & His Friends

2006-03-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to see my son in “The Boys Next Door” – a play by Tom Griffin about a group home of mentally handicapped adult men.

Wow.

I know you’d expect that response from a proud dad – but for most of the play I forgot that he was my son. I was captivated by this disturbing, yet tender story of marginalized people we’d rather not know about, yet live in all of our communities.

Norman, Lucien, Arnold, Barry, Sheila, & Clara were characters in the play with varying degrees of mental challenge that spoke truth into the lives of those watching.

I was reminded of a time that we lived next to a group home. Many times when friends came over, jokes were made about the “hockey team” living next door. This was supposed to be a funny reference to the helmets they wore when riding the bus to their “jobs” at the center.

I was reminded that we are pretty quick to make fun of things that make us uncomfortable. Laughing at those things is somehow supposed to make us feel better about ourselves.

On my flight home (the play was in LA, I live in Portland), I sat across from a mentally handicapped woman. Isn’t it interesting that I would have that as my first “public” experience after seeing this show. I watched people avoid her. I watched her trying to navigate in a world that so often doesn’t make sense. And while people were generally helpful, they became frustrated pretty quickly too.

Several months ago, I had the incredible honor of baptizing a friend of mine. Paul is a 14 year old boy with Downs Syndrome. He loves Jesus and understood His command to be baptized, so we did it. In his interview, he talked about his love for Jesus and for people. He told me that he prays for people. I asked him what kinds of things he prays for. He said that he prays that he can understand them. How odd. Here we were in a room full of “normal” people, and Paul (who we struggled to understand) nails us by letting us see that he has a better grasp of the faith than most of us… and he prays for us. Incredible.

Last night, the “boys next door” gave me a sobering reminder that what we all think of as “normal” is nothing but a pretty thin façade. And none of us… none of us, is further than an accidental fall, an unexplained illness, or some quirky gene mix-up away from "abnormal" ourselves.

Thank you Norman, Lucien, Arnold, Barry, Sheila, & Clara for helping me see this in a fresh way. And thank you, Andy, for letting Norman speak through you.

In gratitude,

A proud dad

Tags:

life

A Wise Man Once Said...

2006-02-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

Visited the Gandhi ashram the other day. There was a quote on on the wall in the ashram. “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” This really got me thinking about how often we distort the truth of what Jesus tought. How much does it look like what he intended? Sadly, in America, I fear there is often little resemblance. Very convicting, I’m afraid.

This Place is a Zoo!

2006-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Monkeys and Camels and Cows... OH MY!!!

Just a few of the critters on and around the compound I was teaching at today.

First Day in India

2006-01-29T08:18:00.000-08:00

Speechless...

Tags:

life

Secret Sodom

2006-01-23T06:35:00.000-08:00

I love the internet. How cool is it that within seconds we can find out information on any topic we want. We can have “real time” conversations with people in far away places… for free! Music, any music you want, is a click away. And many have found their soul-mate through online introductions.

But the internet can also be a sin magnet. A tempting treasure of trash that can suck you in like a black hole. An innocent search on any given topic can quickly lead you to a link to somewhere you had no intention of going to, but find it hard to leave (kinda like the Hotel California.) A private conversation in a chat room, or on MySpace can give one a sense of anonymity that has them speaking in ways they would never speak to those they respect. Music, movies, software… anything that can be digitally stored and transferred, can turn an upstanding citizen into a felon with a few clicks (and oh, how we rationalize!!)

I was reading recently about Abraham and Lot, and their little visit to Sodom and Gomorrah. It is amazing how openly decadent this place was. No shame. And how willing Lot was to live in the middle of that. Ah, yes, but he was able to live “in” that culture and yet not be “of” it. Right, until he offered his daughters as a sex bribe to the men who came to “know” (in the biblical sense) his two male guests, who were angels. Lot, you horrible sinful man! What in the world were you thinking? How could you… oops, something about a pot calling a kettle names comes to mind here.

Integrity is a tough thing. It really means that what you see is what you get. If I appear to be a person who doesn’t talk a certain way, or look at stuff I know I shouldn’t, or one who would never dream of stealing… then, that’s really who I am, even if no one's watching. But the internet has a way of luring me into believing “no one will ever know”. And they may not… but if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it – well, you get the point.

I still love the internet. And, if you’re reading this, chances are you do too. All I’m calling for is some integrity in a world that seems to cherish its “secret” sins. Wanna try something really gutsy? Go download this little app that lets you pick a trusted accountability partner and emails him or her your internet history once a month. I dare ya.

Wouldn’t it be something if, when we get to heaven, and we stand at the Great White Throne, the supreme judge of our souls opens our internet history folder? Yikes! When I was a kid, my mom taught me a little song -“O be careful little eyes what you see…”

Silly song… yeah.

Tags:

life

Don't Push Your Convictions on Me!

2006-01-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

I’ve been a part of church for a long time. I grew up in a little church that, although I didn’t realize it at the time, was pretty legalistic. By that, I mean that there were certain rules that were in place that only existed because “…Christians just don’t do that.” We joked about “we don’t dance, we don’t chew, and we don’t go with girls who do” but sadly, it seemed that was about the extent of it. Soon after I left home and left that church to attend another in my college town, I found out that many who preached those rules – didn’t really hold to the rules themselves.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of legalism in a place isn’t even the rules, it’s the inability to be transparent; the need to uphold an image of “christianity” that is only a façade. We wear smiles when we’re dying inside. I saw this a lot growing up. And, unfortunately, I learned to play along.

I’ve been a part of new churches that have started in reaction to the legalism of old churches. In their reaction, they allowed the pendulum to swing to a place of “freedom in Christ” that apparently forgot that the freedom we have in Him is a freedom from the chains of sin. We’re not slaves to it anymore!! A good friend of mine once said that we ask the wrong question. We’re always asking how close we can get to “the line” without really sinning. When what we really should be asking is how close can we get to Christ. And, what would it look like to really follow Him. To love as He loved, give as He gave.

Right now, I’m a part of a church that is real. And I love it. It’s an old church. I’m sure it’s had its days of legalism too. Probably none of us is immune to it. And, it’s not perfect. There’s a lot of messy stuff that goes on. But here’s the deal. We’re committed to be authentic, to not play church. You want to be anonymous, to blend in, to come and get your “church fix” and then go? Then this is probably not the place for you. But if you want to be a part of a community that is serious about learning what it means to be church, to discover what it means to walk in the way Jesus did, I think we might get there.

This weekend we… as a group, a community …made a covenant together. Not just individuals vowing something to God. There was that, but it was more. We talked about the responsibility we have to one another. About being a covenant community who are engaged in the world, but not engaged to it. And something about it felt very different from places I’ve been before. It wasn’t a list of rules, and it wasn’t reckless “freedom in Christ”. It was a commitment to pursue… together… the very heart of God. Wow.

Tags:

worship
life

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

2006-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

I just received a new package of incense today. Incense! you say? Well, yes. Not the froofy stuff I burned back in the 70’s that has less than honorable associations, but frankincense. That’s right, the stuff the wise men brought to Jesus.

What for? For worship. I'm a worship pastor at a little church here in Beaverton and while the burning of incense is not a part of our tradition, we began using it about a year ago.

Which begs the question why? Why would a pastor (especially one in a tradition that has never used incense) begin using it? It’s easy to argue for its use from the Old Testament. Exodus chapter 30 gives us very specific instructions for its use and even includes the recipe! But in the New Testament, there are no instructions for its use (no condemnation either) and so many church traditions have turned away from the use of incense to enhance worship.

So, why? Is it because it smells so good? No. Well… I like the smell. Others hate it. But there in Exodus, it’s really clear that we’re not to use it as a perfume or because we like the smell. How ‘bout cuz the smoke looks really cool in the lights? Uh… that one’s probably not going to cut it either. Or this one… because cool churches are using ancient forms of worship, and we sure want to be cool. While that certainly is a trend, it’s a lousy reason to do anything we do in worship!

No, the reason is that it’s rich in symbolism. The worship of God has always been packed with symbolism. He is the great redeemer, and we are always “redeeming” things for use in worship. Our most famous one is an electric chair... I mean, a cross. This is just one that doesn’t take all that much work to redeem, because God’s people have been using incense in worship (at His instruction) for thousands of years (it sure takes a lot less work than a Christmas tree!!!)

How do we use it? At a certain point in our worship service, when we are responding to the Word of God spoken into our lives, we place the incense on the coal. I call attention to our prayers and our worship rising like the smoke of the incense; an offering of our lives going up to the Lord. I’ve also used it at the beginning of a service (Pentecost Sunday) to symbolize the Spirit of God coming into our midst. The incense also can bring a sense that this place is holy. It’s different. Set apart. Unlike Starbucks or Safeway. I think the incense heightens our awareness of that. We also leave with the smell of worship on us. Not a bad metaphor as we go back out into our community. Back to Starbucks, but with an awareness that we carry with us the smell of God. We are going into a world that needs to know Him.

One last thing. If you decide to use incense in a church that never has, you need to know about the protestant cough. The protestant cough is a phenomenon that occurs with some people who believe they are allergic to the incense. So, first of all, you need to know what’s in it. If you are buying pure frankincense, you’re buying pine pitch. You could, I suppose, use it to increase your grip on your baseball bat, or to help start your campfire. I’ve checked with some in the medical community who have assured me that it is highly unlikely that anyone could be allergic to this stuff. There have also been “tests” where no incense is put in the censer or thurible, but the cough persists! Well, at any rate, you should know that some will hate it and cough and sputter. You’ll need to figure out how to deal with that… I’m still trying.

Tags:

worship