Post #86 Bigger...

I started this series by explaining the importance of the Church growing smaller. Interestingly, I conclude it by discussing the importance of living big.

By growing smaller (developing discipleship, mentoring, and accountability), getting deeper (developing meaningful, influential, and purposeful experiences), and by reaching wider (exploring the ways we can impact, influence, and change the world for God's glory), we will start to live more boldly, more passionately, and more missionally.

Living bigger is not about pride or ego. No, we must decrease, He must increase. (John 3:30) Living bigger is making th most of ordinary moments; seeing God's touch in the people, experiences, and opportunities around us.

Living big is not just seeing the forest from the trees. It is seeing the trees (their importance, value, and purpose), and it is seeing the forest (the greater purpose, the big picture). It is also seeing how the forest fits into the surrounding eco-system, and how that eco-system affects the world. In terms of faith, living big is realizing that God has placed us in this place, at this time, with these talents and resources to impact the world in an incredible way. Living big is seeing big, acting big, and loving big.

Post #85 John Stewart...

Post #84 LOST Revelation Thursday...

Last night's episode: He's Our Your
Primary Focus Character: Sayid Jarrah
Secondary Focus Character: Ben Linus

First, let me state that I firmly believe that the worst episode of LOST is still better than the best hour of any other show. That being said, last night's was the worst episode of LOST this season.

There was little story development and little character development.
The story was slow and gave us little that we did not already know:
- Sayid has always been a twisted individual, finding it inhumanly easy to take the life of another creature.
- Kate loves Sawyer.
- Ben hated his father.


Here is the episode in a nutshell: The DHARMA people take Sayid to an interrogator who lives in the jungle. The truth about Sayid's trip to the island is so unbelievable that the DHARMA people vote to execute him. Sawyer is losing control of his long con. Young Ben helps Sayid break out of the DHARMA jail. Sayid shoots young Ben.

There are a few questions that this episode begs:
- How does Sayid shooting Ben influence future events?
*Does Ben survive the shooting, appearing to come back to life and thus elevating him to "resurrected leader of the others"?
- Why does the interrogator, Oldham, live outside of the barracks?

I realize that not every episode will be a 10. That's fine, but I expect more from LOST than I got last night. It was entertaining, but there was only 3 minutes of action and 39 minutes of filler.

Post #83 Wider...

We've discussed the importance of growing smaller and getting deeper in regards to discipleship and the Church in general. Now we will look at what it means to reach wider. I once read that the average American had over 1000 people in their network of contacts. That means that at any given time, we could reach out to nearly 1000 people for help, friendship, or advice. With the growth of social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, as well as the use of blogs, our network is not just huge, it is instant. I can chat with a friend in Thailand while simultaneously checking in on my dad in Indiana. The one enormous advantage to such a wide reach is that we are able to access so much information and resources. 50 years ago radio, tv, and print media were the only news sources. Now, I check 10 different news sites and several blogs before I even start my day. This instant and ever expanding access also allows me to become aware of organizations and charities around the world helping and healing those who are sick, hungry, thirsty, desperate, and dying. They provide hope to the hopeless. Not only do I get the chance to learn about these groups, I have the opportunity to assist them, promote them, and even join them in their efforts. What does this all mean for the church? It means that even the smallest congregation, house church, or small group can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others. It means that even if our numbers are small, we can have an enormous voice. It means that our reach is wider than ever and our influence and assistance can help more people than ever. In a world so small, we have few excuses for not helping "the least of these." For additional study, focus on Matthew 22:35-40, Matthew 25:35-40.

Post #82 Deeper...

Over the past few years, I have heard many church-goers explain that they desire "something deeper." Lately, my response to this kind of thinking has been: deeper than what? The depth of one's religious experience is very subjective; taking into consideration the personal experiences and biblical understanding, as well as emotional and intellectual maturity. Since this depth is so subjective, why would I include it in this conversation? I include it because I believe that we all desire more meaningful, influential, and purposeful experiences in our lives…including our understanding of Jesus and our relationship with him. "Deeper" is what continues to push us to be more Christ-like. "Deeper" is what motivates our love for one another. "Deeper" is what influences our study and application of the Bible. In my opinion, discipleship is a major part of the "deep" equation. Discipleship is much more than personal Bible study. It is the mentoring and challenging that can be done through intimate relationships. It is also the sharing of burdens and experiences of life with trusted and respected people. Small groups and house churches, if utilized effectively, can be the Church's greatest discipleship ministry. When our churches have grown smaller and deeper, it is only natural for us to focus on our responsibility to our communities, cities, regions, and ultimately the entire world. This is our next topic: Wider.

Post #81 Smaller...

In a culture surrounded by images and advertisements for the "next big thing," we often have difficulty finding value in the "small things." This is especially true in the Church where, for the past two and a half decades, the mega-church movement has seen hundreds (if not thousands) of very large congregations explode in growth. Understand, this is not necessarily a "bad" thing. However, some of these churches are beginning to realize that there is real importance to growing smaller.

In churches over 1000 in attendance, it might seem contridictory for there to be an emphasis on growing smaller. But there is. The small group and house church movements have focused on a very Biblical concept: Discipleship through close, intimate relationships.

Jesus had a core group of followers comprised of the twelve disciples as well as his mother (Mary), the sisters (Mary and Martha), their brother (Lazarus), Mary of Magdala, as well as the Pharisee (Nicodemus). If all were told, Jesus probably had a group of 20 or more close followers, however, the 12 had an important role and were thus closer, in many ways, to Jesus. Even among the 12, Simon (Peter), James, and John were his closest pupils. They were his smaller group within the small group.

Smaller does not imply insignificance. If a congregation seeks to reach as many people as possible with the message of Jesus, it must learn to grow smaller; this is where life lessons, mentoring, challenging, and accountability take place. This is where small groups and house churches should find their purpose: in discipling others. The larger congregation should see small group and house church ministry as an integral part of the discipling ministry.

This leads me to the next topic: Deeper.

Post #80 Smaller, Deeper, Wider, Bigger...

I have been thinking a lot about ministry lately. Michelle and I left a church a few years ago after some heartbreaking moments and painful truths. I had led a house church for several years and after it dissolved I felt somewhat empty.

When we left the congregation, we looked for a new church home, but had a lot of difficulty finding a place that we connected with. We floundered for several years until we moved into our new house. We started the hunt again about 7 months ago. Since then, we have been attending a local church and feel it is a good fit for us.

One of the things that I have been thinking about lately is small group/house church ministry. I will post a little about each aspect, but for now I will just mention them: smaller, deeper, wider, bigger.

Over the next few posts, I will explain these themes more clearly. Hopefully it will focus me and my thoughts and perhaps motivate others to pursue their passions as well.

Post #79 LOST Revelation Thursday

Since the season 3 finale, the LOST writers/producers have made it clear that time is relevant. In that episode, they deviated from the mainstay story telling device of the show: the flashback. Instead, they put a twist on time and presented a flashforward. Since then, we have seen episodes containing flashbacks, flashforwards, and a combination of the two. Until this season.

When Ben turned the "frozen donkey wheel," the island began to bounce through time. Then, John Locke put the wheel back on its axis, fixing the island in time. Unfortunately for those on the island, that time was in the 1970's.

This season, we have seen many time periods, none of which could be classified as forward, back, or present; for they were all present to those experiencing them.

Last night, we were given confirmation that our beloved LOSTies group (Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley) are in 1977. We also received confirmation that the other survivors of Ajira flight 316 are in 2007-8. Both groups are on the island, only 30 years apart.

There were a few great revelations in the episode:
- Sun is with the Ajira people in 2007-8, not with the other Oceanic survivors in 1977.
- Sayid is mistaken as a hostile in 1977.
- Amy and Horace's son is Ethan.
- Young Ben Linus is in fact on the island.

Several question come to mind after watching this episode:
- Where is Daniel Faraday? Why is it implied that he is no longer with the rest of the DHARMA LOSTies?
- Why does Sun end up with the Ajira people?
- Why do Sun and Frank see and understand Christian?
- How does Ethan survive the purge that Ben eventually leads?

Post #78 One More Motivational Poster

Post #77 Another Motivational Poster

Post #76 More Motivational Posters

Post #75 New Motivational Posters

I found a site that features Homer Simpson Motivational Posters. So, since I am quite a few posts behind, I thought I would catch up by posting a few. Here is the first one:

Post #74 The Truth About Guinness

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is an article I found regarding my favorite Irish export: Guinness. Regarding #10: It is better in Ireland.

Is It Good for You? Debunking 10 Myths About Guinness Stout

In 1759 Arthur Guinness first began to brew his eponymous Irish stout, and probably sometime in 1760, people started making crap up about it.

Like shamrocks, freckles and bar fights, Guinness has become an icon of the Emerald Isle, known around the world for its impenetrable color, its complex pouring ritual, and its ability to balance well on a toucan's beak. It's also known for the wild rumors associated with it, from the common barfly's claim of better-tasting pints in the old country to conspiracy theories of macabre secret ingredients. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Asylum goes MythBusters on your favorite draught. Boston, we're looking at you.

Myth Number 1: Guinness is heavy in calories ... False
Guinness weighs in at 125 calories per 12-oz. serving. But wait, who drinks a 12-oz. Guinness? Nobody, since a pint is 16 oz. (20 for the lucky stiffs in the motherland). Do the math and you get about 170 calories per 16-oz. serving. Guess how many are in a 16-oz. Strawberry Surf Rider smoothie from Jamba Juice? 330. Thank us later, ladies.

Myth Number 2: Guinness is supposed to be warm ... False
Guinness reports its draught is best stored at 42.8 degrees. Your average fridge is between 35 and 38, which is a bit on the chilly side. Unfortunately, most beer coolers in bars are even colder to accommodate our thirst for "ice cold" beer. Regardless, 43 degrees is neither warm nor room temperature. The obvious solution is to order two at a time, so one is always warming up!

Myth Number 3: 'Guinness for strength' ... Undetermined
The famous 'Guinness is good for you' and similar advertisements from the 1930s -- great marketing ploy, but just keep in mind it came about in the 1930s, when you could still claim your product did anything and not get in trouble with the law. We happen to think a pint of Guinness is the most important meal of the day, but we have no scientific evidence to back that up. Your mileage may vary. If Guinness does give you a boost, it's probably more in the "liquid courage" category.

Myth Number 4: The flavor of Guinness stems from nefarious sources ... False
The more outrageous stories about Guinness include the ones about how dead rats were found at the bottom of the vats in the St James's Gate brewery in Ireland, thus explaining the unique taste of stout. Other stories have circulated that Guinness is actually filtered through lamb's blood to get its taste. This one is classic barroom BS at its finest. Guinness has been the victim of more Snopes-worthy urban legends than any other libation, except maybe Corona. The basics of Guinness are barley, hops, yeast and water ... from the Skull and Bones Society. Guinness derives its toasted flavor, which tastes anywhere from coffee to chocolate, and bitter hint from the manner in which its malted barley is roasted and the amount of hops used. The creamy taste of the head is a result of nitrogen bubbles released during the pouring process.

Myth Number 5: The St. James's Gate brewery produces different kinds of Guinness for various markets ... Kinda
Guinness is available in 100 countries and is brewed in nearly 50 of them, using locally sourced ingredients like water. Therefore, one could argue (and we know you will) that any Guinness brewed outside Dublin is materially different. The top five selling markets? (In order) Great Britain, Ireland, Nigeria, the U.S. and Cameroon. We were surprised by those two, too.

Myth Number 6: Water from the River Liffey in Dublin goes into Guinness ... False
While the St. James's Gate brewery sits next to the river, the water used to make Guinness comes from the Wicklow mountains to the south.

Myth Number 7: Guinness in a can is different from draught Guinness ... Confusing
Guinness is available in draught, Extra Stout, and Foreign Extra. Draught comes in cans, bottles and, well, draught. Extra Stout comes only in bottles and Foreign Extra comes in bottles, cans and an Extra Smooth variety. Got all that? Good.

Myth Number 8: Strict vegetarians can't drink Guinness ... True
The production of the stout involves the use of isinglass, a byproduct of the fishing industry derived from dead fish. Isinglass is used as a fining agent for settling out suspended matter in the beer vat, and while it's kept at the bottom of the tank, some isinglass may end up in the final product. So if you're the type who avoids gelatin and whey in your diet, you're out of luck.

Myth Number 9: Guinness is black ... False
Look closer and you'll see that Guinness actually has a ruby red color, due to how the malted barley is roasted. Hint: This one is an easy way to win $5 from your friends.

Myth Number 10: The Guinness in Ireland is much better than the Guinness served in the United States ... Up to you
While we would never judge a fellow tippler for his esteemed critique of the palate (especially after 2-for-1 atomic-wing night), this granddaddy of Guinness myths is usually spouted from the condescending lips of a recently returned study-abroad student, suddenly eminently more cultured than we are for spending three months puking outside the American-themed bar in some foreign city. Whether a pint is better in the Old Sod than it is here really has to do with a lot of factors -- mainly, how many you've had.

Post #73 Procrastin...

Post #72 "Unemploymentality," the new "Strategery"

Post #71 Nietzsche Family Circus

Andrew Sullivan posted a link to this great mash-up of Nietzsche quotes and Family Circus comics. Once you go to the page, hit "Refresh" to see another.

Here is the direct link: Nietzsche Family Circus

Post #70 Stewart destroys Cramer

This is kind of long, but it is worth it.
There are some who refuse to accept Stewart as a legitimate journalist. However, he is one voice in the cacophony of talking heads. Among the suck ups and talking point vomiters Stewart refuses to play either role. Instead, he holds people accountable, to their mistakes and to their arrogance. If only he had a place in politics.

Post #69 Rob Bell Interviews Shane Hipps

Thanks to Zach for finding this. It is from the 2009 National Pastors Convention.

Post #68 The 25 Most Epic Opening Tracks...

Sound Vision Magazine posted a list of 25 of the most epic opening track on a rock album. I agree with many of these. I particularly love seeing Radiohead's "Airbag" and Smashing Pumpkins' "Cherub Rock."

SoundVisionMag

Post #67 Bad Paintings of Obama...

BadPaintingsOfBarackObama.com is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

Post #66 Spring Forward...

Post #65 Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional...

Post #64 Wisdom of the Simpsons...

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the Simpsons. Find more here.

Homer: I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman.

Marge: Homer, you don't have to pray outloud.
Homer: But he's way the hell up there!

Homer: I'm not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to Hell?

Marge: Bart, stop pestering Satan!

Lisa: I'm no theologian. I don't know who or what God is. All I know is he's more powerful than Mom and Dad put together.

Homer: Here's to alcohol, the cause of—and solution to—all life's problems.

Homer: Homer no function beer well without.

Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.

Homer: You don't like your job, you don't strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way.

Homer: Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

Homer: Oh sure. Even communism works. In theory.

Post #63 LOST Revelation Thursday...

Last night's episode: LaFleur
Primary Focus Character: James Ford (aka Sawyer)
Secondary Focus Character: Juliet Burke

As the island group of Sawyer, Juliet, Miles, and Daniel attempt to make their way to the beach, they experience to flashes. The first is a short lived moment during an apparently ancient period on the island. They see a full sized statue of great size along the beach. This could be the whole statue from the previously seen "four-toed" ruin. They did not have time to explore however, as the second flash transported them to another time period.

During this period, they encounter a woman (Amy) being assaulted by two men. A man (Paul) laid on the ground, dead from a gunshot wound. Sawyer, being the roughneck with the heart of gold, sees an opportunity to help and eventually he and Juliet shoot and kill the assailants.

The group ends up in the DHARMA village where Sawyer meets Horace. (If you remember, Horace is the man who helped bring Ben Linus and his father, Roger, to the island). We discover that the current island time is 1974.

Eventually we find out about a truce with the "hostiles". This truce has potentially been broken by the violence and the "hostiles" representative, Richard Alpert pays a visit to DHARMA-ville.

Sawyer decides to explain the situation, as best he could, to Richard who seems to accept it.

The rest of the episode takes place in 1977. The group has remained with DHARMA for three years, taking on jobs as security detail and mechanics.

We see Amy about to deliver a child. (We find out that the father is Horace) Juliet, who is posing as a mechanic, is called on to help deliver the child. Apprehensive from her previous experiences of island childbirth, Juliet is relived when Amy and the child make it through the delivery healthy.

It is also revealed that in the three years with DHARMA, Sawyer (now going by the alias, Jim LaFleur) and Juliet are romantically involved.

In the final scene of the episode, Sawyer receives a call from Jin, telling him that he has found someone in the jungle. Sawyer tells Jin where to meet him and as we assumed, Jin brings Jack, Kate, and Hurley. Glances are exchanged, but there is definitely tension.

For a complete summary, check out Lostpedia's article: LaFleur

Questions
What happened to the statue so that only one foot remains in the future?
What year is the statue in?

What is the nature of the truce between the DHARMA Initiative and the Others?

Was Amy's and Paul's picnic location a violation of the truce?
Why were the Others so brutal and murderous in their treatment of Amy and Paul?

Why were Amy and her son able to survive the delivery?
Why are women unable to carry a child to term later in the Island's history?
Who is the baby boy born to Horace and Amy?

Why wasn't Richard concerned about the Sonic fence? How did he bypass it?
Why do the Others want Paul's corpse?

How did Sawyer get Juliet to stay for more than two weeks?

Are the 815 Survivors still with DHARMA when The Purge occurs?
Where are Rose, Bernard, and the other survivors?
Why did Jack, Kate, and Hurley return to 1977?

Post #62 Who Watches the Watchmen?

I have been anticipating this movie for quite some time. It is one of the most influential graphic novels ever. If you have not read the book, definitely check it out before going to see the movie.

Post #61 Pagan Christianity, Part 3

Preface: I recently received a “Friend Request” on Facebook from Frank Viola, one of the authors of this book. I suppose I should step up my game now.

Chapter 2: The Church Building: Inheriting the Edifice Complex

Barna and Viola warned us. In the previous chapter, they provided us with a backdoor. This would get hard. This would not be easy to hear. But no…we wouldn’t leave. We just turned the page and continued on. So when it does hurt, we will remember: we did this to ourselves.

In this chapter, the authors critically examine Western Christianity’s obsession with the church building and the creation of other sacred things (also called sacraments). Not only has the institution of “church” corrupted our identity as believers (for we, the body of Christ, not the building, are actually the church), but our theology has been co-opted by consumerism in order to attain material goals. No longer is “the love of money a root of all kinds of evil”, now the love of money is justified by building bigger buildings, parking lots, and stage shows.

The writers point out the New Testament understanding of “church,”

Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the terms church (ekklesia), temple, or house of God used to refer to a building. To the ears of a first-century Christian, calling an ekklesia (church) a building would have been like calling your wife a condominium or your mother a skyscraper! – page 11

They continue,

Throughout the New Testament, ekklesia always refers to an assembly of people, not a place. Ekklesia, in every one of its 114 appearances in the New Testament, refers to an assembly of people. – page 12

Interestingly, the “house church movement” is not a modern (or postmodern) concept. As Barna and Viola point out, Clement of Alexandria (150-215) referred to “going to church.” However,

Clement’s reference to “going to church”…refers to a private home that the second-century Christians used for the meetings. Christians did not erect special buildings for worship until the Constantinian era in the fourth century. – page 12

They continue this train of thought,

Neither did they have a special priestly caste that was set apart to serve God. Instead, every believer recognized that he or she was a priest unto God. The early Christians also did away with sacrifices. For they understood that the true and final sacrifice (Christ) had come….
When Roman Catholicism evolved in the fourth to the sixth centuries, it absorbed many of the religious practices of both paganism and Judaism. It set up a professional priesthood. It erected sacred buildings. And it turned the Lord’s Supper into a mysterious sacrifice….
Following the path of the pagans, early Catholicism adopted the practice of burning incense and having vestal (sacred) virgins. Pages 12-13
sidenote: In the foot note to the comment on sacred virgins, the authors point out that “there are more than 1.6 million adults vowed to virginity. They are called nuns and priests.”

I will continue commenting on this chapter, but there is much to cover. So for now, I will end here. It should be noted, that I do not believe that it is neither Barna’s nor Viola’s intent to condemn or demean Catholicism, however, considering that the majority of Christianity (whether Catholic or Protestant) has its roots in that heritage it is important to understand where such practices and traditions began. Subsequently, my focus is merely to comment on their thoughts.

Post #60 Pagan Christianity, Part 2

Chapter 1: Have We Really Been Doing It By The Book?

Barna and Viola prime the pump in the Introduction, but in the first full chapter, they set the gears in motion. Here the reader is asked to consider that not all of our traditions and rituals are rooted in biblical foundations.

You may be surprised to discover that a great deal of what we Christians do for Sunday morning church did not come from Jesus Christ, the apostles, or the Scriptures. Nor did it come from Judaism. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, Judaic Christianity waned in numbers and power. Gentile Christianity dominated, and the new faith began to absorb Greco-Roman philosophy and ritual. – page 6

It is important for us to not just know what we are told to know, but to understand our historical heritage: to connect with the lineage of our faith. Our beliefs did not just fall out of the sky, they developed over time, cultures, and languages. To understand why we believe is as important, if not moreso than what we believe.

The authors continue,

By the year 100, Christianity is mainly a Gentile religious movement…living together in a common Gentile social environment….Strikingly, much of what we do for “church” was lifted directly out of pagan culture in the postapostolic period. – page 6

Finishing this thought, the authors write,

While today we often use the word pagan to describe those who claim no religion whatsoever, to the early Christians, pagans were those polytheists who followed the gods of the Roman Empire. Paganism dominated the Roman Empire until the fourth century, and many of its elements were absorbed by Christians in the first half of the millennium, particularly during Constantinian and early post-Constantinian eras (324-600). – pages 6-7

Finally, Barna and Viola conclude their chapter with this warning:

If you are unwilling to have your Christianity seriously examined, do not read beyond this page. Give this book to Goodwill immediately! Spare yourself the trouble of having your Christian life turned upside down. – page 7

There is much to be said about where, when, and why our traditions and rituals came into being. Examining such aspects of faith has the potential to be destructive if one’s faith is contingent on these man-made constructs. But, however, if one’s faith is rooted in the biblical account of Jesus’ life and the examples of his earliest followers, then this close examination should do nothing but encourage us to be more biblically sound.

Post #59 A Pain in the...

As I took our dogs out this morning, I turned my head and got a really awful kink in my neck. It has not loosened up. All through church and lunch it was killing me. I took a nap, hoping that it would be better when I woke up. No dice. Now it is making the rest of my back hurt, probably from overcompensation. No matter what I do, it isn't getting better. What a freaking pain in the neck.