Just Do It.
This is what Nike has been telling people to do since 1988.
But, it applies to far more than just shoes.
It can also apply to...
Exercise.
Healthy eating.
Bible reading.
Using a prayer journal.
Using a budget.
Really, it applies to anything which you know will be for your benefit.
Why?
Because, while you're somewhat willing, you haven't yet mustered up the gumption to incorporate this discipline into your life.
Trust me, I'm a master at both procrastination and excuses.
You're too busy...
You're too tired...
You're too... whatever...
Really, all you need to be told, especially from someone you trust, is to... Just. Do. It.
Starting today.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Playing out of position
I mentioned in yesterday's Tiny Bible Bit that I don't play guitar.
I also don't play drums.
I also don't lead singing, except for the time I did it here.
But, if I were so inclined, I could put in the time to learn/develop the skills and have certainly been involved in churches where these talents have been, for whatever reason, required.
The problem with that, potentially, would be the time when I cross the imaginary threshold of proficiency when I felt that I could expose my undiscovered talent to the masses.
And then, if I were in a familiar setting, it would appear that I'd be playing out of position.
For, in my church-life, I've be involved in a lot of things.
Music was/is never one of them.
So, would I be a hindering distraction if I suddenly appeared behind the microphone, amplifier or drum kit?
Would my "new position" throw people so much that they would, at least for a while, struggle to connect with God?
Would my irregular involvement put more focus on me than Jesus?
For, over time, we set the expectations of our involvement at church.
For some, it will be musical.
For some, it will be leading the service, praying or preaching.
For some, it will involve pastoral care/support.
For others, it will involve serving unassumingly behind-the-scenes.
Now, with every church or ministry transition, you have the chance to reset the expectations.
Now if I only took drumming, guitar or singing lessons over Summer...
I also don't play drums.
I also don't lead singing, except for the time I did it here.
But, if I were so inclined, I could put in the time to learn/develop the skills and have certainly been involved in churches where these talents have been, for whatever reason, required.
The problem with that, potentially, would be the time when I cross the imaginary threshold of proficiency when I felt that I could expose my undiscovered talent to the masses.
And then, if I were in a familiar setting, it would appear that I'd be playing out of position.
For, in my church-life, I've be involved in a lot of things.
Music was/is never one of them.
So, would I be a hindering distraction if I suddenly appeared behind the microphone, amplifier or drum kit?
Would my "new position" throw people so much that they would, at least for a while, struggle to connect with God?
Would my irregular involvement put more focus on me than Jesus?
For, over time, we set the expectations of our involvement at church.
For some, it will be musical.
For some, it will be leading the service, praying or preaching.
For some, it will involve pastoral care/support.
For others, it will involve serving unassumingly behind-the-scenes.
Now, with every church or ministry transition, you have the chance to reset the expectations.
Now if I only took drumming, guitar or singing lessons over Summer...
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Why I don't believe in "the one"
I own the complete box set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sure, it's currently unwatched and still in its original wrapping, but nonetheless, it's in our DVD collection.
In truth, of the seven seasons, the last one was the weakest. But it did utilize the idea of Potential Slayers - those who could potentially become the new Vampire Slayer if the predecessor dies.
Why do I bring this up?
Now, if you look at my little profile picture on the right-hand-side, you'll notice that I'm married. Obviously, I believe in love and making a commitment to someone.
But I don't think, in life and romance, there is "only one."
First of all, for most people, they're aware that they could have, in a sliding-doors type scenario, quite possibly ended up, and been happy, with a number of people (obviously not concurrently!). Sure, not everyone that you're potentially compatible with would (or should!) walk down the isle with you, but some would make a perfectly adequate coupling.
Second, I find the concept of the "the one" harmful in the way it applies pressure on...
Those looking for love - Will the next person be "the one?" or have I already missed them?
Couples whom start dating - Am I this person's "the one" and is this "the one" I've been waiting for?
Those in a damaging relationship - Can I separate myself from he/she whom I thought was "the one?"
Third, the idea of "only one" is insensitive to those who have, for whatever reason, lost their first "one love." Do we really want to tell widows/widowers, that they have no hope of finding true love again because their "one" has died?
Instead, I think that life, and God, offers you potential "ones." There are a number of people who we could, gladly, end up with.
For many, luckily, they have found one.
But, I'm not convinced that the world is directed like a cosmic version of snap, where ever other card is a mismatch.
In truth, of the seven seasons, the last one was the weakest. But it did utilize the idea of Potential Slayers - those who could potentially become the new Vampire Slayer if the predecessor dies.
Why do I bring this up?
Now, if you look at my little profile picture on the right-hand-side, you'll notice that I'm married. Obviously, I believe in love and making a commitment to someone.
But I don't think, in life and romance, there is "only one."
First of all, for most people, they're aware that they could have, in a sliding-doors type scenario, quite possibly ended up, and been happy, with a number of people (obviously not concurrently!). Sure, not everyone that you're potentially compatible with would (or should!) walk down the isle with you, but some would make a perfectly adequate coupling.
Second, I find the concept of the "the one" harmful in the way it applies pressure on...
Those looking for love - Will the next person be "the one?" or have I already missed them?
Couples whom start dating - Am I this person's "the one" and is this "the one" I've been waiting for?
Those in a damaging relationship - Can I separate myself from he/she whom I thought was "the one?"
Third, the idea of "only one" is insensitive to those who have, for whatever reason, lost their first "one love." Do we really want to tell widows/widowers, that they have no hope of finding true love again because their "one" has died?
Instead, I think that life, and God, offers you potential "ones." There are a number of people who we could, gladly, end up with.
For many, luckily, they have found one.
But, I'm not convinced that the world is directed like a cosmic version of snap, where ever other card is a mismatch.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Grieving over a dead ministry
When you go through loss - no matter if it's a loved one, a relationship, a job or a ministry - you travel down the path of grief and negotiate its various stages.
From ministry, either vocational or volunteer, you draw a lot of positives as you serve and journey alongside others. And, when a ministry venture comes to a close, the loss can be great.
As such, you traverse through the stages of grief...
Denial: No matter if the loss was expected or sudden the wound is fresh and you're in shock at the change. You'll wish that everything could go back to "normal" and you could "wake up from the nightmare."
Anger: You want to lash out in order to maintain the feeling of control, no matter what your degree of culpability, as the wound is still raw.
Bargaining: You play the "what if..." game and scenario a heap of past events in order to envisage how things might have paned out differently. But, you can't go back in time...
Depression: Now, you actually feel the loss and the vacuum it's created in your life - time, money, relationships, feeling of purpose and accomplishment...
Acceptance: You figure out a new reality and how you best function in that new realm. Now the wound is a scar that you learn to live/deal with.
Given enough time in the church, you'll find out that some things you're involved with come to a close. Ministry activities and, even ministry vocations, aren't meant to last forever.
The best thing we can do is recognize that, with the closure of a ministry, their will be pain, and grief, but, thankfully, that need not be where we choose to stay.
From ministry, either vocational or volunteer, you draw a lot of positives as you serve and journey alongside others. And, when a ministry venture comes to a close, the loss can be great.
As such, you traverse through the stages of grief...
Denial: No matter if the loss was expected or sudden the wound is fresh and you're in shock at the change. You'll wish that everything could go back to "normal" and you could "wake up from the nightmare."
Anger: You want to lash out in order to maintain the feeling of control, no matter what your degree of culpability, as the wound is still raw.
Bargaining: You play the "what if..." game and scenario a heap of past events in order to envisage how things might have paned out differently. But, you can't go back in time...
Depression: Now, you actually feel the loss and the vacuum it's created in your life - time, money, relationships, feeling of purpose and accomplishment...
Acceptance: You figure out a new reality and how you best function in that new realm. Now the wound is a scar that you learn to live/deal with.
Given enough time in the church, you'll find out that some things you're involved with come to a close. Ministry activities and, even ministry vocations, aren't meant to last forever.
The best thing we can do is recognize that, with the closure of a ministry, their will be pain, and grief, but, thankfully, that need not be where we choose to stay.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Is prayer natural and why it matters
My three-going-on-four-year-old talks. A lot.
She babbles about random things...
She sings...
She tells stories...
She takes up great slabs of time at daycare sharing in the "news time" about her cat and baby sister...
But this ability to talk has been developed over a number of years.
And now that I've got a newborn who can only communicate via crying, it has me wondering...
Do we, as humans, have the innate ability to communicate?
And, if so, do we have the innate ability to talk?
I think, with no solid research to back me up, that the first question is clearly true. From the instant we are born, we want the world around us to have some clue about what's going on for us. As a baby, it all revolves around tired, hungry and uncomfortable.
But, the second question is more puzzling, for we communicate beyond mere words. The language we use is something which we develop and learn from those around us.
The two questions bring me to the topic of prayer...
Do we, as humans, have the innate ability to communicate spiritually?
And, if so, do have the innate ability to pray?
Again, without any solid basis, I suspect that the answers may mirror those above.
As humans, have an internal desire to communicate with the world around us, including he/she/it/they who put us here, made everything and keeps us accountable.
But, this desire to communicate is one which is shaped over time.
In short, we might desire to pray, but we must be given to tools to do it most effectively. We need to develop a spiritual language to free our tongues.
And here's why it matters in terms of evangelism and discipleship...
When we tell people about God, or when they come enquiring, we are not speaking about something which is totally foreign. There is an inbuilt spark which we are tapping into.
And, when it comes to walking with people on their journey-of-faith, we have the responsibility to talk seriously about the richness of the faith traditions (even the ones I don't particularly engage with) and the language of theology. Here we expose then to the language of the faith and expressions which have been used for millennia.
She babbles about random things...
She sings...
She tells stories...
She takes up great slabs of time at daycare sharing in the "news time" about her cat and baby sister...
But this ability to talk has been developed over a number of years.
And now that I've got a newborn who can only communicate via crying, it has me wondering...
Do we, as humans, have the innate ability to communicate?
And, if so, do we have the innate ability to talk?
I think, with no solid research to back me up, that the first question is clearly true. From the instant we are born, we want the world around us to have some clue about what's going on for us. As a baby, it all revolves around tired, hungry and uncomfortable.
But, the second question is more puzzling, for we communicate beyond mere words. The language we use is something which we develop and learn from those around us.
The two questions bring me to the topic of prayer...
Do we, as humans, have the innate ability to communicate spiritually?
And, if so, do have the innate ability to pray?
Again, without any solid basis, I suspect that the answers may mirror those above.
As humans, have an internal desire to communicate with the world around us, including he/she/it/they who put us here, made everything and keeps us accountable.
But, this desire to communicate is one which is shaped over time.
In short, we might desire to pray, but we must be given to tools to do it most effectively. We need to develop a spiritual language to free our tongues.
And here's why it matters in terms of evangelism and discipleship...
When we tell people about God, or when they come enquiring, we are not speaking about something which is totally foreign. There is an inbuilt spark which we are tapping into.
And, when it comes to walking with people on their journey-of-faith, we have the responsibility to talk seriously about the richness of the faith traditions (even the ones I don't particularly engage with) and the language of theology. Here we expose then to the language of the faith and expressions which have been used for millennia.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The dual-present problem
In yesterday's post announcing the arrival of our new daughter, Emily, I promised that I would shed light on the dilemma that would face her surrounding her birthday and dating.
Did you work out what it would be?
In short, it has to do with two dates.
February 14th & 16th.
Valentine's Day & Emily's birthday.
What will the person she's in a relationship with do when it comes to these dates?
Now, this dilemma can easily be transferred to a birthday and an anniversary, Christmas and any occasion where gift giving is expected.
What do you do when you're in a relationship with someone and a two-hit-combo of present exchanging is approaching, especially if you're not committed to the relationship?
If you're the dual-present purchaser, do you bail on the relationship before you need to give the presents?
If you're the dual-present recipient, do you stick with the relationship for a few more weeks in order to get the anticipated bounty?
Now, I would hope that Emily would never need to face this conundrum (and would certainly never be so shallow as to milk a boyfriend for gifts), but the problem remains...
(unless I make good on my threat to lock my daughters under the house from the ages of 12-30 in order to avoid all that dating awkwardness)
Did you work out what it would be?
In short, it has to do with two dates.
February 14th & 16th.
Valentine's Day & Emily's birthday.
What will the person she's in a relationship with do when it comes to these dates?
Now, this dilemma can easily be transferred to a birthday and an anniversary, Christmas and any occasion where gift giving is expected.
What do you do when you're in a relationship with someone and a two-hit-combo of present exchanging is approaching, especially if you're not committed to the relationship?
If you're the dual-present purchaser, do you bail on the relationship before you need to give the presents?
If you're the dual-present recipient, do you stick with the relationship for a few more weeks in order to get the anticipated bounty?
Now, I would hope that Emily would never need to face this conundrum (and would certainly never be so shallow as to milk a boyfriend for gifts), but the problem remains...
(unless I make good on my threat to lock my daughters under the house from the ages of 12-30 in order to avoid all that dating awkwardness)
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Expanding to two
Yesterday my family grew by another girl, Emily Joan.
He big sister looks fairly pleaded...
Tomorrow I'll post on the dilemma that Emily will face surrounding her birthday and dating...
Sunday, February 14, 2016
The checking-out signs
I've written about youth/young adult drop out points and those who leave/are considering leaving the church a significant amount.
Why? Because it happens all too often.
If you hang around a church long enough, other people will leave. Some will leave well, others will not.
Chances are, given enough time, you'll also transition through a church or two.
But the decision to leave is not always an abrupt choice. It comes in stages and with warning signs.
For, before people drop out, they usually start to check out...
They check out financially - they stop giving or purposely redirect their gifts to "certain areas."
They check out intellectually - they stop engaging their mind and go into screen-saver mode during sermons.
They check out relationally - they disconnect from people at church, only engaging in safe small-talk.
They check out emotionally - they stop caring about the vision or the overall well-being of the church.
All these can, and normally do, happen well before someone drops out physically.
Why? Because it happens all too often.
If you hang around a church long enough, other people will leave. Some will leave well, others will not.
Chances are, given enough time, you'll also transition through a church or two.
But the decision to leave is not always an abrupt choice. It comes in stages and with warning signs.
For, before people drop out, they usually start to check out...
They check out financially - they stop giving or purposely redirect their gifts to "certain areas."
They check out intellectually - they stop engaging their mind and go into screen-saver mode during sermons.
They check out relationally - they disconnect from people at church, only engaging in safe small-talk.
They check out emotionally - they stop caring about the vision or the overall well-being of the church.
All these can, and normally do, happen well before someone drops out physically.
Friday, February 12, 2016
I can't write good sermons (at least currently)
Today, while walking the back-streets of a leafy Northern-Sydney suburb, I considered my options for keeping "ministry sharp."
Currently, I haven't pitched a tent in either eventually-going-back-into-ministry or not-going-back-into-vocational-ministry camp, but I've been doing a few things to keep my mind engaged.
Aside from engaging in the bible reading plan I wrote about in my last post, I've also worked my way through a theology textbook and am currently writing notes on an ethics book.
But, could I spend some time writing sermons like I used to do?
In short, I don't think I could.
At least, not good sermons.
Why?
Because sermons aren't designed to happen in a vacuum.
The crafting and delivering of a sermon are pastoral activities.
They need personal context.
They require community.
They need faces to think of and actual problems to wrestle with.
If I sat down and wrote my thoughts about a passage, it might closer reflect a commentary - in a similar fashion to the way I personally studied the bible for a number of years - but it wouldn't be a true sermon.
Currently, I haven't pitched a tent in either eventually-going-back-into-ministry or not-going-back-into-vocational-ministry camp, but I've been doing a few things to keep my mind engaged.
Aside from engaging in the bible reading plan I wrote about in my last post, I've also worked my way through a theology textbook and am currently writing notes on an ethics book.
But, could I spend some time writing sermons like I used to do?
In short, I don't think I could.
At least, not good sermons.
Why?
Because sermons aren't designed to happen in a vacuum.
The crafting and delivering of a sermon are pastoral activities.
They need personal context.
They require community.
They need faces to think of and actual problems to wrestle with.
If I sat down and wrote my thoughts about a passage, it might closer reflect a commentary - in a similar fashion to the way I personally studied the bible for a number of years - but it wouldn't be a true sermon.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
My bible reading plan
Where do I start my next bunch of Ramblings??? (I've only got 33 topics to choose from...)
One of the best things I did over the Summer was buy the new NIV study bible. It's the first bible, for my personal use, that I've brought for well over a decade... and it's pretty awesome.
My plan was/is to read the entire New Testament by the end of the Summer (which has morphed into the end of March).
As such, I scoured the internet to find a bible reading plan which would take around three months (since I was planning to take Sundays off).
But, alas, I couldn't find anything which tickled my fancy.
So, I sat down with my new bible and developed my own, trying to connect the natural thought chunks from the various books.
My last scripture reading scheme was back in 2012, which I posted about here. Needless to say, that time, I failed spectacularly!
This time I'm doing much better, currently sitting on day 39.
For most of you, you can stop reading now because the rest of the post will just be a massive list, but here are how the days & readings break down... (you'll notice that the overview articles and book introductions are included within the schedule)
Day 1 - New Testament intro
Day 2 - Matthew intro, Matt 1-4
Day 3 - Matt 5-7
Day 4 - Matt 8-12
Day 5 - Matt 13-17
Day 6 - Matt 18-21
Day 7 - Matt 22-25
Day 8 - Matt 26-28
Day 9 - Mark intro, Mark 1-3
Day 10 - Mark 4-8
Day 11 - Mark 9-13
Day 12 - Mark 14-16
Day 13 - Luke intro, Luke 1-2
Day 14 - Luke 3-7
Day 15 - Luke 8-12
Day 16 - Luke 13-17
Day 17 - Luke 18-21
Day 18 - Luke 22-24
Day 19 - John intro, John 1
Day 20 - John 2-5
Day 21 - John 6-10
Day 22 - John 11-14
Day 23 - John 15-17
Day 24 - John 18-21
Day 25 - Acts intro, Acts 1-2
Day 26 - Acts 3-5
Day 27 - Acts 6-8
Day 28 - Acts 9-12
Day 29 - Acts 13-15
Day 30 - Acts 16-18
Day 31 - Acts 19-23
Day 32 - Acts 24-28
Day 33 - Epistles intro
Day 34 - Romans intro, Romans 1
Day 35 - Romans 2-4
Day 36 - Romans 5-8
Day 37 - Romans 9-11
Day 38 - Romans 12-16
Day 39 - 1 Corinthians into
Day 40 - 1 Cor 1-4
Day 41 - 1 Cor 5-7
Day 42 - 1 Cor 8-11
Day 43 - 1 Cor 12-14
Day 44 - 1 Cor 15-16
Day 45 - 2 Corinthians intro, 2 Cor 1-2
Day 46 - 2 Cor 3-7
Day 47 - 2 Cor 8-13
Day 48 - Galatians intro, Gal 1-2
Day 49 - Galatians 3-6
Day 50 - Ephesians intro, Eph 1
Day 51 - Ephesians 2-6
Day 52 - Philippians intro, Phil 1
Day 53 - Philippians 2-4
Day 54 - Colossians intro, Col 1-2
Day 55 - Colossians 3-4
Day 56 - 1 Thessalonians intro, 1 Thess 1-3
Day 57 - 1 Thess 4-6
Day 58 - 2 Thessalonians intro, 2 Thess 1-3
Day 59 - 1 Timothy intro, 1 Tim 1
Day 60 - 1 Tim 2-6
Day 61 - 2 Timothy intro, 2 Tim 1-4
Day 62 - Titus intro, Titus 1-3
Day 63 - Philemon intro, Philemon 1
Day 64- Hebrews intro, Hebrews 1-2
Day 65 - Hebrews 3-5
Day 66 - Hebrews 6-10
Day 67 - Hebrews 11-13
Day 68 - James intro, James 1-2
Day 69 - James 3-5
Day 70 - 1 Peter intro, 1 Peter 1-2
Day 71 - 1 Peter 3-5
Day 72 - 2 Peter intro, 2 Peter 1-3
Day 73 - 1 John intro, 1 John 1-2
Day 74 - 1 John 3-5
Day 75 - 2 John intro, 2 John 1, 3 John intro, 3 John 1
Day 76 - Jude intro, Jude 1
Day 77 - Revelation intro
Day 78 - Rev 1-3
Day 79 - Rev 4-8
Day 80 - Rev 9-11
Day 81 - Rev 12-16
Day 82 - Rev 17-20
Day 83 - Rev 21-22
Now I'm off to read four chapters from 1 Corinthians...
One of the best things I did over the Summer was buy the new NIV study bible. It's the first bible, for my personal use, that I've brought for well over a decade... and it's pretty awesome.
My plan was/is to read the entire New Testament by the end of the Summer (which has morphed into the end of March).
As such, I scoured the internet to find a bible reading plan which would take around three months (since I was planning to take Sundays off).
But, alas, I couldn't find anything which tickled my fancy.
So, I sat down with my new bible and developed my own, trying to connect the natural thought chunks from the various books.
My last scripture reading scheme was back in 2012, which I posted about here. Needless to say, that time, I failed spectacularly!
This time I'm doing much better, currently sitting on day 39.
For most of you, you can stop reading now because the rest of the post will just be a massive list, but here are how the days & readings break down... (you'll notice that the overview articles and book introductions are included within the schedule)
Day 1 - New Testament intro
Day 2 - Matthew intro, Matt 1-4
Day 3 - Matt 5-7
Day 4 - Matt 8-12
Day 5 - Matt 13-17
Day 6 - Matt 18-21
Day 7 - Matt 22-25
Day 8 - Matt 26-28
Day 9 - Mark intro, Mark 1-3
Day 10 - Mark 4-8
Day 11 - Mark 9-13
Day 12 - Mark 14-16
Day 13 - Luke intro, Luke 1-2
Day 14 - Luke 3-7
Day 15 - Luke 8-12
Day 16 - Luke 13-17
Day 17 - Luke 18-21
Day 18 - Luke 22-24
Day 19 - John intro, John 1
Day 20 - John 2-5
Day 21 - John 6-10
Day 22 - John 11-14
Day 23 - John 15-17
Day 24 - John 18-21
Day 25 - Acts intro, Acts 1-2
Day 26 - Acts 3-5
Day 27 - Acts 6-8
Day 28 - Acts 9-12
Day 29 - Acts 13-15
Day 30 - Acts 16-18
Day 31 - Acts 19-23
Day 32 - Acts 24-28
Day 33 - Epistles intro
Day 34 - Romans intro, Romans 1
Day 35 - Romans 2-4
Day 36 - Romans 5-8
Day 37 - Romans 9-11
Day 38 - Romans 12-16
Day 39 - 1 Corinthians into
Day 40 - 1 Cor 1-4
Day 41 - 1 Cor 5-7
Day 42 - 1 Cor 8-11
Day 43 - 1 Cor 12-14
Day 44 - 1 Cor 15-16
Day 45 - 2 Corinthians intro, 2 Cor 1-2
Day 46 - 2 Cor 3-7
Day 47 - 2 Cor 8-13
Day 48 - Galatians intro, Gal 1-2
Day 49 - Galatians 3-6
Day 50 - Ephesians intro, Eph 1
Day 51 - Ephesians 2-6
Day 52 - Philippians intro, Phil 1
Day 53 - Philippians 2-4
Day 54 - Colossians intro, Col 1-2
Day 55 - Colossians 3-4
Day 56 - 1 Thessalonians intro, 1 Thess 1-3
Day 57 - 1 Thess 4-6
Day 58 - 2 Thessalonians intro, 2 Thess 1-3
Day 59 - 1 Timothy intro, 1 Tim 1
Day 60 - 1 Tim 2-6
Day 61 - 2 Timothy intro, 2 Tim 1-4
Day 62 - Titus intro, Titus 1-3
Day 63 - Philemon intro, Philemon 1
Day 64- Hebrews intro, Hebrews 1-2
Day 65 - Hebrews 3-5
Day 66 - Hebrews 6-10
Day 67 - Hebrews 11-13
Day 68 - James intro, James 1-2
Day 69 - James 3-5
Day 70 - 1 Peter intro, 1 Peter 1-2
Day 71 - 1 Peter 3-5
Day 72 - 2 Peter intro, 2 Peter 1-3
Day 73 - 1 John intro, 1 John 1-2
Day 74 - 1 John 3-5
Day 75 - 2 John intro, 2 John 1, 3 John intro, 3 John 1
Day 76 - Jude intro, Jude 1
Day 77 - Revelation intro
Day 78 - Rev 1-3
Day 79 - Rev 4-8
Day 80 - Rev 9-11
Day 81 - Rev 12-16
Day 82 - Rev 17-20
Day 83 - Rev 21-22
Now I'm off to read four chapters from 1 Corinthians...
Monday, February 8, 2016
Regular transmission resumes
Well, where do I begin?
I haven't written a "real" blog post for 97 days.
In that time, life has changed. A lot.
I'm now reading gas meters "full-time."
If my wife has her way, my second child will be born imminently.
And, I'm taking some time out from ministry (which I'm sure you'll hear the story of in due time).
In fact, my life, in many ways reflects what it did when I started this blogging journey back in 2008.
So, the Ramblings will now return to regular transmission.
And trust me, after three months off, there are a lot of ministry, church and youth Ramblings to get off my chest...
I haven't written a "real" blog post for 97 days.
In that time, life has changed. A lot.
I'm now reading gas meters "full-time."
If my wife has her way, my second child will be born imminently.
And, I'm taking some time out from ministry (which I'm sure you'll hear the story of in due time).
In fact, my life, in many ways reflects what it did when I started this blogging journey back in 2008.
So, the Ramblings will now return to regular transmission.
And trust me, after three months off, there are a lot of ministry, church and youth Ramblings to get off my chest...
Friday, February 5, 2016
A little more conversation...
It's been awfully quiet around here the last few months whilst my life has undergone a lot of transitions.
But, I'll be back blogging from Monday...
Unless my wife starts giving birth to our second child over the weekend. Did I mention that life is undergoing a lot of transitions???
But, I'll be back blogging from Monday...
Unless my wife starts giving birth to our second child over the weekend. Did I mention that life is undergoing a lot of transitions???
Thursday, December 31, 2015
2015 best of...
As I write this in the closing hour of 2015, I can't help but wrestle with the last year.
In short, it has been a year or turbulence.
2015 has been... difficult... but productive.
2015 has been... challenging... but hopeful.
2015 has been... keeping-me-up-all-night-with-worry... but, equally, peacefully reassured.
Over the last 12 months, my most read post - with ten times my usual traffic - was Would a Season of Giving Kid's Talks make Sermons Better? with the second most read article being The Secret Sauce of Small Group Leading.
Without doubt, the most important thing I wrote and, possibly have ever written, was 10 Rules for Making it Though Life.
Other highlights from 2015 were...
The New Numbers that Matter
Do we let the Worst Chapter close the Book?
The 5 Responses to a Question
Do we keep Parents by the Side of the Pool?
The Four Options of Advice
Gnosticism and Sexting
Those-whom-the-church-is-for
Who Should I be Caught by if I had an AM Account?
Setting the Equation
The Key Question from Elijah
What Someone Who's Messed Up Sexually is Actually Like...
How to Lose me from your Church
Everything isn't First-run
Should we give a F@#k about Swearing?
When can the Relationship hit Refresh?
Balancing Knowing and Experiencing
Can you see the Light?
The Actions of Boys Don't Impress Men
Eulogising 101
Why you need Leaders Beyond their Mid-Twenties
Balancing your Buckets (something I'm still learning...)
Running the Scenarios
The Problem with 50 Shades and Twilight (my third most popular post)
The 5 Problem Areas in Youth Ministry
When a Kid needs the Win
The Person you Sleep with should Tick these Three Boxes
3 Reasons the Younger need the Older with the Different Plumbing
F.I.S.T.C.
This should give you some things to read since, currently, I'm still required to keep relative silence about the last few months and will need to remain that way for another month or so.
But 2016 still holds hope and fresh opportunities, providing an avenue to reassess and reconnect, even if it'll look significantly different than 2015...
In short, it has been a year or turbulence.
2015 has been... difficult... but productive.
2015 has been... challenging... but hopeful.
2015 has been... keeping-me-up-all-night-with-worry... but, equally, peacefully reassured.
Over the last 12 months, my most read post - with ten times my usual traffic - was Would a Season of Giving Kid's Talks make Sermons Better? with the second most read article being The Secret Sauce of Small Group Leading.
Without doubt, the most important thing I wrote and, possibly have ever written, was 10 Rules for Making it Though Life.
Other highlights from 2015 were...
The New Numbers that Matter
Do we let the Worst Chapter close the Book?
The 5 Responses to a Question
Do we keep Parents by the Side of the Pool?
The Four Options of Advice
Gnosticism and Sexting
Those-whom-the-church-is-for
Who Should I be Caught by if I had an AM Account?
Setting the Equation
The Key Question from Elijah
What Someone Who's Messed Up Sexually is Actually Like...
How to Lose me from your Church
Everything isn't First-run
Should we give a F@#k about Swearing?
When can the Relationship hit Refresh?
Balancing Knowing and Experiencing
Can you see the Light?
The Actions of Boys Don't Impress Men
Eulogising 101
Why you need Leaders Beyond their Mid-Twenties
Balancing your Buckets (something I'm still learning...)
Running the Scenarios
The Problem with 50 Shades and Twilight (my third most popular post)
The 5 Problem Areas in Youth Ministry
When a Kid needs the Win
The Person you Sleep with should Tick these Three Boxes
3 Reasons the Younger need the Older with the Different Plumbing
F.I.S.T.C.
This should give you some things to read since, currently, I'm still required to keep relative silence about the last few months and will need to remain that way for another month or so.
But 2016 still holds hope and fresh opportunities, providing an avenue to reassess and reconnect, even if it'll look significantly different than 2015...
Thursday, November 5, 2015
A little less conversation
I'll admit, I'm a bad blogger.
Those who "know" how to successfully blog say that everything should be about the readers.
Personally, this has never really been the case.
I've always blogged for myself.
I blog about the things bouncing around my head.
I documented things which I knew I'd want to revisit.
You, dear reader, have just been looking over my shoulder.
Well, now I need to take a break.
So, for the rest of the year, I'm going on a blog hiatus.
In fact, I'm going on a complete ministry fast.
Over the next few months I've been given the opportunity for time and space...
But, I'll be back.
Those who "know" how to successfully blog say that everything should be about the readers.
Personally, this has never really been the case.
I've always blogged for myself.
I blog about the things bouncing around my head.
I documented things which I knew I'd want to revisit.
You, dear reader, have just been looking over my shoulder.
Well, now I need to take a break.
So, for the rest of the year, I'm going on a blog hiatus.
In fact, I'm going on a complete ministry fast.
Over the next few months I've been given the opportunity for time and space...
But, I'll be back.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The new numbers that matter
I didn't grow up in the church.
Like many teens who gravitated to a youth group, I followed a girl (who I didn’t end up getting!) and, over time, the message of Jesus became more important than the unrequited love.
Classically, the golden ratio in ministry with young people is around 1:5 – one adult for every five kids.
But, progressively (from places like the Fuller Youth Institute), it’s being realised that the effective ratio in growing and, importantly, retaining young people within a church is 5:1 – five adults for every one youngster.
For children and teens need to feel that there’s a group of people caring and investing in them and their faith development, not just a select few.
Historically, it’s the smaller, heavily volunteer driven, churches who've been doing this effectively across the generations, not the flashy mega-churches.
Like many teens who gravitated to a youth group, I followed a girl (who I didn’t end up getting!) and, over time, the message of Jesus became more important than the unrequited love.
Nonetheless,
over the years it took for me to find my faith, there were some people who especially invested in my spiritual development. Some of these people were “on
staff,” most weren’t.
Do you have similar people in your
past?
Can you think of those who,
especially, took the time and made the effort to engage with you and nurture
your faith?Classically, the golden ratio in ministry with young people is around 1:5 – one adult for every five kids.
But, progressively (from places like the Fuller Youth Institute), it’s being realised that the effective ratio in growing and, importantly, retaining young people within a church is 5:1 – five adults for every one youngster.
For children and teens need to feel that there’s a group of people caring and investing in them and their faith development, not just a select few.
Historically, it’s the smaller, heavily volunteer driven, churches who've been doing this effectively across the generations, not the flashy mega-churches.
It’s the
churches which develop a culture of making space for the children, engaging
with them in conversation, and supporting them as they explore who Jesus is,
where the kids’ faith – long-term – is healthier.
The challenge for churches is to find ways, and develop an intentional culture, where adults can naturally find avenues to show young people that there's an entire village concerned about them.
For, the new number in effective long-term youth ministry seems to be as intricately linked with adults as it is to youth. If you don't have the tribe of adults - the five, then it's far less likely that you retain your youngsters - the one.
The person
who said that it takes a village to raise a child may have been on to
something far deeper than they're aware…
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Going beyond the Jesus example
Traditionally, in church, the answer is always Jesus.
Or the bible.
If one of these is not the correct answer then you've misheard the question or the person posing the query is greatly confused...
But, having Jesus as your sole example in a sermon may not be as helpful as we assume.
Why?
Because Jesus was faultiness and those listening have never personally seen Him nor are able to follow him around for a few hours.
Don't get me wrong, Jesus is a phenomenal God-man. Perfect even. I'm not bagging out Jesus in any way...
But, when giving an example of holiness, sacrifice, integrity, holy discontent, compassion, ect... if the ONLY example we present others is Jesus then, at times, the example might feel out of reach.
Because, let's face it, who can measure up to Jesus?
I know I can't.
And, if He's the only example you give me to emulate, then a part of me wonders why I should bother... (I'm fully prepared to admit that this is only me, but I suspect it's not)
A better plan would be, in addition to using Jesus, pointing to someone known personally by the congregation.
I feel, if they're able to associate your point with someone they're familiar with - having had a conversation with them, knowing their life-journey personally and being able to observe your point lived out - then the goal or holiness, sacrifice, integrity, whatever... seems far more attainable to those in the pews.
Or the bible.
If one of these is not the correct answer then you've misheard the question or the person posing the query is greatly confused...
But, having Jesus as your sole example in a sermon may not be as helpful as we assume.
Why?
Because Jesus was faultiness and those listening have never personally seen Him nor are able to follow him around for a few hours.
Don't get me wrong, Jesus is a phenomenal God-man. Perfect even. I'm not bagging out Jesus in any way...
But, when giving an example of holiness, sacrifice, integrity, holy discontent, compassion, ect... if the ONLY example we present others is Jesus then, at times, the example might feel out of reach.
Because, let's face it, who can measure up to Jesus?
I know I can't.
And, if He's the only example you give me to emulate, then a part of me wonders why I should bother... (I'm fully prepared to admit that this is only me, but I suspect it's not)
A better plan would be, in addition to using Jesus, pointing to someone known personally by the congregation.
I feel, if they're able to associate your point with someone they're familiar with - having had a conversation with them, knowing their life-journey personally and being able to observe your point lived out - then the goal or holiness, sacrifice, integrity, whatever... seems far more attainable to those in the pews.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The desire & burden of ministry?
Last weekend I preached my second consecutive sermon in our current series on the book of Ecclesiastes. As I was doing prep I stumbled over this line (talking about Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)...
We have the desire of eternity in our hearts, and the weight of eternity upon our shoulders.
In short, it says that we, as humans, are acutely aware of our mortality, and yet have an internal longing for something eternal. With this being the case, while we might strive to attain and achieve things which will last with the work of our hands, everything we reach for to satisfy this yearning ultimately falls short and leaves us feeling empty.
As I've sat with this idea, I've begun to sense a similar thing with ministry.
We can have the desire for ministry in our hearts, and the weight of ministry upon our shoulders.
For, we can have a near unquenchable and undeniable desire to serve God and grow the Kingdom of God, yet, have upon our shoulders a (Real or imaginary) workload that's never ultimately satisfied and can leave us feeling worn down.
Now, I don't want to come off like a bemoaning martyr and that ministry is a "Godly burden."
But I wonder how many people truly feel this way about ministry...
In short, it says that we, as humans, are acutely aware of our mortality, and yet have an internal longing for something eternal. With this being the case, while we might strive to attain and achieve things which will last with the work of our hands, everything we reach for to satisfy this yearning ultimately falls short and leaves us feeling empty.
As I've sat with this idea, I've begun to sense a similar thing with ministry.
We can have the desire for ministry in our hearts, and the weight of ministry upon our shoulders.
For, we can have a near unquenchable and undeniable desire to serve God and grow the Kingdom of God, yet, have upon our shoulders a (Real or imaginary) workload that's never ultimately satisfied and can leave us feeling worn down.
Now, I don't want to come off like a bemoaning martyr and that ministry is a "Godly burden."
But I wonder how many people truly feel this way about ministry...
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Did Jesus eat bacon?
Some issues are core to salvation.
Some are open-handed, whilst others are close-fisted.
Last week I was asked a very, VERY, important question by a student in one of my scripture classes.
He asked, "Did Jesus eat bacon?"
Gulp...
I knew, as a good Jew, the response was probably negative.
And, in truth, it pained me to give the answer.
Because... Bacon is awesome.
Everyone knows that.
E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E.
I know that.
You know that.
The kids in my scripture class know that.
But, then it occurred to me, God knows that.
He made pigs.
He made bacon.
He made tastebuds.
So, while the succulent-ness that is bacon may not have ever passed the lips of Jesus, I think He knows how delicious it is.
At least, that's what I told the class.
Somehow, anything else, seemed like an effective way to seriously jeopardise a youngsters salvation...
Some are open-handed, whilst others are close-fisted.
Last week I was asked a very, VERY, important question by a student in one of my scripture classes.
He asked, "Did Jesus eat bacon?"
Gulp...
I knew, as a good Jew, the response was probably negative.
And, in truth, it pained me to give the answer.
Because... Bacon is awesome.
Everyone knows that.
E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E.
I know that.
You know that.
The kids in my scripture class know that.
But, then it occurred to me, God knows that.
He made pigs.
He made bacon.
He made tastebuds.
So, while the succulent-ness that is bacon may not have ever passed the lips of Jesus, I think He knows how delicious it is.
At least, that's what I told the class.
Somehow, anything else, seemed like an effective way to seriously jeopardise a youngsters salvation...
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Do we let the worst chapter close the book?
As I mentioned as the seventeenth random thing about me, since I worked for the same place where I started going to church, I still have the sign in sheet from my first ever week at youth group.
My first week, I assume, was uneventful.
I didn't light a fire...
I didn't turn up drunk...
I didn't get into a fight...
I didn't swear at any of the leaders...
I didn't even openly heckle the "Jesus" thing they were going on about.
As a teen, I was a relatively unobtrusive kid.
But, this isn't always the case.
For some, they push the boundaries on the first week...
Or the first month...
Or once they turn 15...
Or when they start hanging with that "new crowd."
I know, for some, their faith journey starts pretty rough...
Or involves a pretty rocky chapter...
Or a few.
The longer that you're at a church, the more chapters in life you have the privilege to witness play out.
But I wonder, do we give up on some kids because they have a tough start?
Do we miss the redemptive story because we're not willing to stick out the rebellious spurts?
Do we rob ourselves, and potentially the young person, of the beautiful (and sometimes hilarious) story that unfolds and is joyously told years into the future?
My first week, I assume, was uneventful.
I didn't light a fire...
I didn't turn up drunk...
I didn't get into a fight...
I didn't swear at any of the leaders...
I didn't even openly heckle the "Jesus" thing they were going on about.
As a teen, I was a relatively unobtrusive kid.
But, this isn't always the case.
For some, they push the boundaries on the first week...
Or the first month...
Or once they turn 15...
Or when they start hanging with that "new crowd."
I know, for some, their faith journey starts pretty rough...
Or involves a pretty rocky chapter...
Or a few.
The longer that you're at a church, the more chapters in life you have the privilege to witness play out.
But I wonder, do we give up on some kids because they have a tough start?
Do we miss the redemptive story because we're not willing to stick out the rebellious spurts?
Do we rob ourselves, and potentially the young person, of the beautiful (and sometimes hilarious) story that unfolds and is joyously told years into the future?
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
How big is your Jesus?
No question is too hard.
No topic is too taboo.
No situation is too painful.
No sin is too great.
No past is too dark.
No person is too lost.
No mistake is THAT big.
The problem for the church is that the opposite of the above messages are alive and well in people's minds.
Questions are off limits...
Some topics are out-of-bounds...
Past pains are to be suppressed...
Sins are an unforgivable source of shame...
You must be perfect to be accepted...
THAT mistake makes you unworthy to be included...
Is this the Jesus you follow?
Is this the Jesus you present to others?
Is this the Jesus you preach?
Is the Jesus you speak about big enough to handle anything?
No topic is too taboo.
No situation is too painful.
No sin is too great.
No past is too dark.
No person is too lost.
No mistake is THAT big.
The problem for the church is that the opposite of the above messages are alive and well in people's minds.
Questions are off limits...
Some topics are out-of-bounds...
Past pains are to be suppressed...
Sins are an unforgivable source of shame...
You must be perfect to be accepted...
THAT mistake makes you unworthy to be included...
Is this the Jesus you follow?
Is this the Jesus you present to others?
Is this the Jesus you preach?
Is the Jesus you speak about big enough to handle anything?
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