not preaching on sunday
2008-03-27 07:30:08
Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'My wife and I are going out of town for a couple of nights of quiet. We're headed to Galena. Neither of us have been. Being the thoughtful sort (ha!) I have booked us at a place with a spa. I see a massage in my near future. Decadent? Yes. It is. What's your point? So, I will not be preaching at Community Church this Sunday. In stead, a friend of mine will be our guest. It should be a lot of fun. She's a good preacher. Slide on by CCW this Sunday and find out who it is. She's preaching on t
musing again
2008-03-26 09:48:47
I awoke this morning a little more sluggishly than normal for me. I'm usually the kind of person who hops out of bed and gets right into the day. I like a cup of coffee and maybe something to snack on right away. If I had newspaper delivery, I would read a paper in the morning. Often, I find myself online. This morning the alarm went off at 6am. It actually woke me up. That almost never happens. I'm usually in bed waiting for it or down the hall reading and waiting for it. I hit snooze...three times. Then I struggled to get up and feed the cats. They were looking hungrily at my toes. It seemed wise to get up and offer them an alternative. But once the cats were fed I went straight back to bed. No coffee. No reading. Just bed. Trish and I stopped at a local 'Bucks for caffeine on the way to
teasing the massive?
2008-03-26 09:04:24
Hat tip to Heidi for this one. Wow. Okay...it's a little free and easy, but I got a chuckle out of it....
Read more: massive
wow...done
2008-04-01 16:49:46
And it's done. The Thesis has been sent in to the Proper Authorities. I am sure there will be minor (please, God only minor) corrections and clarifications that I will have to make. That's fine. But I can breathe now. It's done. Thank you for your well-wishing, the good karma, and the prayers. Wow. Damn....
charisma feet
2008-04-01 12:43:29
Charisma feet Originally uploaded by AngloBaptist Yeah. There they are. Um. Yeah. Enjoy?...
Read more: charisma
what? there's more?
2008-04-01 09:32:12
With this in mind, let us raise our hearts and minds on high, where Jesus Christ is, in the glory of his Father, and from whence we look for him at our redemption. Let us not be bemused by these earthly and corruptible elements which we see with the eye, and touch with the hand, in order to seek him there, as if he were enclosed in the bread or wine. - 1542 Geneva Reformed LiturgyJohn Calvin has yet to appear in any of my dreams. This is likely a sign of health. And yet I'm surprised. I'm used to my obsessions appearing in my dreams. Ah well. The thesis has made appearances, and that's interesting on some level. Maybe I'm more obsessed about the thesis than I am John Calvin. Who can say? John Calvin is not a popular figure among those of us on the left edge of Christianity. He's not a paci
it's raining this morning
2008-03-31 07:19:12
Worship styles are one of the most significant reasons that people choose to join a given congregation. Correspondingly, they are central to the identity of most congregations. - Alban InstituteGalena was lovely. It was just the break I needed...though, per most usuals, I could have used an extra week or two. That will come in time. When I get a chance this week, I'll download (upload?) some photos for you all to see. Galena is a lovely little Victorian town. That's what they have preserved at least. U.S. Grant lived there for a time. It was once a thriving lead mining town and boomed somewhat leading up to and during the war. Now, it's a tourist town with about 3,500 residents. Rolling hills, history and several good golf courses seem to be the main draw right now. Trish and I may go back
No title
2008-03-30 19:34:37
We're back....
looking back always a mistake?
2008-04-04 07:58:35
fewer and fewer evangelical Christians will be attracted to the mood of angry nostalgia for a lost golden Christian America that has so often characterized the evangelical public voice[…]. - David GusheeReligion Dispatches has posted a summary of a panel discussion with scholar David Gushee on the shifting political landscape of evangelical America. It's worth a read if you are interested. The bloggist, Robert P. Jones, offers several interesting notions of his own. Essentially, party loyalty is fading as people are willingly step away from the rhetoric of the power mongers and express the nuances of their own thinking. The priorities may not be what many expect. The question is, of course, how this will show itself in the coming presidential election. Should be interesting. I pulled the
Read more: always
the nasty bits
2008-04-03 08:17:34
Understand, when you eat meat, that something did die. You have an obligation to value it - not just the sirloin but also all those wonderful tough little bits. - Anthony BourdainThe sermon calls to me this morning. The lectionary reading is about having dinner with Jesus. There are about a million ways that I can run with this idea. And that is not a good thing. I must focus (grasshopper). So, I am thinking about the nasty bits about a meal. Anthony Bourdain has published a collection of articles into a book entitled "The Nasty Bits." The quotation is something I picked up somewhere else, but it gets to the premise of the book...and the title (and content) is simply a play on the notion. The essays are all over the place...racism, food, kitchens, immigration, impregnation, quich
sermon: food and creative love
2008-04-05 14:15:41
Follow the extended link for tomorrow's sermon....
Read more: creative
a memorial service
2008-04-05 08:37:30
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a way as gives us breath; Such a truth as ends all strife, Such a life as killeth death. Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a light as shows a feast, Such a feast as mends in length, Such a strength as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a joy as none can move, Such a love as none can part, Such a heart as joys in love. - George HerbertLast night people gathered at Community Church to celebrate the life of John W. Burke. It was a remarkable evening. Musicians from all over the area and beyond came in to pay their respects, to share stories, to sing and to grieve with one another. For those of you who have led a memorial service or two, I hope you understand what I say. I simply unlocked the door and the service happened all
innovative churches
2008-04-08 07:10:34
Innovation is super fragile. It's very easy to kill. We need a stubborn, rebellious attitude. - Douglas Merrill, CIO, GoogleEvery now and again I pick up a copy of Fast Company magazine. I actually like some of the stuff they publish about up and coming companies especially their creative solutions to problems. The March issue is about innovation. It's interesting. Truly. And it is fun to see what can be translated into church life. Sometimes the ideas simply won't translate. Often corporations are after something that churches are not (financial profit, market share, etc.) and their methods don't wash with the Gospel. But every now and again the general attitudes are helpful. On the cover is this quotation from Douglas Merrill. In some ways he's simply stating what we all already know. Pe
monday videoblog: not handy
2008-04-07 13:06:29
monday videoblog: not handy...
more mumbling
2008-04-09 08:26:16
We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, [people] are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have - for their usefulness. - Thomas MertonThe weather continues to be of the "April showers..." variety. We'll see a lot of rain and cloudiness this month. That's just how it goes. So, as I write this, the sky is gray and my coffee is warm. It's not a bad combination, but I'm really sick of the gray weather. Still, it makes for good reading weather. I'm going in to work late this morning since I was at the church a little later than usual last night. So, what is it about usefulness? Is usefulness a bad thing? I wonder if Merton was much of a fan of utilitarian philosophies. It would seem from the quotation
processing
2008-04-08 21:36:51
Today we live in a culture of brokenness and fragmentation. Images of individualism and autonomy are far more compelling to us than visions of unity, and the fabric of relatedness seems dangerously threadbare and frayed. - Parker Palmer, WEAVINGS, Vol. III, # 4, p. 2Megan rightly pointed out that my previous entry was "fragmented." And I just want you all to know that this entry will likely be just as fragmented if not more so. I'm just giving you fair warning. There's a lot running through my mind. The Young Fogey offers this from Fr. Methodius: When presented with a choice between doing good and feeling good, the west almost always chooses the latter because it costs less. (more)Yeah. Sometimes I think that what these guys say is true about us. Some days I don't. Today I'm just
still working
2008-04-11 07:27:05
Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.- Henri NouwenI am still plugging away at the sermon. Trish and I were up very late getting things organized for our visit with the tax accountant tomorrow. And there was a meeting at the church. So, I did not work on the sermon. It'll have to happen today. But that too will be a challenge. One of my parishoners is in the hospital. So, I'll be going out that way this morning after I drop Trish off at the train station. And we have a wedding rehearsal this evening. I'm presiding. It's a great honor. The wedding is tomorrow evening. So, I've much to do in the next 36 hours. The sermon will come together. I have an outline. And I have a sense of what is making me nervous. Often, at least for me,
Read more: working
maybe its me
2008-04-10 19:41:39
Okay...not at all...But here is some interesting news from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the first seminary I attended so very long ago.Faced with “worrisome” financial challenges, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will downsize its faculty and staff, the school’s president announced April 8....
sermon grumblings
2008-04-10 13:39:32
Gaa!- MeWhat is up with 1 Peter?! Why won't the thing leave me alone? Stupid scripture passage...all niggly and relentless. Bugger....
more sermon musings
2008-04-10 11:42:15
Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It is a gift for the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got.- Steven Pressfield, The War of ArtThe pairing of the 1 Peter passage with the Acts passage is interesting. Just because the early church shared all things in common, did good things for people, and were (arguably) kind to their neighbors, does not mean they were treated well. No, sometimes endurance will be called for. Endurance not camouflage....
sermon preparation
2008-04-10 07:03:41
They take the paper and they read the headlines, so they've heard of unemployment and they've heard of bread lines, and they philanthropically cure them all by getting up a costume charity ball. - Ogden NashI have coffee. It's good to me. I usually drink it black these days, but this morning I have a little cream in my jo. I don't know why. Thursdays are my sermon days. I try to have a draft completed by noon. I've been pretty good about it lately, too. If the sermon is completed by Friday morning, then I can play during the weekend. This is a particularly busy weekend. I'm presiding at a wedding. So, we have a rehearsal on Friday evening and then the wedding the following night. I also have an appointment with my tax accountant on Saturday morning. Yay. So, I need to get something signifi
Read more: preparation
the sermon: now with notes!
2008-04-13 06:15:37
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. - 1 Peter 2:22-23Good grief but this is a hard passage to preach. So, I keep asking myself why I cannot leave it alone. I keep asking myself, pleading with myself to talk about the Good Shepherd and to let the epistles to the experts. But I am a fool. I cannot let it alone. Or, more accurately to how I feel, this passage won't let me alone. There is no full manuscript this morning. I hope that does not disappoint anyone overly. I will be preaching from an outline this morning. I know I run the risk of rambling, but I am hoping that the more "conversational" style will help
national workshop, day one
2008-04-15 07:22:17
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. - Brother LawrenceYesterday was good. Registration continues apace at the Workshop. Today the classes begin. Some folk from Reconciler and Immanuel Lutheran will present what they are doing. That's exciting. Bishop Demetrios will also present a workshop on ecumenism and the global AIDS crisis. Have a gander at the National Workshop website to see what else is going on. The worship service last night was incredible. I was able to serve as the ABC representative in the procession. So, I had the honor of hobknobbing with Bishop Demetrios (Greek Orthodox), Bishop Paprocki (Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago) as well as other notables. When I have a moment, I'll list them all. It was
monday videoblog: christian unity in shorts
2008-04-14 11:12:48
monday videoblog: christian unity in shortsAdd to My Profile | More Videos...
national workshop, day two
2008-04-16 07:59:26
Michael Kiinamen spoke of the tension between Faith and Order and the search for Justice and Human Rights. He called upon us to recognize and maintain the balance of these two callings. - NWCU websiteMichael Kinnamon offerd up a keynote address that I hope will find itself online soon. It was quite remarkable. He is the Executive for the National Council of Churches. Kinnamon is an ecumenism scholar, former seminary dean and all around good guy. He's very bright and his address/sermon was inspiring. Essentially he was attempting to remind all of us of the place of faith (including doctrine and liturgy) and works (including justice and activism) in Christian life and how it plays out within the ecumenical context. There is an increasing sense that the two poles are pulling away from one ano
national workshop, day three
2008-04-17 07:41:30
Here is an image from the worship service on Monday evening.The workshop offers morning classes or, well, workshops. I attended two on the third day of the workshop. To do so, I had to leave the first one half of the way through. The first workshop was a sharing and conversation about an Illinois Council of Churches study of baptismal practices and theologies. The hope, it would seem, was to help navigate the confusing denominational landscape. People drift from denomination to denomination. How do we understand one another's practices and perhaps even share our baptismal records? The concern is not as administrative as I make it sound. The issue is this: one is not baptized a Baptist. One is baptized a Christian. Denominations are subsets. Even the Catholics in the room nodded. So, how do
national workshop, day four
2008-04-18 09:27:04
We are called to submit to the cry of the culture around us... - Dwight FriesenDay four of the National Workshop was perhaps my favorite. I was able to attend two of the seminars (at least in part) and found the closing panel discussion about Christian unity and the tensions between local and universal church fascinating. I'll post now about the two seminars I attended and then post about the panel discussion separately. The Edgewater Community Religious Association offered a seminar to share what they are doing. Edgewater is a neighborhood in Chicago that wrestles with and enjoys incredible diversity. And the local religious association reflects that. Various religions attempt to serve the neighborhood and maintain their distinct voices in a spirit of mutual respect and care. Only a few p
national workshop, the panel discussion
2008-04-19 07:11:20
From their different locations and traditions all are called in Christ to share in the unity of the family of God's children... Jesus destroys the walls of division and creates unity in a new and unsurpassed way through our sharing in his mystery. This unity is so deep that the Church can say with Saint Paul: ‘You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are saints and members of the household of God' (Eph 2:19)”. - Pope John Paul, IIThe panel was moderated by CBS Executive Producer (Cultural and Religious Broadcasts) John R. Blessington. The panel's topic was "The Local Churches and the Global Church." Dr. Margaret O'Gara, Professor of Theology at the University of St. Michaels College, Toronto, Dr. Joseph D. Small, Director, Theology, Worship and Education for the Pr
monday videoblog: pink tuesdays
2008-04-22 07:50:27
monday videoblog: pink tuesdays ..Add to My Profile | More Videos...
roger williams is blue like jazz: part, the first
2008-04-23 07:18:47
I love to give charity, but I don't want to be charity. This is why I have so much truouble with grace. - Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz (p. 84)We are slowly wrapping up the year at l'eglise du Ouilmette (Hey, did I get that right?). The Adult study group, The Roger Williams Class, will go on hiatus for the summer after Memorial Day weekend. But between now and then, I am hopeful that we can do one or two cool things. This Sunday, an educator from Protestants for the Common Good will join us. On May 18, an educator from a north shore based housing justice group will join us. On the three remaining Sundays, however, we will be reading through Blue Like Jazz. I am trying not to get too far ahead. I find myself devouring the book again. It's not the first time I have read it, and I still find
|
Recommend Site To A Friend
