Reepicheep

Hug someone from Buffalo today...

2012-01-27T14:18:00.000-06:00

If you have a heart, you will find someone who hails from the Buffalo/Western New York region and hug them.

Today is the anniversary of one of the darkest days in Buffalo history.

Words do not suffice...

2012-01-25T14:22:00.001-06:00

Words do not suffice-

More evidence that cats are superior to dogs

2012-01-23T00:12:00.000-06:00

Talk about a stud cat!

Dempsey is America's best

2012-01-21T14:03:00.001-06:00

Landon Donovan is often recognized as being the best American soccer player, possibly of all time. For me, I cast my vote for Clint Dempsey who consistently contributes to his team in a more difficult league.

Get a load of what Dempsey did in his latest game yesterday-

<a href='http://video.msn.com?vid=b3d31c83-2e5b-4e25-bd59-6e55aefe496b&mkt=en-US&from=sp^en-us_fblike&src=FLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Clint Dempsey is sensational' >Video: Clint Dempsey is sensational</a>

Lindy Ruff as Salvatore Tessio

2012-01-19T23:43:00.004-06:00

I have been a Buffalo Sabres fan since the day I was born, literally. The Sabres first season was 1970-71. I have always loved my Sabres. Buffalo is a beleaguered city as part of the "rust belt" that has failed to regain some of it's bygone luster like Cleveland and Pittsburgh have. Countless companies have vacated Western New York over the years, but the greater Buffalo area remains proud and religiously supportive of their two professional teams- the Bills (NFL) and the Sabres (NHL). Many cities are zealously supportive of their teams, for Buffalonians there's almost an "Avatar" (movie reference) like connection between the fans and the teams. The teams are a way to rise above the economic difficulties of life in Buffalo.

Buffalo is near Canada and thus a hockey town with a whole bunch of hockey players. Just like every kid in Mexico plays soccer, at least in their neighborhood, so also does every kid in Western New York play hockey. Hockey is played in driveways, city streets, gyms, church basements, frozen ponds, and state of the art rinks. Every kid plays hockey in some way when they grow up in Western New York. Buffalo is a hockey town in love with it's team.

The National Hockey League has a salary cap which makes for reasonable parity in the league, effectively allowing for small market clubs like the Sabres to have a shot at winning the most storied trophy in sports- the Stanley Cup. At the same time, Buffalo has never had an owner willing to go right to the cap limit and pay what it takes to put a yearly contender on the ice. The Sabres have been to the Cup finals twice in their 40 years (1975 & 1999), with both series ending as terrible disappointments (NO GOAL!). Close calls are all Sabres' fans have for Cup memories. When the NHL had a major labor dispute and lockout in 2004, the Sabres actually emerged quite well with their GM, Darcy Regier, and coach, Lindy Ruff, doing a great job building a team that could compete with the new league structure and dynamics. Through and beyond the lockout, Regier and Ruff weathered ownership changes, financial scandals, horrible jerseys and a steady loss of players for several years. Since 2004, the Sabres have put some excellent teams on the ice while staying well under the salary cap. They became the league model for winning (regular season games) on the cheap. Despite consistently sporting a competitive team, they were known for cheapness and fan frustration reached a fevered pitch after a truly special and stellar 2006-07 campaign ended in the Eastern Conference finals followed immediately by the painful loss of their two best players (Chris Drury and Danny Briere) because ownership wouldn't pay them. After 2007 a feeling of futility started to sink in to the Sabres fan base. Owner Tom Golisano was just not going to pay for the team the city of Buffalo so desperately wanted...probably even needed.

Then, last year, like something from a fairy tale, a former Buffalo native who bled blue and gold, and also happened to be worth a few billion bucks, showed up on the radar. It was like Gandalf coming with an army of horsemen to rescue battle-worn Rohan from the Orcs at Helm's Deep (another movie reference). Terry Pegula seemed to come from no where to save the franchise. He swooped down and bought the team promising to bring a Stanley Cup in three seasons! Now, such a promise is impossible to fulfill, but Buffalo must be allowed to dream. Terry Pegula, for a few months starting last Spring, re-ignited a flame that had all but burned out. Sabres pride was reborn with a new vengeance and hope. The team finished the season strong and Pegula went after just about every high level free agent he could get in the off season. They were unable to sign the free agent off season prize (Richards), but landed several of the best available players. In a totally un-Sabre like move, he also signed several young, promising Sabres to long term, expensive contracts. Pegula clearly demonstrated that money would be no object. Going forward, Buffalo would be on par with any other big spending club in the league. Such a philosophy is utterly and completely foreign to Buffalo fans. The city was absolutely lit up with excitement about the future, including me.

The new season started with a bang as the re-tooled Sabres looked pretty solid out of the gate in a tour of Germany. Then, the wheels started to wobble, injuries occurred, inconsistent goal tending, and a punchless offense revealed a team no where near the right trajectory to win a Stanley Cup in ten years, let alone three. As I write, the Sabres have lost 11 straight road games and sit four games under .500. They are three spots out of the playoffs in a league where most teams make it. The wheels are off. The team is just plain bad right now.

What's the problem? Well, that's the subject being discussed in Buffalo 24/7. The Sabres faithful are distraught and a dark cloud hangs over the city (of course, the Bills don't help).

I am afraid to suggest what I must say. It feels almost sacrilegious.

I fully realize that Lindy Ruff is an institution in Buffalo, and rightfully so. He played many seasons with the Sabres and typified the kind of heart Buffalo folk love. He was not a very talented hockey player, but hustled his butt off, played whatever position he was asked, and stood up to the biggest bullies in the league during the 80's. I grew up watching him. No Sabres fan will forget Billy Smith spearing him in the eye and his return to the ice with a big old bandage on his peeper. It's no wonder he became an excellent coach. He knew how to motivate his teammates, and he proved he could do the same with players as a coach. He is the longest tenured coach in the NHL. Winning 300 games in the NHL is an incredible achievement, especially with one team. Working closely with GM Darcy Regier, Ruff crafted some darn good teams, especially the 2006-07 Eastern Conference final squad. Poor Lindy, like that year, had to watch player after player-that he developed- sign for more money with other clubs.

You would think Pegula's arrival with fists full of money and a somewhat surprising stamp of approval on Darcy Regier could push the team over the top. Sure, no one expected huge things already this year, but improvement on last year's finish was a given in most people's minds. Instead the team looks listless, passionless, and heartless-words that could never be used to describe Lindy Ruff- yet fit the team perfectly right now. This is Lindy Ruff's team, there is no escaping that fact.

It appears that Ruff has lost this team. The team simply doesn't respect him enough to play with the passion that is necessary to win games in the NHL. Shame on the players for sure. They are supposed to be professionals, but have quit, at least on a subconscious level. Their lethargic efforts come from a lack of motivation. It is the coach's job to motivate. It doesn't seem Lindy Ruff can motivate this team any longer.

Why is this so? It is rare for a coach in the professional ranks of any sport to have a long tenure. In high school, college, and the minors coaches can use the same techniques over and over because of rapid player turn over. In the pro ranks, unchanging techniques eventually grow stale. There are only a few exceptions to this coaching longevity "rule" which seems to have caught up to Lindy Ruff. Ruff's approach isn't working with this team and he most likely won't be able to adapt. It's very probable he can go to another team and have good success, good coaches do so regularly. But as for his time with the Sabres, it seems to be over and we all know it. This isn't an indictment on Lindy Ruff and his coaching ability, it's simply the way of all professional coaches eventually.

Western New York sports talk radio, which I listen to somewhat regularly via the Web, is ablaze with speculation about Ruff's future. The airwaves are thick with the reality of what must soon happen. I am reminded of the scene from The Godfather (still another movie reference) when Tessio is revealed to be the traitor and therefore must be eliminated. He enters the Corleone compound and is immediately seized to be taken to his fate. Everyone liked Tessio and he liked them, yet mob rules dictated the way it had to be. It was a sad event, but everyone knew it had to be that way.

Lindy Ruff is no traitor, he has earned his spot in the Sabres pantheon, but the reality of the immediate situation feels the same as the certainty of what had to happen to Tessio.

How to become a foster family

2012-01-19T13:35:00.000-06:00

I don't care if people know we're a foster family except that I've been told my position as a pastor might compel others to support foster care by writing about it. How's that for an introduction?

We became a foster family a tad over three years ago. I prefer to think of a couple becoming "foster parents" as better described as a "foster family". You are providing a family situation for a child who cannot have one for some reason. It could be a long term placement, or just a few days or weeks. In our three years we have had 8 different foster children in our home, with one of those children being the little girl we have had for almost two years. In our case, we have our own children (three boys), so all the more reason to think of ourselves as a foster family. Our boys are just as involved with the children as we are. Further, my mother, who lives close to us, is also very involved in the life of our family, and with those foster children we may have. We are a foster family. It really has to be that way, in my opinion. Every family member has to be called to this ministry.

How do you become a foster family? I don't know about every state, but in Kansas, here is how it works-

1. MAPP Class. If you are a couple, both must take a class called MAPP. MAPP stands for Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP). MAPP class is the state required training course to be certified as a foster or adoptive parent in Kansas. I think this is true for most states. The class is usually offered somewhere in the evening, one night a week for ten weeks. Each class is 3 hours long. It basically covers every aspect of foster parenting. In Kansas there are several foster/adoption agencies that provide the class. The agency we use is TFI. Another agency in the KC area is KVC. Contact either place to find out when and where the next MAPP classes will be held.

2. Get Licensed. After completing MAPP class, you must contract with a foster/adoptive agency to become licensed. These are different from private adoption agencies. TFI and KVC mentioned above are private foster/adoption agencies that contract with the state (SRS is the state agency) to train and provide foster and adoptive resources. We contracted with TFI who helped us through the foster/adoption licensing process. The licensing process includes a state approved "Home Study" conducted by an agency assigned social worker. The Home Study is an extensive analysis and overview of your home situation (family dynamics and your actual physical house) that is used to determine if you are qualified to be a foster parent. Like us, you may have to make some physical modifications to your home in order to be licensed. There is quite a bit of paper work involved in licensing, the process can take 3-6 months. Your agency will walk you through the whole process very helpfully. TFI has been a great agency to work with. In your licensing process, you will have the opportunity to choose what age span you want to be licensed for. This depends partly on your Home Study results. In our case, we opted for an age 0-5 license. There are personal reasons for this which I'll address in an upcoming post. If you are open and qualified, you can license in a way that steers unusual medical condition placements to you.

You can reasonably expect the whole process of becoming a licensed foster family to take a minimum of 9 months. MAPP class is usually a three month commitment (unless you take an accelerated schedule) and Home Study/Licensing takes 3-6 months (more likely, 6 months).

3. Start taking placements. Once you are licensed, your agency will begin calling you as new children come in to the foster system. You will get a phone call from a call center, which could come at any time, night or day, and be asked if you can take a placement. The call center will give you all the immediate information they have so you can decide, but it's not usually too exhaustive. We got a call saying they had a young toddler with "some burns". We said "yes". He turned out to have severe burns over 30% of his body and required quite a bit of medical attention. We're very glad we said yes, but it was a pretty challenging situation we didn't know was coming. You never have to take a particular placement. You decide on a call by call, situation by situation basis. I will write my thoughts on how to decide on what placements you take in a future post. It took us a while to get our first placement, but once we did, we had regular placements for over a year before we took in our current foster child, who was a newborn at the time. There are different kinds of placement lengths, some are known to be long term, some are short "respite"care cases (where you relieve another foster family for a week or so), some might be a medium length stay. In all cases, there will be challenging situations that have caused the child or children to come in to foster care. Foster care is not for the faint of heart and people who are easily alarmed or freaked out are probably not best suited for this kind of ministry. More on that in a future post.

On one hand, becoming a foster family is straight forward. On the other hand, it involves some time, quite a bit of tedium, and some privacy intrusion. If you are one of those anti-government types, you won't like various state agents and social workers popping in and out regularly. If you practice something like spanking (as we do with our own children), you have to be willing to agree not to use such discipline with a foster child. Obviously such a thing will create an interesting dynamic in your home if you have children of your own.

In a post coming soon, I'll share some of our personal experiences and perspectives and give some humble advice to those who are contemplating becoming a foster family. One thing is for sure, and a reason why you don't see me posting on our foster family experience too much- no one should be guilted in to doing this ministry. Being a foster family makes you NO more spiritual than any other Christian. Foster care is not for everyone in the church, but everyone in the church should be supportive. Yes, I think more should consider it than probably are, but it's not something that should become a test of spirituality or a means to be proud. It's a calling that will basically feel natural and not require constant attention and acknowledgement from others..

Posts on foster care coming soon:

The motivation for being a foster family
Determining which foster placements you should take
Foster care as a family calling and ministry
Foster care to adoption

Pliny to Trajan on the Christians

2012-01-15T21:55:00.002-06:00

Pliny was a governor of a Roman province at the beginning of the Second Century. He was monitoring those who identified themselves as Christians in order to make report to the Emperor Trajan. He wrote the following to Trajan around 100 AD.

They also declared that the totality of their guilt or error amounted to no more than this: they had met regularly before dawn on a certain day to chant verses antiphonally amongst themselves in honor of Christ as if to a god, and also to bind themselves with an oath, not in a criminal conspiracy, but to abstain from fraud, banditry, and adulteration, to commit no breach of trust, and not to renege on a deposit. After completing this foolishness, it was their custom to disperse and reassemble later to take food of an common and innocuous type; but they had in fact given up this practice since my edict, issued on your instructions, which banned all associations.

Interesting description, don't you think?

NY lesson in Etiquette

2012-01-14T10:47:00.000-06:00

I will be the first to admit we New Yorkers aren't known for our being overly polite. On the flip side, we tell it like it is. None of that fake southern backhanded pseudo-polite "bless your heart" stuff from us New Yorkers (unless we're being sarcastic or want you to know we're insulting you).

With all of that said, I can't stand when I say "thank you" while paying someone for a service rendered or a product purchased and they respond "no problem".

So, it's no problem for you to take my money and give me what I payed for? Well, I'm so happy for you! I didn't mean to put you out giving you my money.

I see the response of "no problem" to "thank you" as a rude step back from "you're welcome". How about "my pleasure"? I'm sure some witty sort (probably from Texas) might challenge me about expecting to hear a "you're welcome" after my saying "thank you". Such a person might say I shouldn't expect politeness in return for politeness. Well, sorry, but I do expect a polite response after I give you my money. If you are going to tell me "no problem" for taking my money, then just say nothing at all, that would be better. Saying "no problem" is fine if you're doing a person a favor for nothing, but not for rendering services or products that you charge money for.

I'm thinking I might start a regular post on Reepicheep under the heading of "Another Lesson in NY Etiquette". What do you think?

Reepicheep gets an overhaul

2012-01-13T11:18:00.002-06:00

Reepicheep is five years old this week, so it's time for a slight overhaul. I hope you like the new format. If you don't like it, give it time, you will eventually.

What if......

2012-01-12T14:12:00.002-06:00

Very thought-provoking...

Look behind you!

2012-01-11T00:20:00.000-06:00

Some thoughts on the "Missional Church Movement"

2012-01-05T09:58:00.014-06:00

Every few years a new label is given to a movement in the church, usually some branch of the church that considers itself evangelical (a slippery term that used to mean belief in the bible as God's inerrant Word and Jesus as the only way of salvation). In the last twenty years alone we have seen movements labeled "spiritual warfare", "seeker sensitive", "church growth", "house church", "word of faith", "emerging church", and "new Calvinism". The most recent label I hear tossed around is "missional" or "incarnational". Of course, not everyone means the exact same thing by these terms, but a relatively common explanation from those who say they are "missional" is as follows- missional churches see their primary function as one of actively moving into a community to embody and enflesh the word, deed, and life of Jesus into every nook and cranny. To some degree, missional churches are a reaction to the kind of church that is all talk and no action. They are responding to "holy huddle" churches that seem to dichotomize what they do on Sunday morning with everything else in their life.

In each of these movements there are things to be commended. Each of these movements are in some way an reaction to a perceived or real deficiencies in the church at large.

But...in each of these movements there are inherent weaknesses. Each seem to eventually wane and morph in to something else. The modern "missional" movement provides a worthy challenge to those of us in more "traditional" evangelical (and Reformed) churches (I despise most of the labels I just used...but I'm not sure how else to describe "us"). Nevertheless, I have long believed the missional movement has a lack of intentional, biblically deep discipleship among it's members (I know, such a statement will get a rise out of some of my "missional friends"). The drumbeat of "community" and "incarnational living" is nice, but without a communal commitment to the Word and Sacraments, and an accompanying accountability between church leadership and church members, what are we left with? We need more communal living in our churches and should reach out to the larger community far more than we do. Furthermore, there shouldn't be a dichotomy between who we are at church and the rest of our life. At the same time, however, we ought not stop being the church God ordained- committing ourselves to biblical, Christ-centered, worship and holistic discipleship. What is true and what to do is our calling. Biblical exposition, doctrinal study, and theological training are necessary callings for a God-honoring church. Often times these features are viewed as too impractical and theoretical by missional church folk.

Michael Breen wrote an excellent post on the "Missional Church" that I hope you read in it's entirety here. Here's a blip to get you started-

It’s time we start being brutally honest about the missional movement that has emerged in the last 10-15 years: Chances are better than not it’s going to fail.

That may seem cynical, but I’m being realistic. There is a reason so many movements in the Western church have failed in the past century: They are a car without an engine. A missional church or a missional community or a missional small group is the new car that everyone is talking about right now, but no matter how beautiful or shiny the vehicle, without an engine, it won’t go anywhere.

So what is the engine of the church? Discipleship. I’ve said it many times: If you make disciples, you will always get the church. But if you try to build the church, you will rarely get disciples.

The multi-use IPad

2012-01-04T15:49:00.001-06:00

The IPad has many uses-

Great Hymns to start the New Year (with cool named authors)

2012-01-01T14:18:00.005-06:00

We sang two of my favorite hymns this morning- Praise the Savior and Of the Father's Love Begotten.

Both have ancient words written by guys with really cool names.

Venantius Fortunatus (Praise the Savior written around the 6th Century )

Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (Of the Father's Love Begotten written around the 5th Century)

I have always been impressed with how thoroughly Trinitarian these hymns are. They give a very worthy pattern for writing good hymns.

New Year's Eve 2011

2011-12-31T14:25:00.002-06:00

I'm going to a New Year's Eve party tonight, it's an 80's theme shin-dig. Unfortunately, with it being Saturday, I can't stay till midnight. I have to preach twice in the morning and teach Sunday School.

Nevertheless, I have a cool "Old School Rapper" costume to wear. Check out the hair and a little photo editing magic. Kind of a freaky picture, don't you think?

John Owen on beholding the glory of Christ

2011-12-30T16:22:00.003-06:00

I am preaching on the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13) this coming Lord's Day. There is much to say about this incredible passage, but one sure outcome is a change in our life as we "behold the glory of Christ".

I like what John Owen says in his book about beholding the glory of Christ-

"In this then, I say, we may by faith behold the glory of Christ, as we shall do it by sight hereafter. If we see no glory in it, if we discern not that which is matter of eternal admiration, we walk in darkness. It is the most ineffable effect of divine wisdom and grace. Where are our hearts and minds, if we can see no glory in it? I know in the contemplation of it, it will quickly overwhelm our reason and bring our understanding into a loss; but to this loss I desire to be brought every day; for when faith can no more act itself in comprehension, when it finds the object it is fixed on too great and glorious to be brought into our minds and capacities, it will issue in holy admiration, humble adoration, and joyful thanksgiving. In and by its actings in them it fills the soul with 'joy unspeakable, and full of glory'."

Catch it Rover!

2011-12-30T15:43:00.002-06:00

A little dog humor to close out the year...

A Blue Moon in Dad's honor

2011-12-24T20:54:00.009-06:00

Dad sharing his "special" egg nog with Shari

Eating Mom's lasagna on Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve traditions have stayed the same as long as I can remember.

Our day is ordered around being together as a family, eating, going to church, reading the Christmas story,opening presents, and reminiscing.

For years our Christmas Eve has looked basically the same.

For dinner, we have Mom's lasagna accompanied by meatballs and spare ribs cooked in the sauce. Almost as regular as the components of the meal was my Dad's overly dramatic praise of Mom's lasagna.

For treats we have Christmas cookies, shrimp, little smokies, and chestnuts. We'll have a couple versions of eggnog- the normal kind, and the alcoholic version my Dad concocted.

Some years we open presents before the Christmas Eve service, sometimes after. Before opening presents, I read the Christmas story. One of the blessings of this tradition is the day one of our children first read the story instead of me. The boys do their best to stay patient before getting their gifts as we always go oldest to youngest. In embellished fashion, Dad would rave about whatever gift we got him. Shari and I always have a spending limit for each other, and I always go way over it for her. Not because I'm some great husband, but because she deserves all the gifts I could give her and way more. She really likes surprises, so getting her gifts is fun.

The Christmas Eve service is a favorite of ours. I don't get to sit with my family, but I do enjoy looking at them sitting in the second row on the left as we sing the hymns and hear the Scripture read. When we do the candle lighting, I go to them first with my candle.

After the service, back at home, as we are all unwinding, Dad and I would drink a beer and eat some chestnuts. We all got a kick out of Dad and chestnuts. He was too cheap to pay for good ones so he'd buy the older ones. Without fail, half or more of the chestnuts would be rotten. He'd grumble about how you can't get good chestnuts. My mother would then remind him he got what he paid for. The beer covered the bad tasting chestnuts and we'd keep on eating just biting off the good part on the rotten ones.

I have never taken such days and occasions for granted, but it sort of feels like I have this year.

This year's dinner table had an empty seat. Dad is gone.

Mom's lasagna, meatballs, and spare ribs were as tasty as ever, but no embellished praise from Dad came forth. We opened gifts and enjoyed the generosity and surprises shared with each other, but no Dad sitting in one of the Lazy Boy's acting like the gift he just got would change his life. No egg nog this year. I'm not even sure what Dad used to put in the alcoholic variety. No chestnuts, too expensive (father like son) and it wouldn't be the same without Dad murmuring over the rotten ones. The service was beautiful and meaningful for sure, but no Dad sitting in the second pew anymore.

We were all a bit melancholy today, even the children. We all miss Pepa. At the same time, we can't imagine how much worse we would feel if it would always be like this. In this life the pain will grow duller each year, I suppose. But praise be to God for the life to come because of Christ!

So, as I finish this post I am drinking a Blue Moon in Dad's honor (he would be carrying on about my expensive taste in beer) and thinking of how much death sucks, how much I miss him, and how grateful I am for eternal life in Christ.

This pain is temporary, I know.

Favorite Christmas Movie lines

2011-12-23T23:57:00.006-06:00

Here are some of my favorite lines from famous Christmas movies. See if you can name what movie they're from without using Google (or any other search engine)-

1. "What else can I be when I live in a world full of fools babbling "Merry Christmas" at one another? What's Christmas but a time for finding yourself a year older and not a day richer? There's nothing merry in that. If I could work my will, nephew, every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart."

2. "Oh no! It was a classic, mother BB-gun block. "You'll shoot your eye out!" That deadly phrase honored many times by hundreds of mothers was not surmountable by any means known to Kid-dom, but such as my mania, my desire for a Red Ryder carbine, that I immediately began to rebuild the dike."

3. "Rats. Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there weren't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"

4. "He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then he thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!"

And for no extra charge:

5. "I took a shower washing every body part with actual soap; including all my major crevices; including inbetween my toes and in my belly button, which I never did before but sort of enjoyed. I washed my hair with adult formula shampoo and used cream rinse for that just-washed shine. I can't seem to find my toothbrush, so I'll pick one up when I go out today. Other than that, I'm in good shape."

Handel's masterful "text painting" of 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

2011-12-19T21:46:00.005-06:00

George Handel was one of the great "text painters" of all time. He masterfully crafted music to match the message of a given text. Several great examples of his text painting occur in Messiah as he sets Scripture to music.

My favorite might be the second song in the final part of Messiah, where we are reminded of the reality and grief of physical death. It's called "Since by man came death". There is a very dark, somber, first phrase sung to communicate the despair of our inevitable date with physical death because of Adam's sin and our inheritance of his curse. Then, in sharp contrast, there is a bright, victorious declaration of the final resurrection that will occur for all those in Christ.

Here are the words, listen to the song as you read (the first part is very soft, so listen carefully):

Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

Losing my father six months ago continues to sting. The thought of a loved one dying-even one who was a Christian and now with Christ- brings continued sadness. This song really captures how I feel (dare I say!). It is somber and depressing when declaring the reality of death because of sin. Death is because of sin, it's an aberration. The thought of my father's death will always bring a sense of pain. However, the truth of Scripture witnessing to the fact of Christ's resurrection means this pain will not last forever. It will not even last long (relatively). There will be a final resurrection for all. Those who are "in Christ" will be joyously and gloriously reunited with each other to bring praise to God.

This short song captures the truth of Scripture and has served to comfort me.

2011 Turkey Bow Kill

2011-12-16T15:45:00.006-06:00

I'm still hunting deer as the archery season in Kansas runs until December 31.

I have seen hundreds of deer this season, many have been in shooting distance. I'm holding out for a mature buck, preferably over 4 years old. This whole season I have only seen one that old...an ancient six-point that looked to be declined (past his prime, hence only 6 points). I missed him at what I thought was 40 yards. He turned out to be 30 yards, so I shot over him. Otherwise, I have just not seen a mature buck worthy of harvesting. I still have deer meat in my freezer and my son Nico took a doe with his rifle, so I'm not looking to take a doe right now (my tune might change as the 31st approaches).

So, this morning, while buck hunting, a group of gobblers came in range. I shot this one at 41 yards. He's a nice Tom, 8-inch beard with close to 1-inch spurs. I have his breast meat marinating in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce as I post this.

This is the first gobbler I have ever harvested with my bow.

No Sushi for me

2011-12-15T22:02:00.003-06:00

I have several friends who consistently try to have me try Sushi.

Eating raw fish has never been appealing to me in the least.

This clip sealed the deal for me.

Nasty!

Buffalo Boy Kane scores a dandy

2011-12-15T15:34:00.002-06:00

I can't stand penalty shoot-out's as a way to determine a winner in hockey, but this goal by Buffalo boy, Patrick Kane, sure is a dandy.

What do these two guys have in common?

2011-12-14T18:09:00.002-06:00

Neither can beat Barrack Obama.

Money does strange things to our perspective

2011-12-12T23:05:00.009-06:00

Albert Pujols spent ten incredible and productive years playing for St. Louis. While in St. Louis, he and his wife contributed to many excellent charities and institutions, several being Christian. There can be no question about the great good done through the Pujols involvement in worthy organizations.

Despite their investment in the St.Louis community and the several ministries they supported, when the Los Angeles Angels offered Pujols a bigger and longer contract than St. Louis, he bolted.

Fine. That's his choice. Surely he'll always be relatively generous no matter where he lives. However...leaving the Cards for the Angels seems like its all about money and ego. I said as much on Facebook and had several Christians rip me for questioning his motives. Now, to be clear- I'm a Yankee fan and don't have a "dog in the race" regarding where Pujols ended up (well, I guess I do now..since he'll be playing for the Angels in the AL), so my comments here are only observational about a player that is often beatified in the Christian community.

Initially I accepted the criticism about questioning Sir Albert's motives. Now I don't.

More details have come out. Initially Pujols was offered a 5-year contract by the Cardinals with a slightly greater annual salary then the Angels are now going to pay him. They eventually upped their offer to ten years, $210 million dollars which is $4 million per year less than the Angels offer. Mrs. Pujols got on a local Christian radio station in St. Louis (which the Pujols apparently funded the creation of) and said some revealing things. Notice what she says-

"When it all came down, I was mad. I was mad at God because I felt like all the signs that had been being played out through the baseball field, our foundation, our restaurant, the Down Syndrome Center, my relationships, my home, my family close...I mean, we had no reason, not one reason, to want to leave. People were deceived by the numbers." (See all of her comments here)

Seriously? All those incredible, eternal things they were part of in St. Louis were threatened because St. Louis wouldn't give Pujols a ten year contract? Mad at God for this? Honestly, how can it be said that money isn't the key driver here? Mrs. Pujols statements seem so warped. God has been using them in St. Louis far beyond baseball. He could have signed the biggest contract in MLB for the next 5 years, but instead they were insulted that it wasn't for longer. I see this is telling and sad.

Sorry if I'm being too hardcore on this. Furthermore, I'm not suggesting Albert Pujols is the only one who struggles with materialism and egoism. I'm a chief offender myself. This story grates on me because of the way Mrs. Pujols makes it seem like St. Louis some how forced them out. It's like they wanted to stay, but just couldn't for the measly $130 million the Cards were offering.

Sports are so much fun to watch, but money has screwed people up bad, even "good" people. Perhaps the statement that irked me most from the beleaguered and insulted Mrs. Pujols -"It's just like God...to put us on a team called the Angels."

Peden on the Covenant of Redemption

2011-12-11T22:23:00.003-06:00

This is some deep stuff from Alexander Peden (an interesting character for sure), and extremely rich-

BE it known to all men, that, in the presence of the Ancient of Days, it was finally contracted, and unanimously agreed, betwixt these honourable and royal persons in the God-head, to wit, the great and infinite Lord of Heaven and earth, on the one side; and Jesus Christ, God-man, his eternal and undoubted heir, on the other side, in manner, form and effect, as follows; That forasmuch as the Lord Jesus Christ is content and obliges himself to become surety, and to fulfil the whole law; and that he shall suffer and become an offering for sin, and take the guiding [management] of all the children of God on him, and make them perfect in every good word and work; and that of his fulness they shall all receive grace for grace; and also present them, man, wife and bairns, on Heaven's floor, and lose none of them; and that he shall raise them up at the last day, and come in on Heaven's floor with all the bairns at his back: therefore, the noble Lord of Heaven and earth, on the other side, binds and obliges himself to Christ, to send all the Elect into the world, and to deliver them all fairly to Christ; and also to give him a body, flesh of their flesh and bone of their bone; and to carry Christ through in all his undertaking in that work, and to hold him by the hand: and also, let the Holy Ghost, who is our equal, go forth into the world, that he may be sharer in this great work, and also of the glory of this noble contrivance; and let him enlighten the minds of all those whom we have chosen out of the world, in the knowledge of our name; and to convince them of their lost state; and perswade and enable them to embrace and accept of his free love offer; and to support and comfort them in all their trials and tribulations, especially these for our name's sake; and to sanctifie them, soul and body, and make them fit for serving us, and dwelling with us, and singing forth the praises of the riches of our free grace in this noble contrivance, for ever and ever. Likewise, the same noble Lord of Heaven and earth doth fully covenant grace and glory, and all good things, to as many as shall be perswaded and enabled to accept and embrace you, as their Lord, King and God: and moreover, he allows the said Jesus Christ to make proclamations by his servants, to the world in his name, that all that will come and engage under his colours, he shall give them noble pay in hand for the present, and a rich inheritance for ever; with certification, that all those who will not accept of this offer, for the same cause, shall be guilty and eternally condemned from our presence, and tormented with these devils, whom we cast out from us, for their pride and rebellion, for the glory of our justice, through eternity.

Nico is very thankful and so am I

2011-12-10T17:45:00.014-06:00

Nine years ago yesterday (December 9), I shot my first good buck with my father by my side. It's one of my most cherished memories.

I have taken my oldest son, A.J., deer hunting a couple times, both times he shot deer. It came pretty easy for him, as "luck" would have it.

My middle son, Nico, has shown the most interest in hunting as he really enjoys shooting a rifle (natural maturity will eventually take him to bow hunting). When he turned 9 last year, he was primed to go on his first deer hunt, but I wrecked my knee and couldn't walk without crutches during rifle season. We tried to hunt a few times by having friends drive us to spots and me crutching my way to a place I thought Nico could shoot a deer. Nothing worked out, we saw nothing the three times we went out in frigid temps. He was bummed and so was I.

This year has been so busy for both of us, I couldn't figure a good time to take him hunting during the 10 day Kansas rifle season. I negotiated with my helpmate to take him out of school the second day of the season so we could hunt all day. Well, we didn't see any deer within range. He was really deflated and so was I.

With the end of the season tomorrow, a day we don't hunt, it had to be today.

A good friend was taking his son hunting this morning and asked me a while back if I wanted to take Nico to the same place. He has a great hunting spot he works very hard to manage. It was a big privilege for him to ask us. Nico was stoked and so was I. We gathered our gear and headed to our spots so Nico could take a crack at shooting his first deer. From the picture above, you know Nico was successful. Now for the crazy story:

We were sitting in a blind waiting for a deer to pass through an opening, which happened about 8:15 am. Nico calmly shouldered his gun and listened to my instructions to stay calm and breathe carefully. It was a very good 3.5 year old ten-point buck. Talk about a first deer to shoot! Crazy. Anyways, the deer got closer and closer to our set up. At 90 yards I told Nico to be ready to shoot. The deer stopped broadside, and I gave Nico the go ahead to squeeze the trigger having just taken it off safety. Nico takes his time like an old pro, controls his breathing, and centers the cross hairs just behind the deer's shoulder. He pulls the trigger...and....CLICK!. The gun misfired!!! More accurately, the round in the chamber must have had a faulty primer as the hammer hit the primer, left an indentation, but didn't discharge!! I was TICKED. Poor Nico! We quick reloaded another round (it's a single-shot .243) but it was too late...the buck moved away quickly when he could tell something wasn't right in our direction. Man was I mad at the gun and the ammo!! Well, I just so happened to have brought my rifle with me. If Nico was able to harvest a deer early, our plan was to stay in the blind for me to try and take a deer. My gun is a .308 and pretty heavy. Nico is 10 and about 80 pounds. It's a bit too much gun for him, but I was not going to let him shoot his gun again should another deer present a shot. So I gave him my .308 and convinced him it wasn't much different than his .243. I could tell he was skeptical, but he, like me, was very leery of his gun. Nico was ticked and so was I!

The clock struck 9:30 AM and our friends came down the road, not far from our set up, to pick us up. We were bummed by what had transpired and my friend sympathized with us both. Still, Nico's spirits remained high having seen lots of deer that morning, especially the very respectable ten point. We needed to head back home, the 2011 gun season was effectively over for Nico...

Just then, our friend decided to drive us around his land to show how it was laid out and what he was doing to manage it for wildlife. At one point, from a distance, we could see does at the corner of an open field that tucked in to very thick, nasty, woodlot. My friend suggested we try and stalk down there and wait for a doe to step in to Nico's comfortable range. We did what he said, as he drove off leaving us there. Low and behold, eventually a good mature, fat doe stepped in to the little dirt road in front of us and Nico laid the smack down on her with my .308. It was 130 yard shot with a gun he had never held before that day. Nico thought it was cool and so did I!

So, almost to the day of the 9 year anniversary of a great hunt with my Dad, I was able to have an incredibly memorable hunt with one of my sons. Nico was very thankful for the morning and so was I.

We must never forget

2011-12-07T23:05:00.002-06:00

Today marks 70 years since the Japanese brutally attacked Pearl Harbor making it necessary for the U.S. to enter World War II.

The loss of life in World War II is estimated to be 50-60 million. An unfathomable number.

Handel's Disaster

2011-12-02T22:41:00.003-06:00

I can't imagine a good reason to perform Handel's Messiah as a drama.

Here's proof-

THE WAR gets 5 stars from Reep

2011-12-01T17:37:00.006-06:00

When I was on study sabbatical a couple summer's ago, I picked up a used book on CD at the library. It was Ken Burns' "The War", his documentary of World War II. I never listened to it and it sat in my truck door compartment until a few weeks ago. On one of my many 90-minute trips to my favorite hunting location, I started listening to the book (8 CD's total). It is a riveting documentary. I wish I would have listened to it earlier and had my Dad listen also. He was a pretty big war buff. He would tell you that World War II was the last "necessary" war the U.S. fought. He was a veteran of the Korean War, which colored his outlook on how the U.S. Military should be used. There appears to have been an incredible unity among U.S. citizens concerning the necessity of being part of World War II, a kind of national one-mindedness seemingly long gone in our country.

As for dropping the bombs on Japan? Even Burns, the liberal political activist, seems to admit there was no real choice. The Japanese Emperor would have fought until every Japanese citizen was dead and a million allied troops with them. War is hell, no doubt.

World War II was complex, to say the least, but I think Burns does a good job simplifying the story without leaving out anything major. I quibble with some of his characterizations of allied commanders, but not majorly. Burns is of a different ideological stripe than I, and I think his lack of mentioning the role Christianity played in 1940's American culture is a poor oversight. Still, I highly recommend both his book on CD and the actual PBS documentary, which I just picked up for $20 on Ebay!! Total steal.

There are relatively few WWII vets still living. Within the next 10 years they'll probably all be gone. This documentary gave me a greater appreciation for our country and the brave people who have defended and preserved it.

David Calhoun Schaeffer interview

2011-11-30T19:16:00.003-06:00

There's some guys at our church have come to be known as the "Schaeffer Boys".

See their website here.

Dr. David Calhoun, emeritus professor of Church History at Covenant Seminary recently preached and taught at Redeemer and the Schaeffer Boys interviewed him about his personal time with Schaeffer as well as thoughts about him.

It's a great interview.

"Black Friday"

2011-11-26T07:50:00.006-06:00

The Friday after Thanksgiving has come to be known as "Black Friday". On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, some as early as Midnight on Thursday or as early as 4 a.m. Friday morning. These same stores supposedly offer "great" deals on Black Friday.

Personally, the concept of Black Friday is both telling and distressing. The United States economy is based on consumption...probably more accurately- over consumption. We don't produce a whole lot any more, we just consume the world's products, in massive quantities. It's what keeps money changing hands. Black Friday shows how much we need to have our stuff, and right now.

Do we really need a special dispensation of time to buy more stuff a few hours earlier than usual? Give me a break.

Yesterday's "Black Friday" was highlighted by some crazy dude who pepper sprayed people waiting in line with him to buy stuff. Stories like this emerge every year. The video clips of hundreds of people packing the entrance of Target, or some other store, to buy more junk is pathetic.

Bluntly, I am embarrassed for my country, which is hopelessly in debt and generally given over to materialism and over consumption, when the "Black Friday" images parallel third world country villagers lining up at a humanitarian aid truck...only they are at Best Buy and Walmart.

Johnny Cash revelations from his son

2011-11-25T09:36:00.002-06:00

I've always been appreciative of Johnny Cash, the man, and his music.

His son has recently penned a tribute to him, here's a couple excerpts I found enlightening-

I think a lot of people see him as a dark foreboding figure, and very cool. He was always cool, his charisma was powerful, but he was also a very gentle, loving, kind man. He was more focused on spiritual matters than I think a lot of people realize. His faith was paramount to him throughout his whole life, even when he was suffering from addiction, and what pulled him out when he was sick. He was not just a songwriter. He was a painter, a sketcher, a poet. He was a scholar; he studied the Bible more than anything.

The thing that mattered the most in his life was his relationship with his creator. He was educated and knew about it. He couldn’t have dealt with his addictions without it. That’s how he found redemption and peace, through prayer and connection to God.

Happy Birthday Jordan!

2011-11-13T12:38:00.003-06:00

On this day, nine years ago, my youngest boy was born.

Here's my words of blessing to Jordy (from Psalm 127)-

Dearest Son,

The LORD will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Love,

Daddy

The Lifecycle of Pastors (personally considered)

2011-11-08T22:08:00.017-06:00

Around 1998, about a year after coming to Redeemer

Our first sanctuary on the current property, the former Ogg residence converted in to a sanctuary (1996-2000), we still use it for our offices and youth area

I have been a pastor at Redeemer for almost 15 years. This month marks my tenth year as senior pastor. I can't believe how fast these years have passed. I am blessed to serve such a wonderful church.

I love ministry at Redeemer for a plethora of reasons, but first and foremost is the collective leadership commitment to the Doctrines of Grace and holding me accountable to preach God's Word.

Providentially, Thom Rainer just wrote an interesting post on the life cycle of pastors. I found it to be pretty close to my experience. I will paste his post below and offer my specific observations in yellow.

The Lifecycle of Pastors

Almost twenty years ago, I began to note that the tenure of a pastor often follows a predictable pattern. Now, almost two decades later, I still see many of the same patterns, though I have refined the categories and time spans a bit.

I fully understand that these categories are not definitive, and there will certainly be exceptions to the rule. Nevertheless, I offer this lifecycle as a guide that I hope will prove useful to both pastors and congregations alike.

Honeymoon: Years 0 to 1

The new pastor is perceived to be the answer to all the needs and the problems of the church. He is often viewed as a hero because he is not his predecessor. Though some of his faults begin to show during this period, he is often given a pass. Expectations are high that he will be molded into the image that each congregant would like to have.

My transition to senior pastor from associate pastor was gradual as my predecessor left abruptly and I wasn't a candidate at first. In fact, I had informally started the process of considering other calls to solo pastor positions that were available. I agreed to stay on at Redeemer as the interim until they found a permanent senior pastor. I was 29 and not really ready to lead the church. Nevertheless, over a six-month period as interim, my heart and the Elder's hearts and thoughts changed and I became a candidate. In November of 2001 I was installed as the senior pastor and I did enjoy a little bit of a honeymoon, I suppose. My faults were pretty well known by this time as I had already served as an assistant/associate pastor for four years. I find it amazing they still called me to be the pastor.

Crisis: Years 1 to 3

It is now apparent that the pastor is fully human. He has not lived up to the precise expectations of many of the members. This phase includes a number of conflicts and struggles. Indeed it is the most common time that pastors choose to leave the church or they are force terminated. This single epoch of a pastoral tenure contributes more to short tenures than any other time.

I had very strong elders (and still do) who supported me and held me accountable. We (as a church) did have quite a few struggles in these years, some personal conflicts, others related to growing pains and the need for more leadership development. It seemed like every month we had a huge decision to make. The church started a school the year before I arrived as assistant pastor in 1997, so there was a heavy sense of responsibility about all the church was doing, yet we were still a pretty small church. Honestly, it was way too busy during these years to think about greener pastures. Early in to my first year, Nathan Currey came to be our assistant pastor which greatly helped us move through this epoch. Nathan was able to minister to people I am not as effective with (and he still is).

Realignment: Years 3 to 5

The number of crises begins to abate, though they do not disappear altogether. It is at this time that more and more new members come under the tenure of the new pastor. Some of the dissidents have left the church or the community. There is a realignment of loyalty and expectations of the pastor. Thus he is able to lead more effectively, and began to see some more productive years as pastor of the church.

I don't know...it seems like there are always crises going on in church life, but I do think our overall leadership matured enough to navigate such challenges more wisely. Redeemer grew to a point of needing more space. With the concurrent growth of our school, we struggled to decide whether to build a sanctuary (we were in a "multipurpose" room that was needed for classroom expansion) or use the school gym for a while longer. I definitely felt many strains during this time frame and a heavy burden about all we were taking on weighed on me. I must say, however, I never felt alone at any time. Pastor Nathan, the Elders, and the Deacons shouldered much of the stress with me. I very much appreciate some of our more experienced elders constantly keeping us focused on prayer and consideration of God's Word in all our endeavors.

Growth: Years 5 to 10

Not all pastors have productive and joyous ministries in this period, but many do. It is not unusual for the congregation to begin to appreciate the pastor more and to follow his leadership with greater enthusiasm. Many of the battles have already been fought; and many of the conflicts have been resolved. The pastor and the entire congregation are ready to move forward in more productive ministry for the glory of God.

The beginning of this epoch was marked by the opening of our new sanctuary. The church grew quite a bit after the sanctuary was built, but still not exponentially. Redeemer isn't any kind of mega church. You might say we're the anti-mega church. At the same time, for a Reformed church with a liturgical worship style, we're probably pretty sizable. Pastor Brian came during this time frame giving us three ordained pastors. Our Session added a few more elders and the Diaconate grew as well. Our school expanded which called for quite a bit of pastoral involvement. Our school (Heritage Christian Academy) is a major ministry of the church- something built in to the DNA of Redeemer by the founding members and pastor), so our leadership is very much involved. With the church and school growing, this period has been much like Rainer describes. I do feel the congregation appreciates me, probably more than they should. There have certainly been people who have come and gone that found my ministry to them ineffective, which hurts to think about, but is reality. I think the diversity of pastoral leadership we have helps us minister to a wide range of people. If it were just me, there's no way Redeemer would be as effective as it is. Don't get me wrong, we have much to learn and many areas to improve, but the leadership is genuinely sensitive to this and always analyzing, thinking, and praying about being better shepherds. I guess a recurring theme for me at Redeemer is shared leadership with my fellow elders. That's why I have been here ten years (ten as senior pastor, 14 years total) and still love it.

Mystery: Years 10 and Beyond

There are relatively few pastors and congregations that continue their relationships beyond a period of one decade. Thus any perspective I have of long-term pastorates is inconclusive and limited. I am confident, however, that if we see more and more pastors entering their tenth year of ministry and beyond, we will see more productive and fruitful ministries in local churches across the nation.

I was kind of shocked by how infrequently pastors stay at a church for ten years. These ten years have ripped by for Shari and I. I presume nothing and know things can change quickly in church life, but I do feel like ministry is fruitful for me at Redeemer. Financial challenges have been taxing, but all churches are dealing with that these days. Even on that front I feel confident the people of God at Redeemer will answer the needs that arise in this arena and the leadership is doing a very responsible job stewarding the ministry. I can tell you honestly that any thought of Redeemer being a fruitful ministry never comes as a solo consideration. Our church is shepherded by twelve elders, not just one senior pastor. If God chooses to keep using Redeemer for His glory and the good of His people, it will be through the collection of shepherds He has appointed here, not because of me. That's why I love it here so much. That's why I can't imagine being anywhere else at this point in my life.

Jesus takes sinners by the hand...

2011-11-07T22:31:00.002-06:00

Commenting on Jesus taking the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26) by the hand before restoring his sight, John Gill wrote-

When the Lord Jesus takes sinners by the hand, he becomes their guide and leader. A better, and safer guide they cannot have. He brings them by a way they know not, and leads them in paths they had not known before; makes darkness light before them, and crooked things straight, and does not forsake them.

All 202 Messi goals

2011-11-05T15:27:00.001-05:00

We may well be witnessing the greatest soccer player in history.

Lionel Messi is not yet 25 and has already scored 202 goals for Barcelona.

Kent Hughes on asking God for spiritual growth

2011-11-05T15:13:00.004-05:00

We may and must ask for spiritual growth. But we must not lay down guidelines as to how God ought to produce this. We must not, for example, ask God to develop our spiritual lives, and then when he pulls out the shears and begins to prune say, "No, Lord, you can't do it that way!" Do not ask the Lord to make you sensitive to others, and then resent the difficult person who crosses your life at work or in the Church. God often circumvents a proud, presumptuous spirit, whereas spiritual grace may be mediated by a friendship, a discipline, or a hardship.

The time has come...

2011-11-02T13:34:00.003-05:00

I haven't been able to post as much lately because of a torrid Fall schedule...more so than any year I remember. I'll be posting more now that the varsity soccer season is over. Of course...I will be taking two weeks vacation (plus an assortment of mornings) to engage in my favorite pastime.

Happy Reformation Day!

2011-10-31T10:32:00.003-05:00

I wish the Reformation of the 16th Century had not been necessary...but it was.

Here's a great depiction of Martin Luther's stand at Worms-

Now that's pretty funny right there...

2011-10-21T10:05:00.002-05:00

Tell Everyone

2011-10-09T22:03:00.003-05:00

Notice how Jesus instructs some of the recipients of miraculous healing-

Mark 1:40-45 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Mark 5:39-43 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 7:33-36 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

I am struck by something. In certain situations Jesus instructs people to tell no one about His miraculous works, yet they told everyone. He tells us to tell everyone, yet all too often, we tell no one.

Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T21:48:00.006-05:00

As everyone knows (unless you've been on a Dell computer that crashed about this time yesterday and haven't gotten outside yet), Steve Jobs died yesterday after a lengthy battle against cancer. I suspect he lived quite a bit longer than someone without money would have. Nevertheless, as it goes with everyone, death eventually caught him.

Jobs was a genius, gifted by God with a mind that thinks on another plane from the vast majority of the human race. Apple will not be the same without him, everyone knows it. One of my biggest regrets is not switching to Apple computers five years ago. Jobs' Apple team make the best technological gadgets in the world, at least for now.

One of my favorite Steve Jobs quotations came when he responded to someone asking about his perspective on Microsoft's success-

"I am saddened, not by Microsoft’s success - I have no problem with their success. They’ve earned their success, for the most part. I have a problem with the fact that they just make really third-rate products.”

If you have used Microsoft products, then tried an Apple product, any product- you know Jobs spoke the truth here.

Jobs spoke a lot about death and the important things in life. He seemed to understand how fleeting life is and had an incredibly down to earth perspective for a guy who thinks on another level from most. I find it so sad that a man like Jobs never publicly came to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ. Unless something changed in the last few months, Jobs died an unbeliever. It's one of the stranger ironies of human life- how God can use a person to make incredible discoveries and advancements that benefit millions- yet that person doesn't acknowledge the Creator.

Much like Mr. Badman?

2011-09-24T11:47:00.004-05:00

Perusing Pilgrim's Progress recently, I came across Bunyan's description of Mr. Badman and couldn't help think of how similar it is to many professing Christians today-

Mr. Badman..."whose religion hangs by in his house as his cloak does, and he is seldom in it except he be abroad..."

Finally

2011-09-23T18:00:00.002-05:00

I am utterly underwhelmed with the current cast of presidential wanna-be's.

There is a rumbling from the East that there may be one worthy...

Great Post on Parenting

2011-09-15T22:58:00.003-05:00

Justin Taylor's blog referred to an excellent post on the blindspots of homeschoolers by Rob Bradley.

As I read the article, I realized Bradley's wisdom was applicable to any and all Christian parents. I was especially struck by this statement:

I once believed and taught that a parent could follow the right biblical steps and be assured of raising children who remained faithful to God from childhood into their adult years. In fact, as a parent of young children I judged as a failure any parent whose young adult children were prodigal. However, as my own children aged and I discovered that they were self-determining individuals with their own walks with Christ, I came to the alarming realization that I had a lot of control over their outside, but not their inside. They were like all people who were faced with the choice of whether or not they were going to listen to Christ and follow him. As Christians we all encounter opportunities many times in our lives – to choose to follow Christ or not. It was a rude awakening for me when I saw that even the best parenting could not exempt a person from making the wrong choice when faced with temptation. I do believe that by our influence we can greatly increase the likelihood our children will love and follow Christ, but I see nothing in Scripture that guarantees well-trained children will never succumb to temptation.

Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son – the righteous father raised two sons who turned out sinful – one went deep into sin and then repented – the other stayed home obediently, yet was polluted with self-righteousness and bitterness. Could the Father take blame or the credit for their sinful choices? Not at all, for the story is about God the Father Himself – it is a lesson about His mercy to His children when they fail. May we learn from God’s example!

See full post here: Exposing the 7 Major Blind Spots of Homeschoolers

As usual, by posting a reference and link to this post I'm not giving everything Bradley says my full endorsement. I do think, however, the majority of what he says is helpful, biblical, and worthy of any Christian parent's careful consideration.

Being a Christian "hipster"

2011-09-15T10:58:00.003-05:00

I'm always looking for ways to be a cooler pastor. This short video really helped! Off to get my Hebrew tat!

The U.S. Debt problem in terms we can all understand

2011-09-08T22:48:00.005-05:00

President Obama gave his big speech on his plan for creating more jobs. As one would expect, he wants to print and spend billions more to create jobs.

It's amazing anyone takes him seriously.

I saw a good illustration of how bad our debt problem is in this country-

• U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
• Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
• New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
• Recent budget cut: $ 38,500,000,000

Now let’s remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget.

• Annual family income: $21,700
• Money the family spent: $38,200
• New debt on the credit card: $16,500
• Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
• Total budget cuts: $385

Sure, take on more debt- makes a lot of sense.

Clever parody on worship

2011-09-06T10:40:00.003-05:00

Is this Roger Mann leading? :)

HT: Dan

HCA Varsity Soccer Braveheart training session

2011-09-05T11:33:00.002-05:00

I coach the Heritage varsity soccer team with my trusty assistant, Brian.

We had a Labor Day practice this morning and captured a cool Braveheart like video of the guys running a "hill" from the pond to the field.

Our season starts tomorrow vs. St. Mary's.

Let Thy Will be Done

2011-09-04T06:48:00.003-05:00

There is a great mystery concerning providence and God's will regarding our suffering. I like how Columbiere advises we deal with adverse circumstances that confront us-

Every morning as soon as you get up think of all the most disagreeable things that could happen to you during the day. Your house might be burnt down, you might lose your job or all your savings, or be run over, or sudden death might come to you or to a person you love. Accept these misfortunes should it please God to allow them; compel your will to agree to the sacrifice and give yourself no rest until you really feel prepared to wish or not to wish all that God may wish or not wish.

Finally, if some great misfortune should actually happen, instead of wasting time in complaint or self-pity, go throw yourself at once at the feet of your Savior and implore His grace to bear your trial with fortitude and patience. A man who has been badly wounded does not, if he is wise, chase after his assailant, but makes straight for a doctor who may save his life. Even if you wanted to confront the person responsible for your misfortune, it would still be to God you would have to go, for there can be no other cause of it than He.

So go to God, but go at once, go there and then. Let this be your first thought. Go and report to Him what He has done to you. Kiss the hands of God crucified for you, the hands that have struck you and caused you to suffer. Repeat over and over again to Him His own words to His Father while He was suffering: Not my will but thine be done. In all that Thou wishest of me, today and for always, in heaven and on earth, let Thy will be done, but let it be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

- Claude de la Columbière

The Greatest Closer

2011-09-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

Dad's Cucuzza's

2011-08-28T20:54:00.015-05:00

When my father died on Monday, May 16, his younger brother, Charlie and wife Mary Ann left Buffalo immediately to be present for the visitation on that Thursday night and memorial service Friday morning.

My father's death left only two siblings of twelve- Charlie and Steve. Steve just passed 90 years old and not well enough physically to travel.

It was a very difficult trip for my uncle to make, saying goodbye to his older brother. When my father was laid off by Conrail (railroad) in the early 1980's, Uncle Charlie used his position at the Courier Express (one of the two Buffalo area newspapers at the time) to get my Dad a job. My father was always grateful for his kid brother getting him that job. It's the job he kept until moving to Kansas City five years ago. Despite the distance after my parents moved to Kansas City, it seemed Dad and Charlie were as close as ever by phone and occasional visits my Dad would make to Buffalo. To make matters more challenging, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary Ann were planning to come to Kansas City in June to take a Branson trip with my parents. Unfortunately, instead, they were coming a month earlier for a funeral. It was a very tough time for all of us, especially Uncle Charlie.

There's a neat story- another tale of God's providential kindness- I want to relay regarding my Uncle Charlie's visit in May and the pictures you see above.

When Uncle Charlie got to Olathe on May 18, I took him to see my Dad's house. Charlie was most interested in seeing Dad's garden. Gardening is in the blood of any self-respecting Sicilian, and there's great pride and joy connected to crazy vegetables that are passed between each other. My father didn't buy too many tomato plants, for instance. Instead, he had a particular group of tomato breeds he really liked. He would keep seeds and grow them year after year. My father finished planting about half his garden just a couple days before he went in to the hospital. I showed Uncle Charlie the various hanging tomato plants, the elaborate tomato cages to keep out squirrels, and several elevated wooden box structures used for eggplants and radishes. Viewing these things was a sort of link with my Dad, something Charlie needed to do as part of his mourning.

During my Dad's last couple years in Buffalo he started growing a long squash-like vegetable called a "cucuzza". He remembered eating them in soup as a child, so he grew them and gave them away to friends and relatives. When he came to Kansas he couldn't find any cucuzza seeds, but he kept looking. In late April he went to a market that had all sorts of odd vegetables so he asked the Mexican lady who was running the seed section if they had any cucuzza's. He was pretty sure she would have no idea what he was asking for, but instead, to his surprise, she knew the vegetable exactly. She got a packet and put about 20 seeds in for my Dad. He took them home and put them on his work bench in the garage. He never got to plant them.

So there I was with Uncle Charlie looking around the garage after viewing the garden. It was a somber, strange time for us both-seeing Dad's stuff just laying there as he last left it. It was weird as a son and surreal for a brother. Out of the blue Charlie talked about Dad telling him of finding and buying some cucuzza seeds. I was pretty sure Dad hadn't planted them before going in to the hospital. I glanced over Dad's cluttered work bench and saw the packet. On the front, in Dad's handwriting, underlined, and in all caps, it said "CUCUZZA". I grabbed the packet and told Uncle Charlie he needed to take them back to Buffalo and grow them. In a time of deep grief, this little action seemed to give some peace. In a way it was symbolic of how my Dad's life bore fruit in the people he knew and effected. Planting those seeds was sort of like a way of carrying on my Dad's memory . It was therapeutic for Charlie, I am sure. It was for me too.

Well, my Aunt Mary Ann just sent the above pictures of my dear Uncle Charlie, my Dad's baby brother, with the cucuzza's that came from my father's seeds. We all miss Dad, but these cucuzza's are a reminder of how a person's life bears fruit long after they are gone.

Must listen to song about cucuzza's by Louie Prima

Memorial Stone for Dad

2011-08-25T15:19:00.004-05:00

A very strange pendulum swing in emotions from yesterday to today.

From laughing and joking about my 40th birthday back to the reality of my father's death three months ago.

We had hoped to be celebrating his 80th along with my 40th, but it was not to be-for me anyways. My father has already begun his eternal celebration.

My mother had this memorial stone designed. I think she did very well. I love how Redeemer is in the background.

Creepiest birthday present ever

2011-08-25T12:45:00.003-05:00

Leave it to Brian and Jon to give me the creepiest birthday gift ever.

Bobble Head Tony....yes, on a toilet (don't ask me and don't shoot the messenger).

The inaccuracy of the bobble head is obvious- I don't have a black computer.

Thanks Brian and Jon?

Turned 40 today- Aging is a strange thing

2011-08-24T00:01:00.007-05:00

Since I have been at Redeemer I have crossed a few significant age thresholds- first age 25 (the youth called me a “geezer” at that point), then 30 (that was a hard one), and now, most recently I turned 40. Aging is a strange thing.

When you are very young growing up is all you want to do. You want to be old enough to call your own shots and get your own stuff. Then, when you get older, the previously unknown weight of the new responsibilities seem to squelch the novel joy of driving a car, staying out later, and having a job. The job at McDonald’s or cutting lawns tends to get old (especially when most of the money earned pays for gas and insurance) and you realize the need for more education or training. You enter a period of relative poverty while taking lots of classes and hoping there will be a job out there for you when you finally finish school. Age 20 into your mid 20‘s feel like you’re scurrying around trying to finish school, establish a job or gain a clear direction on what you should do for the rest of your life. Your 20’s are prime years, but you never really have a chance to soak in how prime they really are- you’re simply not wise and sensitive enough. One of the biggest rip-offs in life is not realizing how awesome your twenties are when you’re in them. You get in to your 30’s (usually about 30 pounds heavier) when you realize the twenties were the 10 best years of your life from a health and energy stand point. Children are coming as you push 30 and it strikes you how out of shape you’ve become. You frantically find a way to get back in to some kind of shape (by lowering the "in shape" bar considerably) as you push ahead in to your 30's. You swear you eat half as much as you used to (which probably isn’t really true) but you gain weight ten times easier. By your mid 30‘s life is running at a torrid pace- marriage, long hours at work, young kids, all sorts of challenges assail, time rips by.

As you head toward 40 it dawns on you that your prime years physically are gone. There is a sense of prime time evaporating as the mysterious threshold of 40 approaches. Maybe you, like me in my mid 30'a, talked yourself in to playing a sport you once enjoyed and were fairly good at. You still feel decent in your mid 30's, but a sense of Russian roulette with a nasty injury lingers in the back of your mind. Face it, by your late 30's you are on borrowed time athletically. The lure to capture bygone glory is strong. You are weak in resisting the lure, and the crash is hard, but the realization clear- life will be different from 40 onward. Youth and vigor will no longer suffice, you must now make it on age and treachery. You can’t help wishing you knew at 20 the things you now know at age 40. A fruitless wish indeed.

So, here I am at age 40. Some of you are thinking that’s really old and a mark of irrelevance or uncoolness. Others think I’m whining about being 40, which is still so young. For us who are just turning 40, we don’t care what either of you groups think of us, we just know our lives are probably half over or more and hair is growing on our back and in our ears.

I’m not sure if what I have just described resonates with any of you, it’s just my take. I will say this about turning 40- I’m bummed about the things I really can’t do like I used to, but very excited about what lies ahead. I usually define “prime years” in terms of physical health, but I know that’s not really the right gauge. I think prime years should have more to do with the ability to live out and apply accumulated knowledge. I hope I can live more wisely now.

In a nutshell, I hope the rest of my years are colored with more wisdom than the first 40 years. The years I have just lived have prepared me for whatever lies ahead. I needed these 40 years to get ready. The more you prepare for something, the better it is when the time comes. I view 40 as a new beginning of some kind. Sure, my life today at age 40 isn’t totally detached or different from yesterday, last month, last year, or even the last couple of years, but I am trying to maintain a mindset that says new beginning.

What is the greatest lesson I have learned that I hope makes the biggest difference going forward?

I think this is an important question for anyone and everyone, but especially those of us crossing this particular threshold.

Over these last 40 years I have become more convinced than ever of the total relevance and necessity of Christ ruling every possible aspect of my life. Jesus isn’t something that fits a certain compartment of my life- He’s lord of all of it. I have learned my life’s balance and peace is directly related to the place Christ occupies. When He’s the center, there is peace (I didn’t say happiness necessarily..nor am I saying there were no trials). When Tony is at the center and I am pursuing self- everything reeks. The words of Paul echo in my mind-

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Christ is my life. He’s not just part of my life, He is my life. There’s nothing simple about life- it’s littered with challenges, hardships, and difficult situations. My sin consistently rears its head and messes things up. Navigating all these things depends on grasping the reality of Paul’s statement here. Christ is my life.

The way I see this lived out is also illustrated by Paul in his general life focus. He focused on three things-

1. The glory of Christ (through my maturing process in Him by the work of the Holy Spirit).

2. The advance of the Gospel (the message of being made right with God through Christ).

3. The progress of the faith of believers (to see others recognize that Christ is their life).

At age 40 I’m even more focused on pursuing these things than ever. Colossians 1:28-29 are my life verses (I'll let you look those up). Maybe my downgraded physical condition will actually serve to make me even more cognizant of my need to depend on Christ- which will serve to grow me spiritually. Such a demeanor should compel me to be more faithful in sharing the message of the gospel. I pray such a stature will allow me to be used by God to build up other believers in their faith in Christ.

Yes, aging is a strange thing, but with Christ as your life, it’s also somewhat exciting.

Great post on Pastoral Pressure by Kevin DeYoung

2011-08-23T10:40:00.003-05:00

Kevin DeYoung captures so much of what I often feel as a pastor. Everyone experiences pressure these days, so I'm not directing you to his post to have you feel sorry for me and other pastors. But just as it is part of the pastor's calling to know his flock and their challenges, mature christians will care about what their pastor is dealing with.

Here's a part of his post. Read the whole post here.

Ask any pastor who really takes his work seriously and he will tell you of the pressures he feels in ministry—people in crisis, people leaving, people coming, people falling through the cracks, people disappointed by the pastor, people disappointing to the pastor. In the midst of this work the pastor is trying to find time for study, prayer, preparation, and family. He’s trying to improve himself, train up new leaders, meet the budget, get to know a few missionaries, champion important program, manage staff, take care of administrative details, provide for deep, accessible worship and preaching, be responsive to new ideas, listen to new concerns, be ready to help when people are in trouble.

And most pastors feel a burden for all the other things they could be doing: more evangelism, more involvement in the neighborhood, more for the poor, more for missions, more for the denomination, more for the city, more to address global concerns, more to address social concerns. There will be pastors reading this who wonder if the church is still responsive to their preaching, if the leadership will ever be responsive to his leading, if the congregation will ever grow like the churches he hears so much about. On top of all this every pastor has his own personal hurts, personal mistakes, and his own spiritual health to attend to. Who is weak and are not pastors weak?

Um...yeah...there's five loaves and two fishes

2011-08-22T12:38:00.010-05:00

We find in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, the disciples wanting some time with Jesus alone after several months of missionary work around the Sea of Galilee. They tried to withdraw to a desolate place by boat, but the huge crowds still tracked them down.

Jesus had compassion on the mass of people and so taught them many things. No where does the text say the disciples were jealous or irritated, but you can sense a touch of frustration as they warn Jesus to send the crowds away before it gets dark and they have no where to get food.

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

At first blush the disciples come off as caring administrative types who foresee the hungry suffering of the masses and want them to be fed. Upon further review, it seems unlikely their focus is really on the crowds because it was pretty unreasonable to think the small, nearby villages would have the capacity to feed thousands of people. The disciples probably just wanted to send them off to fend for themselves so they could be with Jesus.

The tension rises as Jesus responds with an unexpected command-

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”

Despite all they had seen from Jesus and their own witness of the miraculous when they went out "two by two" ministering in Jesus' name, they respond to Jesus' command with exasperation-

And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

They are saying it is impossible for them to accomplish Jesus' assignment to feed 5,000 plus people. They don't have enough money to go buy the food necessary. They also calculate the cost of feeding the people at a year's wages. They are saying to Jesus- "your request is unreasonable...we can't possibly do that."

Such is often the case for us when we know God is calling us to do something. We take inventory of what we don't have to accomplish the task and declare a forfeit. We might even get frustrated with God for calling us to such a hard task or thing. Well, in this case, we learn something of how God works most often- by using our inadequate resources to manifest His power. Let's pick back up with Jesus' response to the disciples miffed "no can do" declaration-

And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

OK. Hang with me on this. I have a theory about what just happened. It's sort of like when my son prepares to walk out the door for school with no belt declaring he can't find it. I send him upstairs to get it, he comes down in seconds saying it's not there. I think the disciples were hacked about Jesus not following their plan (to send the crowds away) and so only half-heartedly ventured about the crowd to inventory the actual food available. Are you telling me that a crowd of over 5,000 people didn't even have a stick of beef jerky between them? I don't think the disciples checked very hard.

When the text says "when they had found out, they said, 'five, and two fish.' But we know from the Apostle John's recounting of this story that a young boy had volunteered his food (five loaves and two fish) to the disciples. I think the disciples were ready, like my son, to return to Jesus quickly to declare- "Nope, no food." Instead, a little faithful boy tugs on one of their robes and offers his food to the disciples. So, begrudgingly no doubt, the disciples bring what they have to Jesus as much to say "I told you so" as anything else.

Of course, you know how the story goes-

And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.

There's lot to learn from this story. Most poignant is the way God takes meager, inadequate resources, and multiplies them. When God calls me to something, He will give me what I need to accomplish the task. It's not for me to declare "it cannot be done" if God says it can. Instead of immediately taking stock of what I don't have or whatever my manifold weaknesses are- may God help me to be more patient and careful to consider what I do have- even if it isn't much.

God seems to delight in using broken, inadequate, skewed, weak, marred, stuff to bring Glory to Himself. Take what He's given you- offer it up to Him- and watch Him bless it.

Straight up funny

2011-08-19T21:41:00.001-05:00

This is a straight up hilarious commercial-

HT: Scott C.

Another great post by Carl Trueman

2011-08-18T01:03:00.004-05:00

If you only have time to check out one or two blogs each day, definitely skip this one and check out Carl Trueman's instead.

He just wrote a great post that confronts the seemingly en vogue emergent-like trend that insists we challenge what our less intellectually honest parents, Sunday School teachers, etc. The title of the post is excellent, be sure to check out the whole post:

Doubting on your part does not constitute a crisis of faith on mine by Carl Trueman

Here's a great quotation-

Over the last few years I have read dozens of pieces that tell me that it is no longer possible to believe in the historical Adam, in the Pentateuchal narratives, in a Christological reading of the Old Testament, in the Incarnation, in the resurrection, in biblical sexual ethics, and in hell; that, in doing so, I am acting irrationally and am engaged in a desperate quest for certainty. At times such sentiments sadden me; at other times they irritate. A desperate, irrational quest for certainty? How I wish that I might not be certain about a number of those things, given that they fly in the face of my socially liberal instincts.

My response to these criticisms varies depending upon the specific doctrine at issue but I would like to offer one general reply to those who write and email such. I am sorry that you have doubts; I am sorry that your Christian parents or schoolteachers screwed you up with their bad teaching; I am sorry that you can no longer believe the simple catechetical faith that you were once taught; I am sorry that the Bible seems like little more than a confused mish-mash of contradictory myths and endlessly deferred meaning. But that you struggle with doubts does not mean that those who do not struggle in the same way are simply weak-minded, in denial or bare-faced liars. Nor, more importantly, does the mere fact that you have doubts mean that those doubts are necessarily legitimate and well-grounded. Doubting on your part does not constitute a crisis of faith on mine.

HT: Johannes Weslianus

Knee Saga thankfulness...and some closure

2011-08-15T00:55:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday I participated in a sprint triathlon as a way of giving my knee a final test for recovery. It went pretty well, by my very low standards. I swam, biked, and ran about as good as I can in my current shape. I do think I can do better- I might have one more triathlon in me. My knee felt pretty good.

The truth is, my knee will never be as healthy as it once was. There will always be a damaged ligament and the scar tissue from the reconstructed portions cause regular stiffness. Still, I can walk well, ride my bike fine, and run decently. How blessed I truly am given the severity of my injury. I honestly have come to terms with the likelihood that playing soccer with my beloved RPC United in an adult league is probably no longer a reality. I got to play competitively longer than most has-beens. My competitive juices will have to find other outlets...

I have so appreciated the prayers and encouraging words from many friends since I wrecked my knee last October. It's not a big deal compared to what so many face, but it's been a trial for me. God has taught me a whole bunch through this and I'm still learning.

Would I want it to happen again? No.

Will my knee ever be completely right? No.

Would I change things? No. It's part of who I am-part of who God is making me to be.

Church Camp days all over again...

2011-08-05T16:58:00.003-05:00

I just got back from our 4-day junior high camp near Branson, Missouri on the Table Rock Lake. It was a great time. I was one of the helpers and got to teach Wednesday night. It's strange having a junior high son.

The picture above is my son, his buddy Grant, and me (middle) being dragged mercilessly by a nasty lady driving a fast boat until we got thrown off like rag dolls. Great fellowship...sore body now.

The highlight of camp for me was my son not changing his clothes at all for three days! Same shorts and shirt...I assume the same underwear too. I kind of chuckled each time I saw him in the mornings with the same stuff on. Unfortunately his dear mother (my beloved wife) asked me the second day if AJ had changed his clothes. I confessed he had not. She sternly directed me to mandate he change his clothes immediately. So, after receiving such orders, I went to him last night at dinner and said- "I want you to change your shirt now".

About a half hour later I saw him again...this time with the sleeves cut off the same shirt. Well, he changed his shirt!

Momma ain't gonna be happy. I'm smiling...on the inside. Boys are cool.

Slow learning dog...(of course)

2011-07-31T23:00:00.003-05:00

There is a statement about being as dumb as a rock...not to be applied in this situation, of course.

18 Years

2011-07-31T00:44:00.003-05:00

I have been blessed by God to have a godly wife. Today marks 18 years of marriage to the most beautiful, gracious, sober-minded woman since pre-Fall Eve.

Jumping dog fail...

2011-07-28T01:47:00.001-05:00

As you might expect, I find this pretty amusing-

John R.W. Stott 1921-2011

2011-07-27T17:56:00.007-05:00

The Church lost a great pastor-teacher today. John Stott went to Christ at the age of 90 after a lifetime of ministry.

In my fourteen years of regular expositional bible preaching, I have used no other commentator more consistently than John Stott.

By God's grace he left a huge library of edifying books and commentaries for the Church to benefit in the ages to come.

Click Here for his memorial site.

Remembering Mitch Hedberg

2011-07-26T00:32:00.003-05:00

The death of incredibly talented, but drug-addicted, singer Amy Winehouse this week reminded me of one of my favorite comedians who died of a drug overdose a few years ago. I have watched these clips dozens of times but laugh anew every time I watch them again-

Kamara half bike

2011-07-24T16:48:00.001-05:00

We sat in a heat index of 110 on Saturday night...but Kei Kamara's sweet half-bicycle goal made it worth it!

The Right to Bear Arms

2011-07-23T22:23:00.001-05:00

The picture says it all...

Amazing!

2011-07-23T13:10:00.004-05:00

In rapid succession Mark records several dramatic demonstrations of Jesus' power in his Gospel account.

I love how he captures the immediate reaction by witnesses-

After casting a demon from a man in the synagogue (Mark 1:21-28), Mark writes, "And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

After Jesus healed the paralytic lowered through a ceiling by his friends (Mark 2:1-12), Mark writes- "And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

After calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee Mark 4:35-41) Mark writes, "And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

After freeing Legion from thousands of demons (Mark 5:1-20) and sending him for to the Decapolis to proclaim what the Lord had done, Mark writes- "and everyone marvelled".

After healing the chronically ill woman and raising Jarius' daughter from the dead (Mark 5:22-43), Mark writes- "they were immediately overcome with amazement."

Mark likes the word "amazing". Why? Because Jesus is amazing.

A List of the Worst Christian Cliche's

2011-07-22T10:52:00.004-05:00

Here is a great post by Karen Prior on the various Christian cliche's circulating. Be sure to read the comments as well-

Click here: Doing Authentic Ministry with my Smokin' Hot Bride

Very funny, but poignant stuff!

Rubio nails it

2011-07-20T01:07:00.002-05:00

I don't know much about Marco Rubio, but I know he's right about what he says here...

I would love to see a Chris Christie/Marco Rubio ticket run for Prez/VP.

Mountains bring perspective

2011-07-19T14:40:00.009-05:00

Horn Peak is a magnificent looking mountain in the midst of the Sangre De Cristo range of southwest Colorado. I have summitted this 13,487 foot mountain four times as of last week. It is a grueling climb with some challenging rock scrambling above tree line from a false peak to the summit.

The picture below was taken by a group of climbers ascending the mountain behind us (my wife, two older sons, and myself) last Tuesday. Look how small we are!!

This picture below brings even more perspective on how small we really are.

The man who took these pictures of us at the summit reflected on a poignant quotation from Francis Schaeffer-

"And as I walked I looked up at the Dents with their swirling mists so high above me. I thought how our dear Lord comes into more proper perspective in our thinking in such a place as this - for the higher the mountains, the more understandable is the glory of Him who made them and who holds them in His hand. But the other side is also true: man also comes into his proper place. As the Lord gains in greatness, in comparison to the mountains, so man diminishes.

As it is with space, it is also true of time. My letters from here go to so many countries, and in these last few years I have found friends in many of them. As I have learned the history of these lands, from those who tell the history from their hearts, time has come to mean something different to me than it ever did before, when time was measured only by the short scope of the hurrying clock or cold dates on a page of the history book. But as time falls into its proper place, again God seems to grow greater by comparison, and again it has the opposite effect on man. As the mountains shrink him down to size, so also does time."

HT: Andrew Caudal

When pigs floated...

2011-07-19T08:45:00.005-05:00

The fifth chapter of Mark begins with a wild account. It happens the same night in which Jesus calms a life-threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee. He and the disciples are crossing the top section of the Sea as they come to the shoreline of "the country of the Gerasenes". Wherever the city was actually located, it was in the Decapolis, a Gentile region on the east side of the Sea.

No sooner did Jesus' boat hit the shore than He was confronted with a bizarre scene-

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

We have in this man one of the most pathetic pictures of humanity you could ever imagine. He was almost completely stripped of his identity and utterly animalized by the demons who oppressed and possessed him. It's hard to imagine a more miserable person on earth. Who could possibly free him?

The power encounter that ensues is just as shocking as the introduction to the howling, cutting, supernaturally strong, demoniac-

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

Wow. There were enough demons in this man to fill a herd of 2,000 pigs! The man's name designation, "Legion", implies there could have been many more (in Roman military terms, a Legion could have 6,000 foot soldiers and 120 horsemen). We know very little about demons based on the biblical record, but this instance seems to be an extra-extraordinary encounter. Just as in other cases of Jesus confronting demons, these demons try to gain control over Christ by identifying Him. They recognize Him to be Deity, so turn to begging for a reprieve of some sort. The demons must not have known the pigs would run in to the Sean and drown, but then again, that isn't the real thrust of the story. This story is about the Lordship of Christ over the demons and His compassion on a miserable, enslaved human being. The demons where doing their best to bludgeon the image of God in man as they tormented this poor soul. Jesus put an end to it and gave good insight in to the eventual fate of all demons. On a very practical, personal level, this story of Jesus and the Gerasene Demoniac teaches us-

If Jesus can free a man plagued by thousands of demons and beyond human help, He can set you free from whatever enslaves you- so you can testify about what the Lord has done.

Look at the various reactions from those who witnessed the events and you will see what I mean-

The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.

By many accounts, salted pork was a staple meat of the Roman army. Raising swine was big business for many outside Israel (of course). Losing 2,000 hogs would have been big news. The herdsmen are quick to report what they have seen, no doubt in shock about the incident, but also worried about the financial ramifications of 2,000 inedible floating pig carcasses. Those who confirmed the story and considered the event further freaked out and begged Jesus to leave. They didn't want the economy upset. Perhaps their desire for Jesus to leave was founded on something deeper- they didn't like the conviction Jesus brought upon them- they just wanted him gone. It's really amazing when you think about it- they would rather have their pigs than see a person like Legion (whom they all knew very well) be freed from his unspeakable agony! The economy and the status quo were more important than freeing a demoniac! People can be pretty heartless.

A major point of this story is revealed by the response of the man-

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Jesus wasn't being mean to the man by declining his request to come along. Jesus was commissioning the man to go tell others in the Decapolis about Him. At this point Jesus was giving the former demoniac a more immediate commission than He was giving His struggling disciples! Further, this man was a Gentile. The Gentile leg of the Great Commission wasn't going to officially begin for a couple years, but this man was commissioned to go tell Gentiles about "what the Lord had done" for him and the mercy shown to him.

I think one of the main lessons we can draw from this incredible story, once again, is this-

If Jesus can free a man plagued by thousands of demons and beyond human help, He can set you free from whatever enslaves you- so you can testify about what the Lord has done.

Every person who has been touched by the grace of God in Christ has a story to tell. Go tell it.

Scripture references are from Mark 5:1-20 (ESV)

More knee testing...

2011-07-12T17:36:00.006-05:00

I don't really enjoy climbing mountains as such, but this year I've been trying to do things I did before my knee injury, surgery and rehab. I'm almost 8 months past surgery, so I tried to climb Horn Peak again. The climb went well, the descent was very slow going with my knee. Still, I praise God for His grace that allows for modern medicine to address wrecked knees like mine.

GOLAZO!

2011-07-05T11:40:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately this wonder goal was scored against my Sporting KC team...but fortunately, it wasn't enough to win the game. One of the nicest goals of the year for sure.

Happy Independence Day...for most

2011-07-04T10:53:00.004-05:00

I'm thankful for the work and sacrifice of this nation's founders. Independence Day is a big deal in the U.S.....but not for everyone. Check out what Gary North said, then read his full article if you dare.

I do not celebrate the fourth of July. This goes back to a term paper I wrote in graduate school. It was on colonial taxation in the British North American colonies in 1775. Not counting local taxation, I discovered that the total burden of British imperial taxation was about 1% of national income. It may have been as high as 2.5% in the southern colonies.

According to North, 1775 represents the good ole' days. Click on his quote to see his total argument.

Who doesn't love bottle rockets?

2011-07-01T23:45:00.002-05:00

I'm posting this awesome video as a way of kicking off July 4 celebrations. Hat tip to Jon Meyers for alerting me to this super manly clip.

There's just not a whole lot cooler than shooting off bottle rockets....legally and safely, of course.

First Tomato of the Summer...bitter sweet

2011-06-29T20:07:00.003-05:00

No, I don't mean the tomato tastes bittersweet, but rather it's the first tomato of the summer, from my father's garden.

Dad planted about half his garden before he died May 16. Mom and my boys have been trying to keep his garden watered and weeded.

This particular tomato comes from a special plant. It's a tomato plant my dad had growing in a pot. Those of you who attended my father's funeral might remember a large tomato plant among the flowers. This tomato is from that plant. Three were ripe enough to pick today, my mother brought this one over.

See what I mean about everything reminding me of Dad these days?

Must still be a "time to mourn"

2011-06-28T23:41:00.006-05:00

Sorry I haven't been posting too much lately. I have been busy with ministry and family, but that's not really the reason I've lagged on posting. I have started several posts only to quit writing.

Very honestly, I'm still grieving the loss of my father. I try to put his death out of my mind, but I think of it pretty consistently still six weeks later. In talking with folks who have gone through grief like this, I am dealing with something common but crappy. Everyone will have their time(s) to grieve in this sin-torn world. I try to dwell on good thoughts and memories about Dad, but such an exercise leads me right back to the memory of his death and the impossibility of interacting with him this side of heaven...and very honestly, right now heaven seems an awful long way away.

I think the relatively sudden nature of his passing and the gnawing feeling that things could have been different had a few medical decisions and actions been done differently make it tougher. Don't get me wrong for a second- I don't doubt God's will or sovereignty in any of this, but being human, I struggle to reconcile my feelings with what I know to be true about God.

As I shared with my congregation this past Sunday, being in the midst of a storm draws you to greater dependence on God. I definitely sense my helplessness apart from God and have been far more prayerful than ever before. My anchor continues to be Christ's ultimate victory over death. Christ the victor is my sure and wonderful hope.

So when the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote (3:4)-there's a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance- he never told us how long these periods go on. I'd really like to know such a thing...right now I can't really picture dancing, but I know God's Word is true.

I could say more, but I'm burned out on talking about it.

If Christie doesn't run for Prez...I'm writing him in

2011-06-27T17:53:00.005-05:00

I can't believe how underwhelming the Republican cast of potential presidential candidates is.

Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey is my current favorite potential presidential candidate. Unfortunately, he's not running....yet. Here's some classic Christie from a few days ago-

Did I mention Christie is of Irish/Sicilian descent?

With Christ is Enough

2011-06-24T16:58:00.004-05:00

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:35-41

I very much appreciate Donald English's comments on Jesus' calming the storm-

"At the personal spiritual level there is a deep lesson to be learned from the stilling of the storm incident. For the disciple it should be enough to be with the Lord, whether life's seas are running smoothly or not. Forms of Christianity which encourage and promise a life of continual success, excitement and growth will not only lead to frustration and despair; they actually point the disciple towards the wrong goal in the Christian pilgrimage. It is enough that Christ goes with us on our journey. We do not judge his care for us, nor the state of our discipleship, by the roughness of the seas over which we sail. We 'rejoice in the Lord', not in our current circumstances."

2011 HCA Charger Junior Soccer Camp

2011-06-23T17:09:00.001-05:00

I've been super busy this week with regular duties plus a soccer camp I helped lead in the mornings with my varsity players. They did a GREAT job teaching young kids about soccer...and how their faith in Christ affects even how we view and play sports.

Remembering the RPC steeple raising

2011-06-19T22:28:00.002-05:00

This week marks the 4 year anniversary of Redeemer's steeple raising.

Spurgeon on the growth God gives to His Word when sown

2011-06-18T14:26:00.004-05:00

The so-called "Prince of Preachers" was Charles Spurgeon. It's always a mistake to read a sermon by Spurgeon the day before you are supposed to preach on the same text. I should just throw out my sermon, apologize to my congregation for being lame, and read Spurgeon's sermon on Mark 4:26-29.

In this particular sermon, after exhorting us to "sow the Word" every chance we get, Spurgeon reminds us the growth comes from God.

See what he preached regarding this text:

Mark 4:26-29 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

"Let us now think of what you cannot do. You cannot, after the seed has left your hand, cause it to put forth life. I am sure you cannot make it grow, for you do not know how it grows. The text saith, "And the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." That which is beyond the range of our knowledge is certainly beyond the reach of our power. Can you make a seed germinate? You may place it under circumstances of damp and heat which will cause it to swell and break forth with a shoot, but the germination itself is beyond you. How is it done? We know not. After the germ has been put forth, can you make it further grow, and develop its life into leaf and stem? No; that, too, is out of your power. And when the green, grassy blade has been succeeded by the ear, can you ripen it? It will be ripened; but can you do it? You know you cannot; you can have no finger in the actual process, though you may promote the conditions under which it is carried on.

Life is a mystery; growth is a mystery; ripening is a mystery: and these three mysteries are as fountains sealed against all intrusion. How comes it that there is within the ripe seed the preparations for another sowing and another growth? What is this vital principle, this secret reproducing energy? Knowest thou anything about this? The philosopher may talk about chemical combinations, and he may proceed to quote analogies from this and that; but still the growth of the seed remains a secret, it springs up, he knoweth not how. Certainly this is true of the rise and progress of the life of God in the heart. It enters the soul, and roots itself we know not how. Naturally men hate the word, but it enters and it changes their hearts, so that they come to love it; yet we know not how. Their whole nature is renewed, so that instead of producing sin it yields repentance, faith, and love; but we know not how.

How the Spirit of God deals with the mind of man, how he creates the new heart and the right spirit, how we are begotten again unto a lively hope, we cannot tell. The Holy Ghost enters into us; we hear not his voice, we see not his light, we feel not his touch; yet he worketh an effectual work upon us, which we are not long in perceiving. We know that the work of the Spirit is a new creation, a resurrection, a quickening from the dead; but all these words are only covers to our utter ignorance of the mode of his working, with which it is not in our power to meddle. We do not know how he performs his miracles of love, and, not knowing how he works, we may be quite sure that we cannot take the work out of his hands. We cannot create, we cannot quicken, we cannot transform, we cannot regenerate, we cannot save."

Spurgeon's full sermon "What the farm laborers can do and what they cannot do" can be found here.

Response to smear campaign by The Graze

2011-06-16T10:32:00.018-05:00

Viciously photoshopped picture posted by "The Graze". Nice turtleneck though...

I was recently the subject of a vicious smear campaign on "The Graze" regarding some comments I made in private to a co-laborer in the ministry. I am writing to set the record straight.

It is true, I hate dogs. I am sure I would have liked dogs before the fall of man, but this side of the fall, I despise them. Admittedly I have had various run-in's with dogs over the years that have colored my opinion, nevertheless, I make no secret of my angst toward all rover-kind. Now, before all you dog-loving readers raise your pooper scoopers in anger toward me, let me be clear that I think it's great that so many people get satisfaction from enslaving a wild animal. It's perfectly OK with me that others enjoy having a mongrel roam their house, poop and pee on the carpet, shed hair everywhere, smell every person who walks in the front door (I'll say no more on that), bark at every squirrel they see in the yard (undoubtedly longing to be free like the squirrel), drink out of the toilet, lick their private parts, and then lick their master's face. Hey, it's a free country, if you want a dog in your house- go for it!! Why not a pot-bellied pig while you're at it? I hear they're neater. How about a wolverine? Maybe a family of muskrats? I admit to being curious about the kind of pet a coyote would make. But anyways, I don't like dogs, but I am totally in favor of people who want to have their life altered by the need to care for a canine friend to have it their way.

Now, as for the vicious attack I was the subject of on The Graze, I feel it is essential that I make my position plain.

Yes, it is true. I think cats rule and dogs drool. To be clear, I am not generally a fan of the concept of keeping animals as pets (except a piranha...feeding time makes it so worth it!). I did have a cat once though. She wasn't the most social pet. As I watched her live her life in two apartments we had and our first house, it dawned on me how superior cats are to dogs. Whether in the wild or domesticated (to the degree such a concept works with wild animals), cats are awesome, dogs are not. People will often say dogs are smarter. Why? Because the dumb beasts can be trained to do stupid, demoralizing things like fetching a stick over and over and over? Because a dog can roll over it's smarter than a cat? I think just the opposite. Only a stupid animal would lower itself to "sit" in order to get a biscuit made of horse meat. How ridiculous! A cat on the other hand is far too regal to reduce it's honor for such a pitiful treat. Cats are independent. Cats are wise and cunning. No matter how long you keep a cat inside, they never lose their hunting instinct. What could be more precious than Tabby leaving an eviscerated mouse at the front door for their master to see. Cats are in the same family as Lions! Yes- the Lion King, The King of the Jungle, and Aslan! Dogs? Hmmmm...{crickets chirping}. What, pray tell, was the Godfather's favorite pet? Not a dog, of course.

So, no matter what the tabloid site "The Graze" may purport, you now have the truth here- Dogs drool, cats rule!!

Side note: I do have a stuffed coyote (killed legally with a .223 from 200 yards) and a stuffed bobcat (also killed legally with a bow and arrow from about 25 steps) prominently located in my office to honor both the canine and feline species.

Crazy Goal

2011-06-13T00:43:00.001-05:00

MLS ain't EPL, LaLiga, Italian Series A, or even Bundesliga...but it has some very good moments-

I got slimed today at VBS..it wasn't much fun

2011-06-10T15:13:00.005-05:00

Being the "seeker sensitive", be all things to all people, try out the latest gimmick, apologize for historic Christian practices, going and blowing, relevant, transparent, not your grandmother's church, that we are...it seemed like a good idea to let the kids at VBS slime me.

Our attendance ought to be way up this Sunday, right?

If not, I'm never listening to my two emergent co-pastors, Brian and Nathan, again.

The LIVESTRONG SPORTING PARK era has begun

2011-06-10T09:40:00.003-05:00

Last night I attended the first game at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City. It's a memory my son and I will always have. The game wasn't stellar, but the stadium, buzz, and excitement were extraordinary.

I have another blog, one that analyzes Sporting KC. I post there about the stadium (among other things). Click here: Sporks Take

Brian's blog has some cool pictures of last night also. Click here: Hough Family Blog

Today I did something I have never done...

2011-06-08T21:43:00.013-05:00

I have never listened to one of my own sermons in entirety (no wise cracks about how you haven't either, Redeemer people!). It feels weird listening to myself, so I just have never gotten much past 5 minutes- until tonight. I'll explain.

The past few weeks have been spent dealing with my father's death and all the transitional affairs that must happen when a person dies. My father didn't have too much in the way of earthly possessions- his house, his "Sweet 16" Browning Shotgun, a modest coin collection, various trinkets, quite a few 20-dollar bills stashed in various places (you had to know my father to appreciate this), and his 2002 Olds Alero.

Mom is having me sell Dad's car, so being my day off, I worked on getting it ready. I didn't foresee cleaning up his car as a difficult thing emotionally. I was wrong. Taking off his various "I Remember Korea" type bumper stickers took quite a while and the tears flowed off and on the whole day. Cleaning out the car brought me in to contact with various little items that kept reminding me of Dad. It just wouldn't stop. I found myself breaking down multiple times, something I'm sadly uncomfortable doing. I took the car to get the oil changed and the AC charged at the place he usually got the car serviced. When I gave the keys to the guy at the desk, he recognized my name and asked where my father was (we have the same name). I told him Dad had passed a couple weeks ago. This big ole' bearded redneck-looking mechanic seemed genuinely sad. He said, "Aw man..I'm so sorry...we loved it when your Dad came in here." I knew what he meant. Dad loved to yuck it up with anyone. He would joke and banter and make you remember him. That was Dad. I left the car there and walked home...again, the tears flowed. It just doesn't seem to stop.

When I got the car back from the shop later in the evening, my boys helped me clean out the trunk where Dad kept quite a bit of...shall we say...OK, what my mother says- JUNK. Being from Buffalo and the driver of many crappy cars, my father always kept a change (or three) of warm clothes and boots in the trunk in case he got stranded. The boys also found all sorts of other fun keepsakes- a flashlight, his old Buffalo News I.D. badge, a map of Buffalo (why would he keep a map of a place he knew like the back of his hand?), three umbrellas, and a blanket my Aunt Mary (his sister) made for me when I was a baby. More sniffles, that's for sure.

So I had all the stickers off the car, the interior cleaned, and the trunk emptied. I didn't think there was anything else left, so off to the do it yourself car wash place to give it a good washing and vacuum. I spent the better part of an hour cleaning the Alero up. I remembered when I helped Dad buy it at Fuccillo's on Grand Island, NY back in 2003. I went with Dad to buy the car because he hated car dealerships and making a decision on something that would require lots of money. It was a year-old program car with 27,000 miles on it in. We got a pretty good deal, he enjoyed the car for 8 years. He didn't drive much the last couple of years, it only has 71,253 miles on it now-not bad for what is essentially a 10-year old car. He also has receipts and records for everything he had done with the vehicle while he owned it. It seemed strange returning the car to the bland condition it was in when we bought it 8 years ago. It was like I stripped my father's personality from it. My eyes have been pretty puffy today.

I was all done cleaning outside and in. I got in and started to drive back home when I saw the little "CD" symbol lit up on the stereo indicating there was a CD in the player. I wondered what would be the last CD Dad left in his player? When a person you love dies and you miss him, you look for any undisturbed affect of his life. I wondered if "old blue eyes" would be the CD in the player? Maybe Leon Redbone or Dad's favorite of all- Louie Prima? So I hit the power button and the CD started.

The last CD in Dad's player was me preaching a sermon on Titus 2:11-16.

I was overwhelmed. I cried like a baby (and am doing so again as I type this). It was a CD Redeemer mass produced to give visitors. It is a sermon that captures the essence of the gospel of God's sovereign grace through Christ and the effect it will have on our lives. I don't know if it's my "best" sermon, but it's one of my favorite passages in Scripture. I'm just so blessed to have found that CD was the last one Dad listened to in his car. When someone is recently gone, you scramble to find last "messages" or hints at things he did before leaving- because you know such evidences will soon disappear and memories will fade. Let's be honest- when people say "it'll get better with time", what they mean is you'll start to forget all the little details that make you miss the person so much. It doesn't get easier when grieving the loss of a loved one, it just gets harder to remember them in full, so the pain seems to lessen. That's the truth.

Today was a much harder day than I had anticipated, but once again, God manifested Himself as utterly gracious. It's true that many memories of Dad will fade over the years. But knowing the last CD he listened to in his car was my sermon about God's grace in Christ cements one thing for sure in my life- Jesus Christ is the hero of all our relationships. I may not be able to remember all the special details as time goes on- but I will remember that Christ was (and is)Dad's Savior and because of that, I will have fellowship with my father again.

Oh...yeah...I actually listened to the whole sermon, something I have never done during my almost 20 years of regular preaching. It felt weird.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. - Titus 2:11-16

Turretin had a way with words...

2011-06-07T14:17:00.004-05:00

Francis Turretin was one of the greatest theologians ever. His biblical insight was keen and his ability to communicate the truth of Scripture unparalleled.

"The work of our conversion is a creation, resurrection, regeneration and the production of a new heart by which God not only gently persuades but powerfully effects in us to will and to do. As, however, man can contribute nothing to his creation, resurrection and regeneration, so neither can the sinner contribute anything to his conversion."

Treasuring God's Word- MUST WATCH

2011-06-06T11:41:00.004-05:00

We had the privilege of hearing about the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship in Papua last night at church. Matt and Alyssa Harris shared this exciting, yet very convicting video. It's a must watch.

It's about a tribe in Papua receiving God's Word in their own language.

2011 KATY Ride Slideshow

2011-06-05T01:37:00.002-05:00

Brian and I finished our KATY trail ride on Thursday afternoon. It was an awesome trip. I put together a 5-minute slide show. Brian did a scrapbook type post on his blog.

2011 KATY Ride

2011-05-29T09:53:00.005-05:00

Brian and I are heading out after church for what has become our annual KATY trail bike ride and hobo trip across rural Missouri. This year we're adding 40 miles of road riding to make it a 300-mile bike ride. We're starting on the road at Harrisonville, picking up the KATY at Clinton, then riding past St. Charles to Machens (near St. Louis) by this Thursday evening. The wives will be waiting for us when we get to the end of the trail. Hopefully the weather cooperates and the river isn't flooding the trail.

It will be a special test for my recovering knee. I've been doing quite a bit of bike riding over the past few months in preparation and for general knee rehab.

I'll blog at you when I return, hopefully on Friday.

Here's a neat site about the KATY Trail.

Get Crazy

2011-05-28T21:03:00.006-05:00

Mark records the time when Jesus family came to take him from the pressure of the crowds that were pressing. They were worried about what had become of Jesus' life and ministry. Religious devotion was one thing, but the spectacle Jesus had become was too much for his family to bear. He was crazy, they thought. They were no doubt his craziness would get him killed.

What we observe with Jesus happens among the religious all the time. People don't mind their friends and loved ones being religious, so long as they don't get too crazy with it. So long as we are "Christian" it's OK, but "born again" or a "Jesus freak"? That's too far. When Jesus becomes your life, even those closest people to you might think you've lost it.

Mark 3:20-35 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

I suppose most of the people God used in big ways over the course of history were called crazy at one time or another. I like what Kent Hughes says in his commentary along these lines-

"Similar verdicts (being called crazy) have been rendered over Luther, Bunyan, Wesley and others. But let us note (and note well!) that given the truth of Christ and the truth of the gospel, such people are supremely sane! If the Apostle’s Creed is sensible and true, then those who believe it have aligned themselves with sanity. If Christ is who he says he is, then the sanest thing in the world is to follow him. If Christ calls us to commitment, anything else is crazy. Christianity needs more of Christ’s madness!"

Memorial Day thoughts

2011-05-27T10:57:00.009-05:00

Having grown up the son of a military veteran, I was taught to be grateful for the country I live in and the sacrifice of so many. The efforts of thousands has allowed us to be free from the ravages of violent war and aggression on home soil that we see the world over. After my father’s death last week, I looked through an album of his old army pictures and was moved to think about the thousands of soldiers who have sacrificed for my freedom.

War is an ugly, horrible, hellish reality in this sin-torn world. Humanity has almost never enjoyed a period without war somewhere on earth. You cannot turn on a news program or website without seeing multiple wars and uprisings happening the world over. War means people- who are made in the image of God -dying. It’s an awful aberration, but necessary at times, this side of the Fall.

The last of the three chief war criminals of the Bosnian War was arrested this week. With the arrest of Ratko Mladic, it is hoped some closure can come for a group of nations that experienced a savage war that spanned 3 long years after the break up of Yugoslavia in 1991. I was in college during that awful conflict and knew several students from that war torn region of Europe. Of course, the Bosnian War came right after our own country fought in the Gulf War leading in to 1991. Since that time, we are all familiar with numerous conflicts involving our armed service men and women, at this very moment close to 200,000 American troops are on foreign soil somewhere defending out country.

At my father’s burial last week, the funeral director, himself a veteran, carefully removed the triangle folded flag from my father’s casket and turned to my mother. As he handed the flag to mom, he said- “On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation, this flag is presented as a token of our appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your husband to his country.” My father served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. I appreciate how members of our military carry a certain honor for the whole of their life, even in death.

It has been said by many that wars are started by old men in suits but fought by young boys with guns. It’s true. Much of the politics surrounding decisions to go to war are maddening. Obviously we live in a time of great division and argument concerning our own country’s involvement in various conflicts. Nevertheless, on this Memorial Day weekend I will be thinking of the families- especially those in our church- who currently have loved one’s serving our military. I will also be thinking of the many who have been affected by family and friends who have served in such a capacity at one time or another. There’s a whole lot wrong with our country and it’s direction, that’s for sure, however there are still many things to be thankful for and appreciate. In my opinion, our military deserves a place of honor and consideration in our minds, hearts, and prayers.

Pray especially for the faithful bible-teaching, gospel-preaching, chaplains and soldiers who are being used of God to bring people to Christ. Pray for the many military families who must stay here and care for families while mom or dad are away. Whatever you do, when you get a day off on Memorial Day, think of the price paid (and still being paid) by so many who have served and sacrificed.

Facts rarely get in the way of the Gay agenda

2011-05-24T08:33:00.008-05:00

Listening to the various voices that are fueling the homosexual agenda, you would think a large portion of society identified themselves as gay. Numbers upward of 10% are often given. The facts simply do not bare out such claims, but then again, the homosexual agenda has never been about facts. Even in this sexually sick culture, research shows less than 1.5% of the population identifies itself as gay.

Nevertheless, the homosexual agenda is powerful and politically connected. A few weeks ago Kobe Bryant got fined big money for using a term viewed as "gay bashing". Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls just got fined for a similar crime- $50,000 for calling someone an "anti-gay slur". The NBA seems to be particularly sensitive to the Homosexual agenda as some of it's stars are even recording pro-gay public announcements. There is a celebrity machine in this country that is powerful in driving opinion. Much of the awareness surrounding the gay marriage issue has come from celebrities speaking out on the matter. Celebrity advocacy of any kind of marriage is somewhat ironic, don't you think?

Things have gotten so ridiculous in our culture that even siting facts about numbers of people who identify themselves as gay or pointing out some of the illogic of the homosexual agenda gets you labeled "homophobic".

Michael Medved wrote an excellent piece for the USA Today that outlines much of what I am saying here. Check it out below.

Does it matter if only 1.4% of people are gay?

By Michael Medved

The nation's increasingly visible and influential gay community embraces the notion of sexual orientation as an innate, immutable characteristic, like left-handedness or eye color. But a major federal sex survey suggests a far more fluid, varied life experience for those who acknowledge same-sex attraction.

The results of this scientific research shouldn't undermine the hard-won respect recently achieved by gay Americans, but they do suggest that choice and change play larger roles in sexual identity than commonly assumed. The prestigious study in question (released in March by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) discovered a much smaller number of "gays, lesbians and homosexuals" than generally reported by the news media. While pop- culture frequently cites the figure of one in 10 (based on 60-year-old, widely discredited conclusions from pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey) the new study finds only 1.4% of the population identifying with same-sex orientation.

Moreover, even among those who describe themselves as homosexual or bisexual (a grand total of 3.7% of the 18-44 age group), overwhelming majorities (81%) say they've experienced sex with partners of the opposite gender. Among those who call themselves heterosexual, on the other hand, only a tiny minority (6%) ever engaged in physical intimacy of any kind with a member of the same sex These figure indicate that 94% of those living heterosexual lives felt no physical attraction to members of the same sex, but the great bulk of self-identified homosexuals and bisexuals feel enough intimate interest in the opposite gender to engage in erotic contact at some stage in their development.

A one-way street

Gay pride advocates applaud the courage of those who "come out," discovering their true nature as homosexual after many years of heterosexual experience. But enlightened opinion denies a similar possibility of change in the other direction, deriding anyone who claims straight orientation after even the briefest interlude of homosexual behavior and insisting they are phony and self-deluding. By this logic, heterosexual orientation among those with past gay relationships is always the product of repression and denial, but homosexual commitment after a straight background is invariably natural and healthy. In fact, numbers show huge majorities of those who "ever had same sex sexual contact" do not identify long-term as gay. Among women 18-44, for instance, 12.5% report some form of same sex contact at some point in their lives, but among the older segment of that group (35-44), only 0.7% identify as homosexual and 1.1% as bisexual.

In other words, for the minority who may have experimented with gay relationships at some juncture in their lives, well over 80% explicitly renounced homosexual (or even bisexual) self-identification by age of 35. For the clear majority of males (as well as women) who report gay encounters, homosexual activity appears to represent a passing phase, or even a fleeting episode, rather than an unshakable, genetically pre-determined orientation.

The once popular phrase "sexual preference" has been indignantly replaced with the term "sexual orientation" because political correctness now insists there is no factor of willfulness or volition in the development of erotic identity. This may well be the case for the 94% of males and 87% of females (ages 18-44) who have never experienced same-sex contact of any kind and may never have questioned their unwavering straight outlook — an outlook deemed "normal" in an earlier age.

‘Let go’ of one in 10

For the less than 2% of men and women who see themselves as gay, however, the issue of sexual orientation remains vastly more complicated. Within a month of the release of the CDC/NCHS report, one of the world's most respected think tanks on gay life confirmed some of its most surprising findings, without specifically referencing the recent government study. UCLA's Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy offered a new estimate of homosexual identification: concluding that 1.7% of Americans say they're gay, and a slightly larger group (1.8%) identified as bisexual — by definition attracted to both genders and shaping their sexual behavior through some mixture of inclination and preference.

Brad Sears of the Williams Institute defended the accuracy of these numbers, suggesting gay leaders "let go" of previous, unrealistic estimates of homosexual orientation. He told the Associated Press that "with other populations of a similar size of 2% to 4%, we don't question whether there are too many or too few." For instance, no one suggests Jewish Americans should be treated with contempt or dismissed as irrelevant to the Christian majority because they number below 2% of the U.S. population. Nor would the news media shy away from reporting that in an age of religious conversion, choice plays a role in adding to and subtracting from the Jewish community.

Religious identity arises from birth, upbringing, instinct, even destiny, but the fact that it almost always includes some element of choice doesn't entitle the believer to less respect. By the same token, it's no sign of hostility or homophobia to point to recent data suggesting that life experience and personal decisions play roles alongside inborn inclination in the complex, sometimes inconclusive, emergence of the gay and lesbian identity.

People of Walmart Music Video

2011-05-23T15:12:00.002-05:00

I only report media phenomena...don't get mad at me.

I buried my Dad today

2011-05-20T23:46:00.005-05:00

Together with my Mom, family, extended family, and beloved church family, I committed my father's earthly shell to the ground today. It was hard.

Here is the video tribute for my father.

I long for the resurrection. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

I lost my Dad today

2011-05-16T23:29:00.008-05:00

My father hadn't felt well for the last 18 months struggling with heart related issues. Without getting in to much detail, he had several dizzy spells last Wednesday and so went to the hospital where things seemed to digress over a few days reaching it's worse point this morning when his heart stopped. He was just shy of his 80th birthday.

I know lots of people have had poor fathers, maybe even mean ones. Too many have had no fathers in their life. I talk to quite a few people who have lots of emotional baggage because of things their father did or didn't do. I think having a faithful, loving, father is rare. While I understand the laments of those who suffered under bad dads, I'm not such a victim. My dad was awesome. No, he wasn't even near perfect and did his share of boneheaded things, he would tell you the same. But I'm being straight up when I tell you he was a great dad to me. He was a model of hard work, loyalty, sticking up for what you believe, and not taking yourself too seriously. My dad was always joking around.

Dad and mom moved to KC to be closer to us about 5 years ago. It was a big step for my dad having lived in the Western New York area for most of his 74 years when they came here. He knew how much it meant to my mother to live near the grand kids. My dad was your classic Italian Roman Catholic. Up until about 15 years ago he never missed Mass. He would tell you he was a Christian, but couldn't articulate what that meant beyond saying he was Catholic. I went through an obnoxious stage of trying to "get him saved". I meant well, but looking back, I think he trusted Christ for his life and eternity, but as so many Roman Catholics are, he was biblically illiterate beyond some basic truths. My mother convinced him to start attending a bible-preaching church in Western New York and we all noticed a huge change in his spiritual sensitivity. He started expressing his faith in Christ and interest in learning what Scripture taught. When they moved to Kansas City, Mom and Dad jumped in to the life of Redeemer immediately. One of the most moving days of my life was hearing my father give his testimony of faith in Christ to the elders of Redeemer to join the church. Most evangelicals, with all due respect, don't think too much of church membership and changing churches. For a Roman Catholic of 75 years to leave the Pope and join one of Luther's schismatic sects...that's huge. He did so with complete confidence in Christ and God's call on his life. The last 5 years of my father's life were spent growing in Christ and serving the Church in all sorts of ways. The men of Redeemer, especially a few select ones, showed special respect and care for my dad and he was overwhelmed with their love. I love many things about Redeemer, but the way this congregation has loved my parents staggers me. Every Sunday we have dinner with my parents, my father would have many things to say about the wonderful people of Redeemer on a regular basis.

We are all grieved. I'm an emotional basket case making all sorts of decisions I usually just give advice to mourning families concerning. It's a strange maze to navigate. My mother is a strong lady, but she just lost her partner of 41 plus years. It's tough, I won't lie. He wasn't doing great leading in to this, but his drop off was pretty sudden and shocking. Your mind plays tricks with you regarding the "what if's".

I'm sure I'll blog more about my father and the great memories I have of him. For now I'll sign off by giving genuine praise to God for blessing me with such a wonderful dad. My children love him as "Pepa" and are heartbroken about his passing. My wife was one of his favorite people on earth. He affectionately called her "daughter in law" all the time. Dad was one of a kind, well loved by his wife, and fondly considered by many. Even his outspoken crazy ideas were expressed humorously and with self-deprecation. I'm just totally confident in his presence with Christ right now. He didn't trust any of his own righteousness to be right with God. Dad knew Christ and rested in Him. It's been a hard day, but a good day. I miss my dad.