Last Tuesday night the wife and I received the news that a dear friend of ours was not doing well and was rushed to the hospital. We lifted her up in prayer and was determined to visit her the next afternoon. One thing about Alicia is that her smile was contagious. Even now thinking about her she makes me smile. When we arrived at the hospital, we stood quietly with the family until the doctors gathered us into a bigger room and broke the news to us that Alicia didn’t make it through the surgery. At that very moment the screams and cries I heard faded into silence as I tunnel visioned. I just went blank. I thought to my self, I’m suppose to be a minister, I’m supposed to be praying and comforting the family, but I didn’t, I couldn’t. I sat down, closed my eyes and couldn’t look up. When my daughter called me and asked me how she was doing I broke out in tears and told her she didn’t make it.
At that point, it had become a very long week for us as we thought about her, informed others and tried to be there for some close friends. But heres the thing; I didn’t realize how much her passing would affect me. What I mean is, I can’t recall a time when we went out to dinner or even to the movies, but I also can’t recall a time that we were both in the same room that we wouldn’t be sure to greet each other with a hug and kiss before leaving. The wife and I have been members of Family Bible Fellowship for close to 17 years. In that time we have seen families come together, kids grow up and have called many people our brothers and sisters in Christ. But in many ways, I thought that I merely gave lip service to calling people my brothers and sisters in Christ. I really didn’t realize how much I love my church home and church family. Well, I thought I knew, but I had no idea….
I'm in Portland, Oregon this weekend preparing to speak at a conference on the reliability of the New Testament. After getting my meeting room set up, Neil Mammen and I went to Starbucks for some hot chocolate. I've only gone to Starbucks a few times, but I think I'm begining to catch the bug. When I finally made my way to the front counter, I was greeted with a smile and asked the following question:
Starbucks Girl: "can I help you?" Me: "Sure, can I please have a regular hot chocolate?" Starbucks Girl: "What size would you like?" Me: "I'll have a large one." Starbucks Girl: "well would you like a grande?" Me: "How big is a Grande?" Starbucks Girl: "It is a medium" Me: No, I would like a Tall one" Starbuck Girl: "The tall is smaller than the Grande" Me: "But isn't the Grande large?" SG: "No it's a medium" Me: "Well then, how tall is a tall?" SG: "Small" Me: "And whats Taller than a Tall?" SG: "A Grande" ME: "But that's only a medium" SG: "Correct" Me: "Well is there anything Grander than a Grande?" SG: Yes, A Venti"
By this time I felt like I was being "Punked on Candid Camera," so I asked her to please hold up each size so that I can see which was which. By this time everyone behind me in line was laughing at me. The problem was this, until I was able to see the cups and compare their sizes, I was unable to determine what was tall, medium or large. I had to see the standard by which she measured the sizes. It's funny, in life, there are many things we call good, bad, right, wrong, crooked and straight. We say that one action or behavior is "better" than another, there seems to be a standard out there by which we are able to make those judgements and that ulitimate standard is God!
Just something to think about the next time you go to order your Double shot, decaf, extra hot, no foam, venti carmel maccioto, blended milk.
I just watched this Saturday Night Live spoof of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton and thought it would be a great way to open up some healthy discussion about our presidential nominees. What an exciting time to be alive! We may be witnessing our first black president, or maybe our first women vice-president. We might just see a better economy, or even a safer America. How about the opportunity to see creation taught side by side evolution in schools or the choice made to chose life. So with all the excitement going on, my question to you is "What's driving you to the polls this coming election?"
As a former Youth Pastor and father of three daughters, I always try to stay in touch with what’s going on with our youth today (don’t misinterpret “former” to mean I don’t minister to youth any longer; most of my time outside of vocationally pastoring is spent ministering to youth). Well one of the things I do to see what has our young peoples time and attention is to see what is floating on the top of the music charts on Billboard. Coming in for the 10th week at number one on Billboard’s top 100 is Katy Perry’s song, “I Kissed a Girl.”
“I kissed a girl and I liked it The taste of her cherry chap stick I kissed a girl just to try it I hope my boyfriend don't mind it It felt so wrong It felt so right Don't mean I'm in love tonight I kissed a girl and I liked it I liked it
Overnight sensation? No, Katy Perry grew up singing . . . Gospel! Katy’s real name is Katy Hudson, who use to be a Gospel recording artist who sung songs like:
“For He’ll [God] prevail In the midst of all my trials and tribulations And He’ll prevail In the midst of all my sin and temptations . . .”
To singing song lyrics like these:
This was never the way I planned Not my intention I got so brave, drink in hand Lost my discretion It’s not what, I’m used to Just wanna try you on I’m curious for you Caught my attention I kissed a girl and I liked it
Hello? Is anyone listening to her? “Drink in hand, Lost my Discretion, not what I’m use to.” No it’s not what she is use to. Katy grew up in a Christian household as the daughter of two pastors. Though she was not allowed to listen to “secular” music growing up, Katy’s life would change forever after being introduced to the music of “Queen” at a slumber party. Ever since then, she says “the group has been my biggest influence.” She tasted it, and she liked it.
I don’t know Katy Perry. Maybe I will get a change to speak with her one day. But I know she is a far cry from home and the self-entitled Christian album she released back in 2001. I don’t actually have a problem with Christians having “Secular” careers as long as their lyrics, lips, and lifestyle do not contradict Godly principles. In this case, I was wondering if she rebelled against growing up in a “strict” home, to express her frustrations or freedom; or is it the case that she compromised her values and beliefs in order to earn some real money. Maybe she’s not quite sure what she believes and she’s still trying to figure things out; or how about this . . . she is just trippin’ with what she believes is a goofy song (a lil’ Cognac will do that to you).
I know what didn’t surprise me . . . all of the responses from the Christian community, blogs, and postings.
”Look at her showing all her goodies” “Sell out” “Her parents must be disgusted with her” “She’s going to hell”
I don’t know what her final destination is (she might be going to the same place you are, put that where you want to). But I do know that many young people adhere to their parent’s rules and values when they are young because they have to. As they get older they are faced with decisions and situations that challenge who they are, what they believe, and how they will live. As I listened to the song I thought it was goofy, when I heard and read the lyrics, I thought it was sad. As believers, we should listen pass the catchy beat, fortune and fame (yeah, stop hatin’), quit just pointing our fingers and shaking our heads, and take the time to listen with our hearts long enough to see that this little girl is confused. All of these blogs I’ve been reading this morning are enough to make anyone jump out the window. And guess who is there to be understanding, forgiving and to provide some (however wrong) love, support, and advice . . . the world! (If you can’t say amen, say ouch).
Just saying that we should be willing to do more than just point at error, but also do something to correct it.
My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words
Listen to this interview and what someone else called “A Confession of Confusion” (The first 3 minutes)
P.S. Katy, if you have questions about truth or maybe how you are feeling, when the crowd is gone and the band is back on the bus, I would love to talk with you. Please email me. Shawn
As many of you know, I suffered a pretty bad back injury not too long ago. I've been getting around pretty good for a guy my age (LOL), but I'm not quite 100% yet. Well, the other night while walking around Walmart, my oldest daughter decides to jump on my back and ask me to give her a tour of the place while we were looking for the rest of the family. Before I could tell her to get down before we both go down, she grabs me tight and tells me how no matter how old she gets, she's still going to get on my back even when she's married. At that point there wasn't enough pain in the world that could make me put my daughter down. By the time we were ready to leave Walmart, I had given all three of my daughter's piggy-back rides. The Marines have a saying that "pain is just weakness leaving the body" well that must be true because in the midst of all the pain I am made to feel strong. By the way, my oldest is almost 16 now and almost as tall as me, but don't worry, She's not heavy, she's my daughter.
My prayer this year has been, "Lord, make me half the man my kids think I am."
I was reading from the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas this morning on the subject of Evil (I know, huh?). Evil, according to Aquinas, actually does not exist – at least not as a substance or thing. What then is Evil? It is nothing more than the “privation of the good (or of perfect being).” So a thing is called evil if it lacks a perfection or good that it ought to have. So if a man lacks sight, this is called evil for him, but if a stone lacks sight, this would not be considered evil because a stone is not equipped by nature to have the faculty of sight. This brings out the fact that not every good (thing, being, whatever) can be the subject of evil in the same way, but only in respect to some perfection, quality, or good that it should have by nature, of which it can be deprived. So when a good being (good in that he or she has being) lives in such a way as to lack virtue in accord with his nature (such as self control, patience, reason, love and respect for others) he is said to be acting poorly or evil.
Something else I thought about while reading through this was the question of whether or not God (who is the ultimate perfection or good) can be the subject of Evil. As Aquinas would say, "I’ll answer that!" – (All this talk about perfections, potential, and deprivation is making me hungry). First, God doesn’t “have” perfections, He “is” perfection. Secondly, God is pure Actuality with no Potentiality whatsoever. Therefore, God has no perfection that has the potential of being deprived, so God can never be the subject of Evil (or maybe I’m just hungry, let’s see what I think after breakfast).
I now go to actualize my potential to be full and satisfied!
Some images make you laugh, some make you cry, others might make you think, but this image held me in suspense all night before I could fully process what I was looking at. It is the image of a starving Sudanese girl feebly trying to make her way to a UN feeding Center a kilometer away while being stalked by a vulture. The photograph was taken by Kevin Cater in 1994 during the Sudan famine. He admittedly chased the vulture away after capturing the image, but does not know what happened to the little girl. Sadly, just months later and one week after receiving the Pulitzer Prize for the photograph (which is regarded as the highest national honor in journalism), Kevin Carter committed suicide. Excerpts from Carter’s suicide note expressed how the pain of life overrode his joy to the point that joy no longer existed. Many people are witnesses of the pain and suffering of others, some are even willing to chase away the vultures, but how many of us are willing to feed the hungry or help the helpless?
writing my thoughts, voicing my opinions, highlighting my interests, sharing my discoveries, expressing my joys, venting my frustrations, passing my time.
