Jamie's Blog

Joseph's Story

2010-11-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

So recently I've been learning a lot about Joseph's story in the Bible and how it correlates to my own story. Genesis is the first book of the Bible so obviously a lot happens there: Creation (a pretty big deal), the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Abraham's story, Isaac's story, and Jacob's story just name a few of the biggies. Yet interestingly the story that gets the most dedicated chapters is the story of Joseph. From his days wearing a coat of many colors to his days of sitting high in the land of Egypt, the writer of Genesis lays out the ways in which God shapes and uses this man as a Kingdom representative - and I'm learning a lot about what all of that means for me.

Dreams are an important component in Joseph's story. The most vital learnings for me have been in the three dream accounts. In the beginning, he's dreaming that he is the center of the universe - a very important person to whom others (including his family members) bow. Second, after he finds himself in prison after being wrongfully accused, Joseph says that he can interpret dreams with the help of God. Finally, when he is called before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, Joseph acknowledges that only God can interpret dreams. [This is obviously a pitiful Cliff notes version of the Joseph story - you'd need to read Genesis chapter 37 and then chapters 39-50.]

At 17, Joseph alone is at the center.
“Listen to this dream I had: ⁷ We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Years later (perhaps late 20s), Joseph has allowed God to occupy the center of universe with him - how kind, generous, and thoughtful of him.
Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Then 2 years later, Joseph finally allows God alone to stand at the center of the universe and acknowledges his own place as a servant of the King.
But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
¹⁶ “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Joseph's story is the tale of learning humility. Joseph's dream of people bowing down to him did indeed come true but it was only after Joseph learned that it isn't all about him. Joseph was representing the True King and to do that he had to learn who alone was to be the Center.

I still too often find myself at a similar place of trying to edge my way into the center of my world rather than submitting that place completely and solely to Jesus. There is no fruit apart from living by faith in Him but I catch myself over-functioning and trying to do God's part way too often. I learning new ways to make God the center - new ways to die to self so that resurrection life can spring forth within me and the Kingdom can break into my life.

Update on Mom's House

2010-09-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

In May of this year my mom lost her house and most of her belongings to the floods in Tennessee (see the related post just few below this one). Since then, my brother and sister-in-law have helped her purchase and renovate a foreclosed home that is immediately next door to them. This house was abandoned and nasty. It looked like something from an episode of Hoarders. My family hauled away something like 20 loads of trash on a 16-foot trailer.

The pictures below show a different story now. The renovations that were to be completed by contractors concluded a little over a week ago. That's good news but that also means that the remainder of the work will be done by family members...and probably at a much slower pace.

Clayton Hershner (Children's Minister here at Parkside) and I were able to go down this past weekend and help out a little bit. We installed light fixtures and ceiling fans throughout the house and prepared the rooms for baseboards. My family will be installing flooring and painting with hopes that mom can be moved in and settled by Thanksgiving. That sounds like a long way off but it really isn't when you consider that the work is now being completed at the convenience of people who have full-time jobs. I know mom is excited and can't wait. And I know that they're all ready for a break.

Thanks to all of you who continue to ask about her, pray for her, and for those of you who've helped in very practical ways. Thanks to the Henize and Harshfield families for their donated furniture, too. God and His Family have been faithful and mom is continually being blessed by generosity and concern.

The Crowds

2010-07-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

As I read Mark 4 today, I noticed again a theme that God seems to be impressing deeply on me these days. Here is another example of how Jesus addresses the crowds but then turns to the disciples to debrief the situation and go deeper into life-change in a more intimate, personal setting. Jesus provides a long discourse on the parable of the sower (and other parables) to the crowds that listened. But He provides an explanation to those guys who were walking with Him...those who gave Him access and to whom He had greater proximity.

It occurred to me today that I've often viewed His teachings to the crowds and His teachings to the disciples on the same or, at least, similar levels. But I don't believe that they are. Jesus can often be found teaching the crowd and then turning to the disciples in a way that suggests, "Okay, now that you've heard me say these things, let's talk about you and me for a little bit." I'm not suggesting that Jesus didn't love the crowds - He obviously loved them very much - but I am suggesting that Jesus' most important work happened with the disciples, not the crowds. And here was today's learning for me: I need to be paying more attention to what Jesus says to and how He interacts with the disciples rather than the crowd.

Much can be learned by dissecting what Jesus says to the crowd but much more can be gleaned by soaking up how Jesus interacts with the disciples. We are, after all, called to be and to make disciples rather than be or make a crowd.

In fact, if Jesus' words and interactions with the crowds were of primary importance, I believe that the New Testament would read very differently. It would be a collection of sermons. The disciples would be mysteriously missing altogether with the vast majority of the context of Jesus' interactions and guidance missing with them. But they are not missing: Jesus' work with the disciples - shaping them into the very guys who will usher in a movement of disciple-making and, when combined, the church - drips from most chapters of the Gospels.

Jesus loved and taught the crowds. But He focused on bringing life-change, identity, authority, and purpose to His disciples. You are called to be a disciple who makes other disciples. So join me in reading more about how Jesus would interact with you after the crowds have been taught and have left (that is what crowds do, after all...ask Jesus).

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

2010-06-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've received a few messages or had a few conversations each day this week with people who've taken Sunday's challenge. Some have sent the directions from the back of their shampoo bottles (some of which are pretty funny). Some have talked about the condition of their hair. I even received an article from the Wall Street Journal about shampoo.

This past Sunday's challenge was to shampoo twice each day this week (as instructed by the general "lather, rinse, repeat" on the back of shampoo bottles) as a way to remind us of the Discipline of Repetition. Our transformation into people who more clearly represent our Father happens as a life-long process. We need to keep going and we need the power of community. Shampooing the second time each day will help remind us to keep going in our journey. And using both hands to lather and rinse will help remind us that we cannot do this alone.

Again, there will be no magic in your hygiene practices this week...but you never know what God will use to reveal Himself to you. From the sounds of conversations so far with people this simple, daily reminder is helping them with the Discipline of Repetition. May God reveal Himself to us more and more each and every day - whatever that takes. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

6 Months Ago

2010-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today our youngest daughter turned 6 months old. It's unbelievable how quickly the time goes by. [I'm sure that many of you further down the path of parenthood can attest to that truth even more than I can imagine.] Everyone gives advice about how we should cherish each day - and we do - but cherishing in no way slows down how quickly it passes.

In a related issue, our oldest daughters are almost three and yesterday Jen wanted to say something to me about them in front of them and she said, "We'll have to talk about that a little later." It was weird for me to hear that because of what it signified. What she said was true and the girls do understand conversations that are held in their presence. It was timely in that it was another reminder that our girls are growing up very quickly.

I'm not wanting to delay the maturity of our girls or always keep them young...that would selfishly unfair of me. I'm wanting to see them develop into the young women that God already knows. I just want to be able to appreciate as much as I can along the way. Six months ago seems just like yesterday.

Tennessee Flooding

2010-05-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked me recently how my mom has been doing since she lost her home in the Tennessee floods. Thanks for your concern and your continued prayers.

At this point mom is doing very well. She is living with my brother and sister-in-law and we're working on what the long-term, permanent solution will be for her. It'll be another house at some point but we're working on what that will be.

Mom lost just about everything in the flood. She was able to protect (and salvage) some pictures and other items of special significance. She was also able to get almost all of her clothing and a decent amount of kitchen stuff. Practically all of her appliances and furnishings were destroyed. What we were able to save is now in storage with other family members.

Mom is thankful for what she does have and is thankful for life (other people in our hometown were not so fortunate). With that as a backdrop, she is pushing through with a grateful and even anticipatory spirit. We'll see what the next chapter brings.

Rhythms

2010-04-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder about the rhythm that I keep. It seems very different than what it used to be as I was growing up. At that time it seemed that my entire family and I had more of a daily rhythm. Perhaps it was because we lived in a very small, rural town. Perhaps it was just a simpler time. But it seemed that we counted by days when I was growing up and things were scheduled by the day.

Now it seems that my entire family and I have more of a weekly rhythm. Perhaps it is because we live in a large, suburban area. Perhaps it is just a more complex time. But it seems that we count now by the week and have to schedule things in a seven day block because the individual days in that block simply don't have enough combined hours.

You would rightly argue that God is the one who designed the weekly rhythm. But it seems that He created the entire world in six days and then spent a day in rest. I usually get through six days, let stuff spill over into the seventh and then move on to the eighth and following days without much of breath. That was not God's design.

One of our Next Steps this past weekend was to plan a "Matthew Party" to which you would invite people to your house this week for a party. I thought, "That won't fit into this week...or next...how about 3 1/2 weeks from now...does that work?" That's the part that I don't remember from my years growing up. If you had told me that we were going to do something 4 weeks from today as a kid, it would have simply felt like forever. Now I wonder if there is enough time in 4 weeks to make it work.

So maybe my rhythm is just off. Maybe my family is busier than yours...but I really don't think so. I think I've missed an important element in rest and recognizing today for what it is.

I don't have a neat way to tie this post up with a bow. I'm just praying that God will show me His Rhythm. I don't want to miss the melody of life in Him simply because I can't keep tempo. God's movement is a movement you don't rush.

Hebrews 3:13 - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Passover (Seder Meal)

2010-03-03T19:21:00.000-08:00

You'll begin hearing about our upcoming Passover celebration (seder meal) in the coming week. I'm really excited. I've facilitated two of these events before and I can tell you that they are powerful reminders of the redemption story of God - both of the nation of Israel from the bondage in Egypt and our own story of freedom in Christ (which, by the way, correlates nicely with our Free series). We're planning it for the Thursday evening before Good Friday (rather than a Good Friday service) because that was what Jesus would have experienced on Thursday night and we hope it will make Good Friday more memorable.

I like the seder meal because it evokes all of your senses; there are things that you see and hear (obviously) but also things that you touch, taste, and smell. You sample a lot of different types of food that commemorate different parts of the exodus story. You also enjoy an entire meal together celebrating the freedom of God.

I also like it because it is intergenerational - there is something for people of all ages. Grandparents help "tell" the story. Young kids search for bread in the room like an Easter egg hunt. It's a great time.

We'll begin selling tickets this weekend. You've got to make plans to attend.

Food Packing This Weekend

2010-02-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity that we have this weekend to pack 80,000 meals for people in Haiti. What a great chance to actively participate in bringing relief to a nation that has been completely crippled and devastated. I get even more excited when I think about the fact that the elements that will go into this Sunday were put in place long before the earthquake struck on January 12th. By listening to God we were able to get ahead of the need. And I know Parkside well enough to confidently say we'll continue to address the needs (in a very hands-on way) for years to come.

So let's celebrate together what God is doing this weekend through all of us at Parkside. Both campuses will be pulling together to do something great. Lots of us have invited friends and neighbors. Talk with people in your circle of influence and come on out this Sunday. See you then!

Salem Rd Campus: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
River Campus: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

A Quote I've Read Again Recently

2010-02-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

I reread a quote recently that always strikes a deep cord within me. This is an excerpt from The Present Future by Reggie McNeal:

The difference between planning and preparedness is more than semantics in the biblical teaching. God does the planning; we do the preparing. It is God who declares: "I know the plans I have for you," he says in Jeremiah 29:11. He does not say, "I am waiting for you to develop plans I can bless." I am not against planning. I am just suggesting that there is a dimension beyond planning that is critical for us to understand. We can settle for our imaginations, our plans, and our dreams. In fact, I think the North American church has done just that. We have the best churches people can plan and build. But we are desperate for God to show up and do something that only he can get credit for. God wants us to pray and to prepare for his intervention.

God knows, we need it.

I pray about this for us at Parkside every day - that God would reveal His Kingdom to us rather than us trying to assert our kingdom on Him.

Farmer's Market in a Basket

2010-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

This past week our family signed on with a local farm co-op. Basically, we partner with 12-15 other people, pay $20 a month and get a basket filled with fruits and veggies. This was our first week and I was well pleased with what $20 bought.

The Pants in the Family

2010-02-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm usually very skeptical about what I'm about to tell you. It's like Publisher's Clearing House or something. Does anyone ever REALLY win in that stuff? Anyway...

My wife is very good (read that: VERY good) at being frugal and saving money. She carries a three-ring binder filled with coupons to Kroger. She reads blogs to know what deals are out there. She's sharp, I'm telling you. If Y2010K strikes, come on over to our stash in the basement. We'll all live for quite a while.

She got word that Dockers was going to be giving out a free pair of pants to the first 2000 people who responded once their ad was shown during the Super Bowl. 2000 people isn't many when you think about a whole nation watching (arguable only 1 1/2 % knew about the gimmick ahead of time, but that's no matter here). So my wife had completed the form and was trigger-ready as soon as she saw the commercial that night.

And we won! That's right. I now own a new pair of Dockers. We actually received them yesterday, which might I add is very prompt on their part. I've included a picture just to prove it's real. Pretty cool, huh. Thanks for letting me wear the pants, honey.

Outreach Leadership Team

2010-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

I've had the opportunity to work with the leadership team of our Outreach Ministry for the last few months as they've collaborated on some big discussions. They've worked very hard and the results are showing.

We launched the River Campus back in the fall of '09 in the East End/Columbia Tusculum neighborhood as a complement to over 25 years of ministry that has been going on in that area through the Outreach. They've been a concrete way that the love of Jesus has been made known. [If you've never volunteered at Outreach, I can't encourage you strongly enough to do so.]

Now that team is looking diligently at how they can deepen their ability to see movement in the lives of guests/clients and perhaps figure out a way to become more mobile (both to address crisis needs in other areas as they arise and to be able to go ahead of our next campus - whenever that happens). The reconfiguration will mean that Outreach volunteers will be able to actually sit down with a guest/client and talk to them, both to get information about their immediate physical needs but also talk about spiritual needs and family concerns. Since this process will require more room for people to sit down together and talk (currently all of the guests/clients are on one side of a counter), we'll need to rehab the building in which they meet. [Another sidenote: If you're good with construction and want to lend a hand with the renovation, contact our office and let us know...we'll give you more information and connect with you once that project begins.]

They are also searching for a used, 14-ft box truck to replace the old yellow one that spent it's last gallon this past fall. This truck will help with picking up food and operating the food and wellness operations.

While these changes are very important, I've more enjoyed seeing this team collaborate together and discuss how this one ministry more effectively makes disciples who make disciples (both with the guests/clients and with volunteers). They model how effectively a team of Christ-followers can work together for the Kingdom when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. Thanks, team.

And I Like Storying

2010-02-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

So far today I've been able to have two conversations about last night's story in Lifegroup, which was the parable of the sower. It reminds me of a few reasons that I love storying.

Honestly, storying is the most I've ever really discussed the Bible in a small group environment. In past times (and I've done small groups intensely for over 10 years), I've focused on (and taught others) to spend some time "hooking" the group with an intro question. Usually 10 minutes or more. And prayer time was about 10 minutes. And then opinion sharing and trying to compose the right kinds of questions to avoid long, painful silence consumed 30 minutes. That usually meant that though Scripture was the foundation of the lesson, like most foundations it wasn't seen once you actually got inside. So I like how storying has us talking about the Bible more than anything else.

I also like how I'm not the one talking the most. No, seriously...I do like that. Most of the time with small groups the leader feels like they have to carry the conversation and ask the right questions (as above). But the combination of storying and they way that listening connects to our discipleship path means I should hush more than articulate well my every thought. Come to think of it, I'm probably not the only one in my group that is glad I have to talk less and listen more.

But I also like storying because of what happened today. In those conversations two different people told a brief story and I was able to say, "That reminds me of story from the Bible that we just discussed..." It was much more natural than saying, "You know, the Bible says this or that about __________." I am more likely to share the story. It's more accessible. I can't tell you the number of times I've tried to remember chapter and verse to no avail. But I can remember the story (as testified by my incredible ability to recite Goodnight Moon from memory).

Talking about God's story also reminds me that I'm a part of His Story. That's important on a personal level because I want to remember that God loves me. Really loves me. Not because of what I do or lead...just because.

First, I hope you're in a small group environment. Second, I think it's awesome if you're small group environment is storying. May the story of God be a holy, contagious infection in all of us.

The God Who Invented Community

2010-02-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

What we process (debrief, discuss, experience) together not only bonds us but also means that our thoughts will have greater clarity and more closely reflect the thoughts of a God who experiences Triune Community every day. We need each other.

Just Lower the Bar

2010-02-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

My wife was doing a craft with our girls today (mostly because that is just the kind of mom that she is and partially because like activities maintain a sense of sanity throughout the winter) when she noticed a familiar phenomenon. The craft required that the girls place beads on a string to make a bracelet or necklace. One of our girls picked up the lacing thing very quickly and was off and running. Her twin sister, however, didn't seem to have the same mastery. That is when Jen noticed something hauntingly familiar.

When my one daughter had tried for a few minutes to place the beads on the string as instructed but with no avail, she simply reverted to what her Fall-inflicted human nature said she should do - she settled. She accepted less than the best. She shifted the win. Whatever you want to call it, my daughter flipped from lacing beads to organizing beads in the little metal pan. She couldn't master what was new to her and, rather than fail, she simply reverted back to sorting and organizing and categorizing and color-matching and all the things that she new she could do.

It's hauntingly familiar because that is a part of our common, broken humanity. We settle for less than God's best. We punt at fourth and long when God knows (though its seemingly unattainable) that we're about to get a first down. We aren't willing to let God use us as a medium to create a masterpiece that we can't see or conceive. It's a fear of failure of sorts, yes. But it's more than that. It's a sign that our self-reliance is more important than a God-dependence. And while that is nothing new, it is frightening for me to see it spring up in my daughter so early.

In a few weeks we'll embark on this year's all-church journey, Free. We'll be looking at ourselves in light of Jesus' promise that His Truth would bring freedom. As I think about my daughter and her simple shift this morning, I find myself thinking also about how I have shifted and, therefore, experience bondage rather than Freedom. I want to be Free. I think we all do.

If you're aren't in a group yet, don't forget to contact us and we'll be happy to get you into a group. Hey, you're always invited to our group (Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.). If you're in a group, I hope your group will take the challenge to go through Free with the rest of us.

We will know the Truth and the Truth will set us Free. (Jesus, John 8:32)

Band-aids for Haiti

2010-01-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

This past fall my mother-in-law and father-in-law began working for a mission organization in Columbus, OH called Lifeline Christian Mission (www.lifeline.org). They have served for years in one of that mission organizations' first loves, Haiti, even while they were working at a church in Wilmington, OH but were given an opportunity to serve with them full-time and stepped into that adventure.

When the earthquake struck a few weeks ago my mother-in-law was in Haiti with a team of 57 other women (my father-in-law was to join her that same weekend but obviously didn't make it). She and her team were eventually evacuated and are now safe back home in Ohio.

Jen and I were concerned at times about their safety (obviously) and we talked somewhat freely about our concerns for them and for the people of Haiti. Our discussions happened in front of our 2 1/2 year old daughters without much thought...they were still putting ears where arms should be on Mr. Potato Head or trying to get their corn to stay on their fork for the long, shaky trip to their mouths. But kids are perceptive.

Our girls will tell you (and even pray for) what is happening in "the Haiti". Our first conversation would have sounded something like this.

Us: Where is Grandma?
Our daughters: In the Haiti.
Us: What do you think she is doing?
Our daughters: Giving out band-aids.
Us: Why is she giving out band-aids?
Our daughters: Because the people fall down and hurt their knee.
[Pause]
Our daughters: Mommy, I want to go to the Haiti. I give band-aids, too.

I pray that our daughters will always have a heart for the things that break the heart of God.

Lost

2009-12-30T14:02:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I had an experience that makes any parent tremble. Jen, the girls and I were in the Fireside Room at Parkside's Salem Road Campus preparing to leave (winter means that just getting jackets on can take a short forever). I left to go get my Bible and notes from the stage and made a few passing comments to people as I made my way back to the lobby. I met Jen there asking me if one of our 2 1/2 year old twin daughters was with me. Upon saying no, Jen left our other two daughters with me as she took a quick glance at the elevator to see if she'd gone there (I'm not sure why our daughters love the elevator...they just do.) She returned to say that she wasn't at the elevator either. At that point I leave our other daughters with friends and begin to help her search. I'm running down hallways and looking in rooms with a vigor that it's hard to describe unless you've lost a child before. Very soon, Bart Steever (our Discipleship Minister) came around the corner with our daughter not far behind (she wouldn't let him pick her up or hold her hand). The entire episode probably lasted all of two minutes, but they felt like two years.

As I said, it is very difficult to describe the sense of worry--absolute panic--that swept through my body like a tidal wave. I was immediately concerned that she was wandering out into the busy parking lot or, worse, had been abducted. It's funny how your brain waves come in torrents in times like this. Stomach in knots. Whole body tense. It's wretched.

I was SO glad to see my daughter again. SO relieved. That feeling of relief is probably equally difficult to describe. I held her pretty tightly for longer than she liked.

Later Sunday, once the panic had subsided, I started to think about the situation from a different perspective. And I wished that my sense of panic and pain for God's children who have wandered far away from a sustaining relationship with Him was just as deep and real. I wish I ran down hallways to reach those who were lost. I wish my stomach was just as uneasy every day with the reality that an entire world around me needs to find their Father in the same way that my daughter needed me. Nah...that's not even true. They need their Father much worse.

Light of the World

2009-12-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

There is a candle in my office with a deep well at the top where the wick is. I've been burning it a lot this week (it smells like cinnamon and Christmas) and I've noticed that the flame makes the top very pliable. In fact, it's been fun to play with the wax at the top--pushing it one way and the next--as I've been working on this week's sermon.

It's the eve of the day that we celebrate the birth of the Son of God, whose coming has made it possible for our hearts and lives to be changed. As with the candle wax in my office, may we also be malleable and changed as we draw closer to the Light of the World.

Stuck in Romans 12

2009-11-30T06:20:00.000-08:00

I'm stuck. I've been reading and rereading Romans 12 for about the past week (at least I think it has been a week...keep in mind that I have a newborn baby so my relationship to time is seriously altered). While the first few verses are highly memorized and get much play, I'm caught most by the end of that chapter. Simple sentences. First-grade-reading-level sentences. But the impact is amazing. And I struggle on varying levels with just about every simple, weighty sentence Paul throws at that early Roman church. I find that it isn't the hard theological arguments that trip me up but the simple, you-know-what-this-means stuff.

Retweet

2009-10-22T13:42:00.001-07:00

I recently started using Twitter. Not so much to say "On my way to the grocery store" as for the challenge to basically blog in about 10 words. While I don't mind filling people in on what's going on in my life, the tweets (not making this up...that's what comments are called on Twitter) that are most influential for me are the ones that reveal something about the tweetererer (okay, I did make that word up). There is also a feature on Twitter called retweeting. You retweet something that you read from someone else on Twitter. It then appears on your page with the original author's name attached.

Today I placed on Twitter (and, therefore, Facebook...mine are linked...wonders of technology, I know) the following comment: "sometimes it all comes down to wanting to be retweeted." Though I think a few people simply took that as a cheap attempt by me to get retweeted, my intention was different. Deeper, I think.

The more I'm around all of us who are broken the more opportunities that I have to notice how we want to be significant. We want to be noticed. "Retweeting" wouldn't exist if our basic nature didn't cry out for it. Notice me and think that I'm worth something. We clamor for status. How else do you explain couture jeans and foods that take 10 words to claim organic status? Perhaps Halloween lawn ornaments fit into this category, too. And, lest the rest of us be left out, interrupting others in conversation, name-dropping, living beyond our means, withholding affirmation from others and the like all usually have something to do with being noticed and ensuring status. For me, I also trip over my desires to be thought of as "wise" or "articulate".

The Fall is an ugly thing, isn't it?

I didn't so much want my tweet posted over everyone else's twitter page. I was just shooting to communicate that (in ways I wish I didn't have to admit) I want to be noticed, too. I want to be noticed in this world that is passing away to nothing.

I wish I didn't. Jesus needs to teach me more about his sufficiency because I get caught listening to this culture telling me sufficiency comes more from what I know or own than who I am: a child of God being changed into His likeness more each day.

Expecting

2009-09-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, my wife and I are expecting our third daughter in about 2 months. In fact, this weekend we have a hospital tour scheduled. The reality is setting in more and more with each passing day.

But when I say that I'm expecting, I mean more than just a baby. I'm expecting a lot more. I'm expecting to feel the immense stress of dad-ing three daughters (the weight of that seems oppressive and intimidating even as I type it). I'm expecting to be scrutinized by three pairs of eyes for the rest of my life: my relationship with Jesus, how I treat their mom, how I treat them, how I handle my temper or my money or my time. I'm expecting to set an example of how each of them should expect to be treated by guys. I'm expecting to laugh. I'm expecting to cry. And I'm expecting to be surrounded by crying (four women in one household...even a cat that at least used to be a female). I'm expecting a lot.

Funny thing is that I'm not even remotely smart enough to expect more than 2% of all that is ahead.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Almost There!

2009-09-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight we'll meet together with the River Campus launch team and organize, sort, prep, organize, sort, and prep some more. Before the evening winds down we will have completely loaded the trailer that houses all the supplies and resources for the new campus in the East End/Columbia Tusculum/Linwood neighborhoods. So it should be both energizing and fun! Come on down to the Crossing at the Salem Road Campus if you want to lend some muscle tonight.

The launch of the new campus is still a few weeks off - September 27th. Between now and then we plan to have one Sunday in which we go down to set everything up (Sept. 6), one Sunday that both campuses are together again to pray over the launch team (Sept. 13), one Sunday that will serve as a practice (Sept. 20), and then it's time to launch! Those dates have always loomed way off in the distance. We get more excited and humbled as each day draws us closer.

Parkside (BOTH campuses) has a big, God-sized challenge ahead of ourselves. Months and years of praying, seeking God's will, and preparation have led us to this point...let's see what God brings in the next few weeks, months and years.

River Campus Launch Team Meetings

2009-07-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

God has called us to a big job in launching the River Campus on Sept. 27th of this year. It's going to take quite a few people who are willing to step up to the opportunities that God has given us. Pray about being a part of the launch team. You'll be an instrumental tool (or an instrumentally instrumental instrument) that God uses to lead new people in a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ...and He'll produce life-change in you in the process. Join George for one of the two upcoming launch team information meetings. No commitments...just info. Make time and check it out.

Wednesday, July 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 12th during 2nd service

Both meetings will be here at the Salem Rd Campus. See you there!

Doors

2009-07-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

So people often say something about God opening and closing doors with regard to making decisions. Sometimes I wonder whether or not God "closes a door" for us not because His answer is no but because we're letting out the air conditioning.

Caring

2009-06-10T10:19:00.001-07:00

I've often heard it said that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. I agree. It should be that way. But I sometimes see that the adage translates into, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you coddle."

Being cared for and being coddled may start with the same letter but that's about where the similarities end. In my opinion, it is much more caring for someone to make a hard, gut-wrenching decision to have a difficult conversation with me as their friend than to either ignore my brokenness or say something about me behind my back. In fact, many of the times that the Kingdom have been most palpable to me have been those times when in authenticity a difficult conversation takes place.

It is much easier for us to not confront. It is much easier to take the easy way...hence the obvious name. It evokes much less stress to maintain the status quo or equilibrium. But my times of growth and life-change (those times when I'm being changed by God to look more like His Son) usually don't happen in these contexts. Like muscles being torn during a good work out, my life change and growth usually happens with a tearing. [As a side note, that usually isn't a tearing of my brain tissues alone but rather a tearing of my ego, expectations, or heart in some way.]

So I want to know that people care about me before I care about how much they know...I really do. But I also want that caring to be the right kind of caring. Not coddling. Not allowing me to remain as I am. Rather, I want to be stretched by the kind of love that doesn't leave well-enough alone. Then I'll know how much they care and, probably, how much they know at the same time.

So does that make sense to you? Do you ever think the same way? Does my thinking need to be challenged? Because I want to lead in this same way. So it'd be good to know what you think, too.

Leadership Paradoxes

2009-05-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Leadership is difficult. That probably isn't enlightening to you.

As a leader I often find myself questioning my own decisions and directions. (And, authentically, I wonder if other leaders do the same or if they have some God-given, self-assuredness that I'm lacking.) And I've often heard it said that if you think you're leading people someplace but turn around to see no one following, then you're simply taking a walk.

But perhaps that doesn't mean that you don't know where you're going or that it is the wrong someplace. Perhaps it is just that people don't want to follow. Or, likely, it is that we haven't help them to see and take the appropriate steps to be able to follow.

We talk about determining our next steps here at Parkside a lot. I hope God gives me more clarity everyday in my own next steps and in discerning next steps for those who are on this Journey with me.

Words

2009-04-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

We're talking more these days about a discipleship path that will help people in their journey. People use language that can be an indicator of where they are in their discipleship. Jesus himself said that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." James also talked about the dangers of the tongue and that we (as Christ-followers) should be quicker to listen than to speak.

As a leader, it is a challenge to develop that skill set. Not just knowing what to do with what people say...but being quiet long enough to let them say anything at all. I like to be heard. I like to have the last word. Sometimes, I like the dependence...it's the devilish thing that still needs to be redeemed in me.

It's also a lack of love. It is much more loving and anti-egocentric to let someone else speak while I listen. I'm trying to let the Holy Spirit work on that.

Hope for Me

2009-04-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Our Lifegroup began meeting again last night after a two week Easter break. We talked about Acts 1 -- the ascension of Jesus. I told the story last night (we're using storying in our group...ask me about it if you're unfamiliar) and, as a result, I noticed the word Kingdom used twice.

Over the 40 days that Jesus was with them after He rose from the dead the Bible says He talked to them about the Kingdom. Then, the disciples turn right around and ask if Jesus was about to institute the earthly, Israelite kingdom they had all been expecting.

It's easy to sit here 2000 years later (and having read the end of the book) and wonder how those guys missed the point. Jesus spent three years plus 40 days trying to shift their thinking...and obviously He still hadn't broken through.

But for me the point isn't so much the apostles who still didn't get it. The point, and the hope, is that just as Jesus was exceedingly patient with those first followers who were slow to grasp the power and reality of the Kingdom, He will be equally patient with me as a follower today going through those identical struggles.

I don't understand His patience. But I'm grateful for it then and now.

April Fool's Day

2009-04-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

I often wonder how things got started. Today is an example. Who thought of April Fool's Day? Why? When? Etc., etc.

So, of course, I snopes-ed. Perhaps it has something to do with changing to a Gregorian calendar (and you thought they were just into chanting). Or it may have something to do with the Vernal Equinox, which sounds like an undesirable disease to me.

Whatever the origin, we've taken it upon ourselves on days like today to play jokes on those closest to us. So, enjoy your day and watch out for others enjoying theirs.

Margin

2009-03-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had to make a tough decision about doing too much...or, rather, not doing too much. That's difficult for me. I'm a person who likes control. Other people might say "control freak" but I don't have to because I'm typing...I'm in control...and I can call it whatever I want.

I'm realizing more and more that I need margin in my life. I don't always allow for it. In fact, in the few posts I've put on here this year you can probably see that as a theme if you look hard enough. But it isn't about my time management. It's about my relationship with God.

As a Christ-follower I talk about Jesus being lord of my life, the one who is in control. But while I acknowledge that in my cranium I'm pretty sure it isn't in my character and actions. Margin is less about my time management and more about Who I allow to manage my time. And contrary to popular business books, the correct answer shouldn't be "me".

So I made a tough choice yesterday to not do something. It was hard. But it was growth. If nothing else, it was growth in my image-consciousness (another achilles heel) by having to acknowledge that what "they" think or say isn't the issue. Obedience and margin...now those are issues.

Disciples Who Make Disciples

2009-03-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing that is different so far this year within our ministry staff at Parkside, it is our focus and intensity in discussing how we make disciples who make disciples. We've long recognized (or, at least, questioned) how well we've truly been engaged in making disciples. But lately we've been challenged with an addendum to the question: how do we make disciples who make disciples.

I am convinced by looking at Jesus' model that making a disciple wasn't His ultimate objective. The role of Jesus' disciples was to go and make other disciples...not simply to become a disciple of Jesus unto themselves. It's a small shift in language but a huge shift in impact.

Jesus made disciples who made disciples and so on through one simple method embodied in lots of different ways: relationships. Jesus said that the most important commandment had two parts: love God and love others (in Matthew 22). We must be in a relationship with God and we must be in relationship with others. Not just any relationship, mind you. An intentional relationship with others that helps us grow in our life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Reset Group has been an amazing experience so far. We collect as a group of people who are broad in age, life experiences, and places on our Journey. We range from not having a relationship with Jesus at all to having walked with Him for years. But it is awesome to continue to be on the Journey together.

In relationship.

Intentional relationships that are helping us become disciples...who make disciples.

Idaho Time

2009-02-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

Andy, George, and I are in Idaho right now. We're here for a boot camp that will help us in the new campus in Columbia Tusculum and also stretch our thinking about the Kingdom. It's been a good day...the first of an extended stay here. Right now I'm really feeling the time difference. I've been awake about 20 hours and it's only 8:55 p.m. Rest is coming soon, though. In fact, I pretty sure I'm sleeping with my eyes open right now.

Happy Snow Day

2009-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

For most of you reading this post you're surrounded by at least 8 inches of snow (with some ice layered in the middle). It's a level 3 snow emergency so you can't do much...few errands, few meetings, few schedules. Just unplanned, unanticipated (seriously, it was unanticipated...when do you ever believe the forecasts on TV?) time off.

When God prescribed time off each week he knew what He was doing...imagine that. And I don't believe that the New Testament trumps the responsibility we have to practice a Sabbath. Arguably Sunday isn't the Sabbath...I'll give you that. But I believe completely that God wants each of us to take some time to rest and relax. Days like today just remind me of that. As I look ahead and feel the pressure of our Ministers/Elders Retreat this weekend and 11-day trip to Idaho after that, it reminds me that time off and Sabbath rest is a test of whether or not I truly trust that God can take care of things without my help and my time. Pretty sure He can. But I need to be reminded.

So we'll see what gets finished...and what doesn't. But when the girls get up from their nap I'm going to enjoy them playing outside in their first real snow. Do the same. Rest. That's an order...well, a command(ment) anyway.

Happy New Year

2009-01-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

Now that the holiday season has passed I find myself looking down the barrel of 2009. I get very excited as I look ahead at the opportunities God is putting in front of us this next year. From launching a new campus to taking further strategic steps with our adopted people group, 2009 seems to be shaping up for a great adventure.

So what about you? Does any part of 2009 especially scare or excite you? It doesn't have to be anything necessarily related to Parkside. Are you anxious or eager about this upcoming year?