The Great God Debate (Updated)

I haven't listened to it yet; probably won't for a few days. But I often listen to the Hugh Hewitt show and he had "The Great God Debate" on June 5 (you might have to scroll a bit to find it - the June 5th show). I hope it is helpful. Here's the link: http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/Show.aspx?RadioShowID=5

Since the debate, which I still haven't listened to, Mark Roberts has begun looking at "god is Not Great" on his blog: http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/godisnotgreat.htm.

For helpful apologetics resources, go to www.str.org.

Sabbatical #4: Half Day Retreat

The Spiritual Formation Forum started today with a half day retreat with an optional “Receiving the Love of God.” Much of the way through I was frustrated that there was a bunch of talking and not much solitude, which is what I was expecting. But when it all came around, it was a great time of personal challenge for me. The guide gave us several ways we can “block” God’s love for us – busyness, shame, “idols,” etc… with accompanying pictures for us to meditate upon. I chose “isolation/loneliness.”

I usually don’t mind being alone. I kind of like it. Some people hate eating alone and think it sad that someone would go to a movie alone. The only reason I wouldn’t do either of those is because others think it too weird. I have no problem with it. But this comfort with being alone hurts me in many ways.

While I am surrounded by a loving family and church, I don’t plumb the depths of relationships well. I have many cordial relationships, but few of a transforming depth. I’m not sure I know how to get there. Not sure I want to, at least really want to. Kind of a bummer, huh?

But more of a downer is the fact that this hinders me receiving God’s love because He often speaks His love through other people – as He did to me and Suzanne through Cypress Church last Sunday. I’m grateful for the friendships that are growing in my small group on Sunday evenings, and I imagine those are the soil from which even deeper relationships will grow. But I realize I do need those deeper relationships. I just don’t look forward to the awkward (at least it feels that way to me) formation of those relationships.

Here’s the list of “blockages” to receiving God’s love.

Busyness/Pace of Life
Distortions of God’s Image
Storms/Tension/Pain
Shame
Counterfeits (things you use to fill you instead of God)
Isolation/Loneliness

Which one might it be for you?

Sabbatical #3: "Mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and..."

...cheese fries and a brat."

I started the morning at LAX - Clayton Slagle was kind enough to take me at 4:15 am. He's a saint, but not because he took me to the airport; he wakes up about that time anyway. When I got to the airport, I hear somebody greeting everyone with too much energy for that time in the morning. I was facing the planes, but curiousity finally got the best of me when this person shouted, "Mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce!" Yep. It was Little Richard from that annoying insurance commercial ... and I'm sure he's done some other stuff. Before he left for his plane a member of his entourage was handing out "souvenirs" from Little Richard. I took one. It was a Christian book, at least it seems to be - I haven't looked at it closely. It was really encouraging. He was a jovial guy who was greeting everyone warmly. He wasn't an aloof celebrity, and he was giving out literature that people might know about Christ.

After traveling all day, I went to Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers to catch them play the Cubs. I think the makeup of the crowd was probably 60% Brewers fans, 40% Cubs fans. It was a nice park, but the roof was closed. I saw several home runs by the Brewers, but I only lasted through the fifth inning. I'm fading fast from the short night last night.

It has been a great start to this adventure, but I've been a little lonely, which is surprising. I generally like some solitude time, but I was itching to share my adventure with people - I called Suzanne, my Dad, Danny Kugelberg (Cubs fan).

I'm looking forward to the conference that starts tomorrow.

Sabbatical #2: Sabbatical Expectations

Note: This post was meant to go out a day or two ago (it is June 5 right now) so I put it down as June 4 so the chronology of the posts follow a logical progression. I'll probably post the "sabbatical plan" in the next day or two.

Given my thoughts in the last post, I obviously have some expectations of good time with God. It will be important to remember some of the things I learned in the 201 class from Paul and Terry (If you haven’t taken the class you’re missing out. I learn something new every time from those guys.), specifically that God isn’t on my timetable. I need to lay aside expectations that God will speak to me, but to work hard to cultivate the interior life such that I could “hear” Him when He does speak. If I can train my ear, or at least get further along on the training process, this will be a most fruitful time – even if it doesn’t bear fruit until much farther down the line.

One temptation will be to “produce” insights. One fear I have is that I won’t have any great “experience” to share when I return, or even in the process of blogging about what’s happening with me. Do you ever have that temptation to sound more “spiritual” or “insightful” than you really are? (Too much self-disclosure here?) God help me from making this great opportunity I’ve been given into an opportunity for pious pharisaism!

I hope you enjoy listening in on the process, but please be patient if it doesn’t seem like much is happening. And help me be patient with myself as I wait on God’s timing as well.

Sabbatical #1: Last Sunday at Cypress

This morning (6/3) was really special for me and Suzanne. We love this church. We were attendees for a couple years before we came on staff part-time in the college ministry. To be given this great gift of a sabbatical is wonderful, but the gift of affirmation from the congregation - both services - was truly powerful. Thank you for the privilege of serving with you.

I don’t know that anyone from our church has done a sabbatical. I'm a little nervous. I don't want to mess it up for those to follow. It certainly hasn’t happened in the last seven years since I’ve been here (five years full time). I’m grateful for the opportunity to the elders have made possible. It really makes me feel valued by the elders and the church, that they want to make sure I’m doing well and I’m refreshed for ministry.

I’m by no means burned out, but I wouldn’t say I’m energized, either. I’m surviving. I’m grateful that the leadership isn’t hoping for surviving, but want thriving. I am really looking for the time to slow down and set aside extended time to refresh my relationship with God. I’m great at reading my Bible and doing “devotions,” but my prayer life has always been a struggle. That’s my big goal this month … to work on drawing near to God in a more meaningful way. First for myself, to delight in Him, but also that I might be able to pastor out of greater depth, doing a better job of drawing on God’s resources and not relying on myself in ministry.

Poor Sport, Good Laugh

I know my mom doesn't like this guy already, but I got a good chuckle out of this. I guess because he's no relation to me. Then I'd be pretty embarrassed.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TGZUKHtW7vg

The Seven Churches: Hypocrisy in Sardis

How do you know if a church is alive?

What you need to know about Sardis: Once a major city that had a strong defense, but was twice overrun – once by Cyrus the Persian. However, they were not the noble city they once were. Now they were pretty ordinary – with an extraordinary reputation they were living off of. (Like the Yankees of today, if you’re a baseball fan.)

What do the seven spirits represent?

How do you think they get a reputation of being alive?

How do these texts illuminate the nature of hypocrisy? (Mt. 11.20; Mt. 6.1-6; 16-18; 2 Tim. 3.5)

What does it mean to “Wake up” (“keep watch”) in practical terms for our spiritual lives? (Ps. 139.23-24.)

How do you “strengthen what remains” in the life of the Sardisans and our lives?

What is the significance of remembering in Scripture? (Dt. 8.1-20; Ps. 77; Rev. 2.5)

What do you think they have received and heard?

How are we supposed to relate and function “in the Spirit” as believers? (Gal. 5.22-23; 2 Cor. 3.18; 1 Cor. 3.16; Jude 20; Jn. 4.24; Phil. 3.3; Gal. 5.25)

What would an authentic Christian life look like?

How do you think most Sardisians may have “soiled their clothes”?

What are the consequences if they don’t “wake up”?

What happens if they obey?

Application
How would you say you are most prone to hypocrisy in your life?

What do you do to actually “keep watch”/“wake up” in your life?

What are your strengths? How will you build on them to strengthen the church?