The Bronze Snake

This is my second and final sermon for class this term.  The text is Numbers 21:4-9.  Again, much to my chagrin, this was written using the “Four-Page” approach (because that’s what’s required of me).  But it turned out much better than the last one I wrote.  Anywho, enjoy it as best you can, despite the lack of grounding in the text (which is pretty much required by the “Four-Page” aproach)…

Life is full of irony.   In fact, sometimes life becomes so ironic that it even makes the news.  For example, an AP story from 1984 reported that 300 postal workers received their checks late due to the fact that their checks were lost in the mail.  Another story out of Australia recounts a daring escape from an Australian prison.  The inmate managed to hide in the engine compartment of a delivery truck.  When the truck arrived at its next scheduled stop, the escapee climbed out and found himself just a few miles down the road in the court yard of another prison.

Other examples of irony…

Filed under: Bible Study, Preaching, Sermon

Comparing Media and Daniel

This is actually a group project that I just completed last night. The basic idea was to choose three types of “media” (film, painting, books, music, etc.) and analyze, compare, and contrast the depiction to the biblical account of the topic. It was mildly interesting…although for the most part I think it was a waste of time. But for what it’s worth, here’s our project…

The story of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” is one that has captured imaginations for centuries. Most retellings and depictions strive to communicate God’s protection and care for those who obey His commands in every area of life.

While it is important to recognize that Scripture alone contains the best account of this beloved story, various retellings and depictions can be useful for communicating the basic premise and lesson intended by the original author. In this analysis, we have studied three common retellings and depictions from history: film, paintings, and children’s book. Each comes with its own unique perspective, containing both positives and negatives.

Filed under: Random

Facebook For Pastors

I think this post is good enough to deserve a place on both blogs. I just found out yesterday that a pastor I used to serve with contributed to a new e-book (published only online) that deals with using the popular networking website Facebook in ministry. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in ministry trends or currently working in ministry to check this out. I think this may be particularly applicable/interesting for church planters. You can find the book here, or click the picture.

Filed under: Book Review, Church, Church Planting, Culture, Evangelism, Leadership, Ministry

Learning to be Flexible

As a future church leader, I’ve been a bit paranoid about my ability to make adjustments on the fly.  Leadership has not been a strong point of mine; actually, historically, I’ve just downright sucked as a leader in times of crisis.  But today I had a break through.  Today I learned how to be flexible in a church service…

I was filling the pulpit today since our interim/intern pastor was in Ontario, Canada for his sister’s wedding.  This is the third time I’ve preached at our church, but I’ve yet to preach under normal circumstances (service number was nearly canceled because of a snow storm; service #2 was filling in with 24-hours notice because our pastor suddenly got the flu).  When I arrived at church I was handed a new microphone.  We had been using a relatively standard lapel mic (one that clips to your shirt/tie/lapel).  But today the church started using one of them “fancy” mics that hang from you ear and sits closer to your mouth (I prefer that style anyways).

Shortly after getting “wired,” a church member come to me worried about a stranger who’s been sitting in his car in the parking lot for the last hour.  Really, this was no big deal – but when you attend an all-white, middle-class church that is on the verge of closing its doors and a lower-class, African-American man wearing tattered pants and a t-shirt shows, people start to panic – especially when he’s been sitting in his car in the parking lot for the last hour.  In other words, this church member who pointed the visitor out to wasn’t just worried, he was on the verge of a panic attack trying to get me to do something drastic to ensure the church didn’t burn down or we’d all be left behind following a certainly fast-approaching rapture (by the way, we’re Reformed and the rapture doesn’t fit into our theology very well – making the above statement a joke). 

Filed under: Christian Living, Church, Leadership, Ministry, Preaching, Sermon, Worship

My Reality Check and New Goals

I had an unwelcome reality check today: I’ve gained app. 60 pounds since I graduated from high school.  While that may be expected for someone who in their 50’s, this year marks my 10 year reunion.  That’s 60 pounds in 10 years – 6 pounds a year.

So I made a deal with my wife: we both set fitness/weight goals that we want to achieve by the end of August.  At the end, whoever reaches their goal gets whatever they want at the expense of the other person.  Here are the goals I’ve set for myself beginning Monday morning and to be achieved by August 31:

• lose 20 pounds
• run 3 days a week
• lift 2 days a week

There are a few other goals I have related to this:

• No Starbucks or eating out until I lose 5 pounds (every 5 and I can celebrate with a Peppermint Mocha and dinner out).
• My reward will probably be the second tattoo I’ve been wanting for a while – but the jury is still out.
• Continue to lose an additional 10 pounds over the course of the school year starting in Sept. (I want to be 30 lighter when I walk next May).

If I do this – which I have every intention of – I’ll weigh less than I did when I met my wife eight years ago, I’ll feel great, I’ll be in shape again, and I’ll be able to join in the active lifestyle of many a Portlander.  If it’s in you, pray that I’ll stick with it.  I currently weigh in at a number I never thought I’d see.

Filed under: Random