Sunday MORNING for breakfast...
This coming Sunday morning we are gathering in the morning instead of at night. We'll be meeting at the home of Jessica (in Holland).
Time: 10 a.m. for breakfast with worship following. Take something to share --> we like to eat well. :)
Directions to Jessica's house:
address -- 7 West 29th Street.
To get here from Hudsonville, take Chicago Drive toward the Lake.
Chicago Dr. becomes 8th street.
At Central Avenue turn Left.
At 29th Street turn Right.
My house is on the corner (right) of 29th and Central directly across from Lakeshore Vineyard Church.
As for parking, it would probably be easier for everyone if people carpool, but you can park on the right (North) side of 29th street.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Million Dollar Baby
Watched the movie tonight... powerful. Real powerful.
Travis Swierenga always says that people are messy. He's right.
And the more we get to know people, the more we want to protect them. We want to pretent everything is o.k. when they may not be. We'd rather not face the truth and really work on fixing or improve problems.
I think that's partly why McLaren has taken so much grief. He cares so deeply about the church, and he knows things are a mess. Perhaps they have always been a mess, but at least he's not pretending that it's not a mess.
Over the past months I've noticed the brokenness of relationships within my own life, and they don't just get better no matter how much I wish it. Real fixing takes hard work. Real hard work.
My guess is that sometimes we don't like sanctification much because it's hard. We don't really want to become better followers of Jesus because we will have to show our colors. We'll have to show our brokenness, and we'll have to show our passion for the ways of Jesus rather than the ways of this world.
Life is too short even if we have eternity; let's get on with the ways of the kingdom my friends.
Please.
No. Really.
Watched the movie tonight... powerful. Real powerful.
Travis Swierenga always says that people are messy. He's right.
And the more we get to know people, the more we want to protect them. We want to pretent everything is o.k. when they may not be. We'd rather not face the truth and really work on fixing or improve problems.
I think that's partly why McLaren has taken so much grief. He cares so deeply about the church, and he knows things are a mess. Perhaps they have always been a mess, but at least he's not pretending that it's not a mess.
Over the past months I've noticed the brokenness of relationships within my own life, and they don't just get better no matter how much I wish it. Real fixing takes hard work. Real hard work.
My guess is that sometimes we don't like sanctification much because it's hard. We don't really want to become better followers of Jesus because we will have to show our colors. We'll have to show our brokenness, and we'll have to show our passion for the ways of Jesus rather than the ways of this world.
Life is too short even if we have eternity; let's get on with the ways of the kingdom my friends.
Please.
No. Really.
Friday, September 16, 2005
McLaren, Wittmer, Dobson...
So, Brian began the conference with these words, "My whole life is committed to Jesus as Lord." For those of us who still really question Brian's motives, what word within that phrase don't we understand enough to be disalarmed or disarmed?
While I much appreciated all three of the presenters, the audience frustrated me a bit. McLaren, Wittmer, and Dobson were all thoughtful, passionate about the gospel and the people of God, and respectful of one another. They could have been more adversarial, and yet they chose to show a mutual respect for one another. Above everything said on Monday, their examples of humility was refreshing and an example for all of us who were present.
On the other hand, as someone sitting in the middle of the second row, I could easily hear the 'ooohs' and 'aahs' of the audience. It was as if people felt the need to pick sides. I sensed: Either you are for or against this emerging church thing. Either you are for our way of approaching the biblical text or you are against us.
Really? Is this what God has called pastoral brothers and sisters to be? We are either for or against one another based on the writings of McLaren, Dobson, and Wittmer? The frustrating irony was that these guys were not the people who were trying to drum up the ranks to choose sides. It seemed more like acid reflux. Some of those within the audience couldn't help themselves.
This past week has given me enough theological reflection for a month; so I'll be writing more over the next couple of weeks, but two thoughts stand out for me.
Professor Wittmer suggested that "sometimes the emerging church goes too far to make its point. I just don't think we need to go so far to make the point."
Steve Argue, in his refections on the Monday's conversation, suggests that people 'fear.'
While I can and should hear what Wittmer is saying regarding 'go[ing] too far to make a point,' here is what I fear:
I fear a church that doesn't want to go far enough with its parctical (lived-out) theology. It wants to be safe. It wants to embrace an orthodoxy that is true as it attempts to be faithful. Yet, as it exists in the center of society as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, it increasinly fails to speak and live at the margins of society.
While we once (1900's) embraced female missionaries traversing the African nations and connecting with the leper colonies, we have largely failed to traverse the AIDS communities, the homosexual communities, and the racial barriers within our own neighborhoods. Right here in West Michigan.
For me to hear brothers with different skin color tell me that Grand Rapids is a racist place... that breaks my heart. I can not pray the words, "Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven" enough. I can not allow my life to be a shell that allows those things to continue as I have expereinced them.
My children must know that the priorities of Jesus are different than what we have previously promoted. While my children will undoubtedly know brokenness and pain, they must also see that reconciliation is possible between people of different skin colors. They must also see that there is room in the West Michigan churches for the 'lepers' among (whoever they may be).
If we are not willing to live the kingdom life along the margins, we may as well simply hope for a God that gets our butts into heaven and expects nothing more of us. While our theology must remain biblical, we must be willing to face our fears and address our own brokenness.
The brokenness of my own attitude toward people with AIDS, people with different sexual orientations, and people of different skin colors have moved to the top of my priority list. While these are different issues, my heart breaks for my own attitudes that need serious adjustment. Am I afraid? A bit. But not too much either. If I REALLY believe in a sovereign God, then what is to fear? Either we are going to increasingly believe in the stuff we are smoking (aka gospel) or we are not.
God go with us!
So, Brian began the conference with these words, "My whole life is committed to Jesus as Lord." For those of us who still really question Brian's motives, what word within that phrase don't we understand enough to be disalarmed or disarmed?
While I much appreciated all three of the presenters, the audience frustrated me a bit. McLaren, Wittmer, and Dobson were all thoughtful, passionate about the gospel and the people of God, and respectful of one another. They could have been more adversarial, and yet they chose to show a mutual respect for one another. Above everything said on Monday, their examples of humility was refreshing and an example for all of us who were present.
On the other hand, as someone sitting in the middle of the second row, I could easily hear the 'ooohs' and 'aahs' of the audience. It was as if people felt the need to pick sides. I sensed: Either you are for or against this emerging church thing. Either you are for our way of approaching the biblical text or you are against us.
Really? Is this what God has called pastoral brothers and sisters to be? We are either for or against one another based on the writings of McLaren, Dobson, and Wittmer? The frustrating irony was that these guys were not the people who were trying to drum up the ranks to choose sides. It seemed more like acid reflux. Some of those within the audience couldn't help themselves.
This past week has given me enough theological reflection for a month; so I'll be writing more over the next couple of weeks, but two thoughts stand out for me.
Professor Wittmer suggested that "sometimes the emerging church goes too far to make its point. I just don't think we need to go so far to make the point."
Steve Argue, in his refections on the Monday's conversation, suggests that people 'fear.'
While I can and should hear what Wittmer is saying regarding 'go[ing] too far to make a point,' here is what I fear:
I fear a church that doesn't want to go far enough with its parctical (lived-out) theology. It wants to be safe. It wants to embrace an orthodoxy that is true as it attempts to be faithful. Yet, as it exists in the center of society as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, it increasinly fails to speak and live at the margins of society.
While we once (1900's) embraced female missionaries traversing the African nations and connecting with the leper colonies, we have largely failed to traverse the AIDS communities, the homosexual communities, and the racial barriers within our own neighborhoods. Right here in West Michigan.
For me to hear brothers with different skin color tell me that Grand Rapids is a racist place... that breaks my heart. I can not pray the words, "Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven" enough. I can not allow my life to be a shell that allows those things to continue as I have expereinced them.
My children must know that the priorities of Jesus are different than what we have previously promoted. While my children will undoubtedly know brokenness and pain, they must also see that reconciliation is possible between people of different skin colors. They must also see that there is room in the West Michigan churches for the 'lepers' among (whoever they may be).
If we are not willing to live the kingdom life along the margins, we may as well simply hope for a God that gets our butts into heaven and expects nothing more of us. While our theology must remain biblical, we must be willing to face our fears and address our own brokenness.
The brokenness of my own attitude toward people with AIDS, people with different sexual orientations, and people of different skin colors have moved to the top of my priority list. While these are different issues, my heart breaks for my own attitudes that need serious adjustment. Am I afraid? A bit. But not too much either. If I REALLY believe in a sovereign God, then what is to fear? Either we are going to increasingly believe in the stuff we are smoking (aka gospel) or we are not.
God go with us!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Tonight we celebrated with Lighthouse Village as they moved into their new (to them) building. May the Spirit be among you friends!
Water's Edge Meets at the Lighthouse
Sunday, September 11, "we are gathering with another faith community, Lighthouse Village, to celebrate as they move into a new building (new for them).
Since they worship at 5 p.m., we will gather at out space at 4:15 p.m. and travel together to their facility.
[It is located at 1110 Monroe - just south of Leonard on the east side of the street.]
Food: They are similar in nature to us; they like to eat. So, consider taking some finger food to share. For those going, let’s consider stopping somewhere after their gathering for dinner together.
Side note: Nursery is provided too!"
(via Randy)
Sunday, September 11, "we are gathering with another faith community, Lighthouse Village, to celebrate as they move into a new building (new for them).
Since they worship at 5 p.m., we will gather at out space at 4:15 p.m. and travel together to their facility.
[It is located at 1110 Monroe - just south of Leonard on the east side of the street.]
Food: They are similar in nature to us; they like to eat. So, consider taking some finger food to share. For those going, let’s consider stopping somewhere after their gathering for dinner together.
Side note: Nursery is provided too!"
(via Randy)
Thursday, September 01, 2005
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