At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.
Friday, July 31, 2009
soundtrack
Ken Mansfield's "Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road" is a fascinating read. Mansfield--once the Beatles' rep in the US as well as producer for such artists as Waylan Jennings and other major names of the rock and roll scene in the 60's and 70's and former executive for Capital Records--sets out in an old van named Moses with his wife for a road trip to somewhere. Along the way, Mansfield relives important events in his--and rock and roll's--history and discovers that the God who sought him out in the midst of his wildness is the same God who loves him still and is still pursuing him.
At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.
At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Back in the Blogging Saddle
As it were.
I'm working on getting my thoughts and journey back onto the web. It's been a long time since I've updated, but let me give you the quick scoop update.
I've been translating and studying Colossians. I'm going to be teaching it this summer on Sunday nights. It's been fascinating. I've forgotten how much I love translating, and it's been good for my soul. Colossians is the perfect place to go after reading the Gospels. Very plainly the book is about what happened when Jesus accomplished salvation on the Cross: We were rescued from darkness and transferred into light. (I guess the trick is getting that second part figured out practically.)
I'm really excited to see how the kids respond!
Book I tried reading before being too discouraged to continue: Jesus, Interrupted, by Bart Ehrmann.
Book I used to replace it on my summer reading list: Selections from Spurgeon's Sermon Archives.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Grabbed this from a MySpace Blog
Thanks go Josh Peas for writing this up and posting it.
Do you see what I see?
Or so the Christmas song goes, asking a question then not waiting for the answer.
Do you see what I see?
Lying in the middle of a manger – a bundled-up baby lying in hay, or so they say, and we already know exactly how the story goes – a tidy scene with shepherds and angels and Mary and mangers.
But do you see what I see?
How no one quite knew what to do with this tiny little baby born in Bethlehem. How he provoked anger and awe and confusion and questions. How this tiny little baby made wise men want to seek Him and King Herod want to kill Him, and angels to proclaim Him. How shepherds flocked to bow before Him and how Mary and Joseph sat and watched and wondered how this fragile child – born in afterbirth and umbilical cords, incapable of words, but wailing and feeding and sleeping in a feeding trough - could possibly be God in the flesh.
Do you see what I see?
How Mary and Joseph raised Jesus in a town where people whispered and gossiped and guessed who the REAL father of this bastard child must be. Because who could believe, that He was conceived, the way Mary said. No, far more likely that she was in another man's bed. Illegitimate this Jesus. What could God ever do with someone like Him?
Do you see what I see?
How a 12-year-old child, discussed and debated the Pharisees – these experts in endless decrees, the holy ones of Israel. "How cute" they may have thought. How gifted, this young boy Jesus. Quite a future for this one they may have said. Not knowing that the child they now admired, they would one day want dead.
Do you see what I see?
How He turned fishermen and financiers, lepers and lawyers, Pharisees and prostitutes, into those who would change the world. How he alienated people preoccupied with power, and pride, and the promise of wealth.
Do you see what I see?
How no one still knows what to do with Him.
n Was He a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord?
n Is He the hope for the hopeless like the shepherds thought?
n Or is He a fool's hope for the weak-minded like some say today?
What do you see?
n Is He the King of Kings, or an imaginary, inflated fable?
n Is He God in human skin, or is He just a good man?
n was He beat for our sins and bruised for our rebellion?
n By the lacerations made across his back by an iron-tipped whip, are we really healed?
What do you see?
… when you look at the baby in the manger. Who is he?
n A fuzzy feeling?
n A Christmas tradition?
n An outdated myth?
Or Immanuel – God with us. The infinite in human skin born a man. An invasion into the realms of sin, sent to suffer and die, then live again.
Do you see what I see?
And unlike in the song, this time the question requires an answer. … from all of us.
So … what do you see?
Do you see what I see?
Or so the Christmas song goes, asking a question then not waiting for the answer.
Do you see what I see?
Lying in the middle of a manger – a bundled-up baby lying in hay, or so they say, and we already know exactly how the story goes – a tidy scene with shepherds and angels and Mary and mangers.
But do you see what I see?
How no one quite knew what to do with this tiny little baby born in Bethlehem. How he provoked anger and awe and confusion and questions. How this tiny little baby made wise men want to seek Him and King Herod want to kill Him, and angels to proclaim Him. How shepherds flocked to bow before Him and how Mary and Joseph sat and watched and wondered how this fragile child – born in afterbirth and umbilical cords, incapable of words, but wailing and feeding and sleeping in a feeding trough - could possibly be God in the flesh.
Do you see what I see?
How Mary and Joseph raised Jesus in a town where people whispered and gossiped and guessed who the REAL father of this bastard child must be. Because who could believe, that He was conceived, the way Mary said. No, far more likely that she was in another man's bed. Illegitimate this Jesus. What could God ever do with someone like Him?
Do you see what I see?
How a 12-year-old child, discussed and debated the Pharisees – these experts in endless decrees, the holy ones of Israel. "How cute" they may have thought. How gifted, this young boy Jesus. Quite a future for this one they may have said. Not knowing that the child they now admired, they would one day want dead.
Do you see what I see?
How He turned fishermen and financiers, lepers and lawyers, Pharisees and prostitutes, into those who would change the world. How he alienated people preoccupied with power, and pride, and the promise of wealth.
Do you see what I see?
How no one still knows what to do with Him.
n Was He a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord?
n Is He the hope for the hopeless like the shepherds thought?
n Or is He a fool's hope for the weak-minded like some say today?
What do you see?
n Is He the King of Kings, or an imaginary, inflated fable?
n Is He God in human skin, or is He just a good man?
n was He beat for our sins and bruised for our rebellion?
n By the lacerations made across his back by an iron-tipped whip, are we really healed?
What do you see?
… when you look at the baby in the manger. Who is he?
n A fuzzy feeling?
n A Christmas tradition?
n An outdated myth?
Or Immanuel – God with us. The infinite in human skin born a man. An invasion into the realms of sin, sent to suffer and die, then live again.
Do you see what I see?
And unlike in the song, this time the question requires an answer. … from all of us.
So … what do you see?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Finding space in creation
I've been musing a lot about "Worship Space," recently. I find that I have trouble defining what I mean by that, and that makes creating it for other people a bit more difficult as well. I have a gut reaction when I hear the phrase, and I know what I mean, even if I can't explain it or apparently recreate what it is in real life. So therein lies my struggle. In my heart, in my head, in my "gut" I know what I'm looking for; but putting it into real terms that others can feel and respond to is more difficult.
Worship space to me is more than just candles, incense, iconography, music, and ambience (though all of these are good things and aid in worship). It's a place to meet God. Worship space, then, is limited only by the presence of God. So if God is present everywhere, then worship space can be anywhere. It's probably omnipresent, but I hate to apply that term too loosely. Goodness knows that if I say it, someone will respond negatively. :-) But let's muse together.
God is everywhere. God created all things. All things reflect the glory and beauty and majesty and even judgment of God. Creation in itself is meant to direct our worship towards the Almighty creator and savior of the universe and to Jesus. So anywhere can be worship space. We can go into a grand cathedral or into a small cottage and find God there, if we take the time to be sensitive to His presence and respond with worship.
But what about those places that seem to stand in the way of worship? What about those things which prevent us from experiencing God's presence and there is no worship that takes place? Are we just blind? Are we just being thick? Is it really that hard to "Create" worship space, when it's been created for us? What if everywhere we went was worship space to us? What if, instead of forcing it, we embraced the space given to us and the God who is There and gave ourselves fully over to His worship and adoration? Is it all just futile?
And so I look to create worship space for personal use and for others. At home, I have my prayer closet, and that works just fine. But to give others the same space is not so easy. It's more than just adding candles and smells and multi-sensory worship experiences....but those are all good things. How do you fill a space so that when people enter they experience and know the presence of God in their lives?
Worship space to me is more than just candles, incense, iconography, music, and ambience (though all of these are good things and aid in worship). It's a place to meet God. Worship space, then, is limited only by the presence of God. So if God is present everywhere, then worship space can be anywhere. It's probably omnipresent, but I hate to apply that term too loosely. Goodness knows that if I say it, someone will respond negatively. :-) But let's muse together.
God is everywhere. God created all things. All things reflect the glory and beauty and majesty and even judgment of God. Creation in itself is meant to direct our worship towards the Almighty creator and savior of the universe and to Jesus. So anywhere can be worship space. We can go into a grand cathedral or into a small cottage and find God there, if we take the time to be sensitive to His presence and respond with worship.
But what about those places that seem to stand in the way of worship? What about those things which prevent us from experiencing God's presence and there is no worship that takes place? Are we just blind? Are we just being thick? Is it really that hard to "Create" worship space, when it's been created for us? What if everywhere we went was worship space to us? What if, instead of forcing it, we embraced the space given to us and the God who is There and gave ourselves fully over to His worship and adoration? Is it all just futile?
And so I look to create worship space for personal use and for others. At home, I have my prayer closet, and that works just fine. But to give others the same space is not so easy. It's more than just adding candles and smells and multi-sensory worship experiences....but those are all good things. How do you fill a space so that when people enter they experience and know the presence of God in their lives?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Crysostom's Paschal Homily
I heard this last night. Pretty much amazing.
If any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him how receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.
By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
Hell, said he, was embittered
When it encountered Thee in the lower regions.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
three months of anticipation
I love the season of Advent. It's four weeks to commemorate the fact that the Lord comes. Four weeks dedicated to an action. Four weeks to contemplate, repent, prepare, anticipate. The thing that just amazes me is the reality of that statement. Jesus came once. He was born, lived, died, rose again, ascended. Jesus is coming again. The lections recently have been from the Revelation to John, and it's reminded me again and again that Jesus is "coming quickly" and this was 1900 years ago.
The coming of Jesus that we so often, and so easily, forget is that Jesus comes now. The early Church used the expression μαραναθα "the Lord comes" as a greeting--a statment of encouragement. Jesus was seen not only as the one who is coming to bring fulfillment to the promise and the end of sin, but He is the one who comes now when His people call on His name. Advent is so significant today, because we need to remember that Jesus' second coming is not all we have to look forward to! If we call on Him in faith now, He is present with us now. Four weeks to remember that and a life time to figure it out.
During this Advent I've maintained my normal one day fast and added on a fast from coffee. This seems odd, because I don't really drink coffee. After years of working around people so addicted to coffee that they'll do anything (including filling it with milk and sugar) to get their fix, I have sworn off anything that might appear to be even a slight dependence on the stuff. This fast becomes a challenge for me, because I drink it without thinking. At work I make myself latte's all the time. If we're really lucky, we get to drink the delicious iced coffee. Coffee isn't an addiction, it's not even a habit. It's worse: it's innocuous. I can drink it and not even notice. It has very little effect on me. I am completely unaware....
*resolution: update more*
The coming of Jesus that we so often, and so easily, forget is that Jesus comes now. The early Church used the expression μαραναθα "the Lord comes" as a greeting--a statment of encouragement. Jesus was seen not only as the one who is coming to bring fulfillment to the promise and the end of sin, but He is the one who comes now when His people call on His name. Advent is so significant today, because we need to remember that Jesus' second coming is not all we have to look forward to! If we call on Him in faith now, He is present with us now. Four weeks to remember that and a life time to figure it out.
During this Advent I've maintained my normal one day fast and added on a fast from coffee. This seems odd, because I don't really drink coffee. After years of working around people so addicted to coffee that they'll do anything (including filling it with milk and sugar) to get their fix, I have sworn off anything that might appear to be even a slight dependence on the stuff. This fast becomes a challenge for me, because I drink it without thinking. At work I make myself latte's all the time. If we're really lucky, we get to drink the delicious iced coffee. Coffee isn't an addiction, it's not even a habit. It's worse: it's innocuous. I can drink it and not even notice. It has very little effect on me. I am completely unaware....
*resolution: update more*
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sifting through crumbs to find a feast
If I had to pick a word to describe my spiritual life right now, I would have to say "unsatisfied." It's not that I don't realize that God is still at work in me even when I don't see progress, it's that I feel like I'm missing out on something. Sadly for me, though, I always try to fill gaps myself. I feel slightly better for all of two weeks and then I just feel like the gap is wider. Progress is painful when you stop at mirages to quench your thirst.
I'm ready for something more. I want something more--something bigger I can really sink my teeth into. I know that there's more to my spiritual development than the fifteen minutes a day in prayer that I spend and my grand expositions on being an "agent" of the Kingdom of God.
I think that this is part of the deal. We're left always wanting more. Hungry, being filled for a time, and then the hunger and thirst begin again. Maybe my own dissatisfaction with the way things are is reflective of God's own ambition for me to not be satisfied with the status quo.
I'm ready for something more. I want something more--something bigger I can really sink my teeth into. I know that there's more to my spiritual development than the fifteen minutes a day in prayer that I spend and my grand expositions on being an "agent" of the Kingdom of God.
I think that this is part of the deal. We're left always wanting more. Hungry, being filled for a time, and then the hunger and thirst begin again. Maybe my own dissatisfaction with the way things are is reflective of God's own ambition for me to not be satisfied with the status quo.
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