Head First

Hiatus

2008-06-14T15:55:00.005-04:00

I am hesitant to do this, because the minute I do, a mad flurry of ideas will overtake me and I'll be putting up posts left and right. However, I think I'm done for a while. We just lost another dear friend to cancer, and to be honest, it's taken some of the wind out of my sails. On top of that, I have a very busy summer ahead, and what leisure time I have, I want to spend fishing, on the bike, in the Jeep, with my family, and brewing high-quality ales. As you know, I've been back in church for several months, but I still don't see a place for myself there, except for the opportunities it affords to be in relationship. My wife and daughter will go to Guatemala again in a few weeks to work with the poor there, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers (better yet, send money. heh). I'll be around, and you can always find me on facebook. Still, keep your RSS feeds on.

Peace. I love you.

No greater love

2008-05-26T09:10:00.009-04:00

(This post is based on a very apt message I heard yesterday. I thought it might be worth sharing.)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16)

Milton L. Olive III was born in 1946 in Chicago. There is almost no information available about his life, except for a single heroic act that he performed in Vietnam. In October, 1965, while Olive was moving with his unit through the jungle near Phu Cuong, he was the first to see a live enemy grenade drop into the middle of their formation. Instantly, Pfc. Olive scooped up the grenade, pulled it to his midsection, and fell on top of it. He absorbed the full impact of the blast and prevented further death and injury to the rest of his platoon. The entire incident began and ended in fewer than five seconds.

What you think of the Vietnam War is irrelevant. Olive's act was not about politics nor mission. He sacrificed himself for the people he cared about. Few would argue that, by any standard, Private (First Class) Milton Lee Olive III fully lived up to the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.

And I tell myself I'm acting like Jesus by coming off ten bucks for a homeless guy. [/clueless]

Still, look at the verses that follow:

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us." (vv. 17-20)

You and I are not likely to cross paths with a live grenade this week. But I can almost guarantee that I'll be confronted with someone's real need. If you're paying attention, you probably will be, too. If you're not, then click on one of the links in my sidebar.

Today is a day of remembrance. Let us choose to remember that service and sacrifice are not limited to a battlefield. Service is an opportunity to sacrifice. Every day. In every situation. In every life.

This is how we know what love is.

Open Letter to the AARP.

2008-04-10T10:56:00.002-04:00

Dear Sirs/Madames,

For the love of God, please, please, please stop sending me membership information.

Thank you.

A post of its own.

2008-03-12T08:06:00.005-04:00

My intent in the last post was not so much a discussion of communion as it was the idea of how our perceptions limit God. But the thread turned to the Lord's supper and a very good conversation ensued. Still, I don't want to get away from the God-in-a-box idea. My friend, sandytrif, made a comment that got to the heart of what I was thinking:

"What really matters is why do we put the maker of the universe in a box we make? Why do we who are so small and finite think we can contain the creator of all things?"

I think this idea is really at the root of my problem with most theology (western theology, at least--I'm thinking the Greek Orthodox are on to something, besides wicked cool hats). For all of Christendom's hermeneutical machinations, it still amounts to, "We serve an infinite God... and this is exactly what He looks like."

Random...

2008-03-07T16:31:00.003-05:00

As we took communion Sunday, my 9 year old whispered, "Daddy, Jesus' body tastes like cardboard."

"I know, honey," I thought, "He must've picked up the taste of the box we keep him in."

Worship...

2008-03-03T00:05:00.006-05:00

is not:
-raising my hands.
-singing a song.
-coached nor manipulated.
-able to be observed as such.

is:
-understanding and acknowledging that God is the source of everything.
-putting the needs of others ahead of mine.
-sacrificing myself in service to the Jesus I see in people.
-best exemplified in what James calls "pure and undefiled" religion (helping the helpless).

I say these things as a musician and as a former "worship leader" (I really dislike that term). I spent a number of years operating under some very well-meaning, but wrong-headed assumptions about what is pleasing to God. As I now stand, I find the things I once sought to achieve and to encourage in others are the very least part of what it means to worship.

Not that there's anything wrong with singing or making music. I love music (well, good music, anyway). I just don't want to get back to the place where I can work up a shiver and call it touching God. More and more, I'm learning to perceive the nearness of God in the everyday and ordinary stuff of life... in my marriage, in my kids, in my friends...

...and in those things, I taste the wonder of it all.

The Great American Novel

2008-02-27T10:21:00.002-05:00

Larry Norman recorded this song in 1972. It's amazing how relevant it sounds 36 years later. I guess nothing ever really changes, does it? People will keep being people, no matter what happens or who's in charge.

Only visiting this planet...

2008-02-26T15:01:00.005-05:00

Arguably the first Christian rocker ever, Larry Norman died Sunday of heart failure at the age of 60. Say what you want about Christian music, that dude was for real. I'm officially sad.

Meanwhile...

2008-02-23T11:38:00.002-05:00

Lots to say, no time to say it. To tell the truth, I'm debating whether to shut the blog down altogether.

So watch this while I make up my mind...

This cracked me up...

2008-01-22T22:16:00.001-05:00

I adore jonbirch. He can say a thousand and one words with one image. Go check him out.

A couple more of my favorites are here and here.

My absolute all-time favorite is here.

Reason #5 why 2008 will be better than 2007

2008-01-19T08:59:00.001-05:00

UPDATE, 1/23/07 - Just saw it with Jefe. Awesome. Get yourself to an IMAX quick.

Impending papal smackdown sends strong warning to Satan

2007-12-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

"Thanks be to God, we have a Pope who has decided to fight the Devil head-on," says Father Gabriele Amorth, on Pope Benedict XVI's recent order to bishops to drastically increase the number of qualified exorcists in dioceses worldwide.

Apparently, God is still busy breaking up the row between the priests in Bethlehem, so the vicar of Christ will pick up the slack by keeping that pesky Beelzebub at bay with roving "exorcism squads." So I guess that's good. Still, as I read this story and the accompanying photos, I couldn't help but think...

Who would I rather meet in a dark alley? One who comes as an angel of light? Or a snarling german on a throne waving a dangling dead Jesus-on-a-stick?

I dunno, man...

Christmas is over. Business as usual.

2007-12-27T09:51:00.000-05:00

[cue music]...peace on earth, good will toward men.

Aaaa-meeeeeen.[/stop music]

Earlier today, inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (not Pennsylvania, the REAL one), Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests broke into a real live fistfight while photographers documented the event. Seven people were injured in the flurry of fists, brooms and iron bars (yes, iron bars), including two Palestinian police.

Apparently, various Christian sects control different areas of the church, and during the post-holiday cleanup, someone's ladder crossed into enemy territory in what can only be described as the religious rendition of "Daaad, he's touching me! Tell him to stay on his side!!"

God was reportedly heard to say, "If I stop this car, somebody's gonna be sorry!"

Full story here.

When I was thirsty...

2007-12-20T23:32:00.000-05:00

Go here for more information on the Advent Conspiracy

Straight, No Chaser

2007-12-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

It was the name of the group that first caught my eye. ; )

I've been emailed this clip from four people, and, judging from the number of hits on YouTube, you've likely seen it by now, but I'm putting it up anyway. It's from a concert in 1998. I just love this:

All I want for Christmas...

2007-12-14T12:25:00.000-05:00

...is a tour announcement (pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease).

(Oh, and the five hundred bucks it'll probably take to get a ticket.) Read more here.

My favorite quote about Monday night's show comes from Pete Paphides (The Times of London):

"With a synergy like this going on, it would be an act of cosmic perversity to stop now."

My Thanksgiving Message.

2007-11-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

Um...thank you.

Random Stickie...

2007-11-01T07:58:00.000-04:00

On my two primary computers, an iMac and my trusty black MacBook, I've come to rely upon a genius little app called "Stickies," which allows me to place collapsible PostIt-type notes all over my desktop. You probably have something like it. It's a handy tool for keeping reminders, to-do lists, phone numbers, etc. as well as a repository for random thoughts, interesting quotes, and other ideas to be stored for later use. Between my two desktops, I must have thirty of these things, mostly consisting of mental meanderings I intended to develop into blog brilliance somewhere down the line. Thing is, I have more thoughts than I have time to sit down and work through them.

Anyway, I was browsing through my pile of Stickies, discarding old lists of already-accomplished chores and people to call back, and ran across this gem:

Relationships need to be organic. They happen as believers get out of their cloisters and interact with the world. It happens when we start to be real and open to the notion that we have something to receive in the exchange instead of wasting our time looking for ways to steer the conversation toward God.

To be honest, I'm not sure whether I wrote this or if it's a quote from someone else, but it was on the same note as a rant (which was definitely mine) about how evangelism and marketing are almost interchangeable terms in the church. Maybe we can work through it together.

Expect to see more from the Stickies pile.

Relationship or Righteousness?

2007-10-28T09:03:00.000-04:00

Instead of righteousness, let's just say right-ness. Which takes precedent?

the hardest word...

2007-10-09T22:50:00.000-04:00

Check this out:

Fresh start?

2007-09-20T14:28:00.000-04:00

I think I just saw a little glimpse of daylight...

When I go...

2007-09-10T23:34:00.000-04:00

To the previous post (about Pavarotti), Caro commented:

"As for all of this world's glories, triumphs, trials and tragedies, 'This too shall pass.' When our voices are silenced, will anyone remember who we were? Will our spirit of love remain in the hearts of those we've touched? GOD, help us live worthy of death!"

As I read Caro's very apt thought, I was reminded of my friend, Ed Onorato. Ed was a fabulous, professional musician and a loyal friend, with whom I had the privilege to play many times. He died of leukemia about this time last year. More than his talent, he would do anything for anyone. His generosity of spirit seemed boundless. At his (standing room only, 500+) memorial service, person after person stood and offered stories of the joy and compassion Ed brought to their lives.

Several weeks ago, I was at my favorite Italian restaurant with my family. There was a guy there, set up with his keyboard and percussion machine, singing all your favorite Italian love songs. As he sang, I sat there and wept into my '03 Sangiovese. All I could think of was Ed, and how terribly I still miss him. After we finished our meal, I approached the fellow to put a few bucks in his jar. He was between songs, so I asked him, "Did you know my friend, Ed?" Tears immediately filled his eyes as he told me how much he missed playing with Ed, too. I was getting choked up again, so I didn't stick around to chat (I didn't even get the guy's name).

I've reflected on that moment a number of times with a number of friends, and have always come back to the same question. Can you imagine being a person who has such influence with people that, a year after you're gone, strangers will cry with one another at the mention of your name? I echo Caro's cry, God, help us live such lives.

Rock Star...

2007-09-06T07:36:00.000-04:00

1935 - 2007

A Dangerous Freedom

2007-08-25T05:05:00.000-04:00

A few days ago, recent Slice of Laodicea target, NakedPastor posted here about scripture in the context of freedom:

"Freedom is the healthiest condition of the mind and heart, and it is the happiest place of humanity. If you read the scriptures, they must inform that reality of freedom and testify to our momentary liberation. Somehow, scripture must act like a fertilizer that percolates our minds and hearts with the freedom that the Spirit brings. The bible is not to be used as an instruction booklet on how to follow the proper steps to salvation. It is like a document from a free land that announces to us that our bonds have been broken and we are free indeed."

As I read his post, I thought about an old quote I read from Grace Murray Hopper:

"A ship is safest in the harbor, but that's not what ships are built for."

Perhaps it's just a fundamental human tendency, but I see a lot of christendom tied up securely at the dock. I can't make up my mind which distresses me more, the person (or church) that forges ahead ham-handedly and makes a mess of things, or the one who thinks, "If I never attempt anything, I'll never fail."

In the interest of full-disclosure, I have been both of those people.

Some observations:

2007-08-21T22:35:00.000-04:00

- church that is built on any agenda but to love people and be in relationship with one another is destined to miss God's intent for the Church, which, coincidentally, happens to be to love people and be in relationship with one another.

- any church whose agenda is to make converts will have a hell of a time convincing me that they don't see outsiders as potential notches in their collective bible.

- submission to one another as a behavioral pattern is not easily compatible with the idea of taking your city/state/country for Christ.

- it's not right to throw stones at people, even if they're real bastards and shoot arrows at you first.

- people who try to fix other people just make life difficult for everyone (my 8 year-old daughter made this observation).

- I find myself trusting God more these days, because I don't have all that certainty to fall back on.

- I'm not angry anymore, but I'm still a little sad.