Wine Or Grape Juice? October 12, 2009

Michael Hyatt tweeted this quote this morning. I found it thought-provoking, and for some wild reason, it brought a huge smile to my face.

Why Jesus Used Wine Instead of Grape Juice
“Unfermented grape juice is a bland and pleasant drink, especially on a warm afternoon mixed half-and-half with ginger ale. It is a ghastly symbol of the life blood of Jesus Christ, especially when served in individual antiseptic, thimble-sized glasses.

“Wine is booze, which means it is dangerous and drunk-making. It makes the timid brave and the reserved amorous. It loosens the tongue and breaks the ice, especially when served in a loving cup. It kills germs. As symbols go, it is a rather splendid one.”— Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC

Loves Like A Hurricane, I Am A Tree September 17, 2009

A few Sundays ago, we finally used Jon Mark McMillan’s How He Loves in a service.

The song is powerful, loaded with a unique opportunity for awe-struck expression. The lyrical images differ from the usual worship song fare these days.

I got to sing it. It was an honor. There is no possible way the melody and the harmonies can convey the gut-wrenching glory of four simple words, launched in repetitive declaration:

“He love us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves…”

As the band played and sang, the painters painted. Two of our artists were incredibly moved by the song, as we were, and they expressed their declaration with paints and brushes.

Read about their experience here, where my friend Angie blogs.

And don’t forget: He loves us. Oh, how he loves us.

Beautiful Things September 16, 2009

Shannon, by Sarah.

My daughter Sarah is gifted.

Passionate about beauty.

An experienced photographer who does exceptionally good work.

Please visit her new photo blog here.

And if you’re in need of a photographer – senior pictures, Christmas photos, family portraits – she’s looking for a job. Or two.

Check it out.

On Being Human September 10, 2009

Lord, what a week.

I feel stretched in a million different directions. I feel lost. I feel broken. I feel exhausted.

I am in a season of finding out some truths about myself. It requires that I stop, look and listen.

None of those things are particuarly appealing right now.

I read a sentence today that literally took my breath away. I post tonight only to share it with you. From the blog of someone I admire greatly, both for his perspective on life and his talent with words – you can read more from Milton here. In the meantime, chew on this:

Redemption rides on small gestures and simple acts; forgiveness has fingerprints.

Best Thing I’ve Read This Week July 31, 2009

Need something to provoke you this weekend?

Looking for something besides “Dateline: NBC” and a rerun of “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ tonight?

Read this blog post by Donald Miller.

What story do you believe?

Making Things Matter June 30, 2009

Love this woman.

She blogs here, about life and loss and faith and kids and anything else that crosses her mind.

She’s one of the most honest people I know.

She hearts music.

I love the words that she writes, because she writes with the power of conviction that makes things matter.

You can get to know her by clicking here, or by checking out The Green Room, or just asking around at PCC. She’s worth getting to know.

Blog Stat Surprise May 7, 2009

Looking at blog stats tonight, just out of curiosity…

And taking a look at the number one search term that lands folks on my blog.

Guess what it is?  Something churchy?  My name?  Something musical?

Nope.

The google image search for “dirty boys feet”, because of this post right here.

Which really makes me sick.

I’m just saying.  It’s a crazy, mixed-up world we live in.

Some Things I Just Can’t Stop Thinking About April 29, 2009

Maybe it’s because ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is playing in the background, even as I type.

Maybe because since seeing the movie, I’ve been addicted to the soundtrack.

Maybe because of the letter we received this week from Arpita Nayak, the little girl from India we sponsor through Compassion International.  The letter in which she details the story of the Hindu extremists chasing her and her Christian family out of their home, into the forest.  And how she spent the next few months in a refugee camp.  And how glad she is to be back in school, finally.

Maybe because I’ve been following this blog.  And this one.  And this one.  Anne, Pete and Angie are all in India right now, on a Compassion bloggers trip, seeing first-hand the impact of $32 a month on the lives of kids and their families.

I just can’t shake this country.

The World Today March 8, 2009

“We’re taking our eyes off of Jesus and putting them on the economy.” – Perry Noble

I read this tonight on Tony Morgan’s blog.  Tony is one of the leaders at Newspring Church, where we’re headed for a one-day conference later this week (thanks to a generous sponsor!)

Newspring is known for a no-holds-barred attitude when it comes to spreading the gospel and preaching the truth.  They love Jesus.  They love people.  

I’m looking forward to what we’ll encounter….

“The two biggest problems in this country are consumer debt and obesity. It’s not because we don’t have enough. It’s because we don’t manage what we have well.” – Perry Noble

Care January 13, 2009

This made me cry today.

I’m floored when God reveals some part of life to me, when I – in my utter self-absorption – am running around caught up in all the minute details of my life, and things like this are happening right around the corner.

God of mercy, grace and compassion – give us your eyes to see, and hearts to understand the painful challenges facing the people around us.  

The ones who give care.

The ones who receive care.

The ones who don’t care.

http://6yearmed.blogspot.com/2009/01/boulder.html