Ho-Ho's House

Lovely

2010-01-25T01:53:00.001-08:00

When you wake up and flash that smile at me standing over you

You are beautiful.

When you laugh at all the fun things you discover, and the games we play.

You are beautiful.

When you look at me over your mother's shoulder

You are beautiful.

When you take that first step

You are beautiful.

When you fall the first time

You are beautiful.

When you make your first friend, in that first day in class

You are beautiful.

When you meet someone special, and I worry too much

You are beautiful.

When you rise, when you fall.

When you laugh, when you cry.

When you one day walk away to live a life of your own.

You are beautiful.

Love, Daddy.

I Was Just Thinking

2010-01-25T01:30:00.001-08:00

That I sure like

when Rob Bell…

types

this.

Haha. I am hilarious. I should blog more; maybe I could use the discipline of putting my thoughts onto "paper." I miss it.

We'll…

see.

Giving Up Hope

2009-04-06T23:47:00.001-07:00

I sat down to write about today and to try to explain everything that I possibly can. Please know that there is much I am not able to say because I am not the only one involved. I will try to share what is important. The facts and specifics are not nearly as important as the outcome. However, please don't ask what it is. I need to process this as much as I can. I will share in time. Some of you may know soon, some may not. My wife, my baby and Sylvia are all fine and I am not going to die of some strange disease. I realized that everything I could say has already been said many times before. I will try to be as brief as possible. Yeah right.

First: some back-story.

Suffice it to say that God has been using many different things and avenues to work in me and show me who He really is in the past few months (as if He wasn't before, I just started to notice). Much of that was comprised of this:

I watched a few convicting sermons, heard a song sent by a friend with lyrics that affirmed those thoughts, and I read a book, you can ask which later, that pretty much showed me that I was a big sham when it came to me and my relationship with God. So I started asking God to help me love Him more. I asked Him to help me actually love the person of Jesus as a Savior. Not love just the things He can do for me, not just love His people, not just love the things that He can and does provide for me, not just love the songs about Him, not just love the idea of Jesus, and not just love the idea of God…

…but to love Him.

I realized how silly it would be for me to love all the things that Mandy can do for me, or the way she makes me feel and the joy I feel when I am around her and not actually love her. It would be stupid and pointless. I would only love for what I can get out of the deal. My conversations would sound stupid and I would say things like "I love the dinner you made for me, I love the funny things you say, I love the way you encourage me."

But never say, "Mandy, I love you."

I don't know where you are in all of that. That may sound like you and where you are. I may sound like who you were. You may not be at that point. You may not even care, but this is my post and I'm telling the story. This is where I have been and this is the path I have been on.

Little did I know that my prayer would ever turn out this way.

There are times in life when we realize that things will never be the same after that and the truths that we held to be true aren't really that way at all. The day I heard about a co-worker of mine hanging himself was one of those times. For our nation, the last few months in the stock market have been that way. September 11^th was one of those days. We thought things were ok, and we thought that life the way we knew it was a pretty safe reality. It only took a few short hours to realize that things were not that way at all. That life was short and that nothing is as secure as we thought.

Like one of those days in our history where things happen and we are never the same, I got news today that basically destroyed everything. In just a few words, a few moments, my heart became a wasteland of devastated flesh. I am like a victim suffering from shock. The world exploded and I am bleeding all over. I have gaping wounds, and everything is silent though noise is shrieking around me because the words I heard have deafened everything else said afterward.

I keep getting asked by wonderful friends that care "is everything ok?"

The honest answer is no. Things are not ok. Today was probably one of the worst days of my life. What happened today will be with me the rest of my life. It will affect who I am and who I and my children will become. I will not act like a fool and try to say everything is ok. I will not arrogantly say that things are fine as my face gives a façade of a smile while my teeth bleed and lips swell in pain.

Things…

now…

as they are…

are not ok.

One of my friends asked me that question tonight. Am I ok? I told him that things were not, but then I told him I would be.

I will be.

Why? Is it because I am strong? Or is it because I am so good at getting over things?

No. It's not. I am weak. The patient in the hospital needs others to move him around, to feed him, to help him by staying by his side. I am that patient. I am broken. I need help because I am incapable of moving. I need someone to hold and carry me and take me where I need to go.

I asked God to help me love Him.

But what happens when it's my security in life as I know it that is holding me back? It is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick, right? I am not just talking about trivial things like money, food, shelter. I'm talking about things in life that you grow up knowing are facts, things that will always be that way. In it all I have seen God working. I have watched as things fell in place that I didn't even realize were there until my own walls fell down. I have seen Him working as if to say "Chris, here is my plan for you. Here is how I am leading you and loving you. Here is the path, walk down it!" I have seen the path; I have seen where he was leading. I have seen the things he has shown me to repent of and leave behind. But I never took that first step.

Jesus, the Great Physician shows me who He really is by carrying me along when I can't find the strength to walk.

He has now shown me what I never want to become. He has shown me what happens when time is spent foolishly ignoring the truth as is stares you in the face. I never want that for those that know me. I never want to be an example of what a wasted life looks like. I will die one day and I don't want the people at the funeral to have to make up nice things to say about me because, deep down, they all know that my life was a wasted one with nothing to show for it. I have realized that our actions and our deeds carry far more consequence than any of us have ever realized. I don't want to be like the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to have eternal life and instead went away sad because he was more concerned about his wealth, possessions, and what identified him than the truth.

I will use this pain and blood to come closer to God. My sadness and anger will strengthen me and give me the resolve to let the things in my life that identify me die because "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

I am and will for quite some time be disgusted and angry but I will learn from the great reformer Martin Luther who said: "I have no better remedy than anger. If I want to write, pray, and preach well, then I must be angry. Then my entire blood supply refreshes itself, my mind is made keen, and all temptations depart." I will use the anger to motivate and focus myself to send me fleeing to Christ when temptations arise.

I will use the new-found love to love those that need it. Instead of loving myself in selfishness I can love God and other people in gratitude. I will use that love to forgive because someone smarter and more patient than I once said that "forgiveness is giving up hope on a better yesterday." I will stop hoping in a better yesterday for my life. I will look forward to a better tomorrow. I will look forward to a life with my family.

Sorrow only lasts for the night but in the morning it melts away like dew in the warmth of the sun.

King David said it far better than I ever could.

Psalm 39:1-7

What Is the Measure of My Days?

I said, "I will guard my ways,

that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,

so long as the wicked are in my presence."

I was mute and silent;

I held my peace to no avail,

and my distress grew worse.

My heart became hot within me.

As I mused, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

"O LORD, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

"And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you.

(ESV)

(Back to FB: https://www.facebook.com/chrislovesmandyjensen)

Monday Update

2008-12-08T14:27:00.001-08:00

The week(end) that was:

Well, I guess it's not technically a part of the weekend, but this past Thursday night Mandy and I went to the Sierra Butte Baptist Association Christmas Dinner held for ministers and their families. It was nice catching up with old friends who really aren't that far away, just terribly busy. Congrats to Brad and Jessica Hays on their good news! This weekend was fairly calm for as busy as it was. Our little buddy Dozer had a good time at the new Dog Park in Chico. Saturday morning I started out early and groggy. I got to the dog park before they even opened and had to park outside the gates. It seems that Chico has really bad fog in the morning and Saturday was no exception. I watched him play for about an hour with some other (messy) dogs that managed to soil me as well. I spent the rest of the morning in preparation for Sunday either by doing music practice or getting ready for Sunday school. I went to get Mandy from work and then, yup once again, we went to the dog park. This time there were a ton of people (and their dogs) running around like crazy. It seems like a cool place to go. The funniest part was when Dozer watched the big dogs lift their legs and he tried to do it too. It was, according to Mandy, really cute. Weird girl.

That evening we had the Mall Invasion. That was a good time although by the end my feet were dead from walking around the mall a billion times regulatin'. I guess that's why you don't walk a lot when wearing Converse. There were quite a few people from both Churches that showed up and we all seemed to have a rockin' time.

esterday was a good church service. Things seemed a little "slow" in the first service. As in, "I-think-we-all-need-to-get-up-and-take-a-field-trip-to-Starbucks-for-some-caffeine-because-honestly-it's-bringing-me-down" slow. Maybe it's just me projecting the fact that I had a pretty rough time getting started yesterday morning. It was fun doing Christmas songs though. I tried doing more of them because what usually ends up happening each year is that I wait till it's almost Christmas and then I wish I had more time to sing more Christmas songs. Meh.

That night Mandy and I had a good time watching an old movie that we both like.

Ok, more like she sits politely while I quote most of the lines.

"The man on the motorcycle, I hit him with a burrito!

Where I am at the moment:

I'm in the office. I woke up this morning feeling pretty sick. I think I have a sequel to the first cold. Like most sequels, I didn't ask for it, and it probably will be worse than the first one. Although Battlefield: Earth never needed a sequel to be bad.

On my to-do list this week:

This week is the business meeting that I get my youth budget in. I hope it goes well – God provides exactly what we need. Also, I have to get with Brad about State Youth Conference. There isn't anything big planned until Sunday. Saturday I have to do some practicing with the bus in preparation for my test on Tuesday the 16^th. I eventually need to have an important talk with somebody about something cool. (it's not a baby.)

Procrastinating about:

I think I'm getting caught up. I have been putting updating the website. Honestly, that thing drives me nuts. I am too impatient for it.

Book I'm in the midst of:

I pretty much abandoned Vintage Jesus for the time being. I just got another book in that I've read before but lost called The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out that I actually would like to read again. I think the first time I read it, I missed a lot of stuff. It should be a good and fast read though.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week.

I started to listen to some Relient K a lot this week. Also, it's funny but lately I've been listening to some older Papa Roach from back in the day when I had spiky black hair, wore all Dickies, and was angry a lot. (no, I was not angry a lot this week – Heh)

Oh how the world has changed. I guess it's been a retro week. Check out Last.fm if you haven't already. It's pretty sweet.

How I'm feeling about this week:

I'm hoping my cold (or possible Bronchitis which the only advantage to is the fact that the cough syrup they give you makes you not care about being sick, or even getting stabbed I think) doesn't get the better of me and turn me into a whiny jerk all week. I'm pretty sure it won't but if you see me and I am being a whiny jerk, feel free to correct me then give me some DayQuil or some Halls Mentholyptus or some Riiiiiiicola! I seriously turn into a cough drop drug dealer when I am sick.

Thank you Jesus – Zing! (Andy will get that one)

So, what would be a horrible movie sequel? Also, what do you do when you are sick?

I Would Just Like To Say

2008-12-03T11:21:00.001-08:00

That Trip Lee seems to have better and more frequent theology in his music than many modern Christian worship leaders. Just saying…

An excerpt from "Real Vision" Album: 20/20

These days in the church, most cats got it twisted/Don't let them fool you on how we supposed to live this/For instance, some say to "come to Christ for riches/Or maybe your blessing," but my question is "what is this?" Cause that ain't the gospel, that "if you put your faith in Him/To come to the Savior, and then you'll rake that paper in?" Face it friends, they made Jesus their holy ATM/Paul would be appalled, this gospel would be disgrace to Him/This false gospel strips Him of His flyness/He's more like your servant and less like His Highness/So please don't buy it, that idea is absurd/Jesus said the Christian life can be strife and it's filled with hurt/ Look homie I would hate for, cats to get that fake stuff/And never know it's wrong cause they won't open a page up/I pray we erase the wrong views and embrace the Holy Word that testifies to us about the Savior

I Think We Sould Realize...

2008-12-02T04:17:00.000-08:00

...things aren't so bad.

Monday Update

2008-12-01T15:41:00.001-08:00

Hello all. I thought I'd steal this idea from Mark Oestreicher (Marko) who does this most Monday mornings. I thought it would be a good way to help organize myself and let others know how I am doing. Hope your week goes well.

-Chris

The weekend that was:

Thanksgiving was an awesome time. Instead of just a typical weekend, I'll include Thursday and Friday in this one.

Thanksgiving Mandy and I started the day (after coughing our heads off - we've both been sick since before my birthday) with a football game. The game was between my youth group and a youth group from another church. We had a good time even though we lost miserably (which had nothing to do with having half as many players). No one was hurt (seriously) though I am pretty sore all over but that may be from all the coughing. After that we had an awesome time with family for Thanksgiving dinner. In all, there were 18 people plus 2 dogs at Mandy's parents. Her family came up from Saugus (SoCal) and her grandparents came over as well as my parents.

On Friday we went on a hike in Bidwell Park (pics on FB soon), did some shopping, and then went back to Mandy's parents to celebrate her grandpa's 80^th birthday. What an awesome time. I didn't get much of a chance to get to know my grandfather, so this was really cool. He's a funny guy and a strong believer.

Saturday I helped a youth raise funds for SYC (and I'm still sore from all the pine needles and leaves we picked up), went home for a nap, and then caught the tail end of a concert in Paradise.

Sunday was Church. In the morning was a great communion service where I got to play one of my favorite Crowder songs. We had lunch at my house with my parents and then went back to church at night. My arm and voice were sore while I was doing music but it was ok.

Where I am at the moment:

I just registered my youth for SYC finally. I wish I could have done it earlier but it's been hard getting commitments from everyone. 9 total so far. I have some time this afternoon to try and get some reading and studying done. I'm going to do my best to get back into the swing of things since last week was fairly calm and relaxing. (I said that like it was a bad thing)

On my to-do list this week:

This week is a bit of a normal one. We're starting a new quarter in Sunday school. This time we're going through Thessalonians which I am excited about. Other than normal studies during the week, my church is having a silent auction to raise money for our Christmas Missions Offering. Sounds boring, but it's actually really fun. I'd like to go to Sam's church this week but the auction is the same night. This Saturday we're having our 2^nd annual Mall Invasion. Basically what happens is adults from our churches dress in disguise and the youth have to find them. The first team back wins a prize. Hopefully we won't get kicked out of JC Penny's again. Last year the employees weren't too happy with another church's youth – not mine, whew. I think we're just going to avoid that store altogether. I need to find some time to get my lenses fixed in my glasses. Dozer the Wonderdog who is in the midst of getting his big dawg teefs made them his new chew toy last night. He even took them out of his food bowl (AKA off of the nightstand) and brought them into his room (AKA under my bed).

Procrastinating about:

Getting pictures of people in the Mall Invasion sent off to the people doing the booklets.

Putting up pictures of this weekend on Facebook so everyone can see 'em.

Catching up on my blog reading.

I have my Commercial Class B driver's test coming up on the 16^th. I really have some re-learning and practicing to do. I think I should have a chance tomorrow to get it done.

Also, there are a few people I promised to make business cards for. Maybe tonight after I read.

Book I'm in the midst of:

I keep trying to finish Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll. It's a good read but my mind does not want to be that academic right now. I just got a book from Purple for my birthday called the The Way of the Heart which looks interesting. I think my brain will go along with that one a bit easier.

Music that seemed to catch my attention this past week:

Guilty… The Killers. I know, I know. Also, some music from Reach Records. I know, who listens to rap right?

How I'm feeling about this week:

Things are good. I just need to stay on top of my list. Hopefully tomorrow I can get most of my "have-to-do's" done. If I try to play catch-up on Thursday I will be stressed. I am hoping that Mandy and I will also finally be done with our colds. I'm stoked though. I get a new book in the mail as well as a new MicroSD card for my phone. Hello 8GB of music!

In God We Do Not Trust

2008-11-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

This was written by Pastor Mark Driscoll from Seattle. I would encourage you to read this.This has helped me a bit in formulating more of my own opinion and also voices much of what I have felt during this political season.

-Chris

View the original post here.
_________________________________

In God We Do Not Trust
Mark Driscoll

In my years of pastoral ministry I have worked very hard to not be political. I believe that my job as a pastor is to preach and teach the Bible well so that my people make their decisions, including their voting decisions, out of their faith convictions.

This election season which has dominated the cultural conversation for many months has been particularly insightful regarding the incessant gospel thirst that abides deep in the heart of the men and women who bear God’s image. Without endorsing or maligning either political party or their respective presidential candidates, I am hopeful that a few insights from the recent election season are of help, particularly to younger evangelicals.

First, people are longing for a savior who will atone for their sins. In this election, people thirst for a savior who will atone for their economic sins of buying things they did not need with money they did not have. The result is a mountain of credit debt they cannot pay and a desperate yearning that somehow a new president will save them from economic hell.

Second, people are longing for a king who will keep them safe from terror in his kingdom. In the Old Testament the concept of a peaceable kingdom is marked by the word shalom. In shalom there is not only the absence of sin, war, strife, and suffering but also the presence of love, peace, harmony, and health. And, this thirst for shalom is so parched that every election people cannot help but naively believe that if their candidate simply wins shalom is sure to come despite sin and the curse.

The bottom line is obvious to those with gospel eyes. People are longing for Jesus, and tragically left voting for mere presidential candidates. For those whose candidate wins today there will be some months of groundless euphoric faith in that candidate and the atoning salvation that their kingdom will bring. But, in time, their supporters will see that no matter who wins the presidency, they are mere mortals prone to sin, folly, and self-interest just like all the other sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. To help extend naïve false hope as long as possible, a great enemy will be named and demonized as the one who is hindering all of the progress to atone for our sins and usher in our kingdom. If the Democrats win it will be the rich, and if the Republicans win it will be the terrorists. This diversionary trick is as old as Eve who blamed her sin on Satan rather than repenting. The lie is that it’s always someone else’s fault and we’re always the victim of sinners and never the sinner.

Speaking of repentance, sadly, no matter who wins there will be no call to personal repentance of our own personal sins which contributes to cultural suffering and decline such as our pride, gluttony, covetousness, greed, indebtedness, self-righteousness, perversion, and laziness. And, in four years we’ll do it all again and pretend that this time things will be different. Four years after that, we’ll do it yet again. And, we’ll continue driving around this cul de sac until Jesus returns, sets up his throne, and puts an end to folly once and for all.

In the meantime, I would encourage all preachers to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and repentance of personal sin. He alone can truly atone for our sins. He alone can deliver us from a real hell. He alone is our sinless and great King. And, he alone has a Shalom kingdom to offer.

Lastly, for those preachers who have gotten sidetracked for the cause of a false king and a false kingdom by making too much of the election and too little of Jesus, today is a good day to practice repentance in preparation to preach it on Sunday. Just give it some time. The thirst will remain that only Jesus can quench. So, we’ve still got work to do….until we see King Jesus and voting is done once and for all.

SCC on GMA

2008-08-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

I couldn't not post this. I have a feeling I will write more on this later, but I at least had to put this up for the 2 of you that read this blog more faithfully than I write it.

For those of you that read this on Facebook, use this URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2VFkF7NLo&feature=related

A History Lesson

2008-04-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

Turn it up, and listen.

Music... before it was what it is today. I love the basses frantically playing their notes.

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 written: 1804–08

Ode To a Venti - A Bit Of Poetry

2008-04-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

Oh Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha, you are my friend. Your sweet chocolate and caramel remind me of simpler times. When as a child I would frolic and play. I would run with my friends to the ice cream truck in the hot central-valley sun awaiting the vast array of treats within. Yes, simpler times.

Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha, your espresso wafts through the early-morning air. The sweet perfume permeates all that is around it. Harmoniously, beckons me with its song of indulgence. The espresso reminds me that I have grown up and the the simpler times are left to only memory and the short time that we have together Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha. You blend the old and new so perfectly.

Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha, your cup glints the first light off of it's lid. It sits there, magical brew contained within. The design will last through the ages.

Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha, you are truly a work of art.

Pepto-Bismol, you are the true friend who stays long after the fun is gone. You are the friend that lets me know that things will be ok long after the Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha is gone. Pepto Bismol, through drought and storm you have helped me continue to walk when I could not stand anymore. You are why I can still have my silly Triple-Venti-Caramel-Mocha.

Thank you my friends. You help me through my day.

While I'm On a Roll

2008-04-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

I have recently found that Lark News is a good place for Christian news. Take this article on the new video game called Altar Egos: Rumble in the Pew, the latest church staff craze.

Here's a quote from the article:

"I like ripping up the hymnals. I don't know why," says one executive pastor who asked not to be identified.

Matches often get ugly as virtual staff meetings and Sunday services go badly wrong, with people hurling folding chairs and offering plates at each other, and yelling Bible-inspired insults ("I'm gonna lay you waste, snake." Whack!)."

So go and check out LarkNews, you'll thank me for it. However, if you don't thank me I'm gonna lay you waste, snake!

Stuff Christians Like

2008-04-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

So it has been a while since I've done the whole "I-thought-this-was-funny-so-you-should-too" blog but it's mostly because those times have been filled with less-than-bloggable-but-still-funny LOLcats, LOLdogs ,and even the occasional LOLgraph. (Did you notice how I still posted links in the same breath that I was saying why I wasn't going to?)

You all know I love a good sarcastic ribbing. Or a good satirical shake-up. Even as I type this I am thinking that there are far too many hyphens in this post. All that aside, I have stumbled upon a great site.

Basically a rip-off of the not-as-funny stuff white people like, a guy has made a great humor site called Stuff Christians Like. Here is an excerpt (one that I continually guffawed at while reading).

#154. Breaking up after a retreat.
Next to unpacking, dumping your boyfriend or girlfriend is our favorite thing to do after a church retreat. We can't help it. The retreat speaker always tells us on Saturday night, "If there's anything you need to lay down before the cross tonight, to give up to God, come down and do it. Don't wait, this is your chance." And you are the first thing we think of. So we decide with our retreat friends that we are going to do it. This relationship is over. And then on Sunday afternoon when we get back, we call you and have the following conversation:

Girl:
"The retreat was good, it gave me a lot to think about."

Guy:
"Really? Like what?"

Girl:
"Well, I think you and I have grown apart."

Guy:
"You've been gone for 44 hours and were 119 miles away, what do you mean?"

Girl:
"God just really laid it on my heart that I should focus on him and not this relationship."

Guy:
"God told you to dump me?"

And so forth. The moral of this story is that if your girlfriend or boyfriend is going on a retreat, you better go too. Unless it's an all girl's retreat. And mission trips are even worse. Your girlfriend is going to start seeing Mark, that awkward but kind of cute guy, in a whole new light during that mission trip. It's a light called, "Look at Mark feed hungry children in Africa while my boyfriend plays Xbox back in Ohio."

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Unlike many things that I link to, this one actually has quite a bit of spiritual "impact," if you will. Most of the time it's all laughs but every-so-often there's a post that will hit you (or smack you) in a good direction.

So, check out some of the stuff Christians like. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Hey People

2008-04-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

You know, I really love blogging. I do. But, when people say...

"Chris... when are you going to update!!11!!!1??"

...and I do, and then nobody says a word.

Well that makes me a sad panda. So come on people, say something. I like to hear things. I will say something too.

Oh and by the way, congrats to the lovely Mandy who just finished her first writing assignment for Lifeway. Whoo!

(Because "April-ing On" Sounds Lame)

2008-03-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

Hey party people. It is I returning victoriously... from... something. Not sure what though. I think it was a Pollo Asada Burrito from Meeho's. Deliciouso!

So, anyhow, I keep getting yelled at to update my blog. Not that I didn't want to, I have just been extremely busy for quite some time. With what? Well...

I just finished leading an Easter choir at my church which was an amazing time. Pics? Maybe. There were about 140 people in my church Sunday and it was great to have so many new faces.

If you haven't heard, I got into an accident last week and my car is in the body shop. Not a big deal, just a pain in the neck (get it?) to get around since the magic age for renting a car is 25 and not 24. My neck was hurting for a while but it went away so we'll see what happens with that. My knee put a crack in the dashboard. Whoo!

I'm going on day 2 of my little 2 day sabbatical that I really shouldn't have put off for so long. My intent for today was to catch up on things that I've been putting off. Instead, I did pretty much nothing today and I've decided that really isn't a bad thing. Hey, if God took a day off, what makes me think I can go without one? I've been sort of running ragged the past few weeks and it's mostly because Mandy and I haven't stopped long enough to see each other much. That's really hard on me because I'm like a golden retriever that gets lonely without the one it is attached to (go ahead... make the dog/master joke. I don't care). We got to spend a lot of time together today which was wonderful because it's so rare. (I imagine this is where I would put that absence makes the heart grow fonder). Here's a tip kiddies, the secret to a great marriage... don't ever see each other! (I keed, I keed)

Actually, Mandy and I are having such a great time together. Every so often times will get tough but it's nothing (by God's grace) that we can't handle. She is such an amazing woman and it's so great to see us grow closer to each other and closer to God. If I'm honest, I've learned that it is when we actively seek what God would want for us that we grow even closer as a couple.

All in all it's been a great month. I got to see someone very dear to Mandy and I come to know Jesus only yesterday. Whoo! I can only hope that Mandy and I can keep this person from doing so many of the silly things we've done. I am not worthy of the call I've been given yet I am overwhelmingly thankful that it is the one I've been given.

Wow! What a month! I guess it's a good thing I sat and did this. Thanks to you annoying blog readers for bugging me enough to do this. HA!

Peace out fo'rizzle.

(Or something like that)

Easter

2008-03-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! If you didn't know already I've been directing a choir at my church. We're having our Easter performances soon and you are totally invited to come. I'd love to see you there.

Here are the times:

Saturday March 22 @ 6:00pm
Easter Sunday March 23 @ 10:30am

Music

2008-02-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

Hey, check out my buddy Nate Dean.

Awesome stuff. I still remember being in a band with him in high school.

I knew this kid was going somewhere.

A Dialog of Note

2008-02-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

Me: "Have fun tomorrow, wherever it is you're going."

Friend: "Actually, I'm going to a funeral."

Me: (Embarrassed) "Oh... Well... uh... don't have... too much fun... then... I guess."

(Thank you mouth, how's the foot taste?)

.

The Intensity and the Rush Were the Lie

2008-02-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

In mere seconds,
I circle the edge of the deep end
the cement is slick
the water laps against the tile and stone overflowing
I feel the cold bitterness edging my feet.

I hear the lifeguard yell a warning
I hear a parent tell me to heed their cry
I hear the slap of the ground against my feet
I feel the chill between my toes.

I can't stop running, the joy of it all seems so significant.
I dodge past people and obstacles, running for more.
all the while the water beckons,
all the while it creeps beneath my feet
and causes me to slip.
I feel a blow

I hear a circling of water.
all the while it had beckoned me, it was hushed,
it was quiet, I was unaware.
Now it circles my nostrils, it surrounds me.
It pulls me deeper, it holds me captive.
Holds me silent.

I hear splashes, I hear yells
I feel the water falling away,
I feel the hands of those who would pull me up.
Breathe.

I lay upon the cement while the water drips from my fingertips.

For You Single Christians Out There

2008-02-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

Yeah... this should do it.

Wish I woulda' had one.

Taken from this sermon

(p.s. mandy pointed out that you can still play footsies... foiled again!)

Snow!

2008-01-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

So we have a bit of snow in P-Town today. Keep in mind that even though it may not look like much, these are taken in parts of Paradise with very low elevation. Some were even south of Paradise.

I mean snow in my yard? That doesn't happen.

Fur Thoze uf us hoo wnet to paradyze hi skuul

2008-01-29T11:09:00.000-08:00

We should all feel intelligent now.

ht to ysmarko

Sometimes I Learn

2008-01-26T00:28:00.000-08:00

What I have learned is that sometimes... it is better to stay quiet. Others have said things far better than you. Sometimes all you need to do is listen to what those who have come before you have said and try to become their dreams.

Here is what I have learned.

"Preach the Gospel at all times using words when necessary"

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

-St. Francis of Assisi

“Peace if possible, truth at all costs.”

“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”

- Martin Luther

“When you see a man with a great deal of religion displayed in his shop window, you may depend upon it, he keeps a very small stock of it within”

“The anvil is not afraid of the hammer.”

“Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.”

- Charles H. Spurgeon

“Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee.”

-Saint Augustine

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Something Wonderful

2008-01-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful friend, a wonderful gift and a wonderful wife. Her name is Mandy and she has a blog.

Here.

I'm proud of her. A Facebook and a blog in the same week.

Some Thoughts

2007-11-27T00:27:00.000-08:00

A power nap is when you sleep on someone who's weaker than you...

I went whale watching once... It was very similar to watching people on a boat become disappointed... we did a lot of whale-thinking-about that day...

a mobile home with a flat tire is a home...

if you can't tell the difference between a spoon and a ladle, then you're fat...

I want to put stickers on turtles, I don't know why. I just know that's the best kind of animal for advertising your band in nature...

I have a time-machine. It only goes forward at regular speed. It's essentially a cardboard box that I wrote "time machine" on in Sharpie...

How fast does a zebra have to go before it looks gray?

I've met many chocoholics but I've never seen any Chocohol. We've got an epidemic - people that don't understand the rules of word endings... they're probably over-workahol-d...

They call it fishing... but they should call it what it really is: "tricking and killing"...

Hiking is just walking where it's ok to pee...
(sometimes old people hike by mistake)

I want to commit a crime during a re-enactment. Turn it into an enactment...

"Hot Potato" is a very different game when the people playing are starving. Then it's more like "My Potato." Burned fingertips and I don't care... free potato!

I used to get upset when it rained... then I realized it's God's way of washing off hippies.

I think they should put pies on the front of trains, that way when they hit something at least it's a bit funny.
"He's dead sergeant, but there's a cream pie right in his face"

I love birthdays... You get a cake for every year that you're alive. When I see a new baby I'm like "Yes! Please survive. I like chocolate!"

Cakes are the only food we write on. It's always so encouraging.
"Happy Birthday Leo, Congratulations Dennis"
I feel like we're missing an opportunity - I'm talking about negative cakes.
"Surprise! You're adopted"
Cause that's when you want cake.

Game, set, match = Tennis
Set, match, run = Arson

I like video games but they're very violent. I want to design a video game in which you take care of all the people who've been shot in all the other games.
"Hey man what are you playing?"
"Super-Busy Hospital" "Please leave me alone. I'm performing surgery on a man who was shot in the head 57 times."

If somebody asks you the question "are you ticklish?" it doesn't mater whether you say yes or no, they’re going to touch you.
If they say "are you ticklish" and you don't want to be touched you have to say something like. "I have diarrhea, and yes, I'm very ticklish"

If I ever saw an amputee being hanged... I would just yell out letters...

(Thanks Demetri)

I Realize This May Sound Harsh, but...

2007-08-03T05:17:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to call myself a Christian.

Allow me to explain...

It's about the association of the term, not it's actual meaning. I mean that I see how we Christians act and it breaks my heart. I don't mean ones that smoke or drink or say naughty things... this is small by comparison.

But the ones who completely misrepresent who Jesus is and what He stood for.

I wish I didn't have a TV so I didn't have to see this crap.

(Yeah, yeah... "Just turn it off then Chris")

But the damage is done.
"In the name of Jesus!" is what the man in the infomercial says - over and over.
"In the name of Jesus, order this miracle spring water"
"In the name of Jesus, this woman's house was paid for!"
"In the name of Jesus, your finances will be taken care of!"
"In the name of Jesus, miracle money!"
Does he know who's name He's using?

It sickens me. I think I am quite literal about that too. I honestly feel sick to my stomach. All I can hear is Jesus saying...
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God."
His words echo in my sleepless heart...
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Since when did we decide that Jesus is part of a get-rich-quick scheme?
Since when did we decide that God's blessing is money and only money?

Paul said "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Did we forget that? Did we ever really believe and heed it?

I wonder if we actually believe in God when we act like this. The god of money, the god of the infomercial, the god of the Christian top 20, the god of the shopping mall, dare I say that the god of the United States is not the God that I've read about. This is not the God I want to serve.

This is not the Jesus that has saved my life.

We worry about hot-button issues. Who can marry who, who can we vote for? However, we forget that our hearts have become like stone - filled with greed and hate. That's what Christ has come to save us from.

I find it almost fitting that this "Christian" infomercial is right before another infomercial for (ahem) "Male enhancement"

(don't worry, the TV is off now-haha)

No wonder God calls us an "adulterous generation." He's not talking about cheating on each other. He's talking about us betraying Him for something that will only satisfy for a "one-night-fling"

He's talking to us Christians.

Lord help us.

I hope I haven't been too harsh or offensive. I think I'm blowing up inside about this and I just can't handle it anymore. I honestly don't think I'm mad. All I can feel is despair and pain over this.

Lord save us from ourselves...

Lilikoi is Sweet

2007-07-26T11:22:00.001-07:00

Really, I know that I talk about it a lot but it is true. Lilikoi is very sweet. However there is a slight bitter tang to it that can't really be described. The flavor swirls around your mouth enveloping all sorts of sensations that are unable to be described by any words you or I could come up with. You just have to take it all in and call it lilikoi.

Of course I am not here to talk about passion fruit or any of its products such as, sorbet, cake, or even juice for that matter. It is good though.

However good it may be…

I am here to talk about our time in Hawaii.

I write this on our second to last night. I do so only because the only opportunity to upload it will be tomorrow, Thursday, our last full day. Tonight is sort of surreal. Today may have been the most beautiful day out of the two weeks that we have called Hawaii home. We saw beautiful waters and creatures, scenic vistas of Maui and hillsides. We also once again saw the wonderful aloha of the people here. Our time here is coming to a close and it is very much like lilikoi. It is very sweet, but there is something that can't be described at work here. Whatever it is, it overwhelms you and moves you in ways that could not be crammed into any words you or I could come up with. You just have to take it all in and call it Hawaii.

Lord, bless it. Continue to be at work here.

Makapala, Kapa’au Town, & Kohala

2007-07-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

To me… right now… It's late.

Now those of you that know me know that 10:30 is usually not all that late for me.

Usually…

Right now though, I am seriously out of it. I can hardly move. Between dancing and singing with 30 kids for 3 hours and helping put in sub-floor in the hot sun, I am pooped and drained of anything once recognizable as energy.

Energy is a funny thing. One second you're going full bore and the next you hardly can stand.

Today was one of those days.

VBS is going great. As I mentioned earlier, there are about 30 kids coming to VBS at the Makapala Retreat Center which is across the street from our job site and Kohala Baptist Church. The kids are full of energy and are quite entertaining most of the time. I am in charge of the music rotations this week and we have already learned 3 songs. Tomorrow is "The ABC Strategy". It should be pretty cute as far as kids songs go. I am fully prepared to have these songs stuck in my head for the next year or so. All of that means that I will have to do VBS next year to get more songs stuck in my head to push the old ones out.

Our building has slowed. Unfortunately, we aren't going to be able to put up the walls this trip. Well we could build them but all that would happen is that they would twist and warp in the wind and rain. So for now, we have to clean it all up and finish putting primer on the wood so it won't get damaged before the next team comes. It's kind of a bummer but that's the way it goes sometimes. Ok, I am falling asleep. Goodnight

Aloha a hui hou!

Hilo, Laupahoehoe, Kilauea, Kona, & the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau

2007-07-24T11:34:00.001-07:00

Well, the last few days were a fairly good, albeit wet time. After our breakfast of Malasadas and Manapuas, we spent Saturday traveling around the island on the tail end of a storm. Cosme left us many streams and waterfalls to look at that were bulging with rainwater. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see many of the scenic vistas because of all of the fog in the way. We stopped and saw some waterfalls and then I tried to get myself washed out to sea at Laupahoehoe (Law-Pah-Hoy-Hoy) Point. The waves were marvelous there as they broke across the rocks (and almost me). We then went to Hilo where we had a good lunch that stuffed us quite well. After lunch, and an excruciatingly long amount of time listening to K-Love while in the parking lot of W'al'-M'ar't and Hilo Hattie's we finally were on our way to the volcano. We actually saw an eruption that swept away a few homes from the hill below us…

Just kidding…

Actually, the lava at the volcano has stopped flowing to the ocean since June. Now, after a series of earthquakes referred to as "Episode 56" the lava has begun to build up in a place called the Pu'u O'o crater. That's pretty cool if you ask me. However, it is kind of boring as far as a hike is concerned seeing s all of the trails into that area are closed due to "activity". It was pretty fun walking to the end of the dark, scary lava tube though. We found a dyslexic dragon named Dagron in there. Not to mention the fact that we all made shadow puppets with our flashlights… Ok, it was just me. It seriously rains inside of the lava tube because of all of the water dripping through the earth. Oh yeah, there are huge puddles that must be crossed inside the tube… wet describes it to a "t".

We had a good dinner at Ken's House of Pancakes. Matt had a Sumo Burger. He ate the whole thing plus the onion rings. SUMO!!! I just don't get it. I could hardly finish it when I was here last time.

Sunday.

Sunday was a good time too. We went to church where a pastor from Waikoloa spoke. Then the church ohana (family) in Waimea made us lots and lots of 'ono kine' grinds. It consisted mostly of rice and pork, both foods that broke tha' mouth. There was some sushi stuff and then this layered sort-of Jell-O thing which was 'ono. Then we went to Kailua-Kona where we went to the International Marketplace where there was a lot of stuff to buy that was mostly for malehinis which made me happy that I have no cash. We then traveled downtown so some of us could shop… some more. After that we went to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or the Place of Refuge. As soon as we got out of the car we were soaked. It was raining like crazy but with Hoku and her sister Kamele as our tour guides, we were fine. It was actually a surreal sort of place where the King used to live and where warriors would go if they were defeated or broke the kapu, the law proscribed by the king. It's neat. I approve of it. Apparently there was a sea turtle laying its eggs on the beach there. Missed it though.

The trip home was restful and we arrived to a wonderful sunset at Waimea. Leftovers for dinner and then sleep.

Good weekend. Good times.

Aloha a hui hou kakou!

Goodbye until we see each other again!

Waimea, Hawaii

2007-07-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

…is hot and sticky.

Ugh.

We just finished our first day of VBS in Kawaihae. (Ka-why-huh-i) We had it outside in a park overlooking the harbor and the Pacific Ocean. If it had been clear we may have been able to see Maui. It rained throughout most of the day however we had canopies and tarps to save us and the kids that attended from drowning. We had music and videos and snacks and all the other typical VBS stuff. Well, mostly typical. During a song, while the kids were dancing around, a few beetles decided to crash the party and scamper across the mat beneath us. Immediately the song transformed into an all out beetle bash. It was great.

As for us, we are here and well. It gets harder and harder to breathe though. The humidity envelops your lungs and begins choking you the moment you stop moving. If the breeze is blowing slightly it seems ok. But the breeze is not very reliable and it leaves you alone for long periods of time so that you'd wish that you had a fan or something to move the air around.

However, I like it.

Hawaii is beautiful even if you can't see much of it. Every so often the fog breaks and you are reminded that the beauty was there all along. You just need to be patient and look for it.

But that is not the beauty I love. You can keep it (at least for a little while, I still like the sunset).

I am growing to love the beauty of the people that give up their time to feed us lunch in a park. I am growing to love the kids that realize they are beautiful enough to make a random group of Californians, Oregonians, Nevadans, and Hawaiians travel far away from home and family simply so they will have a chance to grow closer to the God that has a love for them that far exceeds any attempts at love that we could bring. I am growing to love the woman in the airport that wishes me well simply for taking the time to talk to her while waiting around a busy baggage claim.

This world is beautiful even if you can't see the beauty sometimes. Every so often the fog breaks and you are reminded that the beauty was there all along. You just need to be patient and look for it.

The kids doing crafts, Kawaihae, HI.

We are home now. We just returned from meeting the rest of the team (a total of 28 people)living in Kapa'au for the week. Now around me people are sleeping, or at least getting there. We have a somewhat long say ahead of us and a bigger group to work with. So, with that said… goodnight and aloha.

-Chris

A Lilikoi Story

2007-07-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

One day, a boy went to Hawaii. He returned home but missed something special. Lilikoi.

People from the mainland call it "passion fruit" however; those in the know call it by something far better… lilikoi.

Lilikoi is perhaps one of the greatest fruits ever created.

One day the boy returned to Hawaii and went on the hunt for lilikoi.

This is his story.

He bought the lilikoi. Found in this instance as a juice.

He stared at it.

He awaited its fresh aroma.

Closer…

At last!!!

Yes… bliss…

Huh?

Eh! No… NO!!!

(sniffle) no more lilikoi!

Ha-ha!

And they all lived happily ever after.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Don’t Look Down

2007-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Actually, I can't unless you count looking down at the floor. I am in an aisle seat. I usually don't mind unless the stewardess keeps numbing your elbow with the beverage cart. Oh, wait. OUCH!

Haha. It only hurts a little.

We're about an hour into our flight as I type this and the fact that we're going Hawaii for two weeks hasn't really sunken in yet. At least for me. It feels like a trip to SYC or something even though we're high above the water. We already met the rest of the team in the terminal while we waited for our plane to arrive. They all seem like really nice people who're excited to be going as well. Rebecca commented that it actually feels like we're going to Hawaii upon seeing her name under "HILO" on her baggage claim ticket as we trudged through the security line.

I can't wait…

Crraaammped..

Standing and Waiting

2007-07-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in the Oakland Airport. It is just a little after 4pm and our plane is running late. Hopefully it will come soon so that I won't buy some silly, over-priced snack here in the terminal…

Nope… too late… pizza it is.

Off We Go Again "Aloha!"

2007-07-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

I am tired...

Why?

Cause in a matter of hours I need to get in a van.

That van will take me to Oakland.

Once there, I will go to the airport and get on a plane.

That plane... will take me to Hilo.

Then, in Hilo, I will get off of the plane and into another van.

That van will take me to Waimea.

In Waimea... I will sleep.

Then Monday, I will get up again.

By the way... I am still packing. crazy eh?

I'll check in soon with an update.

Hope everyone is well.

Jesus Junk?

2007-07-07T15:24:00.001-07:00

I found this online earlier.

I find it to be quite an interesting commentary on the dichotomy of our faith and consumerism.

In other words, money and God, do they mix? I wonder if we've given ourselves a reason to answer "no".

Let me know what you think. Am I being too cynical and picky? Or, is this a good cause for concern?

Oh, and the music isn't completely -ahem- "clean". (Just don't go blaring the speakers and you'll be alright kids)

(Dichotomy is your word of the day. yay)

An Announcment

2007-05-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I thought now was the time to make this public. No, I am not leaving the ministry or anything like that. Here is part of a letter I typed up explaining what is going on.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. For almost seven years, our Thursday nights here at Magalia Pines Baptist Church have always been youth group night. Throughout those years, we have seen our share of ups and downs both in attendance and in spirit. However, recently in our history, it seems that Thursday nights have lost any sort of direction and purpose. This decline, along with a lack of personnel to make this event successful, has presented me with the difficult decision of putting our Thursday night meetings on hiatus. This break is only temporary. Hopefully, within in a few months we will once more be able to make Thursday nights a home to our youth ministry. We will still continue all of our other activities including our Jr. High groups on Wednesdays, our High School small group on Friday nights, and our normal Sunday events. For now though, Thursday night youth group is canceled indefinitely. If you have and needs or questions about this please call me.

Again, this break is only temporary. To be quite honest, I take no pleasure in my decision but some changes definitely need to take place. If anyone has any questions, comments, needs, or concerns please do not hesitate to call or send a message to me. I am always available to pray for something and to talk if need be.

Thank you. My prayer is that God's will be sought and glorified throughout all of this. Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

-Chris

Gravity

2006-12-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

So I looked out the window and decided to write something.
Tell me what you think... and what you think it's about.

I may just end up telling you. :P

_________________________

I feel the weight pulling down.
I am constantly being added to.
heavier and heavier
I am unable to float any longer
The burden of growing is too much to bear

Now I fall
hurtling
down
down
faster and faster

gaining speed
I am blown by the cold wind
left and right
faster and faster

I see where my destiny lies
I see the end of my travels
My path is set.
and with a crash my journey is over

I feel the weight pulling down
I am constantly being added to
until the warmth comes and it begins again.

Mouth

2006-12-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Check out Mouth!
Trust me... you'll like it.

-Chris

A Public Service Announcement

2006-12-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

Poopies... a plague among us.

(this was done by my good friends Ben and Chris, go to Ben's YouTube site for more good stuff)

http://www.youtube.com/user/zombieseatguts

UPDATE: On Being Purple In the Church

2006-12-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

Amid the controversy, Kay Warren (Rick's wife) sat down with Newsweek for an interview about AIDS and the role Christians can take in fighting the epedemic.

Read the article here.
(it only takes a few minutes)

A quote:
"I had to start from scratch and educate myself. I started going to medical conferences and was quickly overwhelmed by its size and scope. I went to one at UCLA, and a woman approached and asked me who I was. I told her I'm a pastor's wife, and she said, "Well hallelujah, the church is finally here." -Newsweek

On Being Purple In the Church

2006-12-02T05:06:00.000-08:00

I usually don’t care enough to be political.

I usually watch the news and keep to myself.

I usually either get angry or disgusted or just thick skinned.

Something this week happened that made me smile. Something gave me some brand of hope. But then this hope was dashed by something that unfortunately is all too common and expected.

No one will argue (I hope) that Christians are supposed to leave this world better than they came into it. We all have our different ways of going about it but hopefully somehow we reach out to other people’s lives and inspire some sort of hope.

Problem is, we are human.

We like to think that we are a positive influence on our surroundings but time after time our actions are actually detrimental to others. Now you may think I am speaking in obscurities and over-generalized terms, but I challenge you to think of a time where either you have been hurt by a Christian who instead of helping you just gave you the lecture about how you needed to straighten up and fly right. Or worse even, when have you as a Christian failed to reach out and instead hurt another. I speak in this general sense because I don’t want you to think specifically. Although I am bringing up a specific topic, I challenge you to apply this to yourself. I ask you to look past what you see wrong in others and internally search. To ask if there is any wicked way in our heart.

In the past few days a popular pastor has been criticized and put on the defensive by some fellow Christians who do not think he is acting as pastor should. Rick Warren, the author of the ever-popular Purpose-Driven Life, has come under fire by conservative (Christian) special-interest groups because one of the 60 people he invited to speak may not necessarily be cohesive in more conservative beliefs about difficult issues.

Pastor Warren invited the democratic senator Barack Obama to speak at a recent Global Summit on AIDS and the Church at the Saddleback Mega-church in Lake Forest, California. Many groups and conservative leaders have criticized Warren because of Obama’s views on abortion. Obama is a self-proclaimed pro-choicer and many evangelical leaders have a hard time swallowing that and an even tougher time with the fact that Warren would have the audacity to have him speak from a pulpit.

Please bear in mind that I am very opposed to politicizing any pulpit message and passing it off as some sort of pseudo-gospel, and to do so is not scriptural whatsoever and in my mind undermines and soils the gospel of Christ. Here is the difference in this situation: What Warren is trying to do is not become some sort of flaky teacher more concerned with patting you on the back than exhorting you to a change of life. Instead he is being bold and using the influence and power he has been blessed with to reach out to others. He is giving his church (and other Christians) the rare opportunity to go beyond our church-lives and actually do something to help the rest of humanity. All over the world, AIDS is a serious epidemic that countless lives are lost every day to. We have a duty to show Christian love to the people who suffer and the ones who help the suffering. We are called to be a light to the world that points to Christ by our actions, not our politics. If we are ever going to make a difference we need to stop thinking in red and blue and start thinking in terms of humanity.

Rick Warren, by the way, is not being timid about his beliefs in this. He has been very outspoken about his clear-cut opposition to Obama’s stance on these other issues and it is this opposition that makes this situation so meaningful. It shows that we can relate to others in a way that is deeper than asking leading questions in hope that eventually we can tell someone about the gospel. Instead, we are automatically able to show them the gospel and hope that is Christ by simply living our lives. It is this clenching of our faith and values in one hand, and the reaching out desperately with the other that causes change in the lives of others. It is grasping out for the drowning hand of another in any way we can while holding just as tightly to the only thing that keeps us afloat with our other hand. We do not need to sell out our beliefs just to be relevant to the rest of the world and our culture.

Which is more beneficial, inviting a sinner to church, or condemning the one who invites them? The body of Christ is made up of sinners, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and fools who have instead of being pulled under by our own selfishness, have been broken and restored by a God who reaches beyond politics, beyond borders, and beyond our own foolishness to bring us back to a peace with Him. I hope and pray that you and I can be the person who reaches out. One who goes beyond our safe buildings and Christian friends, and actually touches the heart of another with God’s hope.

Perhaps this is a new beginning or perhaps it is nothing at all, I am not the one to decide.

2006-10-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

I find it interesting that when around certain circles (usually older ones) saying the word "blog" can be fun. I usually get strange looks because apparently, "blog" sounds like a dirty word. I am not sure if this is true but it still lends itself to fun regardless. So you see, blogging can be fun despite the fact that no one around you knows what the heck it means. Even now Microsoft Word says that the word “blog” does not exist. That being stated, I have come to the conclusion that I should blog more frequently and not just in the "I-thought-this-was-funny-so-you-should-think-it's-funny-too" sense. I do this not because I am any more brilliant than the next fellow, nor that I have something to say that has not been said already. No, I suppose the real reason is so I have a place to organize my thoughts and aspirations. It might, could be that my thoughts could seem a bit scattered about now and that my brain needs an outlet through my fingers, onto the screen, through my eyes, and into my heart.

I must admit however, I am doing this for my own good. Selfish as that may be at least it's the truth. I do ask that you join me as a companion on this awkward road of self-discovery. I can always use someone to talk to. Someone to share joy and sorrow with. Someone to tell me I'm wrong and to tell me it's ok. I hope to use this road as a way to shed light on who I am and who I have become. I hope to use it as a way to become who I am in my Creator who beckons me wholly to be holy.

Last but not least... I spend way to much time awake late at night doing nothing.

Hopefully this will change that.

-Chris

(for all you nay-sayers who say that I blog to much… b-b-b-baby you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet)

Don Rabbit Part 1

2006-10-10T03:41:00.000-07:00

I have been reading "Blue Like Jazz" recently and there is a lovely little story within a story in it.

I will share it with you in the next few days here.

Here is part one in our little saga.

(you may have to click to see the image in it's normal size)

We shall continue our saga... tomorrow.

An Open Letter to A Friend - Lessons in Honesty

2006-10-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

So I think previously I have stated that I want to be a bit more honest and forward with my writing. I suppose this is a way of confronting myself with myself and dealing with things that I like or that I don't really care for. I have just begun corresponding with a good friend who is not a Christian about Christianity in general. In this letter I respond to my friend who is feeling a bit irked at a Christian arguing about something yet not really have followed their own advice I would surmise. I have decided to publish this letter because I think it bears repeating to more than just a closed audience of two. Take heed that names have been changed to protect the innocent and that I really pull no punches. Feel free to comment if you like but I really don't care if you do or not. This is more for me anyway. Sorry 'bout that

-In Him

Chris

____________________________

Well, to begin. I understand where you are coming from. I am well aware of the fact that the group that I happen to cast my lot with has a tendency to be a bit judgmental / hypocritical / overbearing / overzealous / crazy / ...well you get the general idea. I am also well aware that when a Christian decides to argue with a non-Christian, usually things like humility, empathy, and sanity to say the least tend to fly out the window. Instead they will tense up and going into full-defense mode. Somehow I think it's cause we start thinking we are arguing God's argument and that if we lose, we somehow failed some great mission. The problem is, the idea of someone trying to argue for God would be like an ant trying to explain the finer points of my day to day actions. We as humans are selfish and fallible even when we are trying to be spiritual.

In your friend's defense, the biblical point of view does say in many places (if you really want I can get the verses but for now it's early am) that sex before marriage is a bad thing. Although, in my personal opinion, this is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. I mean that "fornication" (pre-marital sex as it is commonly called) is just another "sin." Not to take away from it's importance, but it would seem to me that in many cases, an act that God would ask us not to do is not because He is trying to ruin our fun, but is rather trying to protect us regardless of what it is. (murder, stealing, copyright infringement) It is more like a parent telling their child to not run in the parking lot. What I mean by that is that He knew that one day some tweaker in Butt-City would one day have sex with a fellow tweaker, get pregnant, go on welfare, and then begin the long process of raising the next president of cell-block A. All the while not caring at all how their own actions effect others let alone their own offspring.

Now obviously you know my history and know for a fact that a) I have definitely done the Do and b) this is not the only transgression ever to have graced the pages of the Ho-Ho history book. So I am probably not the best role-model in this particular discussion. What I can tell you is that while I was gallivanting about with said women, my once healthy relationship with God soon wore away. The problem there that while this was fun and almost free-feeling, I soon discovered that it wasn't. eventually the excitement wore away and I realized exactly what I was doing and risking and there I was, without anything whatsoever i could call positive and meaningful in my life. One mistake away from being the proud father to your local dealer. My actions were getting in the way of who I was being called to be.

Now of course I would like to say this was a turning point in my short life but it wasn't. I am one of those slow learners that needs to be hit on the head over and over again before i realize someone is even talking to me. So began the arduous process of becoming who I am today. Now, granted, that's not much and there is PLENTY of room for improvement but I can also say I am happy (just, not content) with who I am.

You happen to be asking me to correspond at the same time that I am sort of going through one of those epiphany moments that happens so infrequently in ones life. So forgive me if I get to be a bit airy in my dialog. I am trying to formulate words where there really weren't words before.

As far as your friend goes, no they should not be persecuting you in such a manner. Honestly though, I think when I was a "young Christian" I may have done the same. We as a faith seem to be a bit out of touch with the rest of the world and humanity for that matter. Instead of being followers of Christ we have turned into His salesmen. The problem is that half the time, we act like we don't even believe in the product we are selling. Instead of loving the world we try to separate ourselves from it all the while trying to act like we're "just like you" and can listen to cool bands and buy stupid crap just as well if not better. (see my blog about the stupid pajamas)

I often wonder how the world would view us if instead of acting like idiots with an agenda/product, we just genuinely cared and loved people regardless of who they were or what political party they belonged to. Maybe we wouldn't look so insane to everyone.

I think I have gotten a bit off topic but I think it's OK for now. I think this was stuff I needed to get off my chest to someone who wasn't in my church bubble but would still listen with an open mind. What I am trying to say I suppose is that I am sorry. Sorry for misrepresenting who Christ is. Sorry for George Bush and his so-called faith. Sorry for big-haired preachers telling you to send us your money so they could buy another jet. Sorry for the Crusades, sorry for horny and perverted priests, sorry for friends who turn their nose up to you because they think they are better than you. Sorry for it all.

What a way to start huh?

Hope this helps.

-Chris

Actually, It's a Great Idea!

2006-10-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

I for an I

2006-10-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through;
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, reassurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin;
I talk of love-a scholar's parrot may talk Greek-
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.

-C.S. Lewis

melodic resolve

2006-09-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Add my band on myspace, click the pic.

STOLEN MATERIAL!!!

2006-09-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

I stole this from my friend Adam Adams (yes it's his real name). I urge you to see Equilibrium to understand the context. Once you have my friends, you will know once and for all... that computers suck.

(CLICK THE TITLE FOR THE WIKI LINK)

_____________________________________________________________

I call you, Librians...

It should be noted that all things spelled "Prozium" will be bold and red.
Also, all things loaded with "cool factor" will be blue.

I write this with but one purpose. One truth drives me. That is this: All should rename their computer. All compulsions to replicate the names of significant individuals, family members, glib phrases or musings should be suppressed. All names should die, for the substitution of another.

"Prozium"

"Prozium" is the medication all Librians took to suppress feeling or sense. Not taking "Prozium" would mead certain "processing" (also known as death by burnanation). Feeling anything is known as "sense crime," which we know with much certainty is bad.

While clever, this particular name is not witty. I beleive this drawback is outweighed by something I'd like to call "cool factor." "Cool factor" is something acquired when you recieve the opportunity to utter something that Sean Bean "Errol" or Christian Bale "Senior Grammaton John Preston" would.

For instance, with your computer named "Prozium," you could correctly say "It's time for my dose," or, if someone attempts to force computer usage on you, you could say, "But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

Or by taking on the role of the father, you may daftly utter "Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great."

Also worth mention, and perhaps the coolest thing ever, is that with a computer named "Prozium," you may call yourself a Grammaton Cleric of the Tetragrammaton.

Thank you.

so?

2006-09-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Does anyone read this? Is there a point to my blog? Or am I wasting my time? Please let me know.

Amid Smoke, Steam, and Grinding of Gears...

2006-09-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

...I have been thinking.

Since I just so happen to be a "worship leader" I was thinking to myself.

"Hmm... I wonder... when do I have to get up tomorrow? Why did I eat those Doritos? What AM I doing up so late? What..."

Well you get the idea. But among this torrent of cerebral firings I have also began to wonder if I, as a "worship leader" (I am putting quotation marks around it because it is part of the issue in question) should speak upon the subject of which my title refers to. But first, as if there were to be a last on the topic, I would like to know what YOU have to say on this subject.

What is worship? What is praise?

Keep in mind that these are asked in the vein of thought that they are each two separate entities. Say as little or as much as you want. You can leave comments, send me an e-mail, call me, Send it FedEx, or even send me a Myspace message. Whichever method you prefer to convey your ideas, either public or surreptitiously, extensive or short, please do so in a somewhat timely manner. I realize that this is a silly thought, to ask you the reader to "turn your homework in on time" or to even comment at all but I genuinely want to know what you think. Moreover, I would like to write on this topic soon and would like to have your input while I do so.

So there we are... well... I suppose we are somewhere anyway.

Répondez s'il vous plaît.

-Chris

a beautiful collision

2006-08-07T01:43:00.001-07:00

The heart breaking makes a sound
I never knew could be
So beautiful and loud
Fury filled and we collide

So courageous until now
Fumbling and scared
So afraid You'll find me out,
Alone here with my doubt

Here it comes, a beautiful collision
Is happening now.
There seems no end to where You begin and there I am now
You and I collide

Something circling inside,
Spaciously you fly
Infinite and wide,
Like the moon and sky
Collide

woah

2006-08-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

It's coming soon

If This Won't Tick Someone Off...

2006-07-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

OK, ok... I DID NOT write this. This was written by Mark Oestreicher, the head of Youth Specialties. Please, PLEASE, read it to the end. (The thing is, once you read the beginning, you won't want to stop.) To be quite honest, much of this contains the same sentiments I have, just, not exactly in the way I would put it. Ok, then when you are done... comment away.

By the way, if any of this interests you, go to Marko's blog here.

Yes, it's long. Get over it.

____________________________________________________

awkward similarities

Sunday July 16th 2006, 9:42 pm
Filed under: church, thinking...

so. i know this post is going to come off as way-inflamatory. really, thats not my intention. im extremly hesitant to post these thoughts because i fear they will:
a. incite a vicious plethora of responses to me and about me, which i really dont feel like wading through, and/or
b. be quickly and easily misunderstood as the liberal rantings of one of those emergent types.

but i visited the united states holocaust museum recently in washington, dc. id not been before, and had heard so much about it. it was really great, though my feet were dog-tired by the end and i was a bit whiney.

heres the thought that kept jumping in front of me, even when i tried, repeatedly, to dodge it: there are so many awkward similarities between the nazi partys tactics and the christian religious rights tactics in current-day america.

now, let me stop right there and make some important disclaimers:
1. im not saying the religious right ARE nazis.
2. im not equating all conservative christians with the religious right. frankly, until very, very recently, i still considered myself a conservative christian (and im darn close to it still, in many areas id now likely consider myself a moderate evangelical); but ive never seen myself as a part of the religious right. there are tens or hundreds of thousands if not millions of conservative christians who should not be unfairly labled as part of the religious right.
3. im not referring to racial cleansing or hatred. the only comparisons im going to refer to are tactical.
4. im was not intending to post this in such close proximity to the discussion about isreal and lebanon. id been planning this post for a week and a half, since having these thoughts in the holocaust museum. while there may be some connections, thats not my intent.

the holocaust museum is divided into five levels the basement being a cafe and such, and the main floor being a lobby, special exhibit and bookstore. visitors begin the actual tour on the top floor, and work their way back down. the top floor is the rise of the nazi party, the 3rd floor is mostly about the concentration camps and the final solution, and the 2nd floor moves into the final days and liberation from the camps. im bothering to explain this because this nagging comparison kept coming to my mind ONLY in the top floor the rise to power.

here are a handful of things i noticed:

1. fear is a tool.
i was intrigued, learning about the rise of the nazi party in germany while they were still considered the minority, the fringe wackos how they used fear to both mobilize people and win people over to their agenda. they systematized the cultivation of fear, rather brilliantly, if one can use a word like that. as i was reading and experiencing this in the museum, i was bowled over by the similarities to much of what is happening in the american church right now. the constant use of war imagery (were in a battle for a generation or we are on the brink of being the last christian generation in america) and fear-based tactics are the dominant themes in much of the fundraising and publishing released into the (american) christian world these days. its not helpful. it seems to me, the only time jesus really talked about being fearful of the influence of those people was when he talked about religious leaders.

2. popular culture is bad, and threatening our way of life.
this is a varient on #1, really. but it was a massive message of the nazi party prior to their rise to power. they condemned other germans at this point (which became something of a moot point, and a message they stopped using, once they rose to power). the early nazi party spent much of their communication coin on pointing out (from their perspective) how their own country had become infiltrated with abborhant behavior and thinking, and that popular expressions in culture were threatening to extinguish the only things that were truly good about germans (and other aryans). this oppositional approach to culture is being consistently laid out by the marketers and fundraisers of the religious right in american also. what struck me (when thinking about this in the museum) was how selfish it is. even if our way of life is being threatened (which i dont believe), the jesus-approach would be to be missional into culture, not to spend all our effort drawing lines of demarcation, and retreating from culture. some might say that the religious rights engagement in politics is missional, or at least, an effort to engage culture. but i dont buy this when the effort is fueled by a desire that is ultimately self-serving.

3. people who dont believe like us are ruining our country, and threatening our way of life
again, this is a variant on #1 and #2. but it moves beyond culture as an amorphous disembodied thing and toward a personal level. this was the primary message of the nazi party to other germans in their early years. hitlers speaches were peppered with this language, as were the collateral materials printed by the nazi party. in our own setting, this connects with the (wrong-headed) notion that american is a christian country, and should be preserved as such in order to protect our way of life (which, at the end of the day, means my way of life). i realize its a bit cliche to mention this, but real christianity (real, passionate, following of jesus christ) has never flourished in a christian country. jesus never encourages us to become the dominant thought-power or political leader, and certainly doesnt encourage us to expunge those we dont agree with from our midst.

4. shows of strength provide courage where courage is lacking.
when the then-young nazi party realized that the majority of germans thought they were an odd fringe group, they were proactive in showing their growing strength, though marches and rallies. this show of strength brought a sense of movement, and brought courage to those who were waffling. the nazi ranks grew exponentially during this period. there was almost a sense that if that many people are part of this, it cant be competely wrong in fact, maybe its right. our rallies on the steps of governmental steps and our million-man marches may have the same apparently-positive affect of fostering courage. but its not the route to courage given to us by the bible, or by jesus. those approaches are more acts of zeolotry than acts of passion for jesus (see scot mcknights fascinating multi-part posting on zeolotry). courage biblical courage is not something we drum up in ourselves. gaining courage to have a full heart (from the french and latin roots of the word) is a contrite and humble process of asking god to fill our hearts, asking god to be our source of courage.

5. the primary task becomes about defining whos in and whos out by whether or not they exist in our boundaried set of beliefs.
the early nazi party (again, this became somewhat of a moot point after their rise to power) were brilliant at systematizing detailed descriptions of who was in and who was out. they developed detailed charts of family trees and partial acceptability, based on heredity. they developed photographic charts that proved the undesireable outs based on size of nose and forehead, among other things. of course, theres nothing quite so blatant in our context. were much more subtle about it - more sophisticated. we write books about why we cant have fellowship with other christians because they dont believe exactly as we do. we spend inordinate amounts of time and effort refining and clarifying and arguing our propositional statements of belief, and communicate that it would be wrong to associate with others until you completely know and completely agree with their statement of belief. we spend more of our time and effort (in the american religious right) explaining who and what we are not, clarifying why were more right and pure then them. and weve become obsessed with boundary marking, rather than stacking hands on core essentials.

and a parallel in governments response to both groups:

6. keep them close, give them some power, in order to control them.
this was so interesting to me. i hadnt been aware of the final steps in hitlers rise to power, and had never quite understood how he (and the nazi party) got to complete power. for the few who, like i was, are unaware of these final steps: the moderate president of germany thought hitler was a nut, and thought the nazi platform was misguided. but his advisors encouraged him along the lines of the old adage keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. the president decided it would be easier to control hitler by giving him a position of partial-power. so he appointed him chancellor of germany, a somewhat ill-defined role that was a bit more ceremonial than not. but this was a huge miscalculation of how much power hitler and the nazi party had already garnered. within months (weeks?) of hitlers appointment as chancellor, those in parliament (or whatever it was called) from the nazi party had taken over power of the real government. they quickly moved to outlaw all other policital parties. and in a shockingly short span of time moved germany to a totalitarian state. parallels to our context? well, there are certainly many christians in america (myself included) who are surprised by the clout of the religious right. much of their power in controlling the republican party is based on an assumption (right or wrong id like to think its wrong, but im not sure) that they have the ability to control a significant-enough segment of the american voters to control those who are elected. so one of our only two feasible political parties has been co-opted by keep them close thinking. i think this is highly dangerous for all of us including for the religious right. there is no example in history (that im aware of) where a religiously uniform group dominating the political scene of a country has been a good thing for the country, or for the very people who aspouse the views of the religiously uniform group.

so. this observational rant has gone on long enough. i havent been very helpful in suggesting alternatives, i admit. these are merely thoughts that came to me when touring a museum.

To add, Marko later said this...

i know i kind of already said this, but i want to say it again, based on some of the wonderful comments here:
i am NOT slamming conservative christians. i still consider myself a moderate evangelical. and i highly value my deep freindships with many very conservative christians. i value their passion and commitment. my post is not about conservative christians. its a cautionary observation about political tactics.

Comment by marko 07.17.06 @ 12:57 am

__________________________________________________

(Note: Sorry guys, when I copy and paste stuff into blogger, it gets rid of stuff like commas, apostrophes, well you get the idea... oh well, move on and comment. -Chris)

Camp and the Triumphant Return

2006-07-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

I am back from a week playing music at youth camp. I got back yesterday around 4 and then went to back to work last night so needless to say I am POOOOOPED.

But besides the poopiness (is that the proper way to spell that?) the past week was amazing. I led worship every night and a little bit each morning with Brock, Josh, Mike, Tim, and even Lew for one of the nights. Eventually my voice completely died and I now have vocal cords that are nothing but raw flesh (yay) but I wouldn't have it any other way. My fingers burned from playing guitar for an invitation that did not stop for what seemed like 45 minutes. No, that does not bother me, it just means I need to practice more. God did some amazing stuff at that lake and hopefully I will be able to keep up.

In other news stuff is rapidly changing personally and I am fully ok with that. More and more each day I am feeling called to full-time ministry. Where? When? How? To who? All of these I have no answer to but I am fully ok with that as well. Aaaand on top of that there are some other things coming up on the radar. Whatever happens I think I'm coo' with it.

So, until next time kiddies... brush your teefs!

-HoHo

Well Then

2006-06-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

please pray for us during camp week.

So I have a question

2006-05-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

Does anyone actually read this stuff?

David Crowder*band

2006-05-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

What Goes Through a Worship Leaders Head

2006-04-26T02:07:00.000-07:00

No I am not back. I will never really be back. I have been taken in by the black hole that is myspace. Anyways, this was written by Eric Owyoung of Something Like Silas, worship band for FLOOD in San Diego. Just a glimpse into the strange mind of a worship leader. Feel free to comment and if you are a worship leader, feel free to add a few.

-Chris

What Goes Through A Worship Leader's Head
By Eric Owyoung of Something Like Silas

"Why does my stupid guitar keep going out of tune?"

"Man it's hot in here."

"Jesus, give me the right words."

"I hope I don't get something in my eye."

"We need to practice the chorus some more, we stink."

"That was a cool drum fill."

"My cable is wrapped around my leg."

"Lord, bless that girl crying in the front."

"I wonder if they're getting this song."

"I hope the band remembers how to do the transition into the next song."

"Shoot, what are the words to the next verse?!"

So does that sound like a divine experience? Or does that sound just a little too familiar? That's just a few of the thoughts out of the other million going through our heads. The difference between me though and a lot of other guilt ridden worship leaders is that I don't feel that those are wrong. In fact, I think they are exactly the things I should be thinking about! But aren't we supposed to be dwelling on the presence of God? Aren't we supposed to be having an intimate moment with Christ each time? Isn't that what being a worship leader is? I suppose then, I should just drop the guitar, tell the band to put all their instruments down, and lets all have our own worship experience. How lame would that be!!! We're not helping anybody draw near to God by doing that.

Lets start with this. Worship is more than a song, it is more than words. It is more about a lifestyle, the way we live, think, act, breathe. But when we describe a worship experience, we are referring to an intimate moment, a divine connection, a time in which we put aside all distractions and give our attention to God alone. I believe that my moment of worship does not happen on stage near as intentionally or intensely as it does when I worship him off stage. If I am saving my time with God for the moments on stage, I believe that I may be taking away from others intimate moments with God. For example, if I say "God, I want to have such an intimate time with you and I shouldn't disrupt it. Even though my E string is a complete half step off, I refuse to pay attention to it." Man what disaster it would be. I'd have the worshippers praying that worship would be over soon.

Leading worship is like being a teacher. The teacher learns and discovers outside of the classroom. When he come into the class room before the students, his lesson is prepared, he is ready to focus on his lesson plan, not to have any new discoveries. It is much like that in leading worship. The worship leader is required to take the time, to study over, to pray over, and most of all to worship before walking on stage. Those moments on stage require the worship leader to be thinking about what he doesn't want other to worry about. That's being a servant. It's saying, "Hey, come here and relax. Enjoy the presence of God. Come into this place and I'll tidy things up so you don't have to focus on anything but your God right now. My band and I am going to serve you so this can all happen."

I've found the spirit of God moves not because I'm leading the charge, but because the thousand worshippers in front of me are enabled to lead the charge without distraction. I'm just in the boiler room keeping the engine running. I may throw out a few cheers or challenges and stuff, but man the spirit of God is responding to the mass of followers that are seeking after him. That's when something amazing happens.

JM3

2006-03-30T01:53:00.000-08:00

Hey... I like this song.

The Return of the FatKid

2006-03-22T01:12:00.000-08:00

So, i am back to blogger. Sorry it's been so long. Life is good, but that is not the reason I am posting. I found something worthy of passing on to my friends.

I didn't write this. Kevin from Worship Generation done did. But, that is ok because it is worth a read. Besides, I would actually have to write something if I didn't just steal it. Ok, read and comment. Then, you can go to his page and subscribe to his blog so I don't have to do this anymore. (click the title)

http://www.myspace.com/keviningying

In His Grace

-HoHoJ

_______________________________________________________________

A Lot To Think About…

-Kevin MacDougall

The title of this blog is a cheesy joke. A pun. You'll see how and why as you continue to read. I apologize for this awful, awful joke.

I've been thinking about Lot - Abraham's nephew. Lot is famous for being rescued from Sodom and having a wife made of salt in the process… quite a legacy. His story is found in the middle of Genesis; he pops up in chapter 13 and then in chapter 19.

Generally, it's assumed that his association with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah stemmed from his own desire to live as a corrupted man of faith. We're told he lacked integrity and was loose morally – that he was "carnal," to use the churchy word. We hear things like, "Lot believed in God… but he didn't want to live his life for God." We also hear that his story is a cautionary tale, meant to illustrate the danger of "pitching tents" close to Sodom. Some would even say that Lot illustrates for us the danger of having friends who are not like we are.

But as I consider those things, they just seem off, especially in light of Jesus and the way He approached life. I realize that there are probably some assumptions being made about Lot, which turn into judgments. If it's possible we're missing the man, it's possible we're missing the message – in which case, our application of the text is off.

First things first - no matter how uncomfortable it makes some Christians, Jesus was a FRIEND of sinners. They had no problem with Him, and they enjoyed His company. He was an example of love and acceptance and did not play Morality Police until they couldn't stand him anymore. It's tough to reconcile that with a typical 'Christian' attitude we often see around us, where people who say they're following Jesus are always trying to avoid the world, and anyone in it whom they deem "sinners". It's a bomb-shelter existence they're aiming for… only the bomb isn't coming. They're just missing out on helping people to "taste and see that the Lord is good". They were made to be a POSITIVE influence ON the world, but they spend life incapacitated by the thought of the NEGATIVE influence OF the world.

"Bad company corrupts good character," they say… and yet THAT verse – in context – refers to people IN the church who sow dissent and bring disunity and un-love. "Do not love the world," they say, quoting 1 John… and yet the word "world" refers to the value systems of pride and selfishness that break this world in the first place, and are not limited to those outside of the church (or John's instruction would be frivolous). The original Greek for "world" is perfectly clear: it does not mean the "people" of the world, nor does it mean the "culture" of the world. In spite of this, many well-meaning (perhaps) Christians and even pastors will read a verse like this and, without any mention of its context or literal meaning, begin to warn against being amongst people who don't consider themselves Christians, or they'll begin to denounce "secular" film, music, etc… things which didn't even EXIST at the time of John's writing.

It's all very shallow, but I don't want to spend too much time getting into this aspect of the subject matter. Instead, let's just re-examine what we know of Lot.

The very first thing I remember is that the Bible says Lot was a RIGHTEOUS man. Righteous. And in the Bible, being righteous does not mean someone who prayed a "sinner's prayer" and then lived exactly the same as they had before. If Lot was the type of person that it's generally assumed he was, why would he get this distinction? The title "righteous" is given to one who believes in and trusts God and is then moved and transformed by the ongoing experience of that relationship. Peter tells us that Lot was a righteous man. He also tells us that Lot was troubled and pained by the lawlessness he saw around him. Where another assumption takes place is in deciding that his pain was the result of his own sin as a result of the influence around him. See, we could just as easily deduce that his pain came from being amidst so much brokenness and seeing so many lives hurting. It COULD be a pain of simple compassion.

Most of us know the story. God was judging Sodom and Gomorrah, because God knows hearts (unlike us), and God knew the people there would continue in their ways no matter what. Their ways were harmful to others. The cry that rose up because of them was great. They were murderous and completely given to their every whim and desire.

But Lot was saved from that judgment. He was ushered out in time. He wasn't hurt at all. His family was, but we don't fully know if they shared Lot's faith. And Lot was reluctant to go (about as reluctant as one could be), and yet he was saved from the destruction. I wonder, if his very choice to BE there with those people was so dangerous and such a warning to us… why did Lot emerge unharmed? His safety was never in question. His security was never in doubt. Where was the danger? To his wife or sons-in-law? We have no indication they were people of faith anyway.

If Lot was a righteous man, he was a man whose relationships were characterized by rightness.

Could it be that Lot was never meant to present to us the weak, gutless person of faith? Could it be that the point was never supposed to be that Lot didn't have any business in Sodom? I'm more convinced of this second question. Regardless of what happened to Lot there, I don't think anyone can make a strong case for him having no business in that place. And maybe, just maybe, Lot went there specifically to be an influence? Maybe he represents to us the person who just will not give up on people, even to the point of offering his daughters in place of the Lord's messengers (a very cultural-historical thing for him to do), and maybe he illustrates for us that our involvement with the most broken of society will never remove our security or remove us from the protection of God in His judgment. Maybe the tragedy of Lot's story is not that he lived in Sodom, but that in spite of the presence of a righteous man, no one was touched by his love or service to them?

Just maybe.

Think about it

GO HERE FOR DISCUSSION RELATED TO THIS BLOG: (if you are a myspace user)

Am I a Cog??

2006-02-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

So I have been thinking to myself. Not recently but for a while now... what is my purpose for being here. Now I know that this seems like a normal thing to think about but I don't think that I mean it in such a broad sense. Accounting for my mission from God, to be an example and a light of rescue, I am left still wondering. I seem to confuse myself on the specifics of the matter especially on the matter of money and financial situations. It seems that I have become sort of a money "machine," if you will. I seem to do stuff (i.e. work) and then when the check comes in, it goes back out in the form of bills, CD's, food (that's a big nay, huge one), clothes, and just well, stuff. I ask myself on numerous occasions "is this part of a healthy, Christian life?" Am I just performing a magic trick and turn my labor into something that I will undoubtedly grow tired of in a relatively short while?

Understand that I am not really trying to be some sort of weirdo that gets stuck on "consumerism," or whatever, I am simply trying to find what my part in this should really be. I am constantly performing a search of my motives for doing anything now. Not that I am worried or stressed about my "life" and "future" because I know that God has the outcome of it in His hands, but I am trying to dissect almost every aspect of my life. What am I blindly supporting buy just buying stuff? Am I really doing this Christian life thing the correct way? Or am I just an American that has the subtext of being a Christian?

Now before anyone has a fit about my use of America in a "bad sense," try and see where I am coming from. I am not anti anything... I think. What I am trying to say and ask is are the actions that I do dictated by the teachings of Christ, or by what feels good to this American society? The last time that I checked is that God is the God of people before he is the God of a nation. And yes I do realize that he is powerful enough to "build and break kingdoms" but He, at least to me, is the God of ME before anything else. Sorry if I sound selfish about that. I really don't mean to be. What I am saying is that to myself, the most powerful connection between God and us is the one between Him and I. There, satisfied? That is what I was trying to say.

So what am I letting get in-between that relationship? Why do I constantly turn away from the thing that is supposed to be the most natural thing for us, and devote my time to what I seem to have been almost brainwashed with? I am speaking of this homogenized life that almost all of us subscribe to as Americans.

Here is an example: I go work (and this will sound very odd to you all) I go to work at midnight and immediately after I clock in, I have "down-time." There really isn't anything to do workwise. So the first thing I do after making sure everything is ok is turn on the TV. Why? Why is it my natural reaction to having nothing to do is to do nothing? Why don't I read? Why don't I do my homework? One could argue that it has more to do with "being lazy" or having "poor time-management" but I believe it goes deeper. I don't think that this is what God intended us to be.

A quote: "human beings were not meant to sit in cubicles and stare at computer screens all day"
-Office Space

Now I realize that I am being sort of ironic because I am typing this on a computer but I think that this rings true. We have gone so far from what we were meant to be that we forget what it was. Kind of like the huge RV with a satellite dish and microwaves and whatnot going camping. What is the point? Might as well go to a hotel.

I don't know. Sorry that I made you read all of this and then have no conclusion. I really am bothered my this. I don't think that God made his creation so we could buy McDonald's and sit around all day playing Halo and listening to our IPods while sitting in the middle of His creation. Where is the life that He wants me to lead. Is it here, being who I am now? I don't really think so. Leave me a comment. Tell me what YOU think. A human interaction moved by spirit. Sorry if I sound like a ranting hippy, trust me... That is not the idea. Ok, I have to go to class now.

"we were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?" -Switchfoot

yeah I know, I know...

2006-01-27T05:42:00.000-08:00

Very soon, before you ask. Wait for the weekend.
For crying out loud, I've been sick and it's the first week of school!

If you want to talk to me more, go to my myspace.

-Chris

update (clever huh?)

2006-01-04T01:27:00.000-08:00

So yes I am home. No I don't have pics 'cause I don't know how to work flikr. I guess you can go search flickr for vivalehoho but I don' t know.

SYC was fun and I saw a lot of cool people that I don't see enough of. I miss so many people.

I am working graveyards monday through friday for a few weeks so I am a little off when it comes to sleep.

Anyways I am giving my very first sermon ever (in front of the whole church) on the 22nd.

So for those of you who only see me on here click on my myspace page and add me as your friend. HERE

Ok Hopefully I will have those pics soon, Much love and I'll talk to you soon.

-Chris

Yayah!!

2005-12-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will be going to the State Youth Conference in San Jose! It should be friggin sweet! When I return I will have 8 million pictures to post and I will post them all. Ok Drop me a line while I am gone. I hope you all had an awesome Christmas. Peas out!

-Chris

So...

2005-12-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

So anyways I was looking at my page and I realized that no one has commented me... at all for the entire month!! This makes me cry inside. You do realize that you all have ripped my heart out and lit it on fire right? Oh well. No one cares.

-Chris

(just kidding I really don't care if you comment or not it's just nice to hear from people.)

Why didn't anyone tell me?

2005-12-20T00:53:00.000-08:00

So have I been missing this for all these years? Since when does the FedEx truck have an arrow on the side? I never saw it before today. I was just sitting there and eating my Wendy's Classic Double Cheeseburger and I looked across the parking lot and saw this: I never got it till now!! Oh well, that's the big news in my life... Ok byebye!

-Chris

Therein Lies the Answer

2005-12-17T01:59:00.000-08:00

K so this is my disclaimer... I know that this sounds all depressing but read in between the lines and you'll see that it is actually an expression of hope. So uh yeah you don't have to get all worried or anything like that.
-Chris

I walk upon the leaves and cement

the air is as cold as the heart that beats inside me

I am fading like the lines on the road

Am I questioning, am I lacking?

I know the point of it all but what is the point of now?

Lights blur around this paper

places to go... people to see...

purposes at the heels of the beams

following the road ahead

I fill no footsteps though the path before me has been walked before

I stir no dust, I float above it all

I know that I am uncommitted

yet I know what lies behind the door before me

It is life, It is life with a future

it is life with a purpose and drive

Am I coping with my own indecision or just afraid of what I may become?

I don't want to age yet I feel strange in my youth,

I feel like a high school kid all over again, torn between two worlds

this is the point of it all

the point is to question

because if you don't you are never really sure and will float again

I am grounded in my questions

I am not blind and dumb

I believe because I ask, not because I am content

I am content not to know yet may die before I now the answer

I understand the point of that.

help me to understand my point now

I want to do more than ask questions,

I want to have faith

therein lies the answer

therein lies the question

Do Over

2005-12-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

(So I'll try to post this again)

I like Coldplay, I don't care what anybody says. This video reminds me of a dream that I had when I was a kid.

TROUBLE (Coldplay)

Guess What!

2005-12-03T00:29:00.000-08:00

I Got a FEVER... and the only prescription... is more COWBELL!!!!

Just Singin' in the Rain

2005-12-02T01:08:00.000-08:00

Ever just stood in the rain face up and started singing to God? No... Well I have, and I think that you should go and try it.

-Chris

By the way... you'll probably get soaked and look like a lunatic... I'm over it.

Deep Thought (like by Jack Handy)

2005-11-29T13:17:00.000-08:00

I think that we should make shirts that have facts that would be helpful to everybody printed on them, like "Honey Bunches of Oats get soggy really fast."

what else should they say?

So I Guess Baptists Really Can Rock

2005-11-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

Hmm... I find weird things at 2am... here is a really weird thing that I love. David Crowder... you know "oh Praise Him!!" that David Crowder, is the music pastor of University Baptist Church which is a Southern Baptist Church in Waco TX... I also find it funny that my church is a Southern Baptist church.... Does that mean I am allowed to rock out like David Crowder and get away with it... hmm...

WOO HOO!!!

2005-11-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

I'm engaged!!! She said yes she said yes she said yes!!! It all happened in Bodega Bay. I'll post more soon. WOO!! HOO!!

Come & Listen

2005-11-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

Ps 66:16-20

Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Come and Listen
David Crowder

Come and listen
come to the waters edge all you who know and fear the Lord
Come and listen come to the waters edge all You who are thirsty come

Let me tell you what He has done for me
Let me tell you what He has done for me
He has done for you, he has done for us

Come and listen come and listen to what He has done
Come and listen, come and listen to what He has done

Praise our God for He is good

He has done for me
He has done for you
He has done for us

This is FREAKIN' Great!!

2005-11-10T01:42:00.000-08:00

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Click HERE

(be warned-saying inappropriate things never was so cute.) Don't worry, it's not that bad.

-Chris

Praise Habit

2005-10-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading "PRAISE HABIT, Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi" by David Crowder. Just to express how much I love this book I will tell you that I bought it on Friday and finished it on Tuesday. (A small feat but quite uncanny for a non-reader such as myself) I encourage all to read it. I would explain more but I must go do my homework.

-Chris

www.davidcrowderband.com

myspace sucks

2005-10-23T03:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm lame and have a myspace account. Feel free to check it out. But don't fret little Johnny, Chris' home for his rants will always be vivalehoho.blogspot.com.

Much Love

-HoHo

Just Thinkin'

2005-10-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here picking out songs for Sunday morning ("hymns") and listening to (loudly) Number One Gun, and Thousand Foot Krutch. I realized that God is so cool. I am planning songs for a service with music that is hundreds of years old while listening to stuff that has the same passion for God yet only a few months old. I just love how all encompassing and transcendent God really is. I am friends with people that I wouldn't give the time of day to (vice-versa) because of their love for God and it is friggin' sweet. Ok, just a random thought. Peace

-Chris

If Paradise Only Had Elevators

2005-10-16T02:57:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I found these here and thought they were awesome!!! Also, check out the link. I confess I actually listen to my girlfriend's CD more than she does. What a friggin' loser! Doesn't the title of this post sound like some kind of emo band's album name?

How to Beat Elevator Boredom

1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.

2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.

3) Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.

4) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if
they know what floor your on.

5) Hold the doors open and say your waiting for a friend. After a while, let the doors close, and say, "Hi Gregg. How's your day been?"

6) Drop a pen and wait until someone goes to pick it up, then scream, "That's mine!"

7) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.

8) Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.

9) Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play.

10) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking.

11) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.

12) Ask, "Did you feel that?"

13) Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.

14) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay, don't panic, they open again!"

15) Swat at flies that don't exist.

16) Call out, "Group Hug!" and then enforce it.

17) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"

18) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"
19) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.

20) Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "Your one of THEM!" and back away slowly.

21) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the
other passengers.

22) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.

23) Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.

24) Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce, "I have new socks on".

-Later

Whoa!!

2005-10-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

I'm about to have 4000 hits. Pretty amazing for someone who never updates. I guess I'm just that danged awesome. Seriously don't you guys have anything better to do? C'mon!! Ok time to go do nothing whatsoever. Laters, I'll be back soon.

(yeah right)

-Chris

P.S. Does anyone have cool name ideas for a Sunday night young adult service? (ya' gotta have a wicked-boss name like everyone else... Jesus said so, somewhere in the book of Noah I think. j/k)
Please reply or e-mail 'em to me. Peace.

007

2005-10-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

I love being sneaky... don't ask why.
If you know... don't say why
It's fun...
I feel like a secret agent captain or something...
If you have no clue what I'm talking aboot... stay tuned

...shh...

...

wow... A whole month since I've posted... geez

Ahoy!

2005-09-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I'm just checking in. School is off to a BANG!!! ouch. I'm just trying to keep things in balance. I hope things are going well for you all. Anyhoo I'll check in soon. And don't forget to sign my guestmap.
-Chris

Our Own Burdens to Bear

2005-08-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are a few days until the Fall '05 semester and I just got a hardcore burden put on me. My church has a small but strong college group already and we do an awesome weekly bible study and have our own fun events.

Perhaps we should go back...

For a bit of a history lesson about a few months ago it was put on my heart to minister to others. To stop hiding behind a guitar or music stand and start to disciple myself and those with "a little less experience" than me, whatever that means. I have been struggling with just how to do that in a more specific sense.

So... here's the deal. Just the other day someone requested for us (my church) to begin some sort of an outreach for the unsaved and sort of a believers 101 for college age people like myself.

Seems like a no-brainer right?

Not really. You see, I already feel so over-committed and stretched between ministries and work and school and... everything! I don't know if God's will is for me to start something myself, to pray for something to come along, or to just not do anything. (I'm pretty sure it's not the last one)

Whatever it is please pray along with me. I need all the help I can get.

In other news:

- I put a "guestmap" in my linkbar. Please put a marker on it so I know if anyone actually reads this stuff : )
-Please pray for some people in my church who have lost loved ones.
-Pray for the new school year and students and the various outreaches going on
-I'm sure I forgot many things

Anyway, I hope you all are well. I will post again sooner than you think. Please feel free to post prayer requests and comments like always.

-Chris

Hmm... this is lame

2005-08-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

I really wish I could go to sleep right now. I was actually going to post "A Revolutionary Love Part 3" but I realized i left my bible at home for the first time in forever. So with that I'll tell you what I'm doing right now. I am sitting here going on my thirteenth hour at work wishing that I had my Bible so I could post again. Hehe. I hope all is well and I will return soon.

-HoHo

2005-08-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's Mandy!!! (my girlfriend) she's so cute.

The Love of God

2005-07-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

God loved you before you were even born. His arms were around you before you ever knew your mother's embrace. You are in His thoughts a thousand times over. He loves you from the heights and from the depths of His being, His love covers you today and clothes you today. You live in the atmosphere of His love and inhale it with every breath of your spirit.

-Roy Lessin

(p.s. check out the title link)

2005-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Chico Ca's own Number One Gun!!

Promises For the Imperfect

2005-07-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

As always I am your resident Number One Gun fan. I just picked up their new album (which is by the way their first big label release) and it is awesome. It's a perfect follow-up to Celebrate Mistakes. These rockin' Chico guys did it again. Check it out. Click the title or listen to the music here. I guess I'm not that good of a fan because apparently they were in town and I had no clue. Oh well life goes on.

'til later
-HoHoJ

WooHoo!!

2005-05-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, in 22 minutes I take the last final of the semester. WOOHOO!!!

HEY!!

2005-05-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Just a quick line to say the Number One Gun show was great. Oh yeah the ZeroHero/BigRedBox show was awesome too. Be back soon!!!

Number One Gun Show

2005-04-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

April, 30 2005
at The Space
2665 Bechelli Lane,
Redding, CA 96002
Cost: $3

w/ The Red Robot & Cabrini Green

This Generation

2005-04-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I can't belive I've posted this much in such a short amount of time. but this is really really cool. My buddy Kevin MacDougall who leads worship.generation at Calvary Chapel Chico has had two of his songs recorded by SONICFLOOd and are the first two on their new CD "This Generation". Check it out by clicking the title above. or click some of the links in the page.

Ok, later

-HoHo the Dagron

Oh yeah... read all this other stuff below please. It makes me feel cool. God Bless!

Eek!

2005-04-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, just a quick line to ask for prayer. I have three midterms this week, so I'm going pretty wacko (any difference?) Anyway thats all for now, be back soon.

-HoHo

oh yeah, go to www.myspace.com/zeroherotheband You may know someone there.

A Revolutionary Love (Part2)

2005-04-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

What up Y'all! Did I just say "Y'all"? Yup, I guess I did.

There's no point in apologizing for taking so long, I'm just going to take forever for the next post again anyway. But that's ok.

When I began to write the previous post, I really didn't know where I would end up. Why do you think it took so long to start writing again. But God has a way of showing his revelations to us. Imagine that. Anyhoo, time to get down like James Brown and get to what I'm here for.

Just know I really am not ending my last post. I just have more to say. I'm getting there, don't worry. This is just a transition to the end I suppose.

When I last left off I was talking about being a clanging cymbal, our Christian walks becoming nothing but pointless noise in the background life.

Who's life? The lives of those who don't know, who don't believe, who aren't saved. Instead of being so-called Christian radicals or fundamentalists, we should be focused on the calling of God. We are not here to make sure that the ten commandments stay on a wall in a church. How many people do you think really paid any attention to them anyway? We are called to be radicals for Christ. We are to be focused on the life and light of God, not the death that this world would have for us. When we focus on the world, we become just like it. If the salt becomes tasteless, what good is it but to be trampled under the feet of men. Who wants salt that has no flavor. If we become exactly like the world, without compassion, cold, and hateful, who would want what we have?

If we focus on the darkness of this world, we do not illuminate it. We are to illuminate the truth of the word of God. Only the Word can cause the darkness to be overwhelmed.

A Revolutionary Love (Part1)

2005-01-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

I am back!!!

kind of...

What up everybody! I found a way around the funkiness of my blog. So... here we go.

I was driving along on the west end of Chico (A sort of run down part of town and where all the college students live) some time ago and saw a gigantic billboard with huge white words among a black background that read:

"if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your
sins." - Jesus

What kind of witness is that to a dying world of who Christ is? Come on! Who had the gall to think that this would make more people come to church? If you had no clue who Christ was and were going along one day and read this sign, what would you think? Not only does it come off cold and heartless, but they took it completely out of context as well. The scripture they are quoting is from John 8:24. In this part Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees (mega-religious Jews, the ones that wanted to kill Him) in the treasury and they are asking who he was (he had already told them before) He was telling them how they were of this world and he was not and how Him and the Father were one. He was speaking to the ones who knew the law of God, the "church leaders" if you will. The Pharisees were more into the religion of their time than the relationship that God had wanted of them. They could not see beyond the words of the law. They forgot that the law had meaning as well. Verse 52 of chapter 8 reads... " if anyone keeps of My word, he will never taste of death. "

It seems at times we Christians can get so caught up on our little "crusades" we almost forget about anything else but whether or not xyz will do abc. Or if xyz can marry xyz. We forget the great commission and what Jesus has taught us to do. We picket clinics, rally around court buildings, we just have to buy that sticker for our car so people will know exactly what we think, we determine who should be "allowed" in our little church by how good they are, and we put up stupid billboards that basically say "YOU SUCK, I DON'T -GOD" Maybe it is because above all of these things we forget that Jesus said in John 13:

"...A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another..."

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes:

"...If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prohecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing...."

Check out the first verse: "...just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples..." God tells us that people will know that we are His by our love for one another. What we show on this earth is what others perceive our faith to be about. Are the teachings of Jesus Christ those of the cold-hearted or of the compassionate? We could protest things until we are blue in the face but Paul reminds us that if we do not have love, we are a clanging cymbal. We become nothing but white noise in the background of life... More to come soon.

Arrgh!

2005-01-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry Guys... My Blog is being all weird. I will have something as soon as I figure out what is wrong.

-HoHo

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

2004-12-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas. Remember to keep God first and have a wonderful season. I hope to see some of you at SYC! SKEWWWW!

-HoHo(Ho)

2004-12-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

I hate cats... but this is funny. Ha Ha.... Ha!

2004-12-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

YEEEEHOOOO!!!

hehehe

2004-12-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

What's the difference between a Guitar and a Ford?

You can tune a Guitar.

What's brown and sticky?

A stick.

What is bright orange and sounds like a parrot?

A carrot.

Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide.

Why do chicken coops have two doors?

Because if they had four doors, they'd be chicken sedans.

How do you kill a circus?

Go straight for the juggler.

HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA...