A Divine Conversation

A quote from "Proclamation and Theology" by William Willimon concerning the dialogue we have with God:

"John says that the risen Christ stood among them and said, "Peace." He spoke to them.

Why would the risen Christ appear first to these fearful ordinary men and women, his disciples, who had demonstrated so conclusively their failure to follow him and be his courageous disciples? Why would the risen Christ not appear to some powerful, influential, public figure like Pilate or Augustus?

He came to the ones who had fled the conversation once the going got tough. He came to the very ones who had so disappointed and forsaken him, those whom he had so patiently taught and yet who had so patently misunderstood his every word. He came to them and said, in effect, "Let's talk. As I was saying . . ."

And thus the church was born, and thus we were all made witnesses or resurrection and preachers of the good news.

And the conversation was resumed. Time and again in our history with the God of the church and Israel, when we have betrayed the love of God with our infidelity, when we have misunderstood, when we have fled into the darkness or stopped up our ears and hardened our hearts, this God has returned to us and has resumed the conversation.

In that divine-human dialogue, in that conversation, this God has proved to be remarkably resourceful and imaginative, full of stratagems and devices - the Incarnation, Word Made Flesh, beging the most imaginative of all. There is a relentlessness about the speech of God, an effusive loquaciounsess, a dogged determination not to rest, not to fall silent, not to cease striving until every single one of us is part of the conversation.

Therein is our hope. Here is a a divine-human dialogue that is initiated and , at every turn in the road sustained, by a living, resourceful, long-winded God, thank God."

Isn't that good news?

Funny video

Here is the link to a very funny video from youtube. The woman is a Christian comedian. I think you'll enjoy it. All moms and dads will get a kick out this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGoelj7l668&mode=related&search=--

Who will win the World Series? My heart says the Rockies; but my head says the Red Sox. Should be a entertaining world series.

We're planning our open house weekend on Nov.10,11 to celebrate our new building. We'll have an open house/ribbon cutting on Saturday followed by a dedication service on Sunday. Should be a great opportunity to invite the community.

This weekend we install our dual projectors for the worship center. We will also get our banners and other stuff up on the walls. When we're done I'll post some pictures.

A different kind of parent meeting!

Just watched the DVD of Landon Saunders' keynote at ACU Lectures in September "Night Without Vision" from Micah 3. Landon has not lost his fire, that's for sure! Get on the ACU website and order it! You'll be challenged and encouraged. (Be a great thing to show to your small group and discuss).



Our associate minister called the teen parents together yesterday. It wasn't a "planning meeting" but a "praying meeting". We as parents shared the struggles of our teens. He handed us each three teens for us to be praying for. We then prayed for 45 minutes for our teens! Spent about five minutes planning activities. Now, that's my kind of parent meeting! He plans on having these on a monthly basis. Love it!



Looking forward to attending the Zoe Conference in Fresno in January. Our worship planning team is going with me. Really looking forward to that.

Candlelight on Christmas Eve or not?

I've picked my sermon series for this fall - a four or five part on the church I'm calling "The Church: God's Simple Ideas" - then, after Thanksgiving I'm planning a four part series on the temptations entitled "Pause".

This year we're thinking of doing our candlelight service, which we normally have on Christmas Eve, on the Sunday morning at our regular assembly time. We hope that many of our spiritually single families can bring their spouses to this special service. The candlelight is a lot work. We can't think of a single person who has been reached through the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

It's one of those tough questions - do you just do it because a lot of people enjoy it? The church should be about making disicples. If this event isn't doing that, isn't the question already answered? Or it is that simple?

We're about 80% moved into the new building. The new grass is beginning to grow. The landscaping is taking shape. Looking forward to getting all this behind us.

Trip To Arkansas

Just returned from a trip to Arkansas for the Auburn game. One of the worst games I have ever watched. I had a feeling we would loose the game, but I went to see Darren McFadden make some of his famous runs. He only had 30 yards rushing. Unbelievable! I did enjoy seeing my daughter, my two brothers, my first game at Fayetteville and spending four days with my good friend Scott Warren. And, oh, the catfish at the Catfish Hole was incredible.

The Hogs could go 0-7 in the SEC this year. McFadden has lost all hope of winning the Hiesman. No SEC title. No bowl game. These are truly dark days in Hogville. However, the roundball Razorbacks are picked to win the west and go to the sweet 16 by one preseason basketball magazine. I hope so.

Go Rockies!

This n' That

Saw a really good movie on DVD called "Believe In Me". It's based on the true story of a girls high school basketball coach in Oklahoma around 1964. A female version of "Hoosiers". The whole family will enjoy this one.

Caught Todd Agnew in concert a few days ago. Wow, can that boy preach! His music isn't bad either. If you get a chance, go see him concert, if nothing else for the good preaching!

Just ordered a copy of Landon Saunders' keynote at the ACU lectures. Can't wait to hear it. Anyone remember Landon's seven part series on preaching he did back in the '70's? Know how one could secure a copy of them?

Fall in Utah is my favorite time of year. Thing is, we've gone fromsummer right into winter. Tonight's projected low is 34, with snow falling on the valley floor all day Saturday into Sunday. That's just wrong. Flat wrong.

In the new digs!

Had our first worship assembly in the new building this past Sunday! It was exciting. Had a great crowd, with a lot of first time guests! Felt a little funny not preaching two times!

We couldn't have classes. The Temporary Permit didn't allow for us to be in the educational wing. We received that permit yesterday. This Sunday will be our first time to have Sunday School in over a month.

This week we are busy moving in the church and the school. Next week should be a return to somewhat of a "normal" rountine around the building.

Looking forward to getting back to having time to read and reflect. Spend some evenings with the family.

Just finished season four of "24". Oh, it was very good. Season 3 is still my favorite. On to season 5 (or day 5 if you prefer). Watched the first one. My word! The first fifteen minutes changed the whole scope of "24". Which is what I like about the show - you never know who is going to survive!