Observe Lent?

Just finished a great book, "Mudhouse Sabbath" by Laurie Winner. She discusses the Jewish rituals in a Christian context. Winner has a unique perspective - she was raised in Judiasm before becoming a Christian. Read "Sacred Sorrow" by Michael Card on the plane. Card writes like the poet he is while having great insights into lament worship.

Just started "The Camel Club" by David Baldacci. Baldacci is better than Grisham, in my opinion. Read any good fiction lately? I need ideas! (If you haven't read the "Kite Runner" - go to your local library of Barnes and Noble and enjoy this great read).

Still reflecting on the ACU lectures. Mark Love is doing a great job of retooling the annual event on the ACU campus. I would recommend putting it on your calendar for September when it makes the switch from Feburary (thank you!!!!!) when the weather should be great.

Trying to decide on whether to observe Lent or not. Do you observe Lent? Why or why not?

Okay - it's Monday. Gotta get it in gear.

Goodbye to Don Knotts

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show. Greatest comedy EVER to be on TV, in my humble but accurate opinion. Today, the great Don Knotts passed away. The first five seasons of TAGS are the best - largely due to the presense of Barney Fife. He and Griffith made a great team. The other years of TAGS are "good" but the first five years - are the greatest of all time.
For all of us who are honorary citizens of Mayberry, today is a sad day.
Do you have a favorite Barney eposide?

ACU Lectures

Haven't been to the Abilene Christian University lectures in over 13 years. The reason? Partly because of the distance - a 22 hour drive (or a $275 flight), but mostly because of content. While living there (1989-1993) the lectures seemed out of date - old topics; same teachers every year.
This year I returned - Mark Love is the new director and he is doing a great job of bringing new energy and vision to the ACU lectures. My highlights - the "U2 and the Psalms" on Sunday night, David Fleer's keynote on Monday night on John 4, and Randy Harris' 3 day class on spiritual direction. I missed Mike Cope's keynote. Heard it was excellent - so I bought the tape and will listen to it very soon.
They even let me teach a class! My topic was "Sacred Sorrow" - the 2 words that will change our worship from Hab. 3:17 (lament worship). I am scheduled to teach the same class at Pepperdine in May.
Okay, okay - the "other" highlight was getting great Tex-Mex, excellent BBQ, mouth watering chicken fried steak, feasting on catfish, breakast tacos at Towne Crier . ending the week with a feast on Joe T. Garcia's in Ft. Worth. Ah, the food!!! The food!!!!
The best part of the week was seeing friends that I had not seen in a long time. It was great to renew "the tie that binds" and catch up on their lives. Am I really that old?
As you can tell - I will be returning to ACU.

Turning 48!

Turned 48 yesterday. My wife made me a german chocolate cake from scratch - the best in the world! Went out to eat some good mexican food with the Farr's - nothing like sharing a special day with people you are close to. Friends called in to wish my a happy brithday. My five year old was concerned that I didn't blow out my candles on the cake! (We brought the cake to the resturant because Arlene Farr loves german chocolate cake, so I shared!) Overall, it was a great day. I am a very blessed man.

We had our 40 Days of Purpose Kick-Off on Sunday, which coincided with the Super Bowl. Our women's ministry did a fantastic job of decorating the school (we met at Oquirrh Elementary) gym and cafeteria. Many thought that it was one of our best assemblies we've ever had.

Now, how to spend the birthday money?

Tipping Point

Just read a great book "The Tipping Point". The Tipping Point explains how fads and epidemics get started. Althought not a "church" book, I believe that every minister would gain insights in leading their churches by reading this book!
Right now I'm reading "Gilead" - a novel about an old preacher writing to his young son. Great read. Also have the "Progress Paradox" - a book about how things are getting better while people think things are getting worse waiting on deck to be read.
I have a lot of books "waiting on deck" to be read. I've come to realize that I have a serious addiction - buying books. One of my new's years resolutions - to read books as I buy them/read the books I already own before buying others.
What book are you currently reading? Have a title to recommend?

End of the Spear

Saw the movie "End of the Spear" last night. A very powerful true story about the first missionaries to reach natives in Equador. Beautifully told, this movie gives us an example of what it means for us to lay down our lives for the sake of the gospel. Great acting; awesome scenery.
For more information on the movie go to: endofthespear.com.
Like Glory Road, one of my favorite parts is during the credits where you meet the real people talking of their experiences. Really brings the movie home and makes it real.
Go see this movie! Take people from your church. You will come away a more enriched human being while being encouraged and challenged in you walk with Christ.
Not a bad way to spend 111 minutes.

Glory Road

Went to see "Glory Road" last night. (To be honest, with no thought of MLK day). Great movie! If you are not familiar with the story, in 1966 Don Haskins, the coach of UTEP (then called Texas Weslyn), who was the first coach in NCAA history to start five black players in the national championship game against Kentucky. The movie is a powerful depiction of what the players and Haskins went through to break the race barrier in division 1 basketball.
Having lived in El Paso for five years in the mid '80's - (going to many UTEP games watching Don Haskins coach) - the movie even made memories of El Paso good ones!
Go see this movie! Discuss it with your children. Stay through the ending of the credits! There is a great surprise for those who stay.
"Glory Road" is right up there with my other favorite sports movies - "Remember the Titans"; "Hoosiers"; "Radio" & "Brian's Song". Any that I missed?

A Church "of Christ"?

In the coming days I want to explore just what it means to be a church "of Christ". After all, our "name" declares it. But is that really what shapes who we are - this being "of Christ"? Or, does orthodoxy - as practiced by other churches of Christ - become our standard? (And if that is true - which church of Christ do you choose to be your template of accepted practices/beliefs?)
This has come to my mind lately - this question of being "of Christ"I love the scene of the apostles before the Jewish ruling court and the judges "took note that these men had been with Jesus."
That's what I want for my congregation. I hope that we would so embody the values, personality, message and methods of Jesus that people would label us "like Christ". Remember, the community called the church Christians (to be Christ like) in Antioch - they didn't call themselves by that name.
What would a church that is of Christ look like? Sound like? Let's explore that for the next several posts.

Changing what I do on Sundays!

Had a great Sunday today. I didn't set up the chairs like I usually do. I didn't run to the front door when I didn't see a greeter there. I didn't set the stage up when I noticed that it wasn't put back since the candlelight service on Christmas eve. I didn't run and get the plates for the contribution when I noticed they hadn't been put out.
I just tried to worry about preaching and people. That's my new year's resolution - on Sunday, let the servants do their thing - or it will be left undone. I've got to be honest - it was hard for me because I like things to be "right". If we are going to grow as a church - I've got to let that stuff be done by other people. You know what? It was! (Okay - a few things were not done. But I held strong!)
Lately I just made a list of all the things I do that have nothing to do with "preaching". Holy cow. The longer I'm here (13 years) - that list seems to just get longer. NO MORE!
I still locked up the building. I can't go cold turkey can I?

40 Days of Prayer

We have begun the new year in 40 Days of Prayer. - which will lead us into the 40 Days of Purpose campaign. Members get a daily email with a verse and comment written by one of our members. Each week has a prayer theme. I really hope that this becomes a tradition with our church. Is your church doing something to get the new year started on a positive note?

We are also studying "Celebrating the Disciplines" on Sunday morning in the adult class over the winter quarter as we prepare for the 40 Days of Purpose. What I like about this is that we are spending a good deal of "class" time actually experiencing the discipline (expect for fasting; hard to that in just one hour). This week we'll do some worship prayer from the Psalms. Can't wait!

As a die hard Razorback, its hard to say this, but congrats to the Texas Longhorns on winning the National Championship last night at the Rose Bowl.

New games for the Clays!

My middle daugther, Rebecca, discovered a few new games during the holidays. She went to a friends house and played "RISK". She liked it so much she used some of her Christmas money to buy it. She has won her first five games! Although one of my favorite games, I hadn't played a game of Risk in about 20 years. I proved a bit rusty. She also discovered Parcheesi. I'd bet we played 50 games last week!
Others have their new games, too. My wife has discovered Sudoku - its some kind of number puzzle. My five year old discovered Princess Bingo, Gobblet Jr. and Batik.
Sprinkle in a few games of Apples to Apples and you've got a lot of new memories stored away at the Clay's house.
Any favorite games your family enjoys?

Blessings!

Blessings to you and yours in 2006! Made any new years resolutions?
I was just looking at a new calendar. A thought came to my mind - what do all these numbers represent for me this year? Some will be great days - full of victories, accomplishments, parties, celebrations. Some will be down days - full of struggle, doubt, questions. Some will mark the date that someone I'm close to has died - days of sadness and loss. I wonder what all these numbers represent for you?
Well, we don't know do we? And so, right now, make a decision. It is a key decision! Decide in this moment that no matter what happens this year - that God is good. That fundemental decision will change everything!
Have a blessed new year!

New Year - a new blog?

2005 is drawing to a rapid close. It has been a year of milestones for me and my family. My oldest daugther went off to college. (That was harder than I thought is was going to be). My youngest daughter needed hearing aids. (A real answer to prayer - the insurance reversed its original stance and paid all but $500 of the bill!! Praise God!) My wife, Kathy, went to work part time to help pay for college. My step father is currently undergoing his second round of chemo therapy.
And yet, through all of this - God is good. I remember the story of a minister who almost drowned. He was rescued and given mouth to mouth. As the minister came back to life he looked in the eyes of his spiritual mentor and said, "Boy, God is good!" to which to old mentor replied, "If you would have drowned; God would still be good!"
I don't know what you've faced this past year or what you will face next year. But what I do know is this: God is good. ALL the time!

A Good Christmas

Hope you had a great Christmas. This one was a quiet one for us. My mother and step-dad usually come up from Texas; however, this year he is undergoing round two of chemo therapy for prostrate cancer. Needless to say, they stayed home. Just wasn't the same not having the grandparents with us. Plus, we had our candlelight service on Christmas night instead of Christmas Eve - so, I was really out of sync this year!
My Christmas presents usually follow a theme- last year I go a bunch of accessories for my iPod; this year it was a Andy Griffith theme - two calendars, seasons three and four of TAGS (the Andy Griffith Show) - which is just fine with me! Love Andy Griffith!
It's been one of the warmest Decembers here in Utah in recent memory. Bummer. I love the snow and cold - gets me in the holiday mood. Again, another reason to be out of sync.
How was your Christmas?

It is finshed?

I'm on a quest during these two weeks that I have no sermon to prepare for. I love Paul's statement, "I have run the race, I have finished the course . . ." The idea of finishing something is exhilirating . . . gives you a since of accomplishment. Its a good feeling, isn't it?
So, during these two weeks of "down time" - I hope to finish some things I have started. i have already finished a movie I started a month ago - saw the second half a few nights ago. I now hope to finish MYST III Exile, which I've had for several years now. I have a two portraits to finish - maybe I'll just pick one and complete the drawing for the person who commissioned it. I hope to finish reading "Magician's Nephew," "Ender's Game" & "Freakonomics," before starting any other new books.
I'm great at starting things, but not always finishing. This, I hope, will be a season of finishing! Which, come to think of it, has already started. I've finished my Christmas shopping and this blog!
I'm off to a great start! Anything you want to finish?

memories

Loved the movie "Walk The Line" - which chronicled the life of Johnny Cash. The movie brought back some great memories of when my dad would put on a stack of records every night at bed time - Johnny Cash (A lot of Johnny Cash!), Charlie Pride, Mere Haggard, Porter Wagner, Loretta Lynn, etc. You can one of those albums on right now and I can tell you what the next song is going to be!
I wonder what my kids will remember from their childhoods? Here's the deal - you can't always choose what kids will remember. In other words, you can't force memories. I do think we can be intentional - create "memories" - but for the most part, I think memories just flow out of "normal" living.
What are some of your memories?

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A family missed assembly yesterday - so I talked with them last night and asked why. They said that with packing to leave for the holiday that they were just too stressed to come to church. Are we missing something when Christ came to give us peace yet we are too stressed to come and celebrate that peace?! Or, does it say something about how we do church? (Sometimes adding stress instead of relieving it?) Any thoughts?

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Our church packed out a theater on Saturday to see "Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". WOW! What a fantastic movie! Any reaction of the film? I thought the kids, especially Lucy, were great for their roles. Well done, Disney!

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Favorite Books of 2005

With all due respect to Julie Andrews - here are a few of my favorite things from 2005. I know that as soon as a publish this post, I'll think of a book or movie that I forgot about. (Some of these were released before 2005 - I'm including them because I either read or saw them in 2005. )

My favorite Christian books 0f 2005:
1.) Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
2.) Visioneering by Andy Stanley
3.) Breakout Churches by Tom Rainer
4.) The Present Future by Reggie Neal
5.) Creating Community by Andy Stanley


Favorite Fiction books:

1.) Half Blood Prince
2.) Kite Runner
3.) Lion, Witch & Wardrobe
4.) Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo
5.) Because of Winn-Dixie
6.) Color of Law

Favorite Movies of 2005:

Cinderella Man
Narnia
Star Wars III
Batman Begins
Walk the Line
Goblet of Fire
To End All Wars (on DVD)
Willie Wonka & Chocolate Factory
Hitch

What are some of your favorite things of 2005?

Narnia ideas; Favorite Things of 2006?

Our church has rented a showing of "Narnia". Been thinking about doing a couple of sermons on Narnia. If any of you have any ideas on that - I would love to hear them.

Speaking of movies - I have a fantastic movie to recommend. Its called "To End All Wars". There is a scene in the movie that you will think "no, that didn't happen" - but, according to the director - he checked it out before including it in the movie - and he says that it did happen. Great film for showing "the gospel". It is rated R for intense POW scenes. WOW! What a movie!

I've been thinking of making my list of my favorte things from 2006. Before I give my list - any favorite movies, books, TV show, song, album, etc. for you?

Leaders Retreat

I'm exicted for a retreat I'll be attending this weekend. I'm not exicted about the speaker - there isn't one. I'm not excited about the location - I'm staying in town.
This is what is exciting to me -the ministers and shepherds of the Southside Church are gathering in a Salt Lake motel for a time of prayer and visioning for the coming year. I'm also excited that our wives are joining us for a breakfast session- because we need their insights! We are all fasting for the 24 hours leading up to our time together.
I'm really excited to see what God is going to do this weekend.

Thanksgiving Traditions

We have a great Thanksgiving tradition here at Southside we call "Pie Night". The idea is that on Thanksgiving day you have the best meal of the day - and you're too full to enjoy the best desserts of the day. So, on the night before Thanksgiving - everybody brings their favorite pie - and we have a great time of fellowship! Last night was wonderful. Huge crowd. Many guests!

This year we also started a new tradition. Our Thursday morning men's prayer group invited anyone to come and pray with them. The prayer time had one hitch - you couldn't ask for anything. The whole prayer time centered on thanking God! (Harder than it sounds!) We had a great time of prayer this morning. A new tradition has been born!

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?