We had our Throwdown at dinner tonight and I am always amazed what comes out of my kids mouths. Some good...some bad! Not only do we discuss the Kingdom of God but my boys like to say the word "poop". If you have boys, I think you understand. I don't have girls...so I don't know if they are just as fascinated with the word.
Isn't it amazing how God chose to relay the wisdom of the Kingdom through simple stories! I love discussing the Kingdom with my children. Tonight we discussed the parable of the Wedding Feast. This is one of my favorite parables because of it's evangelistic bent. There is so much in this parable but the part that got a hold of me is the part where God casts out the gentleman at the wedding feast because he didn't have the proper wedding attire on. Now, a little background here...When there was a wedding, the father of the groom would send wedding clothes, possibly a sash, for those invited...A Gift! So when all came, they would be wearing the proper wedding clothes. I asked my boys, "Why did the man get kicked out of the Wedding Feast?" Sam, never short of creative statements said," Hey, I didn't send you that to wear!" saying it like what the man wore was out of style!
It made me think though...sometimes we wear the wrong things in the Kingdom. God gives us proper clothes to wear...but we refuse to wear his righteousness! I like the idea that Christ lays out here. Righteousness is something we put on....not attain!
One more thing. Lake asks tonight,"Why would God invite the good people and the bad people?" It's great to know that when we finally sit down at that feast our identity is not what we were...but what we wear...His Righteousness!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Otherness
I read this poem out of Jimmy Seibert's book, The Church Can Change the World. It was written by Carl Gully...I love the imagery. It is titled, Otherness...
That's what we're all about. Not trying to be like anyone or anything else. Just Jesus. It makes us look like aliens. Foreigners in a distant land. We stick out. And huimbly so. Why? Becasue the way we love is unusual. Out words bring tears of laughter and solace. Our music and dance are fueled by a different drummer and a better one at that. The fruit? A different song. A different value system. Not pushing the edge of sin and hell. Not ok with status quo. A place where beneficial vs permissible is clearly understood. And no one even wants the boundary line. We would much rather lunge out to the Kingdom's cutting edge...which is heaven's arms. Sitting on his lap is fine with me. His heart beat rythmically puts me to rest. Not apathetic slumber that leads to poverty. But deep love that thrusts us to Nineveh. Macedonians are still calling. And Ethiopians are still asking for someone to come and help them understand. And how do we know this?
For we look into different pair of eyes. Not just the window to his soul. But a magnifying glass of theirs. Look again: His tears aren't clear-and they don't taste like salt. Ther're colorful banners of the nations...and taste like the blood that was shed for them. A tear trickles down and I see Sri Lanka. Another hangs in the corner of His eye and deep inside I see a Sudanese lady worshipping over the family that just abandoned her. Here comes three more: Canada, France, Mexico. As he wipes his eyes, I see the colors of Morrocco, Russia, Scotland, and China on the palms of his hands. And where do those tears go? Not just stored in a bottle; but The Bottle. The one that held the cries of the saints of Germany. The one that held the deep secrets of Thailand's orphans, America's addicts, and Indonesia's widows. The groans of North Korea's underground church. And South Korea's prayer mountain. All in the bottle. Waiting for me to open my hands so he can pour them out. Why would he trust us with these treasures? These precious children of His? Because He calls us family. And He can trust us. Because we have seen the otherness of God. And long for more. For if You, God, were the same as the rest, You wouldn't be Holy. And my unholiness craves Your holiness. Your cleansing. You. In the process, we have become"other". And the importance of that? So many stories being told. Vying for my affecctions. My Passions. My heart.
But I refuse to be caught up in the small stories that seem brilliant at the moment, but soon become faded glory. I desire to be taken into His story. Into Your great plot for me and mankind. So I leap into the chariot of fire and ask for humility and courage to leave it all behind: NO MATTER THE COST! Because You desreve it. And they need it. Because I love You. And they need You. And the Spirit and the bride are still crying out, "Come Lord Jesus" And You will. You always do.
That's what we're all about. Not trying to be like anyone or anything else. Just Jesus. It makes us look like aliens. Foreigners in a distant land. We stick out. And huimbly so. Why? Becasue the way we love is unusual. Out words bring tears of laughter and solace. Our music and dance are fueled by a different drummer and a better one at that. The fruit? A different song. A different value system. Not pushing the edge of sin and hell. Not ok with status quo. A place where beneficial vs permissible is clearly understood. And no one even wants the boundary line. We would much rather lunge out to the Kingdom's cutting edge...which is heaven's arms. Sitting on his lap is fine with me. His heart beat rythmically puts me to rest. Not apathetic slumber that leads to poverty. But deep love that thrusts us to Nineveh. Macedonians are still calling. And Ethiopians are still asking for someone to come and help them understand. And how do we know this?
For we look into different pair of eyes. Not just the window to his soul. But a magnifying glass of theirs. Look again: His tears aren't clear-and they don't taste like salt. Ther're colorful banners of the nations...and taste like the blood that was shed for them. A tear trickles down and I see Sri Lanka. Another hangs in the corner of His eye and deep inside I see a Sudanese lady worshipping over the family that just abandoned her. Here comes three more: Canada, France, Mexico. As he wipes his eyes, I see the colors of Morrocco, Russia, Scotland, and China on the palms of his hands. And where do those tears go? Not just stored in a bottle; but The Bottle. The one that held the cries of the saints of Germany. The one that held the deep secrets of Thailand's orphans, America's addicts, and Indonesia's widows. The groans of North Korea's underground church. And South Korea's prayer mountain. All in the bottle. Waiting for me to open my hands so he can pour them out. Why would he trust us with these treasures? These precious children of His? Because He calls us family. And He can trust us. Because we have seen the otherness of God. And long for more. For if You, God, were the same as the rest, You wouldn't be Holy. And my unholiness craves Your holiness. Your cleansing. You. In the process, we have become"other". And the importance of that? So many stories being told. Vying for my affecctions. My Passions. My heart.
But I refuse to be caught up in the small stories that seem brilliant at the moment, but soon become faded glory. I desire to be taken into His story. Into Your great plot for me and mankind. So I leap into the chariot of fire and ask for humility and courage to leave it all behind: NO MATTER THE COST! Because You desreve it. And they need it. Because I love You. And they need You. And the Spirit and the bride are still crying out, "Come Lord Jesus" And You will. You always do.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Lake's Throwdown!
Wow...I haven't blogged in a long time! But it's time to start again. My boys love our Throwdown meetings so we decided to start again. We have a little different of a format in that we are doing it at dinner time. This is great for two reasons: 1. Everybody actually is still at the table by the time Steph and I take our seats and 2. We digest the word with Steph's great food...I'm a blessed man! By the way, my wife is the best cook! Homemade chicken fingers...Salsa Verde chicken bake...Home made Quesadilla's, just to name a few.
Tonight's Throwdown was good, we discussed the parable of the Rich foolish man. But what happened afterward was really cool. Lake, my youngest came up to me and told me about what they did in Sunday school. There was something handed out to the kids and it asked, "What kind of job would you like in church?" There was things on there like Pastor and other church occupations. He told me he signed up for "Floor Cleaner". I asked him, "Why did you sign up for that?" He said, "Nobody else did!"
Wow! I was impressed. I have to admit, I would not sign up for it either...but Lake got it...he got the Kingdom.
I was expecting to lead our Throwdown meeting tonight...but I guess Lake threw it down! Out of the mouths of babes....
Tonight's Throwdown was good, we discussed the parable of the Rich foolish man. But what happened afterward was really cool. Lake, my youngest came up to me and told me about what they did in Sunday school. There was something handed out to the kids and it asked, "What kind of job would you like in church?" There was things on there like Pastor and other church occupations. He told me he signed up for "Floor Cleaner". I asked him, "Why did you sign up for that?" He said, "Nobody else did!"
Wow! I was impressed. I have to admit, I would not sign up for it either...but Lake got it...he got the Kingdom.
I was expecting to lead our Throwdown meeting tonight...but I guess Lake threw it down! Out of the mouths of babes....
Monday, January 18, 2010
Missing Throwdown...
I was sick last week...so I sat my butt down on the couch and watched bad NFL playoff games, the Tennessee/Kansas game, and Gladiator. I love the "previous" button on the remote!
We are putting my boys down for bed and they looked at me and said, "We missed Throwdown!" Even though I made them do it two weeks ago when they were sick, I was a loser and wimped out. Even though I felt bad, I was really excited that they missed doing it. Maybe we are doing something right?
We have had two throwdowns since my last post. We have covered the parable of the mustard seed, being the smallest seed, but growing to be one of the biggest plants in the garden...and the birds of the fields come and build their nests in it. Steph asked them what are some small things they can do at school,home,church to advance the Kingdom of God? My boys came up with great answers. Everything from talking to people at school about Jesus, going on mission trips,obeying Mom and Dad, to going around the neighborhood and asking people about Jesus...that one got me scared. Then Sam spoke up and said mockingly, "Watch the God Channel!" We all started laughing. He gets that from his mother! Again, I incorporate wrestling moves or "fighting moves" into these times to help them remember the parables. This certain Throwdown was the Darth Vader pinch. All he would do is squeeze his fingers together and people would choke. Something so small...yet effective. I know, maybe not the best reference, but hey...they remember!!!
Yesterday we spoke about the houses being built on a shaky foundation or the Rock. It is so much fun watching them get excited. They get in competition on giving me answers...high fives for corrct answers! They love it. This wrestling move was the "noogy"! The deeper it goes, the more it works. So we spoke about going deep with Christ. They actually convict me with some of the answers they come up with. I am starting to see that the more we as families pray and study together...the strength of the Lord comes in! Isn't it funny that God told Abraham, the father of many nations, that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him...
We are putting my boys down for bed and they looked at me and said, "We missed Throwdown!" Even though I made them do it two weeks ago when they were sick, I was a loser and wimped out. Even though I felt bad, I was really excited that they missed doing it. Maybe we are doing something right?
We have had two throwdowns since my last post. We have covered the parable of the mustard seed, being the smallest seed, but growing to be one of the biggest plants in the garden...and the birds of the fields come and build their nests in it. Steph asked them what are some small things they can do at school,home,church to advance the Kingdom of God? My boys came up with great answers. Everything from talking to people at school about Jesus, going on mission trips,obeying Mom and Dad, to going around the neighborhood and asking people about Jesus...that one got me scared. Then Sam spoke up and said mockingly, "Watch the God Channel!" We all started laughing. He gets that from his mother! Again, I incorporate wrestling moves or "fighting moves" into these times to help them remember the parables. This certain Throwdown was the Darth Vader pinch. All he would do is squeeze his fingers together and people would choke. Something so small...yet effective. I know, maybe not the best reference, but hey...they remember!!!
Yesterday we spoke about the houses being built on a shaky foundation or the Rock. It is so much fun watching them get excited. They get in competition on giving me answers...high fives for corrct answers! They love it. This wrestling move was the "noogy"! The deeper it goes, the more it works. So we spoke about going deep with Christ. They actually convict me with some of the answers they come up with. I am starting to see that the more we as families pray and study together...the strength of the Lord comes in! Isn't it funny that God told Abraham, the father of many nations, that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Throwdown Time!
We had our first Throwdown last week. We fought through...how fitting! Lake was sick with a 103 degree fever. Sam was sick also. But I thought we could do this another time or...if kids can play video games and be sick, surely we can have a bible study!
Since we are going through the Parables of Christ, we had to start with the parable that is the foundation of all others. The "wrestling ring", if you will is the Parable of the Sower. So our family spoke about the state of our hearts...what kind of soil does God find? The boys did pretty good, but I think we need to work on our listening skills...which brings us to the next phase of the Throwdown!
In every Throwdown we learn a "Wrestling Move". This week we learned the "ear-grab". Jesus said, "For them who have ears to hear..." If your mama ever grabbed your ear...she could make you do anything! If Jesus had our ears...He could make us do anything! The boys liked this...I'm just waiting for one to actually perform this move on their fellow siblings-cousins!
I think it is interesting how we go to church and come away saying..."Wow, that speaker was/wasn't annointed!" It is amazing how Jesus put the responsibility on the hearer...not the preacher! Yes, we need annointing...but for them who have ears to hear, let them hear!
Anyways...our next throwdown is this weekend. I have to prepare the next "move". But if my boys, or me for that matter, can master the "ear-grab"...we will be changing the world!
Since we are going through the Parables of Christ, we had to start with the parable that is the foundation of all others. The "wrestling ring", if you will is the Parable of the Sower. So our family spoke about the state of our hearts...what kind of soil does God find? The boys did pretty good, but I think we need to work on our listening skills...which brings us to the next phase of the Throwdown!
In every Throwdown we learn a "Wrestling Move". This week we learned the "ear-grab". Jesus said, "For them who have ears to hear..." If your mama ever grabbed your ear...she could make you do anything! If Jesus had our ears...He could make us do anything! The boys liked this...I'm just waiting for one to actually perform this move on their fellow siblings-cousins!
I think it is interesting how we go to church and come away saying..."Wow, that speaker was/wasn't annointed!" It is amazing how Jesus put the responsibility on the hearer...not the preacher! Yes, we need annointing...but for them who have ears to hear, let them hear!
Anyways...our next throwdown is this weekend. I have to prepare the next "move". But if my boys, or me for that matter, can master the "ear-grab"...we will be changing the world!
Monday, December 7, 2009
ADVENTure!!!
Before out first Throwdown, our famly is participating in Advent. I did this growing up, especially being from the Episcopal church, we did this every Christmas. Since going non-denominational, I have not done it since I was little. So I brought it back with some fun this year!
My kids love it! It hasn't been as enlightning as I want it to be, but so far it hasn't been too bad. 3 boys and candles and get tricky but it has been fine so far. Last night my boys read the scripture in Phillipians 2 about Christ coming down in the form of a slave...this was probably the first Hymn the early church sang. It also deals with the incarnation. This time of year, as we all know, is about ME!!! Christmas presents and the whole thing! Paul says, "Have the same attitude as Christ did..." He emptied himself. I wanted to approach this Christmas, as best I could, from the same foundation as Christ laid...not me first!
So after the lesson, we prayed and then played! I made up a game called ADVENTure! I hide clues about advent all around the house and the boys find them, then find me for a little treat. THEY LOVE IT...probably more than Advent. Sam HAD to be the FIRST person to read the FIRST clue. I said, "Is this the same attitude Christ had?" I know...I'm cheezy. But he relented, and gave the first clue to Lake...joyfully. Little victory in Advent!
Hopefully your advent is a full of "ure"!!!
My kids love it! It hasn't been as enlightning as I want it to be, but so far it hasn't been too bad. 3 boys and candles and get tricky but it has been fine so far. Last night my boys read the scripture in Phillipians 2 about Christ coming down in the form of a slave...this was probably the first Hymn the early church sang. It also deals with the incarnation. This time of year, as we all know, is about ME!!! Christmas presents and the whole thing! Paul says, "Have the same attitude as Christ did..." He emptied himself. I wanted to approach this Christmas, as best I could, from the same foundation as Christ laid...not me first!
So after the lesson, we prayed and then played! I made up a game called ADVENTure! I hide clues about advent all around the house and the boys find them, then find me for a little treat. THEY LOVE IT...probably more than Advent. Sam HAD to be the FIRST person to read the FIRST clue. I said, "Is this the same attitude Christ had?" I know...I'm cheezy. But he relented, and gave the first clue to Lake...joyfully. Little victory in Advent!
Hopefully your advent is a full of "ure"!!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Are you ready for a throwdown?
No, this has nothing to do with Bobby Flay, but it may be just as savory as some ribs he cooks up...
After reading Michael Card's book, "A Better Freedom", I got an idea to start what we call "Family Throwdown". The word "Parable" comes from the greek word, parabole, which means to "throw beside". In essence, parables were stories that were thrown down for us to wrestle with, be convicted by, all with the aim to unlock the mysteries of God's kingdom. A "Family Throwdown" is a time that my family has once a week to unlock the mysteries of God's Kingdom...I hope!
I have been struggling with "family bible time", or worship. I don't think church and Sunday school need to be our "be all end all"...yet for most of us this is the case. At the same time, I was a little overwhelmed with teaching my kids the bible. Where to start...Where to go...Where to end? Well if Jesus used parables to show the kingdom...If it was good for Him, it's good enough for me.
As I gathered my boys, three to be exact, to tell them that we are going to start having Family Throwdowns...they got excited. It sounded like a Saturday Night Main Event...so they responded well to that thought. In fact, right before I told them, Wesley my oldest son says, "Dad, I am reading my bible and these parables Jesus shares are hard to understand!" I was shocked. He had no idea what I was about to say...I told him God was showing him something for our whole family...needless to say, he was excited that God was speaking to him.
Isn't that what is is all about; Jesus speaking to us and us doing it!
We have not actually had one yet because we are doing Advent this year. This will lead us right into our first "Throwdown" in January. I am excited to have these times together.
So in turn, I wanted to start a blog to share our Family Throwdowns with you. Maybe you have a throwndown of your own to share. I called this blog, "Pair of Bowls", a little play on words to show that this blog will hopefully be more like a meal than words on a page. So get your bowl out of the cupboard...and bring it to the table. I will share what God is cooking for us...just be sure to share what God is cooking for you and your family.
After reading Michael Card's book, "A Better Freedom", I got an idea to start what we call "Family Throwdown". The word "Parable" comes from the greek word, parabole, which means to "throw beside". In essence, parables were stories that were thrown down for us to wrestle with, be convicted by, all with the aim to unlock the mysteries of God's kingdom. A "Family Throwdown" is a time that my family has once a week to unlock the mysteries of God's Kingdom...I hope!
I have been struggling with "family bible time", or worship. I don't think church and Sunday school need to be our "be all end all"...yet for most of us this is the case. At the same time, I was a little overwhelmed with teaching my kids the bible. Where to start...Where to go...Where to end? Well if Jesus used parables to show the kingdom...If it was good for Him, it's good enough for me.
As I gathered my boys, three to be exact, to tell them that we are going to start having Family Throwdowns...they got excited. It sounded like a Saturday Night Main Event...so they responded well to that thought. In fact, right before I told them, Wesley my oldest son says, "Dad, I am reading my bible and these parables Jesus shares are hard to understand!" I was shocked. He had no idea what I was about to say...I told him God was showing him something for our whole family...needless to say, he was excited that God was speaking to him.
Isn't that what is is all about; Jesus speaking to us and us doing it!
We have not actually had one yet because we are doing Advent this year. This will lead us right into our first "Throwdown" in January. I am excited to have these times together.
So in turn, I wanted to start a blog to share our Family Throwdowns with you. Maybe you have a throwndown of your own to share. I called this blog, "Pair of Bowls", a little play on words to show that this blog will hopefully be more like a meal than words on a page. So get your bowl out of the cupboard...and bring it to the table. I will share what God is cooking for us...just be sure to share what God is cooking for you and your family.
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