Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Roads Coffee Shop Open Thursday Night!
Hey Everybody!
Don't forget...the Roads Coffee Shop is open tonight from 5:30PM to 9PM tonight!
Brent 5:29 AM
Monday, December 26, 2005
Roads Coffee Shop Open Tonight!
Don't forget...the coffee shop at CBC is open tonight from 5:30PM to 9PM. Great coffee and a better price that you'll get anywhere else, AND you can hang out and get away from all those folks you've been needing to get away from for two days! Meet your friends there to hang out tonight!
Brent 5:48 AM
Agree or Disagree?
From Church Re-Imagined by Doug Pagitt:
"Our desire is to arrange our lives to follow God in the way of Jesus.
Our intention is that Sunday night gatherings (their "church service") be a time when people contribute to the creation of a setting in which we are transformed, not a setting in which people come to be serviced by professionals or qualified volunteers. I like to think o fit as having dinner at a friend's house where it is expected that you will help pass the serving dishes and clear the table at the end of the meal.
Our gatherings reflect our belief that we are in this together and that we all have something to offer here. Our worship gatherings are not meant to be shows or concerts. They are designed as interactive experiences. We invite participants to join in, share what they have, and take a piece of what those around have to give. We are a gathering of people who are on a pilgrimage through life with each other and with God. Our gatherings for worship are designed to help us along on that journey."
So, do you agree or disagree with this idea of what a "church service" should be? If no, tell us why you do. If yes, are we currently doing this at CBC? What should we do differently to get us there.
Brent 5:41 AM
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Coffee Shop Tonight
Don’t forget…if you’re looking to hang out and do so at about half the cost of Starbucks and better quality (we think, anyway) and WAY hip baristas and cool tables and sofas and videos and all that, the Roads Coffee Shop is open tonight (Thursday) from 5:30PM until 9PM. Maybe we’ll see you there!
Brent 6:32 AM
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
I Know You're All Taking Finals And All...
...but I thought a quote from a book I'm reading called "With or Without You" by Cameron Conant might be a nice study break. It's about his view of Christians after his divorce and trying to find a church home:
"Because I'm tired of everyone acting like they have it all together, tired of illusions that we have perfect lives, perfect families. I'm also tired of myself, tired of my reticence to open up and bare my soul, tired of avoiding people, tired of my unwillingness to get involved in the ministry of the church.
I'm tired of the notion that I'm screwed up...'But don't worry, we have a support group for people like you!' But, by its very name, the Church of Losers says: Come here if you're a loser--we're all losers!
Everyone at my church is a mess--I'm a mess--so why can't we admit it? Why do we spend so much time trying to convince each other we're not?"
Good questions, Mr. Conant. Good questions.
Any answers, folks?
Brent 5:01 AM
Comments:
Sure, you should. It's an open forum, Ian! And, I bet you'd really enjoy the book...Nathan has it on his bookshelf for loan.
Thanks, guys. Dibs on that book, too.
In the end, it all comes back to one of our must basic human fears: fear of rejection by others, and fear of rejection by God. Because we're human, and inherently flawed and broken, one of our greatest fears is abandonment by those we care about because at our core we know the depths of our own sin nature, and we *know* that if they only knew how bad we really were inside they'd run away screaming.
What the church in general has done (in my opinion) is they've focused so much on glorifying the wonderful realities and successes that a life spent pursuing a personal relationship with God can bring they've repeatedly neglected to address the very important fact that the very reason we al need God in the first place is that we're *ALL* broken to begin with.
And being broken is OK.
I think that there's an unspoken undercurrent in the church in general that implies that if we have real, serious problems it must be because somebody's spiritual walk isn't good enough, or close enough, or sincere enough. Regardless of whether or not it's true - and sometimes it *is* - it's difficult to admit that either you, your spouse, or somebody you love isn't taking their walk with Christ seriously.
Secondly, I think that people (in general) are afraid that these problems may be rooted in their own doubts about God, and that can be difficult to openly admit in to others in the church in general, especially if you've been taught from a young age either that doubt is unacceptable or a sign that your faith wasn't strong enough. It forces them to admit that serious, life-altering problems can cause reasonable, honest, God-seeking people to doubt everything they've ever believed, and it's difficult to admit that your faith has either been shaken to it's core in a culture that lauds those who have it all together, at least on the outside.
After all, if you've done everything right by what the church has taught you (to the best of your ability), and it still all falls apart, might you wonder if everything you've always believed about God is true, or if God exists at all?
Most church-goin' folks don't want to confess that one. I know I never did.
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In the end, it all comes back to one of our must basic human fears: fear of rejection by others, and fear of rejection by God. Because we're human, and inherently flawed and broken, one of our greatest fears is abandonment by those we care about because at our core we know the depths of our own sin nature, and we *know* that if they only knew how bad we really were inside they'd run away screaming.
What the church in general has done (in my opinion) is they've focused so much on glorifying the wonderful realities and successes that a life spent pursuing a personal relationship with God can bring they've repeatedly neglected to address the very important fact that the very reason we al need God in the first place is that we're *ALL* broken to begin with.
And being broken is OK.
I think that there's an unspoken undercurrent in the church in general that implies that if we have real, serious problems it must be because somebody's spiritual walk isn't good enough, or close enough, or sincere enough. Regardless of whether or not it's true - and sometimes it *is* - it's difficult to admit that either you, your spouse, or somebody you love isn't taking their walk with Christ seriously.
Secondly, I think that people (in general) are afraid that these problems may be rooted in their own doubts about God, and that can be difficult to openly admit in to others in the church in general, especially if you've been taught from a young age either that doubt is unacceptable or a sign that your faith wasn't strong enough. It forces them to admit that serious, life-altering problems can cause reasonable, honest, God-seeking people to doubt everything they've ever believed, and it's difficult to admit that your faith has either been shaken to it's core in a culture that lauds those who have it all together, at least on the outside.
After all, if you've done everything right by what the church has taught you (to the best of your ability), and it still all falls apart, might you wonder if everything you've always believed about God is true, or if God exists at all?
Most church-goin' folks don't want to confess that one. I know I never did.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Getting Ready for Class Tonight
In order to get ready for class tonight, we'll pick up the Christmas story with an "after" emphasis. Specifically, two or so years after. You'll want to read over all of Matthew 2...focus on the nature of the gifts...
And, we'll have a time of worship led by Kristy Brown. We'll see you all at 6:30PM!
Brent 7:52 AM
Friday, December 16, 2005
Latest Devon Update
I got this forwarded to me at 9:10AM on Friday
Coordinators and Friends…
As of 10 pm on Thursday evening…
Devon, and Debbie, arrived via air ambulance (Lear Jet) from Port Au Prince around 5 pm. He was taken directly to the hospital where the doctors were waiting. Devon was placed in an isolation area. They immediately started poking and prodding! At this point we don’t have any results from the tests… He may be moved to another room today, Friday.
Dan and Dawn flew up on American Airlines. They arrived around 7. Dan, Debbie, Dawn, Herb and Shirley are staying at Herb’s home in Miami.
Dan mentioned that Devon seemed to be doing well. His spirit was up compared to the day before. He even wanted something to read.
Pray for strength and healing for Devon. Pray for wisdom for the doctors. Pray for strength for the Shoemaker Family (Dan, Debbie, Dawn, Herb, Shirley) as this has really stretched them in so many facets.
Dan has appreciated all the phone calls and support from all over the country. The Body of Christ is a wonderful thing!
Rob Thompson
Vice President of US Operations
Reciprocal Ministries International
5471 Lee St., Suite #301
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
305.233.9903 (office)
Brent 7:12 AM
Comments:
Devon's Family,
I hope he gets better soon. He was on my work cite for the Jaurez, Mexico trip and I got to know him and liked him alot. I know he means alot to everybody who knows him becasue he is a great guy. I hope he gets better.
Trey Pomroy
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I hope he gets better soon. He was on my work cite for the Jaurez, Mexico trip and I got to know him and liked him alot. I know he means alot to everybody who knows him becasue he is a great guy. I hope he gets better.
Trey Pomroy
Devon Shoemaker Update
This is an e-mail from Debbie Shoemaker, Devon's mom, and it regards her husband Dan. They work for RMI, the missions agency that Crossroads supports in Haiti. Many of you know Devon and Dawn (his sister) who live in Cayes and the main airport is in Port-Au-Prince. That should let you know the background of the things mentioned in the letter...as well as the reality that Haiti has no "Red Cross" hence no blood screening, and for a nation with a huge AIDS-infected population...well...
We are medivacing Devon to Miami tomorrow, Thursday, a.m. He has been sick for 2 weeks with malaria and typhoid fever. He was getting better, then he took a turn for the worse over the last 2 days, but especially today,down after 2 hours of covering him in ice water cloths. As I write this, heis at the clinic, under the supervision of an American missionary doctor,getting a 2 unit blood transfusion. The blood used is from Dan and from another missionary who passed the health screening. A medivac plane has been approved by our insurance company and we are currently waiting for news as to whether or not it can come directly here to Cayes or to Port.
We are hoping one parent, me, can fly with him. Dan and Dawn will follow us via American Airlines. We have a flight scheduled for 7a.m. tomorrow to go to Port, so the medivac plane can meet us here in Cayes or in Port.The medivac plane would take us to Miami then via helicopter or ambulance to Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, where infectious disease specialists and hemotologists will meet us (hopefully!).
They are thinking that he has hemoragic anemia or resistant malaria - the first case of it\'s kind in Haiti. The tests here are limited, but enough to tell us that Devon is very, very seriously ill. Dan's parents, Herb and Shirley Shoemaker, will be meeting us at the hospital tomorrow. When he first got sick, he was outback at a sister church. He most likely contracted it at the previous sister church, 2 weeks earlier. One of our Haitian staff, Antoine, also got malaria and typhoid there. One of our mechanics got typhoid only. As far as we know, no one from the US churchhas gotten sick. There are many uncertain things in front of us.
Of course our greatest concern is Devon, the timing of getting him to the states and in the care ofspecialists, finding the correct diagnosis, etc. Dan and I were just in Ft. Myers for RMI's board meetings. Devon's diagnosis was made while we were gone. The missionaries here rallied around, Wednesday...
So he is just turning around,repacking his suitcases and going right back out. We are, of course, very concerned about the finances for this emergency. We are already undersupported right now and this will really, really stretch us thin! So this is a plea for concerted, special prayer for Devon and all of us. We need God's strength and provision. Please pass this on to all who know us and could pray!
Thank you,Debbie
Brent 4:55 AM
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Getting Ready for Class Tonight
It seems like FOREVER since I've been in class with you guys so I'm looking forward to it in a big way. Two weeks of vacation and the teaching in Big Church last week...well, suffice to say I'm very glad to be back in the Dungeon.
Anyway, it's Christmas time and we'll be looking at the Christmas story a bit. So, read over Luke 1 & 2...
...and I'd really like to give you some time of response as worship tonight, too.
See you at 6:30PM!
Brent 5:25 AM
Friday, December 09, 2005
On C.S. Lewis' Brilliance As A Writer
From Alan Jacobs, in a book excerpt in Christianity Today:
"What made him write this way, and why it is such a good thing that he did--these are hard topics to talk about without seeming sentimental. Yet they are necessary topics. In most children, but in relatively few adults, we see a willingness to be delighted to the point of self-abandonment. This free and full gift of oneself to a story is what produces the state of enchantment. Why do we lose the ability to give ourselves this way? Perhaps adolescence introduces the fear of being deceived, the fear of being caught believing in what others have ceased to believe. To be naive, to be gullible--these are the great humiliations of adolescence."
Brent 4:46 AM
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Tonight's Cancellations
Hi Everybody!
As per Crossroads Bible Church policy, we abide by the L.I.S.D. weather decisions, and since they cancelled all after-school activities at noon today, all high school Bible studies are cancelled for Wednesday night, December 7, 2005. So, you’ve got an unexpected night off!
Also, Melissa Rowe asked me to mention that the Children’s Ministry Party for tonight is also cancelled.
Enjoy the night off!
Brent
Brent 10:32 AM
Monday, December 05, 2005
Shrinking God?
This is a quote I read in a devotional guide entitled, "A Place For Skeptics: A Spiritual Journey For Those Wh May Have Given Up On Church, But Not On God." It's by Chris Mitchell and Scott Larson. This particular quote comes from Chris Mitchell as he wrote a chapter called, "Do You Ever Wonder About God?"
Here's the quote...tell me what you think, okay?
"Americans are known for liking big things. Our cars, meals and homes are pretty big compared to those found in most cultures. It's ironic then that so often our concept of God isn't very big at all. We've reduced the 'Creator of all' to the 'man upstairs.'--someone understandable, explainable. No wonder we've lost our sense of wonder about God.
I'm sure we have lots of reasons for trying to shrink God down to a managable size. We like control. We fear surrender. We crave certainty. Sometimes we're so busy trying to run the world ourselves that we overlook the opportunities we have to see and remember just how big God is. Whatever the reason, when we shrink God, the result isn't less wonder, it's less life."
Brent 7:53 AM
Comments:
I just read a very similar thought from A. W. Tozer ("The Knowledge of the Holy") -"Left to ourselves we tend immediately to reduce God to manageable terms. We want to get Him where we can use Him, or at least know where He is when we need Him. We want a God we can in some measure control. We need the feeling of security that comes from knowing what God is like..."
We like the sense of "security" (albeit, FALSE security) that comes from STUFF and being able to "define" who God is. We are huge control freaks. We don't like the unexpected. We don't like to think that our "stuff" can go away in a second thereby shoving our security out said "huge" door. We want to reduce God to understandable terms so that we can define EVERYTHING in our lives - that way it's all in "control" and seemingly predictable. When we can't define God (especially when He's BIG), we can't "predict" Him and therefore our world MIGHT get out of control. (I'm guilty of much of this, too, so I'm not pointing fingers.)
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We like the sense of "security" (albeit, FALSE security) that comes from STUFF and being able to "define" who God is. We are huge control freaks. We don't like the unexpected. We don't like to think that our "stuff" can go away in a second thereby shoving our security out said "huge" door. We want to reduce God to understandable terms so that we can define EVERYTHING in our lives - that way it's all in "control" and seemingly predictable. When we can't define God (especially when He's BIG), we can't "predict" Him and therefore our world MIGHT get out of control. (I'm guilty of much of this, too, so I'm not pointing fingers.)
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Getting Ready for Class Tonight
Don't forget that I'll be preaching in Big Church this week, but we'll have a very able (and unbelievably hip and cool and with-it) substitute: Kristy Brown! She's going to be showing you photos of her recent mission trip with the college ministry at CBC to China (where they actually took Bibles to the "underground" churches there). More importantly, she's going to be talking about what God did in and through her on the trip...and how we can all apply that to our lives.
Also, Steve-O will be leading worship. So, we'll see you all at 6:30PM!
Brent 5:04 AM