Interactive Sermon

New Tune: Back in the Day

Not sure if it will make it into the 3 Chords setlist as the other guys haven't heard it yet, but a new song that I wrote as a Valentines Day gift (and with our twentieth anniversary on the horizon) for Shari has taken flight while we've been visiting family in Florida.  I shared the song with my nephew John, who shared it with his friend Chris, and before you could say garage band the two of them were recording tracks at the Ilkenhons recording studio.  (A quick explanation for those of you who have never visited the Ilkenhons Studio: the acoustic guitar booth is the master bathroom in John's house; the electric guitar is played in John's bedroom, but the amplifier and microphone are in the adjacent bathroom shower stall; the drum room is the living room with precision-placed couches for acoustic buffers.  The vocal/isolation booth is the master closet, complete with both my sister and brother-in-law's entire wardrobes.)

Anyhow, this studio band that we affectionately are calling Say Uncle (Say Uncle won out over Crazy Uncle) are making the most of the tune for me.

Here are some lyrics.  I'll hope to bring you the song, and an accompanying Katie Shaw video soon.

Remember when you loved me for all my madness?  Before our love knew an ounce of sadness?  Back when it was you and me against the world?

Remember how we wanted to talk all night?  You'd sneak me a call after your mom said goodnight.  I was your man, baby, you were my girl.

Back in the day--where have those days gone?  When we'd say forever; Years ago, time has flown--but my love is unchanged; But what about you, do you remember?  Back in the day.

Remember how our dreams had the power to carry us along?  Or how we'd make love all night to our favorite song?  We laughed in the face of every doubt.

Remember how we spoke without using any words?  A look, a nod, a touch and it was clearly heard.  Everybody would wonder what we were smiling about.

Back in the day--where have those days gone?  When we'd say forever; Years ago, time has flown--but my love is unchanged; But what about you, do you remember?  Back in the day.

Take a trip with me baby to where our favorite song still plays; a little reminiscing will fill our tomorrows with yesterdays.

Remember sitting close, holding hands and spending time?  Million dollar moments, and we didn't spend a dime.  We had each other, back in the day.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Music,3 Chords & A Cloud of Dust

Old Men Walking

It's funny to think of men younger than me as old, but in NFL years, men in their mid to late thirties are old-timers.  The Bucs sent a handful of geezers walking yesterday.  It figured to happen--since all of the men released are old enough to call our new head coach 'Son'.  A couple of the men released have given many very good seasons to the Bucs.  It's hard to say goodbye.

I'll look forward to visiting the bust of Derrick Brooks in the Hall of Fame someday soon.  First ballot.  Count on it.  Warrick Dunn won't likely be enshrined in the Hall, but there may never have been a more class individual to pull on an NFL jersey.  Go ahead, name one.  You see?  

The Bucs fan in me is sad to see Derrick, Warrick, Ike, Joey and Cato go.  But, this is professional football.  Hey, guys, there's always Dancing With The Stars.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Tampa Bay Buccaneers,Derrick Brooks,Warrick Dunn

But, When You Fast

This past Sunday morning we considered a couple of texts having to do with the Spiritual Discipline of fasting.  There were a couple of 'buts' about it.

Isaiah 58 tells a story of religious people.  They seek God.  Or so it seems.  That's how God saw their devotion: "they seem eager to know my ways"  and "they seem eager for their God to come near."  He further depicts, "it's as if they were a nation who does right."  Don't miss those words--seems and as if.  In sum: seems as if.

Much religious action happens apart from genuine motive.  In the Isaiah passage, fasting is simply one more of those religious rituals that people co-opted as if it should make God smile upon us, even as our fellow man notes, "Wow!  Look how religious you are!"

The word but doesn't appear in Isaiah 58, but the spirit of the hard contrast is throughout.  You look like a very religious people, but looks can be deceiving.

In Matthew 6 we find those contrasts by following the three-letter conjunction.  Before we actually get to fasting (in verses 16-18), take a quick look back over the entire chapter.  You will note that Jesus is teaching about religious devotion as it is expressed in giving, prayer and fasting.  Notice also that he uses the words "When you" with regard to each of the three.  Jesus assumes that his hearers are already familiar with these things, and that they will practice them--he doesn't spend time defining what each is, and he doesn't use the words "If you", but rather "When you" to begin.  And, just like the passage in Isaiah, it becomes a matter of the heart.  Is this simply a show?  Does it just seem like you are devout?

In verse 16-17: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do... to show men that they are fasting... But when you fast put oil on your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to men..."

Jesus used the word hypocrite--don't put on an act.  Fasting (as giving and praying mentioned before it) isn't about men noticing you, but about private piety--your genuine relationship with God.  If it's done correctly:

...it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen.

There's the real aim.  I've often used the words horizontal and vertical to depict this contrast--horizontal to represent our orientation to our fellow man and vertical to represent our orientation towards God.   Horizontal focus or vertical?  Are our acts of devotion aimed at peer recognition?  Or are they in genuine devotion to our God.

There's a question for us to ask ourselves.  What do you think?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Big Buts of the Bible,Bible Study,Fasting

Winter Break

We made a break--just in time to miss the snow storm at home last night.  We wake up this morning in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  No snow storm here.  No driveway to clear.  No ice to salt.  No mailbox to dig out. 

We're on our way to visit family in Florida.  I'm guessing it's a safe bet that there are no snow storms there to deal with. 

Cool stuff to blog about this week.  Should be a new song and music video debuting here later in the week.  There are also a couple more family tales to tell.  I've also been contemplating another of the really big buts found in the bible.  I plan to expose it.  (Get it?  Big but?  Expose it?  Sometimes I make myself giggle.)  I also plan to post some pics and videos of the family.

Travel with us.  Or... get to shoveling that snow.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Florida,Vacation

An Advance Look at Sunday

As we prepare to gather to worship tomorrow morning, you can get an advance look at the text we will consider by reading through Matthew 6:16-18.  We will be continuing our study of Spiritual Disciplines.

Jesse and members of the World Famous Christ's Church Worship Band will be leading us in song.  I see some Matt Osgood and some Vineyard music on the list with a couple of great hymn arrangements.  Come ready to lend your voice to the choir!

Whether at 9AM or 11AM, I look forward to gathering with you to worship our God in the morning.

Speaking With His Hands

This month marks what would have been my dad's eightieth birthday.  Over on my writing blog I've been posting some memories of Dad from a short story collection.  Here's one. 

Navy blue slacks, a collared white shirt and a big red bow-tie. That’s about all I remember from my days in Brother Book’s All American Christian Day School pre-kindergarten. That dumb outfit… oh, and Stephanie Brown.

Stephanie was pure evil. The girl was a head taller than everyone else in our class—a giant, like a four year old in the body of a sixth grader. She loved to inflict pain on her classmates. Pinching was her preferred method. The girl had claws. With an evil smile, she'd exhale a nefarious laugh and then sink her talons into you. “Does that hurt?” she’d taunt. I went home bruised many a day.

One day I got up the nerve to talk to my dad about it. He was in his chair in the living room. I crawled up across his lap. “What’s up buddy?” he asked. He began gently rubbing my back.

“Dad, there’s this mean girl at school named Stephanie,” I began. I described her. The girls at the Day School wore navy blue dresses, ruffled white blouses, and a big red bow in their hair—hers, I’m sure, to cover her horns. “She always pinches me, Dad. And it hurts!”

“Maybe she likes you,” he offered. “Sometimes girls don’t know how to tell boys that they want to be friends, so they give you a little sign.” I was stunned. It couldn’t be!

“Does Mom pinch you?” I asked.

“No. She’s not the pinching type,” he laughed.

“Well how do you know that she likes you?”

“There are signs—things that I see in her that make it clear just how she feels.” As he was saying that, a rough spot on his hand crossed the lower part of my back giving me a little tickle.

“Your fingers are scratchy,” I said.

He pulled his hand from under my shirt and leveled it before us. “I suppose they are calloused from work.” He turned his hand slowly as we examined it. The skin around his finger nails was rough and broken. The heel of his palm looked like dried leather. There were nicks and scratches on his fingers and the back of his hand.

He slipped his hand back under my shirt and continued to rub my back. “You know, that could be one of those signs I’m talking about,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever you feel how rough my hands are, you can be reminded how hard I work for our family—because I love you.”

I was silent as he rubbed another moment, and then a smile flashed wide across his face—“Or I could always just pinch you to let you know!” He began tickling me; I began giggling and wiggling, trying to break free from his grip. Our laughter filled the house.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,darin michael shaw,Story of Me,Memoirs

While You're Surfin'

Tooling around the web?  Check these stops. 

Obamicon ~ I had some fun with the Obamicon site a week or so ago.  You too can have an image turned into an Obama-style poster.  They've even added more fun things to their line-up.  I would imagine you could waste a few productive hours of work time on this site.  Happy procrastinating!

Your Fonts ~ This is what a font of my own handwriting looks like.  Now you see why I type on a computer more than I write letters by hand.   But, this YourFonts site allows you to create your very own font.  I created mine and then wrote a love note to my wife.  She thought it was a great likeness to my handwriting.  She showed the note to one of our girls for an opinion.  My daughter promptly replied, "Gross Mom!" 

DoodleBuzz ~ A news aggregate like no other.  This is the perfect site for someone with A.D.D. and a desire to read the news.  If you're prone to wander off for a spell during your day, you won't believe the interruption to productivity DoodleBuzz can offer!

For Pepsi Lovers ~ Phil Mooney's blog is a new regular stop for me.  Fun articles.  Fun activities.  Have a coke... and a smile.

Pop-Up Times ~ A friend is involved in this publication.  I've just subscribed.  If you're a pop-up camping kind of person you might enjoy Pop-Up Times.

Sweet Dreams ~ Have you wondered what I dream about each night?  Click here and look at the sexy pictures. Ooh La La!

Have you run across any fun or informative stops lately?

Big Buts from Sunday's Sermon

Here's a couple of big buts for you where serving others is concerned. 

The first from Matthew 6.    "When you give to the needy don't announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do... to be honored by men... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."   Jesus was teaching that our acts of kindness and service should be done without fanfare, but rather in secret. 

The second is in Luke 10.  Jesus is telling the story of a man who fell into the hands of robbers and was beaten, stripped of his clothing and left for dead.  First a priest happened by.  He crossed the road to pass on the other side of the street.  Next a Levite came by.  He did the same.  "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him he took pity on him..."  In this story, the first two passers-by were noted religious figures of the day.  Priests ministered on behalf of men's souls; Levites were entrusted with meeting spiritual needs of the community.  These religious leaders went out of their way to avoid getting involved.  It's a huge cultural but, too, because as Jesus' Jewish audience would have heard this, the Samaritan was one of the impure race--certainly nothing virtuous about him in the eyes of the Jew.

These buts make clear that in both of these texts Jesus is contrasting religious show with genuine piety.  It's not about how religious you look, sound or act.  It's a matter of your heart.  Do you want people to look at you on the outside and say, "Wow!  What a religious man!"  Jesus warns in Matthew 6, "That will be your reward." 

What is your take on these two texts?  How do they inform (or instruct) you with regard to the way you view the needs of others?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon,Big Buts of the Bible,Serving Others

An Advance Look At Sunday

"The heavens declare your greatness; the oceans cry out to you; the mountains bow down before you; so I'll join with the earth and sing." Tomorrow morning as we gather to worship, these will be among the words we raise in song.  I pray that you will come with your heart prepared to praise and worship together.  Jesse has a great set of songs for us, including a couple of great hymns and some Lincoln Brewster among others.

If you would like an advance look at the text we will study together, give Matthew 6:1-4 a read for starters.  We're going to be talking about the discipline of service--and be ready for some great opportunities to apply what we consider together.

A quick reminder for those who are newer to Christ's Church: the staff and I are hosting a Pastor's Pasta supper tomorrow beginning at 4pm.  I hope that you will consider joining us.

Whether I see you at 9AM or 11AM, I look forward to gathering together to worship.

But When You Are Tempted

Have you ever heard this one: “God won’t give you more than you can handle?” Oops! It's not in the Bible, my friend. In fact, I’d suggest that’s a particularly cruel misquote of 1 Corinthians 10:13. My experience has been that God often gives us more than we can handle—because it’s when we get there that we start to recognize our need for Him. So what does the verse really say? Is there a big but to help bring clarity to it? I’m glad you asked. Let’s start with the verse:

No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

See that we are talking specifically about temptations. It’s crucial to see things in their proper context. Have you ever had a waitress ask you, “How is everything?” Chances are that you understood—because of your surrounding context—that she was asking about your meal. How do you suppose it would go if you answered, “Well, I’m really unhappy about my job so I’m polishing up my resume; and my neighbor’s dog keeps getting into my garden so I’m going to file a complaint with the police; and I’ve got this nasty toe infection, it’s all swollen and puss-filled; and…” I mean, she did ask about everything. You get my point. And if you’re a little bit sarcastic by nature you’ve got ammunition to torment an unsuspecting waiter or waitress in the very near future.

First notice that the temptations we face are not unique. They are common to mankind. Surely some have succeeded while others have failed, but the point is that others have been there before. Then notice that the focus shifts from the specific temptation to God: God is faithful. His faithfulness is attested to in the fact that he won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. The big but of this passage shows you how he will accomplish this.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

When we face temptation we need to be looking for a way of escape. We need to be looking for him, because he gives us not only the get-away, but also the strength to make that way of escape. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 we’re taught that “His strength is made perfect in our weakness.” Where temptations are concerned, we need to take him up on that.

I’d suggest that there are some words of warning here for followers of Christ, too. If God doesn’t allow any of us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, then we have no legitimate excuse for falling to temptation.  We cannot say, "I had no choice."  We did.

How about some more buts about it? The King James Version actually includes three buts in this one verse, and they capture the whole of it—but such as is common to man; but God is faithful; but will with the temptation make a way of escape. God is active in the everyday lives of his people. It’s best that we not forget that.  It's best that we don't leave home without him.

Any thoughts?  Experiences to share?

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