Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Favorite Books of 2009

I'm continuing my year-end evaluations. I know that I may be the only one interested in these lists, but they do help me to think critically about the ways in which I spend my time. So, here is my list of my best books that I read this year. But first, my disclaimers.

These books are not necessarily the best ones of 2009. They are the books that I enjoyed, that entertained me, moved me, made me smile, or made me think more than any others this year.

These were not necessarily released in 2009. They are all new to me, however. I read them all for the first time in this year.

I try very hard to not be influenced by what is popular. Consequently, I may be biased against the Hollywood blockbuster or New York Times Bestseller. But then again, maybe not.

Additionally, they are in no particular order. It is hard enough for me to come up with my 10 favorites. Ranking them would be almost impossible.
  • Randy Pausch- The Last Lecture
  • Rob Bell and Dan Golden- Jesus Wants to Save Christians
  • Brian Houston- For This I Was Born
  • WP McKay and Ken Abraham- Billy
  • Jimmy Carter- Palestine: Peace not Apartheid
  • Peter Rollins- Orthodox Heretic
  • Stephen King- Duma Key
  • John Grisham- The Summons
  • Billy Crystal- 700 Sundays
  • Mother Teresa- Love

Monday, December 28, 2009

My Kids

So, my only child has completed her first semester of college. She did pretty well overall. Academically there is room for improvement. Socially she made the transition to independence exceedingly well. From the time Molly was born I believed that when she moved away my life would get simpler. I thought that I would lose interest in young people. I would get too old and out of touch to understand them, or for them to understand or be interested in me. I was wrong.

I have always had an interest in young people. (By young people I mean those who are in their teen years all the way through young adulthood.) There have been many young people that have been important to me- and I pray I was important to them- throughout my life. These people have become like my own children. Many of them I stay in touch with to this day.

These kids- "My Kids," I call them- have all responded to my life, ministry and teaching in positive ways. Additionally, they have all been young people that I liked, and like, very much. I could make a list of them, but I am sure that I cannot faithfully do that. Someone would be offended that I included them on my list, and someone else would be hurt that they were left off. There is no way I can win at that point.

However, I can list some common traits of these people, and our relationships.
  • Everyone of my kids has been a part of my leadership life. That is, I have had the honor of being a "discipler" if you will. I was in a place of authority and they willingly followed.
  • Everyone of my kids is still very important to me. I love them. There is not a one of them that I would hesitate to call in a time of need.
  • They are or have been involved in my life beyond our "professional" experiences. Life has been shared.
  • I love my kids. My kids love me.
  • There is great respect between us.
So far there are about 12 of these special kids. I am always on the lookout for number 13.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Favorite Music of 2009

I'm continuing my year-end evaluations. I know that I may be the only one interested in these lists, but they do help me to think critically about the ways in which I spend my time. So, here is my list of my best music/albums of the year. But first, my disclaimers.

These albums are not necessarily the best ones of 2009. They are albums that I enjoyed, that entertained me, moved me, made me smile, or made me think more than any others this year.

These were not necessarily released in 2009. They are all new to me, however. I heard them all for the first time in this year.

I try very hard to not be influenced by what is popular. Consequently, I may be biased against the Hollywood blockbuster or American Idol- type pop singer. But then again, maybe not.

Additionally, they are in no particular order. It is hard enough for me to come up with my 10 favorites. Ranking them would be almost impossible.

So here we go. My list for 2009.
  • The Jerry Hahn Brotherhood
  • Bob Dylan- Christmas in the Heart
  • Stan Kent0n- West Side Story
  • 2nd Chapter of Acts/ Phil Keaggy- How the West was One
  • Peter, Paul and Mary- Peter, Paul and Mommy
  • U2- Rattle and Hum
  • Maynard Ferguson- M.F. Horn
  • Jerry Lee Lewis- Last Man Standing
  • Bruce Springsteen- The Seeger Sessions
  • Bob Dylan- Friends and Neighbors (Theme Time Radio Hour)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Family Lists: Husbands

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5.25

Although sometimes I believe that we do a disservice to the idea of family by exalting a cultural definition of it as a biblical norm, there can be no doubt that families are important to the development, growth and stability of individuals, groups and societies in the world. We learn how to behave, cooperate and grow in the context of a family. Therefore, whether my particular family group is “normal” or “dysfunctional,” my family is the most important group in my life. And if that is true, I (and you as well) ought to have an idea what the Bible says about how family members should get along with one another. To that end, I offer a series of lists- The Family Lists. And because I know the role of husband as well as any of them, I start there.

Biblical suggestions for husbands:
  • Husbands are to love their wives (Ep. 5.25). Wives are not to be taken for granted, but are to be cherished, respected and cared for. In fact, the love of a husband for his wife should be similar to the love of Christ for the church. Would you die for your wife?
  • Husbands are to support and build their wives (Ep. 5.26-27). Husbands should be making their wives better people. Celebrate with your wife. Encourage her. Be her greatest cheerleader.
  • Husbands are to love their wives like they love themselves (Ep. 5.28-29). Take care of your wife like you take care of your own grooming, appearance, health and exercise.
  • Husbands should love their wives more than anything else. You should exalt your wife over your parents and their family, your job, your car, home or anything else.
  • Husbands should not be bitter or resentful to their wives (Colossians 3.19). It is easy to blame someone else for everything that goes wrong. Do not do it. Take responsibility for yourself and be kind to your wife.
  • Husbands are to be careful about how they handle their family (1 Timothy 3.12). Do not let your role in the family lead to an embarrassment from other members of the family.
  • Husbands are to be spiritual leaders in the family (1 Corinthians 14.35). Do not take this responsibility lightly. There is nothing feminine about being a spiritual example for your children, your spouse, for others. Be careful to always do what God asks. To this end…
    o Be an example in prayer.
    o Be diligent in worship.
    o Let your family see you study the Bible.
    o Encourage faithfulness to God among all members of the family.

Husbands have a difficult and important role to fulfill. It is not a job for the uncommitted or haphazard. This is a task for strong men of character who long to fulfill God’s purposes.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Favorite Movies of 2009

Its time to do my year-end evaluations. I know that I may be the only one interested in these lists, but they do help me to think critically about the ways in which I spend my time. So, here is my list of my best movies of the year. But first, my disclaimers.

These movies are not necessarily the best ones of 2009. They are movies that have moved me, entertained me or made me think more than any other movies this year.

These movies were not necessarily released in 2009. They are all new to me, however. I watched them all for the first time in 2009.

I try very hard to not be influenced by what is popular. Consequently, I may be biased against the Hollywood blockbuster. But then again, maybe not.
  • The Visitor
  • No Country for Old Men
  • Freedom Writers
  • Transsiberian
  • Ed Wood
  • Slumdog Millionaire
  • Doubt
  • Run, Fatboy, Run
  • Henry Poole is Here
  • Up

Friday, December 11, 2009

For All

A rose, an angel, shepherds, star;

A voice, a message, a sign, a call-

Symbols, signs and stories are

A reminder that the Savior, Christ, came for all.


So be reminded, filled with hope,

Answer always, but especially now;

To faith he calls, in faith we grow.

Sing the news, pray and tell it loud.

Presentz

The presence of God

Is the present of God.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The World Goes 'Round

So I have been thinking a lot about people, love, relationships and that sort of thing. Life is very complicated, and people are the largest complicating factor. Just when you have your relationships figured out, something changes in one of them that ultimately effects all of them. I think this is true for everyone except for the prisoner in solitary confinement and the hermit on a deserted tropical island.

As usual, I have tried to make sure that my thinking has not been meaningless rambling around in my head. I am trying to come to conclusions. I want to understand my relationships and how they work. I want them all to be better. To that end, I have made some observations and some decisions.

  • I should/ will love as many people as I can. This is true of people I already know and new people that I will meet. If it is true that love makes the world go around, I should do my part. I will be a lover of people.
  • There will always be time for my family and people that I truly love. There are a couple of implications in this statement. First of all, I cannot, and will not, be inconvenienced by my inner-circle. That is, they cannot put me out. They are a priority for me. Secondly, Since they are a priority, even if they have to wait because of some other issues, they will always be important to me. They will get their time and attention, even if they have to wait a little while.
  • New people in my life may not wait for me to get around to caring for them. There is probably a limited time-window for new people. People that I already have relationships with know that I will be there. New people may not. They may need attention and love right away.
  • I should love everyone, all the time. This is true even of people that I do not like. All people are made in God's image. Every individual is one that I should care about and love.