This past weekend was the Nebraska Kidney Association's 'Kidney Cruise'. The fundraising 'cruise' is a dinner event complete with a silent and live auction. My wife is the development director for the NKA and did a great job putting the fantastic evening together along with her event committee.
Some folks dress up in costume for the dinner so we had Paul Teutul Sr from 'American Chopper' (an absolute dead ringer), Dog the Bounty Hunter (complete with long blonde hair), the Monopoly man, Dano from Hawaii 5-O, Kim Kardashian among others and our costume contest winners, Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi- they won in a dance off (seemed a bit unfair to the staid Monopoly Man).
Sherri and I went as Popeye and Olive Oyl. At first when I was given the sailor cap, because of my size, I thought I was going to be the skipper from Gilligan's Isle. Then I realized she wasn't dressing up as Ginger - she was dressing in a long skirt, boots and a log sleeved top - Olive Oil is pretty conservative. My giant lymphodema arm made for a good post-spinach Popeye, complete with an anchor tattoo. I realize Popeye isn't politically correct these days with his tattoo and pipe-smoking and penchant for slugging it out with others but I went with it anyway.
I do admit to eating more than my fair share of the spinach dip during the evening. Playing Popeye though, I was reminded of his famous line.... 'that's all I can stands, I can't stands it no more!' and what I had read by Bill Hybels in his book 'Holy Discontent' about Popeye and his famous statement. Bill writes that, 'life just doesn't have to be the way that most people experience it.' He asks, 'What is it that you can't stands?'
He goes on to remind us that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph 2:10) and that 'if you are alive today then there is a specific work that you are expected to do.' Don't opt out of the good works God has called you to do! What is it that you 'can't stands', what is it you are called to do??? Hybels calls us to dismantle our apathy and not back down from our Holy Discontent!
Have the attitude that 'I will not be in a world where this reality continues to be true'. Hybels calls us to act with 'MASSIVE ENTHUSIASM and PERSISTANCE and INTENSE FOCUS. He goes on to write, 'When you charge towards your Holy Discontent with boundless optimisism and energy, you become the best kind of contagious.' It is critical that you engage.
Today, Popeye, Bill Hybels and I encourage you to 'stands it no more'. Get out there and act on your Holy Discontent. God plans to use 'every ounce' of what you've been through for His good. So take your spinach, get in the Word, and then be a do-er of the Word! When you really can't stands it no more, and take action, you too will be a hero worth remembering!
Blest Regards,
kp
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Ray of Hope
Ray Christensen died yesterday. He was my brother in Christ, a fellow church member, a quiet strong common sense leader who was a man of great faith. When Ray spoke I listened because his words were filled with wisdom. He and his wife Kathy raised the kind of boys you'd expect a man of his character to produce - faithful young men whom he loved with all his heart.
Even after I left our small church, Ray was the only member I continued to see on a regular basis. We shared hundreds of Saturday morning men's breakfasts over the years complete with a thousand laughs. He knew motors and cars and could diagnose a problem just by listening to you describe what was happening. He knew about Omaha history and hard work. He knew the grocery business. Best of all he knew his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I remember Ray was always ready to help at church any time he was asked. In fact he literally helped build the churches' recent addition. He was instrumental in getting the Atonement childcare up and running. It would become one of the largest LCMS childcare facilities in the country under his leadership and vision. He was a strong Elder, a faithful example for all. He taught, he built, he washed dishes, he did whatever needed to get done. Men like Ray aren't common, they are uncommon and we are blessed to share time together working in the vineyard with him, to watch one of God's most faithful men in action.
I remember a poster from our Bethel Bible study from Genesis 12 depicting God's pronouncement that we are 'blessed to be a blessing'. And the poster showed a prism reflecting light, showing how we are to reflect God's blessings to others. Ray was indeed that reflected Ray of hope, Ray of love, Ray of sunshine to all he met and all our lives are brighter because he was a part of it.
Ray's death is a great loss for his family and I pray for strength for them to get through these hard days. His death is a great loss for all of us and for me as well. I will miss our Saturday mornings together. I will miss your example. An encourager, a friend, a gift from God has run his race, finished well and claimed his reward. For that I am glad, for our loss I am sad. We will all greatly miss our Ray of Hope. kp
Even after I left our small church, Ray was the only member I continued to see on a regular basis. We shared hundreds of Saturday morning men's breakfasts over the years complete with a thousand laughs. He knew motors and cars and could diagnose a problem just by listening to you describe what was happening. He knew about Omaha history and hard work. He knew the grocery business. Best of all he knew his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I remember Ray was always ready to help at church any time he was asked. In fact he literally helped build the churches' recent addition. He was instrumental in getting the Atonement childcare up and running. It would become one of the largest LCMS childcare facilities in the country under his leadership and vision. He was a strong Elder, a faithful example for all. He taught, he built, he washed dishes, he did whatever needed to get done. Men like Ray aren't common, they are uncommon and we are blessed to share time together working in the vineyard with him, to watch one of God's most faithful men in action.
I remember a poster from our Bethel Bible study from Genesis 12 depicting God's pronouncement that we are 'blessed to be a blessing'. And the poster showed a prism reflecting light, showing how we are to reflect God's blessings to others. Ray was indeed that reflected Ray of hope, Ray of love, Ray of sunshine to all he met and all our lives are brighter because he was a part of it.
Ray's death is a great loss for his family and I pray for strength for them to get through these hard days. His death is a great loss for all of us and for me as well. I will miss our Saturday mornings together. I will miss your example. An encourager, a friend, a gift from God has run his race, finished well and claimed his reward. For that I am glad, for our loss I am sad. We will all greatly miss our Ray of Hope. kp
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Middle Seat Theology
I did it on purpose and it went as planned. I got bumped from my 6:30 am flight to Atlanta. Tuesday was a travel day for a company meeting in Orlando Florida. I booked the early flight through Atlanta because it is always overbooked. Sure enough after checking in and waiting at the gate the announcement came. 'We need one volunteer to take a later flight'. I was that volunteer because volunteers get a $300 travel voucher and a first class ticket to their destination. One na done half hours later I was on a plane to my destination, sitting in first class (where I belong) with an extra $300 in my pocket with a nice hot breakfast in front of me!
The voucher will come in handy on our next family vacation or to take Sherri along with me on a business trip. This is the second time in a row this flight has paid off for me and both times the delays were minimal. As the leader on the 'A Team' used to say, 'I love it when a plan comes together'.
On the trip back, I wasn't so lucky. Due to extended meetings I got to the airport late. The reward for arriving late was seat assignment, 30B. Let me tell you 30B is nothing like 3B. 3B is an aisle seat with loads of leg room and a doting flight attendant. 30B is a dreaded middle seat with no leg room for a guy just over 6'3". There are no kids and babies around 3B, they surrounded me in 30B. They were not good kids either, the good ones must have been up front some where.
I laughed about that at work this morning. How our kids were awesome when we flew to Disney World so many years ago. I thought it was because we sat ready to give them 'awesome encouragement' in case they acted otherwise. You know that little thump you can use on the top of a kid's head when you are driving? I know for sure my dad knows about this. I always called that kind of awesome encouragement 'thinkin-helpin'. Say the word 'thinkin-helpin' to Caleb and to this day he'll tell you he hates it and it doesn't work. The threat of thinkin-helpin always worked better than thinkin-helpin itself did so thumps were extremely few and far between.
On my 30B flight, there was a quiet dispute (in my mind at least) over who controlled the armrests. My belief is, and this should be announced by the airline attendants with all the other safety announcements, that the person in the middle seat has claim to and first use of both middle arm rests. People on the aisle and by the window have their own private armrests on the other side. In my case, the guy on the aisle didn't understand this until he was distracted by one of the aforementioned thinkin-helpin needy bad kids and so I seized the moment and the armrest for the duration of the trip. Possession is 9/10ths of the armrest law.
Our flight was delayed after we got on the plane so I got to enjoy some additional time in my middle seat. We were delayed so long that my 40 minute layover was in jeopardy - could I make it to the gate to catch my flight to Omaha? 30B (way in the back) is not an optimal starting point to catch a short layover flight. As if matters weren't bad enough upon landing, my Blackberry had a message waiting for me that we had a gate change for the flight to Omaha - it was now flying out of a completely different terminal than where we were deplaning. Luckily it turned out the Omaha flight was delayed as well so my jog to the gate turned out to be unnecessary except as a reminder as to how out of shape I am.
On this flight of life, some have 1st class seats, some of us have middle seats. The Bible says it's harder to make your heavenly connection from the 1st class section because the last deplane first, so to speak. On this flight be kind to those around you, let the guy in the middle have the armrest. Encourage those around you including the kids who need a positive influence. Praise God for the Holy Spirit thinkin-helpin He gives you! In the end, I am confident your connecting flight will be held for you and we will arrive at an amazing destination for an eternity of blessings!
Blest Regards,
kp
The voucher will come in handy on our next family vacation or to take Sherri along with me on a business trip. This is the second time in a row this flight has paid off for me and both times the delays were minimal. As the leader on the 'A Team' used to say, 'I love it when a plan comes together'.
On the trip back, I wasn't so lucky. Due to extended meetings I got to the airport late. The reward for arriving late was seat assignment, 30B. Let me tell you 30B is nothing like 3B. 3B is an aisle seat with loads of leg room and a doting flight attendant. 30B is a dreaded middle seat with no leg room for a guy just over 6'3". There are no kids and babies around 3B, they surrounded me in 30B. They were not good kids either, the good ones must have been up front some where.
I laughed about that at work this morning. How our kids were awesome when we flew to Disney World so many years ago. I thought it was because we sat ready to give them 'awesome encouragement' in case they acted otherwise. You know that little thump you can use on the top of a kid's head when you are driving? I know for sure my dad knows about this. I always called that kind of awesome encouragement 'thinkin-helpin'. Say the word 'thinkin-helpin' to Caleb and to this day he'll tell you he hates it and it doesn't work. The threat of thinkin-helpin always worked better than thinkin-helpin itself did so thumps were extremely few and far between.
On my 30B flight, there was a quiet dispute (in my mind at least) over who controlled the armrests. My belief is, and this should be announced by the airline attendants with all the other safety announcements, that the person in the middle seat has claim to and first use of both middle arm rests. People on the aisle and by the window have their own private armrests on the other side. In my case, the guy on the aisle didn't understand this until he was distracted by one of the aforementioned thinkin-helpin needy bad kids and so I seized the moment and the armrest for the duration of the trip. Possession is 9/10ths of the armrest law.
Our flight was delayed after we got on the plane so I got to enjoy some additional time in my middle seat. We were delayed so long that my 40 minute layover was in jeopardy - could I make it to the gate to catch my flight to Omaha? 30B (way in the back) is not an optimal starting point to catch a short layover flight. As if matters weren't bad enough upon landing, my Blackberry had a message waiting for me that we had a gate change for the flight to Omaha - it was now flying out of a completely different terminal than where we were deplaning. Luckily it turned out the Omaha flight was delayed as well so my jog to the gate turned out to be unnecessary except as a reminder as to how out of shape I am.
On this flight of life, some have 1st class seats, some of us have middle seats. The Bible says it's harder to make your heavenly connection from the 1st class section because the last deplane first, so to speak. On this flight be kind to those around you, let the guy in the middle have the armrest. Encourage those around you including the kids who need a positive influence. Praise God for the Holy Spirit thinkin-helpin He gives you! In the end, I am confident your connecting flight will be held for you and we will arrive at an amazing destination for an eternity of blessings!
Blest Regards,
kp
The 800# Gorilla
Last week was a long week. That's because last week was test week - as in I had scans taken and after a couple days get the results back. I had the scans run on Wednesday and got the results on Friday. That meant three days of waiting to take the tests and two days of waiting for results.
I've felt pretty good lately and Dr. Soori has been pretty aggressive in massaging my neck looking for even the smallest bump and hadn't found anything. I've been continuing my weekly chemo treatments every Friday to try to prevent a reoccurrence of my cancer. All the signs pointed to a good report but cancer doesn't follow signs, it seems to have a mind of its own.
So Sherri and I were cautiously optimistic but also quietly realistic. Quietly realistic means living with an 800 pound gorilla of sorts for a week. He made himself at home in our lives and was quietly polite, really. Sherri and I tried to ignore him and we didn't talk about him. But we both knew he was there and we tried as best we could to wage a bit of gorilla warfare to keep him from becoming more than a quiet distraction.
Finally after five days of waiting, we sat in the doctor's office with our gorilla. Dr. Soori came in and asked how I was. I told him 'ok' but that waiting for test results wasn't easy. He said he understood and that it wasn't easy for doctors either. He then said right away, 'I have good news for you' and then went on to detail area after area of my body that came back 'all clear'. And with the final 'all clear' announcement, our gorilla put on his hat and left the room even before our time with the doctor was done.
It was great to see him leave but test results only have a 90 day shelf life in my world. In another 90 days I'll have the same set of tests run again - head, neck and chest, and most likely the same five day wait. And in 90 days he'll undoubtedly be back for a week - hopefully with a little less weight- maybe we'll have a 200 pound chimp instead.
Matthew 6 is what I call the 'don't worry, be happy' chapter of the Bible where Jesus reminds us that we can't add even a minute to our lives by worrying. He reminds us just how much God knows about us, how much He loves and cares for us. Focus on Him and you'll be fine. Even so, we all steal glances at our gorillas don't we?
Maybe an occasional glance at your own grape ape isn't worry as much as it is concern - which can lead us to take good and necessary actions like protecting our families or living healthier lifestyles or pondering even more important matters, such as God and faith and eternity. That seems ok to me. What we don't want to do is make gorillas the focus of our lives - we can't grab them by the hand and pat them on the head. In short gorillas are wild animals and don't make good house pets.
So this week I give thanks for the words 'All Clear!' I give thanks for good doctors and a very supportive and loving wife. I give thanks for all my friends and family who keep praying for me - and doing a great job of it I must add. Most of all I give thanks for a great God who tells me not to worry, that He loves me and has it all under control. And so He does, even the gorillas.
Blest Regards,
kp
I've felt pretty good lately and Dr. Soori has been pretty aggressive in massaging my neck looking for even the smallest bump and hadn't found anything. I've been continuing my weekly chemo treatments every Friday to try to prevent a reoccurrence of my cancer. All the signs pointed to a good report but cancer doesn't follow signs, it seems to have a mind of its own.
So Sherri and I were cautiously optimistic but also quietly realistic. Quietly realistic means living with an 800 pound gorilla of sorts for a week. He made himself at home in our lives and was quietly polite, really. Sherri and I tried to ignore him and we didn't talk about him. But we both knew he was there and we tried as best we could to wage a bit of gorilla warfare to keep him from becoming more than a quiet distraction.
Finally after five days of waiting, we sat in the doctor's office with our gorilla. Dr. Soori came in and asked how I was. I told him 'ok' but that waiting for test results wasn't easy. He said he understood and that it wasn't easy for doctors either. He then said right away, 'I have good news for you' and then went on to detail area after area of my body that came back 'all clear'. And with the final 'all clear' announcement, our gorilla put on his hat and left the room even before our time with the doctor was done.
It was great to see him leave but test results only have a 90 day shelf life in my world. In another 90 days I'll have the same set of tests run again - head, neck and chest, and most likely the same five day wait. And in 90 days he'll undoubtedly be back for a week - hopefully with a little less weight- maybe we'll have a 200 pound chimp instead.
Matthew 6 is what I call the 'don't worry, be happy' chapter of the Bible where Jesus reminds us that we can't add even a minute to our lives by worrying. He reminds us just how much God knows about us, how much He loves and cares for us. Focus on Him and you'll be fine. Even so, we all steal glances at our gorillas don't we?
Maybe an occasional glance at your own grape ape isn't worry as much as it is concern - which can lead us to take good and necessary actions like protecting our families or living healthier lifestyles or pondering even more important matters, such as God and faith and eternity. That seems ok to me. What we don't want to do is make gorillas the focus of our lives - we can't grab them by the hand and pat them on the head. In short gorillas are wild animals and don't make good house pets.
So this week I give thanks for the words 'All Clear!' I give thanks for good doctors and a very supportive and loving wife. I give thanks for all my friends and family who keep praying for me - and doing a great job of it I must add. Most of all I give thanks for a great God who tells me not to worry, that He loves me and has it all under control. And so He does, even the gorillas.
Blest Regards,
kp
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Guns and Rocks
Senseless, maddening, disturbing, and anger - these are the words that best fit my reactions to the killing of an innocent 9 year old girl and five others last week. I had to turn the channel when the father spoke about his great loss. And again, as in similar situations before I want revenge measured out now, here on earth, in a proportion double the pain the shooter caused. I want to be like the band of revenge dedicated Jews in the fictional movie 'Inglorious Bastards' who kill German soldiers and officers during WWII at such a rate and with such gruesome efficiency that Hitler himself wants them dead. This Tuscon bald Adams family look-alike killer needs pain and shame inflicted in large doses with no mercy and gruesome efficiency.
I've thought this through before and know that's not the right answer but still, its my first thought and a longer lingering thought than I care to admit. It takes me awhile to find a postiion of mercy in these situations - even though I'm not personally involved. Revenge is not what we are called to, it's just my first postion as a card carrying member of a sinful world. Maybe I'll get better as time goes on.
Last week I mentioned I was studying and reviewing the commentary on how often Jesus told us to forgive - and more importantly to keep forgiving. Right after Jesus tells Peter and his disciples to forgive 70 and 7 (or 70 times 7) times He tells a parable. Jesus tells a parable to help his disciples and us remember the main point.
Jesus tells about a man who owed mega bucks - some say $ 10,000,000 others say even more - as in 10 times the national budget. OK, we get the point but maybe the guy in the parable doesn't - he's under the illusion that he can pay this back and he says so. He also askes for mercy. What he gets is full forgiveness of his debt. Awesome! Then this same guy meets up with someone who owes him a $20 bill. The guy can't pay so he has the debtor thrown in prison, which then results in his own forgiveness being revoked.
In real life, I'm the guy who doesn't understand well enough just how much I've been forgiven. Somehow I think I'm not so bad really and I'm a guy who's quick to look for revenge on other debtors. Shamefully, I'd be a great addition to the 'crucify Him' crowd. And yet, even then, some of Jesus' last words were- 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' It was a final and exampletory 70 and 7 moment.
So in the Tuscon shooting case, punishment is deserved, revenge is not. We learn that in this sinful world terrible things happen, unexplainable things happen. Let these events remind us that we are forgiven much, that our own sinful actions won't allow us to cast the first stone. We've got to drop our rocks and go see if we can help the people who have been hurt or help others like them who hurt. At the very least let us be reminded that life is short and fragile and that our God-given faith is our most important possession. And that faith that requires forgiveness - even in Tuscon.
Your Much Forgiven Friend,
kp
I've thought this through before and know that's not the right answer but still, its my first thought and a longer lingering thought than I care to admit. It takes me awhile to find a postiion of mercy in these situations - even though I'm not personally involved. Revenge is not what we are called to, it's just my first postion as a card carrying member of a sinful world. Maybe I'll get better as time goes on.
Last week I mentioned I was studying and reviewing the commentary on how often Jesus told us to forgive - and more importantly to keep forgiving. Right after Jesus tells Peter and his disciples to forgive 70 and 7 (or 70 times 7) times He tells a parable. Jesus tells a parable to help his disciples and us remember the main point.
Jesus tells about a man who owed mega bucks - some say $ 10,000,000 others say even more - as in 10 times the national budget. OK, we get the point but maybe the guy in the parable doesn't - he's under the illusion that he can pay this back and he says so. He also askes for mercy. What he gets is full forgiveness of his debt. Awesome! Then this same guy meets up with someone who owes him a $20 bill. The guy can't pay so he has the debtor thrown in prison, which then results in his own forgiveness being revoked.
In real life, I'm the guy who doesn't understand well enough just how much I've been forgiven. Somehow I think I'm not so bad really and I'm a guy who's quick to look for revenge on other debtors. Shamefully, I'd be a great addition to the 'crucify Him' crowd. And yet, even then, some of Jesus' last words were- 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' It was a final and exampletory 70 and 7 moment.
So in the Tuscon shooting case, punishment is deserved, revenge is not. We learn that in this sinful world terrible things happen, unexplainable things happen. Let these events remind us that we are forgiven much, that our own sinful actions won't allow us to cast the first stone. We've got to drop our rocks and go see if we can help the people who have been hurt or help others like them who hurt. At the very least let us be reminded that life is short and fragile and that our God-given faith is our most important possession. And that faith that requires forgiveness - even in Tuscon.
Your Much Forgiven Friend,
kp
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hanging with Jesus!
Just had to show you this. Sherri and I had our picture taken with Jesus. I asked to be on His right hand but Jesus told me not to worry about it and then promptly put Sherri at His right hand. Hey! Anyway here's the picture!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Cube-Light!
This morning as I sit in my cubicle the sun is shining on my computer screen. This is odd because my screen faces away from the windows which are two rows away. I'm kind of in the corner of the building so the other windows are three cubes away if that makes any sense.
Anyway, for a few minutes, less than 10 I would guess, between 8:25 AM and 8:35 AM or so the bright sunlight pours into my small area. How does this happen? Well, First Data has two buildings right next to each other here in the Aksarben campus. The sunlight reflects off the other building's windows and then makes a beeline for my area. For me, I enjoy the sunlight and its nice to have for those few minutes.
The light that brightens my day doesn't last long enough for me to get a tan but I like it all the same. Sunny days make everyone a little happier don't they? There is something wired in us to enjoy the light. In a way we are attacted to the light like bugs on the porchlight on a summer day.
This morning as the light arrived again I thought about how we should be reflectors of The Light. How we can brighten people's day by our attitudes and actions and words. This doesn't mean every sentence we speak with others has to include the word 'Jesus'- but He did call us to be 'bright' people saying, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Have we caused this reaction in anyone lately?
I can still see the prism of light poster we studied in Bethel Bible study. The poster was a depiction of the call to Abraham where he was 'blessed to be a blessing' (I still remember this is in Genesis 12). That is our call today as well. We've been blessed so that we can reflect that blessing to others - maybe like my cubicle sunlight only for a short time - but that short time will be used by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in the lives of others.
I saw a bumper sticker a long time ago that has stuck with me ever since. Maybe you've seen it or read it somewhere as well. It read, 'God said it, I believe it. That settles it.' Jesus called us to reflect His light, to let our little Gospel light shine in our actions and words. He said it. I believe it. That settles it. And to add a Nike line, now we need to - Just do it!
So today's call is to brighten someone's day, to reflect a ray or two of God's great blessings upon you towards others. As Augustine said (in a rough translation), use words if necessary. The sunlight is gone now from my cube but the Sonlight can still shine bright - time to go find a place to reflect.
Blest regards,
kp
Anyway, for a few minutes, less than 10 I would guess, between 8:25 AM and 8:35 AM or so the bright sunlight pours into my small area. How does this happen? Well, First Data has two buildings right next to each other here in the Aksarben campus. The sunlight reflects off the other building's windows and then makes a beeline for my area. For me, I enjoy the sunlight and its nice to have for those few minutes.
The light that brightens my day doesn't last long enough for me to get a tan but I like it all the same. Sunny days make everyone a little happier don't they? There is something wired in us to enjoy the light. In a way we are attacted to the light like bugs on the porchlight on a summer day.
This morning as the light arrived again I thought about how we should be reflectors of The Light. How we can brighten people's day by our attitudes and actions and words. This doesn't mean every sentence we speak with others has to include the word 'Jesus'- but He did call us to be 'bright' people saying, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Have we caused this reaction in anyone lately?
I can still see the prism of light poster we studied in Bethel Bible study. The poster was a depiction of the call to Abraham where he was 'blessed to be a blessing' (I still remember this is in Genesis 12). That is our call today as well. We've been blessed so that we can reflect that blessing to others - maybe like my cubicle sunlight only for a short time - but that short time will be used by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in the lives of others.
I saw a bumper sticker a long time ago that has stuck with me ever since. Maybe you've seen it or read it somewhere as well. It read, 'God said it, I believe it. That settles it.' Jesus called us to reflect His light, to let our little Gospel light shine in our actions and words. He said it. I believe it. That settles it. And to add a Nike line, now we need to - Just do it!
So today's call is to brighten someone's day, to reflect a ray or two of God's great blessings upon you towards others. As Augustine said (in a rough translation), use words if necessary. The sunlight is gone now from my cube but the Sonlight can still shine bright - time to go find a place to reflect.
Blest regards,
kp
Thursday, October 14, 2010
When a Plan Comes Together!
I went to church last night - Tuesday. And every once in awhile you get a sense of what church should really be like, a glimpse of how God intended our gatherings to be. Last night was one of those times for me.
Walter Lamoureux died this past week at the age of 87. He was a longtime member (over 50 years) of St Bernards parish. To say he was well loved and respected would be an understatement. The proof of this statement was brought to life with a packed church.
A cathedral full of people is a pretty cool thing. There were no empty seats, the way God intended a church to be filled. Then people sang out. Not a common thing to hear in a Catholic church, but they did. The words to the songs echoed off the renovated high arched ceiling and flooded back down again over the congregation. It was truly beautiful and powerful.
After the service which was well done, filled with a great Gospel message and sweet rememberance stories, people didn't leave. They stayed to encourage the family and each other. I saw a community of people caring, loving, and providing support to each other- just as powerful as any hymn - it was love in action.
We all know church isn't a building, it's God's people. Last night I went to church, I was with God's people and they were in rare form. God's church last night lived up to their billing, stepped up to the plate and encouraged and consoled Walt's family and each other just as God planned for His church to do.
Do you remember the TV show 'The A Team' and how the leader would say in almost every show, 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Walking back to the car on a perfect cool Fall evening I couldn't help but think how maybe God loves it when His plan, His church comes together as they did last night. Sometimes God's people get it right, and that is a blessing to see and be a part of.
I want to encourage you to be part of it as well, to be a faithful encouragement for others by your attendance at church, by using your voice to praise God, and by taking time to love others you meet there. That's what God's church, God's people, are intended to do. That is God's plan. And I have to tell you, I love it when HIS plan comes together.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Walter Lamoureux died this past week at the age of 87. He was a longtime member (over 50 years) of St Bernards parish. To say he was well loved and respected would be an understatement. The proof of this statement was brought to life with a packed church.
A cathedral full of people is a pretty cool thing. There were no empty seats, the way God intended a church to be filled. Then people sang out. Not a common thing to hear in a Catholic church, but they did. The words to the songs echoed off the renovated high arched ceiling and flooded back down again over the congregation. It was truly beautiful and powerful.
After the service which was well done, filled with a great Gospel message and sweet rememberance stories, people didn't leave. They stayed to encourage the family and each other. I saw a community of people caring, loving, and providing support to each other- just as powerful as any hymn - it was love in action.
We all know church isn't a building, it's God's people. Last night I went to church, I was with God's people and they were in rare form. God's church last night lived up to their billing, stepped up to the plate and encouraged and consoled Walt's family and each other just as God planned for His church to do.
Do you remember the TV show 'The A Team' and how the leader would say in almost every show, 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Walking back to the car on a perfect cool Fall evening I couldn't help but think how maybe God loves it when His plan, His church comes together as they did last night. Sometimes God's people get it right, and that is a blessing to see and be a part of.
I want to encourage you to be part of it as well, to be a faithful encouragement for others by your attendance at church, by using your voice to praise God, and by taking time to love others you meet there. That's what God's church, God's people, are intended to do. That is God's plan. And I have to tell you, I love it when HIS plan comes together.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bearing Vegetables
This past weekend ended the flower and garden season at our house. I took out all the pumpkin and watermelon vines with the exception of a couple watermelon which are making a final effort to get up to size in our cool fall weather.
So far the harvest has netted three watermelons and thirteen pumpkins. Not bad considering I planted them just to fill in some empty space out in the front flowerbed. They ended up going crazy, climbing over the retaining wall and taking over a portion of our yard and half the steps leading to our front door. At first I tried to point the vines back into the garden but they were persistant in their escape attempts and ended up winning that war.
We all enjoyed watching our crop grow. Pulling into the driveway we were greeted each time by a couple good sized watermelons that I was sure would one day mysteriously disappear- but they never did and instead ended up being fine additions to our Sunday evening family dinners. Some days it seemed as if you could see them growing they grew so fast.
The pumpkins grew fast as well and they came in all shapes and sizes. We had long tall pumpkins and perfectly round pumpkins. Some turned orange early, way back in mid September, and some are still a bit green. Our last and biggest pumpkin (about the size of a basketball) is on the steps trying to ripen even as you read this.
In addition we had some radishes, jalepenos and tomatoes. The petunias and marigolds bloomed brightly all summer and fall as did a couple hanging plants I don't know the names of. All in all it was a very successful growing season at our house unless you wonder about my lawn - that is another story itself.
Bearing vegetables, that's what we all need to be doing. I think bearing fruit gets far to much credit. Trees bear fruit. The hard work of bearing vegetables is done at or below ground level. It's a ground war of sorts against bugs and rabbits and birds. We lost some tomatoes, even a pumpkin to bugs. But our plants pressed on and we harvested a great crop.
Of course I'm going to encourage you to bear vegetables of a different sort. To keep working to climb out of the retaining walls of your life and bloom and well, bear vegetables that, with the help of our Gardner, the Holy Spirit, bring Life to others. Bearing vegetables, I like the sound of that. Next time you hear some child being told to eat their vegetables think of your role in sharing God's Good News. See you vegetable producers Sunday in church.
Blest Regards,
kp
OK, maybe you've read this far and have been screaming all along that pumpkins and watermelons are fruits - and that would be correct except this fact ruins my blog so let's just pretend that via a proclaimation I order they are now vegetables as I think they rightly should be. The story now once again makes sense except to those of you who are fruit radicals and will not accept any recatagorization that reduces fruit numbers. Fruity people can be that way. I still call on everyone to bear vegetables! : ) kp
So far the harvest has netted three watermelons and thirteen pumpkins. Not bad considering I planted them just to fill in some empty space out in the front flowerbed. They ended up going crazy, climbing over the retaining wall and taking over a portion of our yard and half the steps leading to our front door. At first I tried to point the vines back into the garden but they were persistant in their escape attempts and ended up winning that war.
We all enjoyed watching our crop grow. Pulling into the driveway we were greeted each time by a couple good sized watermelons that I was sure would one day mysteriously disappear- but they never did and instead ended up being fine additions to our Sunday evening family dinners. Some days it seemed as if you could see them growing they grew so fast.
The pumpkins grew fast as well and they came in all shapes and sizes. We had long tall pumpkins and perfectly round pumpkins. Some turned orange early, way back in mid September, and some are still a bit green. Our last and biggest pumpkin (about the size of a basketball) is on the steps trying to ripen even as you read this.
In addition we had some radishes, jalepenos and tomatoes. The petunias and marigolds bloomed brightly all summer and fall as did a couple hanging plants I don't know the names of. All in all it was a very successful growing season at our house unless you wonder about my lawn - that is another story itself.
Bearing vegetables, that's what we all need to be doing. I think bearing fruit gets far to much credit. Trees bear fruit. The hard work of bearing vegetables is done at or below ground level. It's a ground war of sorts against bugs and rabbits and birds. We lost some tomatoes, even a pumpkin to bugs. But our plants pressed on and we harvested a great crop.
Of course I'm going to encourage you to bear vegetables of a different sort. To keep working to climb out of the retaining walls of your life and bloom and well, bear vegetables that, with the help of our Gardner, the Holy Spirit, bring Life to others. Bearing vegetables, I like the sound of that. Next time you hear some child being told to eat their vegetables think of your role in sharing God's Good News. See you vegetable producers Sunday in church.
Blest Regards,
kp
OK, maybe you've read this far and have been screaming all along that pumpkins and watermelons are fruits - and that would be correct except this fact ruins my blog so let's just pretend that via a proclaimation I order they are now vegetables as I think they rightly should be. The story now once again makes sense except to those of you who are fruit radicals and will not accept any recatagorization that reduces fruit numbers. Fruity people can be that way. I still call on everyone to bear vegetables! : ) kp
Friday, September 24, 2010
United We Stand - Delayed
I'd learned this lesson before on numerous occassions, but it was one I was learning again. I shook my head in disbelief at my stupidity, what was I thinking? Now I was paying the price for my bad decision.
So what was my error? I had chosen to fly to Indianapolis on United through Chicago's O'Hare airport. Here's the lesson I'd learned many times in the past and was now being taught again, DON'T FLY UNITED ANYWHERE THROUGH O'HARE. So I sat in the Springfield Missouri airport wondering if I could even get to my Indianapolis meeting the next day.
The brand new Springfield airport is an interesting place. Ten gates makes it about the size of one of Eppley's two terminals. I had just glanced up at the TV which was on the Weather Channel when I saw a line of clouds approaching Chicago. I know from experience that just the threat of clouds is enough to send O'Hare into a tailspin. Only a minute later the announcement comes over the public address system, " United Airlines Flight 629 to Chicago has been cancelled." Cancelled? Really? On just the threat of a few clouds? EEESCH.
I looked around the empty terminal. Just two other guys were booked for this flight from what I could see. I then thought the honest announcement should have gone something like this, "Based on only having three people purchase tickets, United has decided it is better for us to cancel your flight. To bad for you because we're going to blame this on the weather so don't be asking us for a free lunch or a hotel for the evening- don't ask us for anything! And thank you for choosing United."
So the three of us weary travelers headed for the United desk - back in the main lobby, back through security whose number of employees exceeded the total number of travelers in the entire airport. Long story short, I ended up watching another three hours of the weather channel and flying to Dallas to get to Indy - arriving at my hotel at 1:30 AM. A stiff but fair punishment for my poor United decision.
Flying home the next day I again was punished for flying through O'Hare. This time I got to Chicago but when I arrived, the board didn't show a time for my Omaha flight. Instead it said 'Servicing Jet' in the time spot. Let me tell you if you ever see that comment, don't expect to leave anywhere near on-time. What that ended up meaning to me was an after midnight arrival at home. Ahhhh, the joys of business travel.
I'll let you make your own analogy when it comes to faith lessons you've learned and forgotten. In the end, as in THE END, forgetting those lessons could mean more than a delay to our final destination - it might mean ending up in a less desireable destination. Enough said. Hope to see you all on that FINAL flight to our exciting, exotic eternal home - which luckily won't go through Chicago!
Blest Regards,
Keith
So what was my error? I had chosen to fly to Indianapolis on United through Chicago's O'Hare airport. Here's the lesson I'd learned many times in the past and was now being taught again, DON'T FLY UNITED ANYWHERE THROUGH O'HARE. So I sat in the Springfield Missouri airport wondering if I could even get to my Indianapolis meeting the next day.
The brand new Springfield airport is an interesting place. Ten gates makes it about the size of one of Eppley's two terminals. I had just glanced up at the TV which was on the Weather Channel when I saw a line of clouds approaching Chicago. I know from experience that just the threat of clouds is enough to send O'Hare into a tailspin. Only a minute later the announcement comes over the public address system, " United Airlines Flight 629 to Chicago has been cancelled." Cancelled? Really? On just the threat of a few clouds? EEESCH.
I looked around the empty terminal. Just two other guys were booked for this flight from what I could see. I then thought the honest announcement should have gone something like this, "Based on only having three people purchase tickets, United has decided it is better for us to cancel your flight. To bad for you because we're going to blame this on the weather so don't be asking us for a free lunch or a hotel for the evening- don't ask us for anything! And thank you for choosing United."
So the three of us weary travelers headed for the United desk - back in the main lobby, back through security whose number of employees exceeded the total number of travelers in the entire airport. Long story short, I ended up watching another three hours of the weather channel and flying to Dallas to get to Indy - arriving at my hotel at 1:30 AM. A stiff but fair punishment for my poor United decision.
Flying home the next day I again was punished for flying through O'Hare. This time I got to Chicago but when I arrived, the board didn't show a time for my Omaha flight. Instead it said 'Servicing Jet' in the time spot. Let me tell you if you ever see that comment, don't expect to leave anywhere near on-time. What that ended up meaning to me was an after midnight arrival at home. Ahhhh, the joys of business travel.
I'll let you make your own analogy when it comes to faith lessons you've learned and forgotten. In the end, as in THE END, forgetting those lessons could mean more than a delay to our final destination - it might mean ending up in a less desireable destination. Enough said. Hope to see you all on that FINAL flight to our exciting, exotic eternal home - which luckily won't go through Chicago!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
IDI - 'Know Doubt'
I think I've told you before that the absolute worst thing I can say to my wife, the thing that fires her up almost immediately, the way to get into instant hot water... is to say, 'IDI'. Those three little letters can dig a pretty deep hole.
What does IDI mean at our house? I doubt it. Being doubted, questioned, having your sincerity and honesty reviewed doesn't sit well with anyone really. So when it comes to matters of faith, how does Jesus respond when we put the 'IDI' on Him which everyone has done at some point?
Have you ever heard of what some call the 'Doubter's Prayer'? The prayer consists of words spoken directly to Jesus. A man comes with his demon possessed child and asks for healing. Jesus replies healing is possible for one who believes. The father responds, 'I do believe, help me in my unbelief'! Those are the words of the doubters prayer, words that we can all in some way relate to. And Jesus responds by healing the boy - He understands we all struggle at times with faith.
What does IDI mean at our house? I doubt it. Being doubted, questioned, having your sincerity and honesty reviewed doesn't sit well with anyone really. So when it comes to matters of faith, how does Jesus respond when we put the 'IDI' on Him which everyone has done at some point?
Have you ever heard of what some call the 'Doubter's Prayer'? The prayer consists of words spoken directly to Jesus. A man comes with his demon possessed child and asks for healing. Jesus replies healing is possible for one who believes. The father responds, 'I do believe, help me in my unbelief'! Those are the words of the doubters prayer, words that we can all in some way relate to. And Jesus responds by healing the boy - He understands we all struggle at times with faith.
John Ortberg in his book 'Know Doubt' quotes Madeleine L'Engle, 'Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God Himself.' Those words ring true for me. We are all in a way Jacobs, Isrealites, wrestling with God for the blessing of a stronger more sincere faith, to be helped in our unbelief.
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
Friday, September 10, 2010
Always Been Faithful
I haven't heard much from Sara Groves lately. Maybe that's more due to my focus on other things lately.She is an independent artist who found a label and some success in the Christian music industry in the early 2000's. When we were doing concerts at Atonement I helped provide some information to a church in South Omaha on how to bring in a Christian artist. The artist they selected was Sara Groves.
And she put on a great show telling stories and playing the piano and singing. I was thinking about her as I was surfing some YouTube videos. Two of them stood out I think and I wanted to share them with you here. Hope you enjoy them as I do. kp
And she put on a great show telling stories and playing the piano and singing. I was thinking about her as I was surfing some YouTube videos. Two of them stood out I think and I wanted to share them with you here. Hope you enjoy them as I do. kp
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Dragonflies
Read a great illustration of life and death and eternal life by Bruce Theilmann this week in John Ortberg's book 'Know Doubt'. I found it to be an insightful look at our present situation and what is to come. See what you think.
Imagine a colony of grubs living on the bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others.
Not long after that, one of the grubs feels that urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings.
And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought is his that takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory.
Bruce Thielemann, "Christus Imperator,"
Imagine a colony of grubs living on the bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others.
Not long after that, one of the grubs feels that urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings.
And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought is his that takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory.
Bruce Thielemann, "Christus Imperator,"
Monday, September 6, 2010
Roddy!
Sherri and I went to church this Sunday at Christ Community and saw Roddy Chong. If you don't know who he is, don't feel bad- we didn't know either, other than the fact that he was a violinist with the TransSiberian Orchestra. Turns out is he a great musician but an even better Christian witness. Anyway, great service and thanks to Christ Community for bringing him in and putting a flyer up in No Frills so we could find out about it! Here's a YouTube clip for you to see what Roddy sounds and looks like (with Celine Dion) ......
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Difference Makers
I'm going to share a hard story with you. One of those stories that just makes you wonder why things are the way they are. A story that encourages us to be difference makers in this world.
Through my daily radiation and and weekly chemo treatments I've have a pretty positive attitude. I don't claim any special mental powers in saying this, rather I have the good fortune of going through these treatments as a way of trying to prevent a reoccurence of my cancer. Sherri and I meet others however for whom treatment is at best only extending for a short time the little time they have left.
We met just such a person and family last month. Some of the meds I take with my chemo put me to sleep pretty quickly. During these times Sherri has the opportunity to talk with nurses and other patients. Not to long ago she talked with a lady and her husband and son. She was getting treatment for her stage 4 cervical cancer.
Our hearts broke for this young family as we learned of her bad news diagnosis. Time was not on their side. Sherri called her this week and learned that things have not gotten any better - that cancer has made life difficult. Out of respect for their privacy these are the only details I'll share with you. But you get the point, you've known family or friends or neighbors who had the same difficult story - unfortunately this young lady isn't alone.
My thoughts keep returning to this family. How different treatment is for them than it is for us. How sad it is to think about leaving a young son. How unfair it all seems sometimes. Life comes with great joys but also with amazing hurts doesn't it?
I keep thinking about Jesus' answer when asked about others who were killed through no fault of their own- were they bad people? Jesus answered they were no different- certainly not worse- than anyone else, but then He moved the focus from 'why' to those who were listening- including you and me, and said we need to repent or perish as well. I want to know why young moms die of cancer and I want it to stop and Jesus says to me - focus instead on what is important- eternal life where there are no tears and there is no cancer. Stop concentrating on the broken box of our life and look instead at the perfect gift inside of eternal life.
Even knowing this, we grieve over this situation. Jesus does too I am sure. He wept at Lazurus' death. He understands losing loved ones is never easy. So we consider our own hearts then respond in love. We have a gift certificate charity of sorts where we give prepaid cards to various stores to the nurses to give to patients who need some help. We'll do this here as well. If you'd like to help just let Sherri or me know. Sometimes making a small difference in someone's life can make all the difference. May God grant us the opportunity to make a difference in this story.
Blest Regards,
kp
Through my daily radiation and and weekly chemo treatments I've have a pretty positive attitude. I don't claim any special mental powers in saying this, rather I have the good fortune of going through these treatments as a way of trying to prevent a reoccurence of my cancer. Sherri and I meet others however for whom treatment is at best only extending for a short time the little time they have left.
We met just such a person and family last month. Some of the meds I take with my chemo put me to sleep pretty quickly. During these times Sherri has the opportunity to talk with nurses and other patients. Not to long ago she talked with a lady and her husband and son. She was getting treatment for her stage 4 cervical cancer.
Our hearts broke for this young family as we learned of her bad news diagnosis. Time was not on their side. Sherri called her this week and learned that things have not gotten any better - that cancer has made life difficult. Out of respect for their privacy these are the only details I'll share with you. But you get the point, you've known family or friends or neighbors who had the same difficult story - unfortunately this young lady isn't alone.
My thoughts keep returning to this family. How different treatment is for them than it is for us. How sad it is to think about leaving a young son. How unfair it all seems sometimes. Life comes with great joys but also with amazing hurts doesn't it?
I keep thinking about Jesus' answer when asked about others who were killed through no fault of their own- were they bad people? Jesus answered they were no different- certainly not worse- than anyone else, but then He moved the focus from 'why' to those who were listening- including you and me, and said we need to repent or perish as well. I want to know why young moms die of cancer and I want it to stop and Jesus says to me - focus instead on what is important- eternal life where there are no tears and there is no cancer. Stop concentrating on the broken box of our life and look instead at the perfect gift inside of eternal life.
Even knowing this, we grieve over this situation. Jesus does too I am sure. He wept at Lazurus' death. He understands losing loved ones is never easy. So we consider our own hearts then respond in love. We have a gift certificate charity of sorts where we give prepaid cards to various stores to the nurses to give to patients who need some help. We'll do this here as well. If you'd like to help just let Sherri or me know. Sometimes making a small difference in someone's life can make all the difference. May God grant us the opportunity to make a difference in this story.
Blest Regards,
kp
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Books vs Boxes
Today I added a bookshelf complete with a few books to my blog- my web world. My wife wouldn't find this unusual as I can't help but continually add to my book collection in real life as well. I love books.
It's not like that TV show 'Hoarders' where people have an uncontrollable habit of collecting and having their stuff overwhelm their house - but I do have to admit to having boxes of books in the garage. Today was the start of the Keystone neighborhood garage sale and so garage sales were everywhere. And of course I bought some books- but just two which I thought showed great restraint on my part.
Today's purchases included 'Johnny Tremain' an old classic from my grade school days and 'The Good Life' by Charles Colson who writes with great insight. Getting through a Colson book takes me a long time so it may be awhile before I get to it. In the meantime I'm looking forward to a reread of 'Tremain'.
I have this dream that one day I'll turn one of the kids rooms into a library and all my books will regain their freedom. I think books hate boxes. A number of my books reside on living room shelves and bedroom dressers and nightstands- that is till their number grows to big and I am asked to get a box. Sherri's uncle Tom owns 'The Antiquarium' a used bookstore that used to be an Old Market icon. He moved it to Nebraska City and converted an old school and gym into one giant bookstore. What a great life Tom has living in and amongst books where boxes aren't needed!
I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you love books and have way more of them than you'll ever read. You keep old books because you may want to read that one again- even knowing you never will. Some of you understand the thrill of finishing a great read. A few of us know what its like to finish a book we had to work to get through- for me that was 'Atonement'. I think every reader secretly thinks about writing their own book like my friend Bob Huerter (see 'Irish Twins' on my bookshelf). For some of us books are so captivating that we captivate as many as we can on shelves and in boxes. We can't help ourselves.
I also have a collection of sorts of 'the Good Book'- Bibles. Some are in different versions, some are study Bibles, some are just a single page, leaves that are hundreds of years old. I like to take them out and open them up and read 'em. They all do really contain in my opinion 'the greatest story ever told'. Plus I have to admit I like a story with a happy ending.
Make sure your Bible isn't gathering dust on a shelf or worse yet in a box somewhere. As my friend Dave says, 'the best version of the Bible is the one that gets read!' I hope to keep my blog bookshelf updated with what's on my reading agenda. I'd like to hear what you are reading as well. Time to stop writing and start reading- have a great weekend!
Blest Regards,
kp
It's not like that TV show 'Hoarders' where people have an uncontrollable habit of collecting and having their stuff overwhelm their house - but I do have to admit to having boxes of books in the garage. Today was the start of the Keystone neighborhood garage sale and so garage sales were everywhere. And of course I bought some books- but just two which I thought showed great restraint on my part.
Today's purchases included 'Johnny Tremain' an old classic from my grade school days and 'The Good Life' by Charles Colson who writes with great insight. Getting through a Colson book takes me a long time so it may be awhile before I get to it. In the meantime I'm looking forward to a reread of 'Tremain'.
I have this dream that one day I'll turn one of the kids rooms into a library and all my books will regain their freedom. I think books hate boxes. A number of my books reside on living room shelves and bedroom dressers and nightstands- that is till their number grows to big and I am asked to get a box. Sherri's uncle Tom owns 'The Antiquarium' a used bookstore that used to be an Old Market icon. He moved it to Nebraska City and converted an old school and gym into one giant bookstore. What a great life Tom has living in and amongst books where boxes aren't needed!
I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you love books and have way more of them than you'll ever read. You keep old books because you may want to read that one again- even knowing you never will. Some of you understand the thrill of finishing a great read. A few of us know what its like to finish a book we had to work to get through- for me that was 'Atonement'. I think every reader secretly thinks about writing their own book like my friend Bob Huerter (see 'Irish Twins' on my bookshelf). For some of us books are so captivating that we captivate as many as we can on shelves and in boxes. We can't help ourselves.
I also have a collection of sorts of 'the Good Book'- Bibles. Some are in different versions, some are study Bibles, some are just a single page, leaves that are hundreds of years old. I like to take them out and open them up and read 'em. They all do really contain in my opinion 'the greatest story ever told'. Plus I have to admit I like a story with a happy ending.
Make sure your Bible isn't gathering dust on a shelf or worse yet in a box somewhere. As my friend Dave says, 'the best version of the Bible is the one that gets read!' I hope to keep my blog bookshelf updated with what's on my reading agenda. I'd like to hear what you are reading as well. Time to stop writing and start reading- have a great weekend!
Blest Regards,
kp
Friday, August 20, 2010
Evil
"You know, evil comes in many forms, be it a man-eating cow or Joseph Stalin. But you can't let the package hide the pudding. Evil is just plain bad. You don't cotton to it. You gotta smack it on the nose with the rolled up newspaper of goodness. Bad dog! Bad dog!" -The Tick
Saw this quote today on another blog and I thought it was worth sharing. Maybe I would only change the end to read - You gotta smack it on the nose with the rolled up newspaper of the Gospel.
Smack a little evil this weekend! kp
Saw this quote today on another blog and I thought it was worth sharing. Maybe I would only change the end to read - You gotta smack it on the nose with the rolled up newspaper of the Gospel.
Smack a little evil this weekend! kp
Thursday, August 19, 2010
'11'
I just finished reading '11' by Leonard Sweet. The full title is '11 indispensible relationships you can't be without'. I like reading Sweet's books but I have to do it with no distractions because I am always amazed at the number of unique thoughts he presents on almost every page.
When I read a book like this I do so with a highlighter or at the very least a pen to mark the passages that resonate with me. I have to be careful not to over-highlight as I try to set apart those thoughts that I want to be reminded of the next time I pick up this book. I thought it might be interesting to review some of those highlighted excerpts with you.
In just the introduction here are the insights I noted:
'You need others to get the job done. And it's also a lot more fun that way.'
Sweet adds a quote from Larry Crabb a psychologist who said, 'The church is a community of people on a journey to God.' I liked both those thoughts as I am a firm believer in the power of people when they come together. Reminds me of the great concerts and balloon events and sold out dinner theatre events we did together as a church. Most of all I am reminded of the power and beauty of encouragement that believers offer each other.
Sweet adds, 'Disciples of Jesus are "finishers", sprinters who finish races, who "press toward the mark", toward "what lies ahead" and end up at the places to which they are summoned.' And I think how cool it would be to be a part of a congregation, or just a group of people who fit that description. How great it would be to 'end up at the places to which we are summoned' by God. How fulfilling would it be to be able to say 'Okay here we are, made it, got that done for You, now what?'
Another '11' introductory insight: 'The Greek work "morturos" means witness from which we get our word martyr. Martyrs were people who "witnessed", who put their lives where their lips were. Sweet writes a sentence later, 'But before the apostles could be "witnesses to Him" they first had simply "to be with" Him, to be "Withnesses".' I'm sure Sweet would agree that 'witness' and 'withness' are one in the same. I don't think we can be hit and run witnesses - we need to be 'love and stay' withness witnesses, people who 'care and then share' God's great Gospel news.
One last fun quote, 'Yes, sometimes we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Other times we are surrounded by a great cloud of witlesses. But most of all we need to be surrounded by a great cloud of 'Withnesses'. I believe that. We need each other as Paul wrote in Romans 1:12 'I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.'(NLT) Paul calls us Withnesses for each other and to be 'Home on the Range' where 'Seldom is heard a discouraging word'.
These highlights come just from the introduction- and I marked even more in this opening chapter - so there are plenty of things for me to forget and then be reminded of later. The good news is we should all be encouraged by our time together, as we work towards presenting a thankful response to God's great free gifts of love, grace, and eternal life. Here's to each of us being a 'withness' to someone today, an encourager, a care-er, a share-er. See you at the finish line!
Blest Regards,
kp
When I read a book like this I do so with a highlighter or at the very least a pen to mark the passages that resonate with me. I have to be careful not to over-highlight as I try to set apart those thoughts that I want to be reminded of the next time I pick up this book. I thought it might be interesting to review some of those highlighted excerpts with you.
In just the introduction here are the insights I noted:
'You need others to get the job done. And it's also a lot more fun that way.'
Sweet adds a quote from Larry Crabb a psychologist who said, 'The church is a community of people on a journey to God.' I liked both those thoughts as I am a firm believer in the power of people when they come together. Reminds me of the great concerts and balloon events and sold out dinner theatre events we did together as a church. Most of all I am reminded of the power and beauty of encouragement that believers offer each other.
Sweet adds, 'Disciples of Jesus are "finishers", sprinters who finish races, who "press toward the mark", toward "what lies ahead" and end up at the places to which they are summoned.' And I think how cool it would be to be a part of a congregation, or just a group of people who fit that description. How great it would be to 'end up at the places to which we are summoned' by God. How fulfilling would it be to be able to say 'Okay here we are, made it, got that done for You, now what?'
Another '11' introductory insight: 'The Greek work "morturos" means witness from which we get our word martyr. Martyrs were people who "witnessed", who put their lives where their lips were. Sweet writes a sentence later, 'But before the apostles could be "witnesses to Him" they first had simply "to be with" Him, to be "Withnesses".' I'm sure Sweet would agree that 'witness' and 'withness' are one in the same. I don't think we can be hit and run witnesses - we need to be 'love and stay' withness witnesses, people who 'care and then share' God's great Gospel news.
One last fun quote, 'Yes, sometimes we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Other times we are surrounded by a great cloud of witlesses. But most of all we need to be surrounded by a great cloud of 'Withnesses'. I believe that. We need each other as Paul wrote in Romans 1:12 'I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.'(NLT) Paul calls us Withnesses for each other and to be 'Home on the Range' where 'Seldom is heard a discouraging word'.
These highlights come just from the introduction- and I marked even more in this opening chapter - so there are plenty of things for me to forget and then be reminded of later. The good news is we should all be encouraged by our time together, as we work towards presenting a thankful response to God's great free gifts of love, grace, and eternal life. Here's to each of us being a 'withness' to someone today, an encourager, a care-er, a share-er. See you at the finish line!
Blest Regards,
kp
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Elevators and Stairs
As many of you may already know I work at First Data in one of the buildings on the old Aksarben property. Our office building has four floors and I work on the third floor of the south building, what we call AK2.
So this morning I am the last guy on the elevator. Turns out all of the other five folks or so are going to the 4th floor. I announce that I need to go to the third floor. I then commented that I knew what they were all thinking - 'why can't this guy just walk up two stories?' 'Hey', I said, ' I know this because it's exactly what us third floor people think about second floor people - why can't you just take the stairs?'
We then all shared a laugh - and then the fourth floor people agreed that when second floor people get on they better have a good reason - a crutch or a big bag or something. I guess no one likes second floor elevator riders. Turns out fourth floor people can be pretty funny and very insightful.
Anyway, I was just thinking that we all have a pretty good idea of what others need to do - including knowing that second floor people need to take the stairs. But we also know more than that don't we? We know (as we eat ice cream and sit and watch people) that the guy over there needs to loose some weight - why would he let himself get like that? And that gal over there needs to do something with her hair- it looks terrible. Those are just for starters.
Maybe we are best at knowing what others need to do when it comes to faith. They need to come to church more often, and those folks over there need to pay attention to the sermon - this message seems to be a perfect fit for them. And that guy over there? He shouldn't even be here with the way he lives. We can do a pretty good job of seeing around the log in our own eye to see the flaws in others can't we (Matt 7:3-5)? We are pretty good judge Judys and Keiths and and and....
Jesus gave a warning about just this sort of activity towards the end of His sermon on the mount. Maybe when He started talking about giant floor beams (logs) in someone's eye seeing a small splinter in the eye of another He got a laugh or two. But they quickly got a serious message just a sentence later- calling folks who see around logs 'hypocrits'- pretenders, actors. Jesus knew how to turn a funny story serious in a hurry.
So the call this morning is to examine our own lives first and foremost. To make plans to do some beam removal work. Let's put our bad activities underfoot where they belong. Today let's not be judge-mental let's be develop-mental and self-improve-mental if you know what I mean. Oh, and if you are going out today to a second floor location - and I say this to all without any judgement whatsoever - please take the stairs.
Blest Regards,
kp
So this morning I am the last guy on the elevator. Turns out all of the other five folks or so are going to the 4th floor. I announce that I need to go to the third floor. I then commented that I knew what they were all thinking - 'why can't this guy just walk up two stories?' 'Hey', I said, ' I know this because it's exactly what us third floor people think about second floor people - why can't you just take the stairs?'
We then all shared a laugh - and then the fourth floor people agreed that when second floor people get on they better have a good reason - a crutch or a big bag or something. I guess no one likes second floor elevator riders. Turns out fourth floor people can be pretty funny and very insightful.
Anyway, I was just thinking that we all have a pretty good idea of what others need to do - including knowing that second floor people need to take the stairs. But we also know more than that don't we? We know (as we eat ice cream and sit and watch people) that the guy over there needs to loose some weight - why would he let himself get like that? And that gal over there needs to do something with her hair- it looks terrible. Those are just for starters.
Maybe we are best at knowing what others need to do when it comes to faith. They need to come to church more often, and those folks over there need to pay attention to the sermon - this message seems to be a perfect fit for them. And that guy over there? He shouldn't even be here with the way he lives. We can do a pretty good job of seeing around the log in our own eye to see the flaws in others can't we (Matt 7:3-5)? We are pretty good judge Judys and Keiths and and and....
Jesus gave a warning about just this sort of activity towards the end of His sermon on the mount. Maybe when He started talking about giant floor beams (logs) in someone's eye seeing a small splinter in the eye of another He got a laugh or two. But they quickly got a serious message just a sentence later- calling folks who see around logs 'hypocrits'- pretenders, actors. Jesus knew how to turn a funny story serious in a hurry.
So the call this morning is to examine our own lives first and foremost. To make plans to do some beam removal work. Let's put our bad activities underfoot where they belong. Today let's not be judge-mental let's be develop-mental and self-improve-mental if you know what I mean. Oh, and if you are going out today to a second floor location - and I say this to all without any judgement whatsoever - please take the stairs.
Blest Regards,
kp
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Soundtrack of Your Life
I've determined that movies without music would be boring. Actually I think they still make those- they're called documentories. Music seems to make the action more exciting, the loss greater, the love deeper and the ending more meaingful.
Don't you agree? I mean can you imagine the 'Titanic' without 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'Top Gun' without 'Danger Zone'. Sarah McLachlan sang the haunting song 'Angel' in 'City of Angels'. I came up with a few movies to see if you can 'Name That Tune'- the song or songs that you remember from each:
The Guardian
Rocky
Back to the Future
Caddyshack
Ghost
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Big Chill
That list has some oldies but goodies as far as movies go (probably showing my age) and great music as well. Maybe you have some personal favorites - songs in movies. At our house Jake knew every song from Beauty and the Beast - even though he now claims to not remember a single one. Oddly, Sherri knows every word by heart of 'Youre a Mean One Mr. Grinch'. And she has worn out two copies of the soundtrack from 'Simon Birch'- just another 'thing I love about Sherri' oddity. Anyway, I think we all have our movie soundtracks and song favorites.
I like the ones from my list and a few others. As far as touching music goes, Van Morrison sings 'Someone Like You' in the first Bridget Jones movie - very cool ending. Bob Seger sings 'Living Inside My Heart' in 'About Last Night'. A couple songs from 'Notting Hill' were great heart-touchers as well - 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'When You Say Nothing at All' which I'll link below:
Chris Tomlin did the impossible, made 'Amazing Grace' even better in the film of the same name. I love his version. Songs from 'The Sound of Music', Disney's 'The Jungle Book' and 'Sister Act' are all on my ipod as well. Ok, I'm odd too.
I guess in a way what I'm really thinking about here is how great the gift of music is. How it not only makes movies better but our lives as well. How music can deepen our worship experience or just our drive to work. In short, music is just another great gift brought to us by our wonderful creator. The soundtrack of our lives is how we need to give thanks for music and all His gifts of love and amazing grace, and eternal life. Any powerful music in your life's thankful soundtrack so far?
I want to see a few comments on your favorite movie music. I'll close with one more great song for a movie ending. This one comes from 'Dirty Dancing'- 'Time of My Life' maybe the best song and scene combo to end a movie. I can't put the video link here but can give you the web address to see it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo .
Have a great weekend and sing out in church this Sunday! kp
OK- I couldn't resist- one more link for 'Tootsie' (from 1982! almost 30 years ago -man am I getting old) - remember the ending song? If you don't well then just click 'play' below:
Don't you agree? I mean can you imagine the 'Titanic' without 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'Top Gun' without 'Danger Zone'. Sarah McLachlan sang the haunting song 'Angel' in 'City of Angels'. I came up with a few movies to see if you can 'Name That Tune'- the song or songs that you remember from each:
The Guardian
Rocky
Back to the Future
Caddyshack
Ghost
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Big Chill
That list has some oldies but goodies as far as movies go (probably showing my age) and great music as well. Maybe you have some personal favorites - songs in movies. At our house Jake knew every song from Beauty and the Beast - even though he now claims to not remember a single one. Oddly, Sherri knows every word by heart of 'Youre a Mean One Mr. Grinch'. And she has worn out two copies of the soundtrack from 'Simon Birch'- just another 'thing I love about Sherri' oddity. Anyway, I think we all have our movie soundtracks and song favorites.
I like the ones from my list and a few others. As far as touching music goes, Van Morrison sings 'Someone Like You' in the first Bridget Jones movie - very cool ending. Bob Seger sings 'Living Inside My Heart' in 'About Last Night'. A couple songs from 'Notting Hill' were great heart-touchers as well - 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'When You Say Nothing at All' which I'll link below:
Chris Tomlin did the impossible, made 'Amazing Grace' even better in the film of the same name. I love his version. Songs from 'The Sound of Music', Disney's 'The Jungle Book' and 'Sister Act' are all on my ipod as well. Ok, I'm odd too.
I guess in a way what I'm really thinking about here is how great the gift of music is. How it not only makes movies better but our lives as well. How music can deepen our worship experience or just our drive to work. In short, music is just another great gift brought to us by our wonderful creator. The soundtrack of our lives is how we need to give thanks for music and all His gifts of love and amazing grace, and eternal life. Any powerful music in your life's thankful soundtrack so far?
I want to see a few comments on your favorite movie music. I'll close with one more great song for a movie ending. This one comes from 'Dirty Dancing'- 'Time of My Life' maybe the best song and scene combo to end a movie. I can't put the video link here but can give you the web address to see it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo .
Have a great weekend and sing out in church this Sunday! kp
OK- I couldn't resist- one more link for 'Tootsie' (from 1982! almost 30 years ago -man am I getting old) - remember the ending song? If you don't well then just click 'play' below:
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