happy haiku friday!

climb every mountain

forge every stream and follow

people magazine

no rhyme or reason

dr. dobson, let's focus on this fact: only heteros use the the sponge.

and, tat for tit, it's also idiotic that another segment of the populace assumes that spongebob is gay simply because he regularly holds hands with patrick. based on that logic, nearly every woman i laid eyes on in europe is a lesbian.

description of the day: inauguration edition

Persecution by David Limbaugh

Under the guise of the first amendment the liberal left is removing prayer from schools, the mere mention of Christ from elementary school "holiday" pageants and the very foundation of our law from the Alabama Supreme Court House. In "Persecution" David Limbaugh shines the light on the darkness that is the liberal left and commands Christians to reclaim their first Amendment rights. If Christians fail to return this country to her godly foundations and the faith of her fathers, the sham of political correctness will pale in comparison to the "Persecution" that will follow.

for Nita on her eightieth birthday

last night i dreamed of hominy
fake redwood porches
cement statuary and satellite t.v.

last night i dreamed of hominy
the bright lights of cleveland
the city pool and and the pull of wal-mart

last night i dreamed of hominy
asphalt drives resulting in broken hips
a pearl-handled .357 and a cowgirl

last night i dreamed of hominy
reflected on a life well-lived
a reservoir of grace, hospitality and industry

last night i dreamed of hominy
but my heart was set on Juanita
a woman that i love

a tale of two deliveries

everyone loves mail. whether you’re an eight year old waiting for a hot (birthday) check from grandma or you're compulsively stalking the campus mail room to see if your criterion edition of the royal tennenbaums has finally arrived from amazon, you've got to love the sight of a full mailbox, the request to sign for a delivery and the inexplicable joy of bubble wrap.

i only mention this because earlier today a member of our mail team interrupted my work to have me sign for a package. over the past couple of days i have seen rhys sign for packages that held scintillating titles like jonathan edwards: a life, God's politics and calvinism in the las vegas airport, so i as my eager fingers ripped open the manilla envelope i was awash with expectation.

the eagerly awaited result: a pre-publication copy of christian wisdom of the jedi masters. although i know that according to the code a jedi is not to show emotion, I was pissed.

today we're offering guidance divine, for the deeply discounted price of $9.99!

Why am I here? That's a good question pastor Rick! Thank you for delivering me from a life punctuated with questions and frustrations by providing the answer for $1.49!

What is my purpose? I thought that my sole purpose is to love both God and my neighbor sacrificially. But maybe I've misunderstood. Thanks to pastor Rick, for just $9.99 and forty days of my life I can fill in the gaps.

What's God's plan? Apparently his plan is for our church to buy the forty days of purpose program. Then we can: hang those cool banners in the Wilcox's living room, exchange the tedious task of studying the text of Habbakuk for a handful of pre-fabricated sermon outlines and craig, art and james can trade in their guitars for an accompaniment track full of awesome songs!

In all seriousness, what is my purpose? I don't know. But my hunch is that it's not to mass-market Christian programs in order to sustain my ministry with sinners and saints. I can't continue to proclaim a holistic gospel while living this compartmentalized life.

question one of the heidelberg catechism

"what is your only comfort in life and in death?"

"that i am not my own, but belong, body and soul, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ."

while i readily assent to this answer it is only rarely evident in my life. i long to incarnate this answer more faithfully in the coming year.

so when...

i have a mind for leisure, but there is ministry left to do, i will find comfort in the service of others.

there is opportunity to expose my brother or sister's offense, i will take comfort in Christ's atonement and find the strength to forgive seventy times seven.

my pessimism and/or hypochondria encourages a fear of death i will take comfort in the promised resurrection.

the church succeeds i will credit Christ. when we fail i will take comfort in Christ's promise that the gates of hell will not prevail.

i am tempted to mindlessly insert my opinion i will take comfort in being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

simply stated, my prayer is that my assensus will flower forth into fidelitas.

description of the day

The most recent bowl of Chicken Soup has been specially prepared for the Nascar Soul. In Chicken Soup for the Nascar Soul, superstar drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte will inspire you with stories about the teamwork, dedication and courage that it takes to win both the Nextel Cup and the race of life. You've been amazed by the blazing speed and intense competition of Nascar. Now, let the men of Nascar amaze you with their heart-warming stories.

happy haiku friday!

friends, let us eschew

individualism

for the smell of church

survey says...

david and bubble-bathsheba and john the baptist: wet and wild were the two titles that were actually published. these books were a part of a series that was intended to help children move beyond legalism by identifying how elements of the sacred are woven into even the most secular pursuits (i.e., adultery, murder and porn). although these titles are currently out-of-print you might be able to locate copies in the amazon market place or by attending one of the warehouse sales our large consumer-driven christian company holds on a quarterly basis.

congratulations to mr. brian simkins for providing the correct answer. as a reward he will be receiving a brand-new copy of flaming dog-poo and the human response sometime within the next 4-6 weeks.

name that title!

in my work at the large consumer-driven christian company i sometimes come across christian books with titles that are often odd and sometimes scandalous. today i have compiled a list of eight of these titles. your job, dear reader, is to distinguish the titles that were actually published from the titles that were produced by my original-sin stained mind. two of these titles were actually published. which ones were they?

without further adieu, the titles:

learning to love like lot's daughters
david and bubblebath-sheba
solomon speaks out on monogamy
from pimp to promise-keeper: the life of Abraham
jeremiah eats it
john the baptist: wet and wild
fatty fall down: the life and times of eli the high priest
from whore to holy: the adventures of mary magdalene

please note: the winner of this contest will not receive a cash prize, copies of the actual titles or even "brownie points." however, upon request, the winner can, upon request, receive a flaming bag that will be delivered directly to his or her porch. please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. employees of the large consumer-christian company may not enter this contest. void where prohibited.

description of the day

marriage under fire by dr. james dobson

Homosexual activists, rogue judges and liberal politicians are on the verge of destroying the institution of marriage. When are Christians going to take a stand? In Marriage Under Fire Dr. James Dobson exposes the elaborate schemes of the homosexual activists and provides unassailable arguments against homosexual marriage. Furthermore, Dr. Dobson provides a clear battle plan for Christians who are ready to fight for the preservation of our families and nation. Do not miss this opportunity to take a stand!

listening to vanier

last night i began, yet again, to read jean vanier's community and growth. halfway through the introduction i found myself tottering on the precipice of tears and wondering why i have set this book aside so many times. since i am planning to write either a series of reflections or a serious review of the book in the future, i thought i might whet your appetite by sharing a few salient quotes and one remarkably beautiful metaphor.

"the destruction of intimate community has been at our own hands. it corresponds to our own hierarchy of values...as much as we yearn for community, we yearn even more for the social and economic prizes mobility can bring." vanier, community and growth, pg. 2.

"community means more than the comfort of souls. it means, and always has meant, the survival of the species." vanier quoting parker palmer, ibid., pg. 3.

"we expect a theophany of which we know nothing but the place, and that place is called community." vanier quoting martin buber, ibid., pg. 8.

young people must be led to "true community where they can become men and women of prayer and compassion, open to others and to the world, particularly the poor, the oppressed, the lost, and the vulnerable, and thus become artisans of peace." vanier, ibid., pg. 5.

artisans of peace. that just killed me.

product description of the day

captivating by john and stasi eldredge

Confused by your femininity? Then pre-order Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge! In Wild At Heart John Eldredge challenged millions of men to exchange their apathy for a life filled with passion. Now, in Captivating, John and his beautiful bride Stasi challenge women to rediscover their heart, unveil their beauty and embark on the great adventure of their lives. Expect Captivating to send shockwaves of spiritual renewal throughout the American church!

book review of the week

Early in the morning, often before the break of dawn, my cat Buddy saunters over to my bedroom door and softly meows until I let him in. In his own simple, beautiful way Buddy longs to be intimate with his master. Over the years Buddy's example has reminded me of the importance of rising early in the morning to spend time with my Master. As silly as it sounds, Buddy has taught me how to pray. In Cat Psalms you will delight in dozens of stories about how God's creatures, especially cats, can encourage us to enter into a more fulfilling relationship with our Creator.

Also Available:

Dog Psalms

Pet Psalms, 2 Volume Pack

reader/response

Prov. 1:22-23

“how long, o simple ones, will you love being simple?
how long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.”

God help me, but I have been scoffing at your salvation. I have considered myself too sophisticated and urbane to point people to your cross and speak of the salvation found in Jesus. Instead of proclaiming salvation I have simply promoted nurturing human relationships that are sprinkled with a little spirituality and occasionally interrupted by prayer.

God help me! Pour out your Spirit upon me so that I might develop a deeper understanding of your salvation and reckon once again with the One who saves us from our sins. I openly confess that in regard to salvation I am one of the simple ones. I think that salvation is so much more than the individualistic pardon and season pass to heaven that others spoke of in my youth, yet it is also surely more than the vague promise of wholeness and the eventual realization of justice that the progressives proclaim. Although seminary trained, in regards to salvation I a simpleton who knows next to nothing. I have little conception of the transcendent wonder and beauty of the place which lies at the end of this narrow path. But, on account of your grace, I once again believe that the place is enchanted. As a result, I recommit myself to looking for, understanding, dreaming about and anticipating the salvation you have provided for your children.

I repent of both my ignorant assumption of sophistication and scoffing tongue. So pour out your Spirit. Make your words known. Reveal your salvation known to this scoffer and simpleton.

a revelatory cliché

the devil is in the details. that's what they say and i don't feel a pressing need to refute them.

however, i am beginning to believe that the opposite is also true: the gospel is also in the details. this assertion seems pretty clear in Jesus' teaching, where he warns that denouncing a person as a fool can lead you down the highway to hell and extending a cup of water to the thirsty is a way of lavishing love upon Christ.

but while this assertion is clear in Jesus' ministry, i confess that it has not been clear in my life. over the past two years i have let many of the details of gospel ministry slip through the cracks. i have written few encouraging notes, followed up on few former members and visitors and have rejected far more calls than i have accepted--leaving many stories untold, sins unconfessed and a congregation which has been deprived of the love of listening.

i repent of my indifference to the details. for it seems to me that it is in the details that the gospel lives, moves and has its being.

boomer what?

so the sooners got their heads handed to them last night. what a shame.

around ten on a tuesday morning

Lord, i don't want to be here right now. i hate being confined in a cubicle. i hate commodifying the gospel for mass-consumption. i hate the blatant hypocrisy that this job requires.

yet i realize that every task has something to teach and, in my better moments, i am convinced that this task is trying to teach me something about perseverance. and perseverence, unless i am mistaken, is a key to the holy and hidden heart of it all.

so Father, guide me through another never-ending eight-hour day. Jesus, teach me to be your incarnation in this place. Spirit, remind my heart of the mysterious connection between perseverance and salvation.

my heart's desire is to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. even within the confines of this damn cubicle.

yet another narcissistic note

when i was young i was terrified to be away from home. time and again i tried to leave 12505 E. 37th place for a night, and time and again i realized that i could not bear to be away. late in the evening, after my friend and i were played out, but before my parents went to sleep, the tears trapped in my eyes would start to flow and i would phone my parents in order to request a speedy return. after a time, things changed.

when i turned twelve my father went to work for american airlines. as a result, I was granted flight privileges and almost immediately became a standby vagabond. after my first trip, to spectacular, sophisticated cincinnati, i was hooked. i loved to visit other cities in order to see how they did life. after carefully observing the little distinctions that identified each city, such as the type-a professionalism of d.c., the suburban indulgence of dallas, the multiculturalism of toronto and the religious rhythms of assisi, i longed to incarnate these distinctions in my life. as a result of this longing, i found myself constantly on the go. charleston, south carolina, nice, france, vienna, austria were not merely destinations. rather, they were tutors that shaped the way i thought about both the world and my place in it. but, after a time, things changed.

after returning from our extended vacation i have realized that my vagabond instincts have vanished much like my beloved standby status. i now find it difficult to be away from beverly for more than six days and when my plane touches down at logan or manchester i feel a palpable sense of relief. after nine years of wandering i have found my way home. i believe that beverly, massachusetts is the place where my physical geography and spiritual geography intersect. i can no longer look without, to the cities and other ports of call for hints about who i am or who i need to be. Rather, it is here in Beverly that i will be who i already am. it is on this canvas that my life will be expressed. i pray that my beloved city is better for it.