Ken's Zen

Jack Bauer as a Pastor

2010-02-13T22:18:00.002-05:00

My dad emailed this to me . . . I don't know where he got it from, but so true.

The other day I was thinking, what if Jack Bauer became a Christian, and then suddenly felt a call to ministry?

What would his church be like? His counseling sessions? Here’s what I think it would be like…

- Counseling sessions would be fast. Really fast. Because he only has two minutes, and you better tell him what’s going on or he’s going to mash your knee with his oversized Bible.

- He would scream the word “now” a lot. As in, “Tell me why you were impatient with your wife. NOW!”

- Every counseling session would end with a confession, because Pastor Jack can pull a confession out of anybody. Even if you didn’t do it.

- In every elders meeting Jack would inform the elders that “he did what he had to”.

- He would answer every theological question the same way: “It’s complicated…”

- He would probably fake his death several times as sermon illustrations.

- Scripture references in sermons would be called “backup”.

- The church would meet in an abandoned warehouse. The ushers would also be snipers and would establish a perimeter around the building.

- At least three times a week Jack would be misunderstood by his congregation and have to go “dark” until he could clear his name.

The Girl's Soccer Team

2010-02-12T15:23:00.001-05:00

Yesterday our girls soccer team defeated its arch-rival, Milken, for the first time in team history. What a great game! Here's a little slideshow of pictures.

The New Year, Sort Of . . .

2010-01-18T16:56:00.002-05:00

Remember, only a few short years ago, all the fears of Y2K?

"Every computer in the world will shut down."

"Life as we know it will end."

No one knew, though everyone claimed to, what would happen the moment the clock changed from 12/31/99 to 1/1/00. My only memory of that moment was that somehow I was driving when the clock changed. What was I doing on the road for the final minutes of the twentieth century? That I'm not sure. I remember where I was though. I had just merged onto the empty stretch of I-79 north of the Crafton Exit. I turmed the radio on. I watched as the digital clock in my Buick Regal switched from 11:58 to 11:59. Of course the clock wasn't exactly aligned to Eastern Standard time. I guessed the eastern seaboard would step into the new century a few seconds before the car's clock would. Moments before the big change I suddenly wondered if the car would shut down when the clock switched. Would I see nuclear explosions light the distant horizon? Would house lights flicker off around me? Just as those thoughts flowed through my mind the radio commentator began the final ten second count.

10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6- Should I start slowing down the car in case it turns off? - 3 - 2 - 1- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I waited for a long moment, my eyes scanning the horizon for billowing mushroom clouds.

Nothing happened. The car clock flipped to 12:00 a few seconds later and still nothing happened. A part of me was a little disappointed. I wanted something, anything to happen for all the stupid commentary that had filled airways for the previous twelve months.

Still nothing took place. The radio promised an upcoming performance of Creed, and I turned it off. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts.

It was the year 2000. Here we were beginning not only a brand new year, not only a brand new decade or even century- we were bringing in a new millennium. How many times had that happened in world history? Six? Ten? Who knows. I reflected on the privilege of living through such an occurrence. I remember my wry smile and quiet laugh at bringing in a new year, decade, century, millennium by myself on I-79 in a Buick Regal. My goodness, the least I could do for such a momentous planetary occasion was find some cute girl to kiss.

Then my thoughts moved to the future. What would this coming decade hold for me? I remember thinking this exact thought. "I wonder where I'll be in ten years? I wonder what my life will look like in 2010?"

Well, here I am ten years later. Strange that as I sit and type this in Panera (a restaurant I'd never even heard of in 1999) I'd hear the song "How Great Thou Art" on my iPod (an invention no one had thought of in 1999). God truly has been great to me over the last ten years. He brought me debt-free through five years of college. He placed me at a wonderful ministry in Butler, PA for seven years and moved me to another phenomenal ministry this year. God allowed me to visit Suriname, Turkey, Israel, St. Vincent, and Mexico. He opened the door for me to travel across the United States with a drama ministry. God brought a great husband to my sister. He gave them a precious daughter who in only a few months will become a big sister to another baby. God allowed me to work at camp, meet hundreds of new friends, preach at a dozen different churches, minister to countless young people, begin a photography business, and most of all . . . enjoy the sweet presence of Jesus Christ in my life.

It's been a good decade. Through the tears, through the joy, through the doubt, through the victories God has been so good to me.

If God wills it, I'll enjoy the next ten years basking in the goodness of his love.

Video of my Birthday Fun

2010-01-10T14:59:00.000-05:00

Going for a Birthday Drive from Ken Kistler Photography

30

2009-11-26T11:12:00.003-05:00

Many people celebrate their birthday with a party, a trip to Disneyland, a romantic getaway, or hanging out with friends. Not me. I celebrated by driving into the desert. By myself.

Tuesday afternoon I piled food and water into the Explorer. Last thing I wanted was breaking down in the middle of the Mojave and starving to death three hours from LA on my thirtieth birthday . Not my idea of a great way to go out. If anything bad happened at least I'd be prepared. I also dragged the twin mattress off my bed and threw it in the back of the SUV. Not quite like spending a night at some hotel in Paris or on the beach in Hawaii, but that's ok.

By the time I arrived in desert territory the sun had disappeared. In the darkness I wasn't sure I'd be able to find the little side road leading off into the wilderness. I'd been here before. Two years ago I took a weeklong road trip that lead me up through the wilds of Death Valley, across Yosemite, down into King's Canyon, and back to Santa Clarita. During the first day of the trip I'd come across a dry lakebed just north of Barstow. It's called Cuddeback Lake.

I cruised down an almost empty 385 until I saw what looked like a good sized trail leading back off the road. This was just what I was looking for. I hoped anyway. For eight miles I bumped and jostled down a sandy trail praying my directional skills proved correct. When the path suddenly emerged onto a parched brown, cracked and hardened lake bed I knew I'd been right. This was it. There was little sign of any other human life. Off to the north, many miles away I saw three lights quite spread out. To the south, barely visible, flickered two more. That was it. Other than those five dim reminders that there's still life in this world, it was just God and I. I can't think of a better way to turn thirty.

I drove my Ford Explorer three more miles to the far side of the lake bed and turned to face back the way I'd come. Something inside of me doesn't like sitting in a restaurant with my back to the door. In the same silly way I wanted to be able to see if any other vehicles drove onto the lake bed that night. Sure, that left my back to the wide open desert, but I doubted there was anything out there. What if there was though?

There are certain blessings to an active imagination. Of course, there are many curses as well. One of those curses resulted in the thousand thoughts that ran through my head. What if some sicko killer camped out in that desert and saw my vehicle as the perfect opportunity to commit his next heinous crime? What if deranged ex-Army zombies lived in the hills overlooking my car? What if in the flash of my camera, suddenly the exploding light revealed a rush of crazed creatures hurling themselves toward my car? Yeah, all those thoughts ran through my head. I'm telling you, my imagination is WAY overactive.

After I settled in for the night I stepped out of the car into the beauty of the desert night. A half moon lit the lake bed as far as I could see. I stood in the blue-grey light of the moon and stared up at a sky full of stars arching above me. To the north I made out the faint threads of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. It was just me, God, and the overwhelming sense of his awe-inspiring creation.

For almost an hour I stood alone just listening, looking around, enjoying the moment, trying to take it all in. This was how I spent the last few hours of my twenties. No party, park rides, dinner conversation or friends. That's ok. I enjoyed the silence. I appreciated the solitude.

“In every change He faithful will remain . . .”

2009-11-23T11:25:00.001-05:00

Last night I attended an evening service at Placerita Baptist Church. The song leader began our worship time by announcing that we’d be picking favorite hymns; so for several minutes I waffled between “Like a River Glorious” and “And Can It Be” eventually choosing the latter. Ahh, the hymns, I thought. I love the hymns for the clarity and truth packed into only a few lines of text.

Immediately after my choice the song leader pointed to the back left corner.

“Be Still My Soul,” was the song title called back.

Be Still My Soul, I pondered, Not something I would choose. I changed my mind as we began to sing the words, “In every change, He faithful will remain . . .” My heart echoed that thought again and again as the congregation sang on. “In every change, He faithful will remain . . .”

So true. So absolutely true.

As I left the service and began the short drive home I couldn’t empty my mind of that phrase. Before moving from Pennsylvania my head had filled with doubts. I was leaving behind everything I knew. I was leaving my friends and family. I was adopting a new school, new staff, new students, new parents, new procedures, and not least a new home. I’d have lesson plans to do, text books to study, wedding pictures to edit and mail.

“Thanksgiving,” I’d told a friend, “If I can make it to Thanksgiving break I’ll be ok.”

Well, here I am. This morning marks the beginning of Thanksgiving break, and everything is alright. All the lesson plans have been written, tests have been composed and graded, books read, friends have been made, students taught, pictures edited, an apartment furnished and put together. Everything that needed to be finished has been.

“In every change, He faithful will remain . . .”

As I drove home last night I choked up to think of God’s faithfulness to bring me through the process. His faithfulness, God’s goodness, is what brought me from Pittsburgh on August 17 and has sustained me to this very moment. It has all been of the Lord!

“Not to us, Oh Lord. Not to us, but to your name give glory, for your mercy and for your truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1

Even this morning as I read, the Word reminded me of this simple, but crucial, truth.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers; they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

Is moving and starting a new job the worst trial a person can walk through; by no means. Not even close. I realize that everyday people around me walk through much deeper waters and much hotter fires. That said, at this moment in my life God has led me, is leading me, and will continue to lead me all the way.

“Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side . . .”

Not Quite Lesson Learned, But Learning

2009-11-11T11:18:00.001-05:00

In the past I liked to think I did a mighty fine job of playing second fiddle. Not the actual instrument, but the position. I can humble myself. I can sit back and let others get the glory. My name doesn’t have to be hung in radiant lights.

God decided to test the pride I’d placed in my own humility. He put me in a place where I began as second fiddle, was pushed down to third fiddle, and may quickly become fourth. Now I wonder if there’s even a spot for a fifth fiddle. I’m thinking nobody actually needs five fiddles in their band.

Yesterday I stood off by myself lamenting my personal fall from power. Arrogant thoughts rushed through my head.

What about me? What about my talents, my abilities? What about what I can offer? Me! Me! ME!

I was so angry, disappointed, and hurt; when along came the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Apparently with the kind of attitude I had fourth fiddle was exactly where I needed to be. God has to teach me to work behind the scenes. He wants me to serve even if I never get noticed. I’m so used to being the front man. I’m used to being the camp counselor, program director, preacher, or teacher. I’ve grown used to people looking and seeing me.

So, this is what I need. Even as I write this, I’m so grateful God would put me in this position. I need to learn this lesson. My pride needs to be greatly tamed. My prayer is that I can learn whatever fiddle position the Lord puts me in, and learn to serve in that position with excellence, passion, and humility.

No, the lesson certainly hasn’t been learned, but by the grace of God I pray I can learn it.

Nexus - Spiritual Emphasis Week

2009-10-31T23:25:00.002-04:00

NEXUS Closing from Ken Kistler Photography

This week Dave, my brother-in-law, spoke at our school's spiritual emphasis week. They decided to call it NEXUS. Nexus, of course, means "the central or most important place." What a great week.

Dave began the messages speaking on the majesty of God. Tuesday he spoke about the meagerness of man. Wednesday he shared about the grace of God. All these messages connected. The holiness of God is necessary to know and understand before you can see our own meagerness, lack, and need. Once you see the need of man then, and only then, can you see how incredible God's grace is. Thursday Dave spoke about love. Once you've seen God's grace toward you then the reaction should be love for him which overflows in love toward others. Friday we wrapped up with a focus on serving.

Again, it was a great week. There was so much to consider.

Darby and Nora Slideshow

2009-10-27T00:21:00.001-04:00

Darby

2009-10-25T16:34:00.002-04:00

The other little boy I photographed yesterday was Darby. What a cute little kid!

Here are some pics.

More of My Niece

2009-10-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Keara, Dave, Nora, and I traveled to Lombardi Farm (not Lombardi Field). It's a huge pumpkin farm on the far side of town. We joined up with Jason, Dana, and little Darby Hendrickson for some family pictures. A fun time was had by all!

Misreadings

2009-10-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

Some thoughts from devotions for the last few days.

Yesterday I read through classic Psalm 96. “Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

I always enjoy that Psalm and feel like I could spend devotions every morning for days digging through its truths.

Apparently I wasn’t quite awake when I began reading yesterday. I found a new truth in verse 5.

Here’s what I read: “All the gods of the peoples are worthless IDIOTS!”

Of course it actually says they are worthless idols. I kind of liked my new, sleep-induced translation better. Maybe I ought to mail my correction to some new translation committee.

My Niece

2009-10-11T19:51:00.002-04:00

I feel like I've been working on pictures for the last two months of my life. No, that's an exaggeration. Most of the time has been spent developing new school lessons and grading for my classes at Santa Clarita. That doesn't leave me much free time. The free time I do have has been spent editing pictures from my last two weddings of the summer.

Since I finally finished editing, I felt good taking out the camera and snapping some shots of my beautiful little niece. She was looking awful serious for the few moments I photographed her, but the cuteness still shines through.

An Evening Drive

2009-10-06T10:35:00.003-04:00

Last night I took a drive into the mountains outside of Santa Clarita. What an experience! I always loved that fact that you could walk out of your apartment in Butler and within fifteen minutes be standing by one of a dozen lakes, in the woods, completely alone. That could never happen in Southern California, right?

In fact it can!

I took three right turns out of my drive way and within fifteen minutes was alone in the mountains. No lakes, of course. What a great way to get into nature.

It was too dark too soon to get many pictures, but I did snag this one on my drive home. Wish I could tell you it's from the top of a nameless mountain peak, but actually I took it behind the new Target on a hill overlooking town.

Oh well!

The Land Flowing with Panera and Starbucks

2009-10-03T11:42:00.002-04:00

This morning I took the "VIA Challenge" at Starbucks. They asked me to differentiate between their Pike's Place Brew and the new Via Instant Coffee. Sorry to say, I was right. I guessed the Instant Coffee. The poor barista looked so disappointed.

"It was still good!" I tried to cheer him.

Simply by taking the test I was given a coupon for a free coffee. Ok, I got to tell you- the coupon is for the smallest, cheapest coffee that Starbucks sells. That said though, it's still free.

I'm still shocked by the number of coffee shops out here. Within a mile of my apartment you can get coffee at Starbucks, McDonalds, Coffee Kiosk, It's a Grind, or Panera. That's not all though. I did a quick search on the GPS as I was driving with my sister last week. Eight Starbucks popped up on the screen within three miles of where we were. In Butler there's not a single Starbucks in 13 miles let alone 3.

This morning I spent about 15 minutes in the car driving to the center of town just to visit my favorite Starbucks. A cute little stream flows behind it between a fountain on one end and a small waterfall on the other side. The patio beside the stream is shaded and little birds hop across the cobblestone to nibble on any crumbs dropped by the customers.

It's the perfect little place to enjoy Saturday morning devotions.

So with that I say "Adieu" to you and open the Word . . .

Long TIme . . .

2009-09-29T19:32:00.002-04:00

So I mentioned in a previous post that I got to visit a Fire Camp with my students. Way Cool experience!!!

The cheerleading coach at the school rounded up a group of volunteers to bake cookies and goodies for the fire fighters. It was a great idea! Four vehicles of students drove down to the Fire Camp to drop off the stuff.

I've never seen anything like it. An entire exit of the highway was closed to public transit to make room for the enormous camp. Our cars had to pass through three security rings guarded by CHiPs (California Highway Patrol, I believe) just to make it to the camp. As we pulled off the highway and down to the main road we saw dozens and dozens of police cars lining both sides of the road. Beyond the squad cars lay van after van of Media Vans. Beyond the vans lay acres of trailers solely devoted to ending the Fire.

After we parked and delivered the cookies a Public Affairs officer offered to take us for a tour of the camp. Of course we agreed.

He showed us a trailer devoted to organizing all planes and helicopters over the fire. A trailer devoted to the governor's office and their response to the fire. A trailer assembled just to print current maps of the fire situation. A trailer maintained for paying all the fire personnel. Their were additional trailers for the Fire Fighters to sleep in. They were kept totally dark with only a few black lights to see and air conditioning running 24/7. Massive trailers were set aside for showers and washing of the fire fighters clothes. Trailers ranged as far as we could see.

After a wonderful hour long tour of the facilities the local Fox News affiliate interviewed the students. They did a great job in their responses.

A final few facts about the fire:

- 8 days in and the state of California had spent $33,000,000 in battling it.

- Fire teams spent 5 days on the line with food delivered by helicopter.

- Each state of the union sent people to help battle the blaze.

- The fire was one of the biggest three fires in LA County in the last 20 years.

- Two fire fighters died battling the blaze.

- The blaze was set intentionally.

One Month Down . . .

2009-09-18T12:56:00.002-04:00

Today marked the end of my first month teaching at SCCCS (Santa Clarita Christian School).

It's been great. I enjoy all 101 students. Some certainly present challenges, but what's life without a few challenges? In the last month I've experienced a smoke day, visited a fire camp, sat through multiple department meetings (English and history), written dozens of lesson plans, attended two football games, embarrassed myself in a Pep Rally, walked miles more than I ever walked last year, seen more palm trees than ever before in my life, gone swimming in two of the apartment complex's three swimming pools, visited two churches, and participated in various and sundry other activities.

Am I glad I moved? Yes. Oh, yes. This has been the best thing for me. Do I miss PA? Yes. Oh, yes. I miss the students, staff, teachers at FBCS. I truly miss the church and the friends and fellowship there. I miss my parents and the hours of fellowship spent at Barnes and Noble. There's a lot to miss, but a lot to enjoy as well.

Here I stay. I can do no other.

The Smoke Day

2009-09-13T22:46:00.002-04:00

Smoke at School from Ken Kistler Photography

We enjoyed half a day off on the first Friday of school as a terrible cloud of smoke drifted into our valley. The sky changed color. Eyes burned when you stepped outside. It was quite strange.

Kids Say the Funniest Things

2009-09-02T20:37:00.003-04:00

Even here in California my students are continually causing me to crack up and laugh in class.

Today we were reading through Genesis 1-3 for World Literature. We stopped for a few minutes and discussed the importance of these three chapters for all of Christianity. Of course the girls didn't particularly enjoy the part that discussed pain in child birth.

I said, "Yes, gentlemen. A woman's pain in childbirth exceeds pretty much anything a guy might go through. It's not even worth arguing about."

Not to be outdone one of the guys piped up.

"Yeah, well I heard when a guy has a kidney stone that's even worse."

"What does that feel like?" a girl asked.

"What does it feel like! It feels like you're peeing rocks! That's what it feels like." he cried.

Now one of the girls didn't want to be outdone.

"Really! Are you serious? Yeah, that would hurt, but having a kid is like peeing a whole baby!!!"

Things kind of broke down from there.

Mexico Missions Trip Slideshow

2009-08-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

Mexico Missions Trip from Ken Kistler Photography

These are some of the pictures I took during the Mission Trip to Mexico. I pray the Lord never lets me forget some of the lessons I learned during those eight days.

Experimenting

2009-08-29T01:48:00.004-04:00

David and Suzanne from Ken Kistler Photography

I'm a little frustrated with YouTube right now. Great concept and a great help in the past, but my video needs are slowly outgrowing its capabilities. I'm experimenting with a new hosting site. Here's what I've been able to try so far.

Memories

2009-08-25T09:27:00.002-04:00

This morning I woke early to get on my computer, not to surf the web or even work on lesson plans, but to video chat with my students. What a joy! It wasn't long, only five or ten minutes, but I enjoyed seeing their faces. I liked to see the high school guys had grown even taller. The girls had not grown in size, but each one acted a little more like a mature Christian lady. What a blessing to see just a small point in their lives which evidences not only God's working in their physical growth, but God working in their spiritual growth as well.

After the students went to class I slipped up to the shower, pulled on a button-down collared shirt, poured a bowl of cereal, and opened my Bible to the book of Psalms. What scripture to read on this my first day of school at Santa Clarita Christian School and the eighth first day of school as a teacher?

I found the words at the end of Psalm 59:

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

These verses speak to the past and present. God has been the strength of the psalmist in the past, and God will continue to be that strength in the present. He's been and will be a fortress. He has shown and will show steadfast love.

I'm not exuberant this morning, probably because of my ongoing lack of sleep, but these verses perfectly fit the day. They're neither excited dancings about God's goodness, nor are they calls for the Lord to smite the wicked (though that may be more my tone after working with Junior Highers all day). The verses simply state two wonderful truths. God's always been there. God will always be there. He strengthened me on my first day of school at FBCS in Butler with a class of 8 students 7 years ago. He'll strengthen me today at SCCS with a total of 101 students.

This is God . . .

AAAAAHHH!!!!

2009-08-21T09:49:00.002-04:00

The walls are starting to close in, evidenced not the least by the fact I just spelled "walls" as w-a-a-l-s-s.

Block plans are due today.

Syllabuses should be turned in today.

The lengthy faculty manual is to be read by today.

Unit plans, due Monday.

Lesson plans, due Monday.

Classroom setup, due Monday.

Slideshow for a bride and groom, due next Saturday, but they're clamoring to have it early.

I NEED a dresser for my bedroom. The shelves in the closet can only hold so many jeans, t-shirts, socks and underwear. No, this isn't a necessity on the To Do List, but my OCD personality ignites every time I step into my unorganized bedroom.

First day of school, Tuesday.

I'm really feeling the pressure. Part of this is good. I'm not messing around. I'm not wasting time, which I feel often can be the bane of my existence, but I also feel like the walls of this new job are about to topple down upon me.

Ok, venting done . . . I know what I need. I've got to set my textbooks aside for a few moments this morning and dig into the Word. I need to trust in the Lord, with all my heart, and not lean on my own understanding. I must remember the verses from several days ago. God is a VERY present help in trouble.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Why art thou disquieted within me? HOPE IN GOD!!!

This is God!

2009-08-19T09:37:00.002-04:00

What a blessed morning in the Word!

Some mornings I prefer silence for my time in the Scriptures. Other mornings I need music, whether to cancel the noise of traffic, people, or ten thousand other concerns vying for my mind's attention.

This morning I strolled out to Dave and Keara's covered patio, slipped on my headphones, and chose the Chris Tomlin playlist from Itunes. I didn't even glance at the first song but opened my Bible to Psalm 48.

The song? Our God Reigns by Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and others. They began to sing, "Our God reigns, our God reigns, forever your kingdom reigns . . ." as I read, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God . . . We have thought of your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of the temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgements!"

What a refreshing way to start the morning- a reminder from God's faithful word of the preeminence of our King.

I couldn't ignore the last verse of the chapter though. "That you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever."

This is God! Man, how often do I stand before someone and say, "Look! Look at this! This is God! This is the creator of the Universe. This is the one who sent his Son to die for your sins. Look! This is God!"

The New Chapter

2009-08-18T08:58:00.003-04:00

I truly hope you've visited our site on the Mexico Mission's trip. What a blessing! God used that trip in my life in many countless ways. Yeah, ok, so I know it's sort of a cheap, rip-off to blog through use of video camera, but that's the way it had to go. Hopefully I can snag some spare time this week and actually write some thoughts about the trip.

This morning I woke bright and early at 4:30 am. Sounds terrible, I know, but in Eastern standard time it was actually 7:30. I'm kind of hoping not to slip into Pacific time. I'd love to be in bed every night by ten and up by 5 or 5:30 at the latest. Perhaps that's a bit of wishful thinking, but so be it.

The main event of today and the next four days is Teacher's Inservice at Santa Clarita Christian School. A new school. New rules to follow. New staff to work with. New students and families to meet. New curriculum to teach. New place to live. New . . . new . . . new . . . To say I don't have a few butterflies in my stomach would be a lie.

God has been so good. I type this on a covered patio behind my sister's new apartment. When I walked out here the stars glistened above, crickets chirped from the lawn, and a crisp chill still hung in the air. I flicked on the Chinese lanterns hanging above, set down my textbooks and laptop, then flipped open my Bible to the book of Psalms. Here's what I read.

Classroom Level:

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. - Psalm 45:7

This made me think of the classroom I'll be leading next Monday morning. Love righteousness and hate wickedness. Isn't that one of the basic elements of Christian school classrooms. Praise students who love, honor, obey, respect. Discipline those students who hurt, mock, disobey or rebel. What's the result when we teach like this? Gladness and joy in the classroom. Students know that you'll defend and help them, punish wrongdoers, and stand for what is right.

Life Level:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble . . . Psalms 46:1

It's been a crazy last three weeks. I've shot two weddings, led a mission trip to Mexico, left the home of my last seven years, preached in different churches, said Goodbye to countless friends and family, and step into a new chapter of my life. All through that time I've been battling anxiety. No, I'm not one to fret over every little thing, but I want to do things right and I want to do them well. I want to fulfill my commitments to the best of my ability. What a blessed assurance to read this passage this morning. God! God is our refuge and strength. I could write for days on that! A very present help - not distant help, not even merely an existent help - a very present help. He's here with me this morning. He's helping me, protecting me, guiding me. Oh praise his name!

Universe Level:

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Be still . . . yeah . . . that's a little convicting right now. Action has animated my entire being for the last three weeks. Thankfully each morning in Mexico I found time for a blessed stillness. Blessed quietness, holy quietness, what assurance in my soul . . .

God will be exalted among the nations and across the earth. He will. There is no doubt or question in that thought. He will be exalted! How does that affect me? Will I exalt him in my life now or wait until I'm forced? I try to make the right decision to that question everyday, but now I face a new question? How will I help my students exalt the Savior of this world? What can I do? How can I serve? How will I teach them?

Lord, let me be faithful to exalt righteousness and discipline wickedness in my class. May I know the blessing of your presence whether I "feel" it or not. Help me, Lord. Help me to help my students exalt you with their life.

Off to Mexico

2009-08-04T11:52:00.002-04:00

The title is a bit of a misnomer . . . as I'm already in Mexico City. I'll be blogging at our Mission's Trips site:

Here's the address: 2mexicocity.blogspot.com

Hope you enjoy!

Heidi's Senior Pictures

2009-07-28T14:57:00.003-04:00

I've had the privilege of working with Heidi at the school for seven years now. She's one of the kindest girls in her class. She always works hard, earns good grades, and strives to serve others- a joy to teach. One of my favorite memories of Heidi is when she and her classmates started throwing cupcakes all around my old office. Of course, they blamed it all on me . . .

She's one of the students I'll really miss.

Baby Nora

2009-07-21T13:24:00.001-04:00

Some might disagree with this, but I think this is the cutest baby in the world!

THERE!

2009-07-21T13:22:00.000-04:00

I MADE IT! I MADE IT!!!

The Last Half Mile

2009-07-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

Saturday night at 9:45 I pulled off the highway at Santa Clarita. Only three miles left to drive. Part of me feared a major breakdown in those last few hundred yards. By God's grace I was almost there.

The Third Break Down.

2009-07-21T13:09:00.000-04:00

Although I was to upset to video the horrific episode I broke down AGAIN in the wilds of Northern New Mexico. Yes, it's true. Three breakdowns on the same trip. In fact, what broke? Remember the new tire they put on my Uhaul trailer Thursday afternoon? Yeah, that tire sheered off in a one-lane-both-way construction zone with no shoulder to pull off on. When I finally got both the Explorer and Uhaul off the rode I inspected the Uhaul to find that the tire and rim had sheered completely off. It was all gone. For all I know the tire is still rolling through New Mexico today.

I called Uhaul and attempted to calmly share my displeasure. This time I left the trailer where it was, drove to the closest hotel (30 miles away), got a room, and asked Uhaul to call me when everything was ready to go.

Broke down at 9:30 pm. Got back on the road the next day at 11:30 am. I was not happy.

BY THE WAY . . . If anyone knows the best way for me to call Uhaul and ask for a full refund of my trailer costs and hotel cost, I would appreciate any advice I can get.

Back in the Saddle Again

2009-07-21T12:54:00.000-04:00

At this point it had been a few hours since I cut a video. After breaking down twice in twenty-four hours for almost twenty-four hours I just wanted to drive. Drive. Drive. Drive I did. If you'll recall though I hadn't had much sleep the night before. What do you do when you have to make up for lost time but feel yourself slipping to sleep.

Here's a prime example of what keeps me awake behind the wheel. Try it yourself.

Still Stuck and No Lugnuts.

2009-07-21T12:38:00.000-04:00

At five in the morning a wrecker finally arrived to jump my Explorer and tow my trailer into the nearest town. As soon as I could drive I got back on I-70 in the hopes of finding a nice comfortable hotel at the next exit. Instead I found a nasty hole in the wall. "Who cares!" I thought. I just wanted to sleep.

By 5:30 I was crawling into a bed shared with numerous other little creatures I didn't want to think about. At nine Uhaul woke me with the phone call that they'd be sending someone to help me. Yeah, I had heard that one before. Help arrived at noon. However, the help didn't bring any lugnuts which had disappeared from the tire at some point during the night before. This new mechanic then had to drive an hour round trip just to find the right nuts.

I broke down at 8:30 pm. It was now 1:30 pm.

Frustrating Waiting

2009-07-21T12:31:00.000-04:00

The second mechanic failed. He arrived and worked for a while only to inform me that I not only needed a new tire, I needed a new rim as well. He had none and would have to drive 60 miles round trip to find one. At this point I didn't care how far he had to drive, I needed to be off the highway. He disappeared into the night with a promise to return in an hour and I never saw him again.

I broke down at 8:30 pm. It's now 4:00 am.

Can you hear the semi-trucks whizzing by the Explorer?

A Solution . . . Perhaps

2009-07-21T12:27:00.000-04:00

The Second mechanic finally showed. He pulled the blown tire off, took it back to his truck, and began fixing it. Perhaps this was the solution.

Perhaps.

I broke down at 8:30. It was now close to 1:30.

Still Waiting . . .

2009-07-21T10:20:00.000-04:00

After a long, and unfortunately uneventful wait of an hour and a half no mechanic from Uhaul showed. In fact, after I made a few phone calls I discovered that the mechanic had discovered that he didn't have the correct replacement tire, and rather than share that fact with Uhaul and I the mechanic went home and crawled into his nice warm bed. All that while I sat and waited alongside I-70.

At this point Uhaul contacted a second mechanic. This man promised to come save my trailer.

I broke down at 8:30. The time was now almost 11:30.

Stuck Along the Road

2009-07-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

Only an hour after getting back on the road from the first near-accident my passenger side tire blew on the Uhaul trailer. I had only made it into the eastern edge of Indiana. Sure, this was getting depressing, but Uhaul promised that in only a matter of half an hour someone would be on their way to get me up and going again.

The time was 8:30 pm.

Me and Mac

2009-07-14T11:48:00.000-04:00

I've owned a Mac for the last three years. I've loved every minute of it. I've had less trouble with my Mac in the last three years than I had with either of my other computers in the four years before that.

That said, my Mac blew its hard drive last week. Which, I hope, explains why I haven't finished posting the videos from my trip. I have the videos, I just need to make some quick edits and get them posted when I can.

California's great . . .

My niece is beautiful . . .

My sister and Dave are doing great . . .

I love the new apartment . . .

I'll try to get the videos and pictures posted as soon as I can.

Ps. I took some pictures on the way here. These are posted above.

Blowing the Tire

2009-07-09T12:39:00.001-04:00

Stuck in Sinner City

2009-07-09T12:01:00.000-04:00

Broke Down in Ohio

2009-07-09T11:57:00.001-04:00

California Trip - Video Blog: The Rest Area

2009-07-08T18:40:00.001-04:00

Christ in Camping

2009-07-01T07:09:00.001-04:00

For the ninth time in the last eleven years I woke early on a Wednesday morning, showered, dressed, and walked out the door to head to Slippery Rock Baptist Camp's Staff Training.

Some of my fondest life memories come from Slippery Rock. It was here I counseled teenage kids for the first time. Here I preached my first weeklong series of messages. Here I led boys and girls in a prayer for salvation. Here I made friendships that will continue through eternity.

I can't think of a better place to spend a month of summer. You enjoy five weeks of fellowship with other Christian young people. You play several huge group games a day. You canoe, tube, and float down the creek. You climb towers and fly down ziplines. Spend hours at paintball, capture the flag, frisbee football, and endless water games. And mingled through all this fun you share Christ with those around you! You tell the fellow friends, counselors, cooks, maintenance guys, and campers all about how the Lord is working in your life. You glorify God in such clear, tangible ways!

As I read my devotions this morning my heart paused on several wonderful verses:

Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Mark and Kristin Wedding

2009-06-30T14:02:00.000-04:00

This Saturday I got to spend a few hours with my good friend and Sunday School teacher, Mark Ort, shooting a wedding. I love shooting with Mark. Though he doesn't know it he's got great vision for his portraits. Here's a few I walked away with.

Johnnie's Senior Pics

2009-06-24T10:54:00.000-04:00

I've known Johnnie since he first entered sixth grade. In the seven years since I've enjoyed the privilege of watching him grow into a young man.

Probably my best memories were seeing him step down from All Star quarterback and point guard and step into a spot on our new soccer team last year. I don't think he realized how different it would be to force him to use his feet rather than his hands for a sport.

Despite the difference he preformed marvelously. He was a pleasure to coach. A joy to teach.

The Sadness

2009-06-24T09:49:00.000-04:00

The last few days have been spent packing up the collected material substances of my life. In some ways I don't have much. In other ways I'm surprised how much I have.

My earthly belongings all have been stuffed into one of the following categories:

- Things to take to California

- Things to leave in storage with my parents (thank goodness for their huge garage)

- Things to sell

- Things to give away

- Things to throw away

No, I certainly don't own nearly as much as an average American family of four, but I feel like I own a ton for one guy. Books and books and books . . . Who knew I had so many books? Even after clearing off all the shelves in my living room and bedroom I'm still finding books laying around the house in other corners. Then I remember the shelves of books in my basement. How in the world did I get so many books? I've already dragged eight large boxes to my parent's house. I've sold five boxes at local used book stores with at least three more boxes to sell. These numbers don't even count the ten or so boxes in my basement ready to be thrown into the back of a Uhaul.

As excited as I am about moving to a new place, meeting new people, and learning new things- as much excitement as I feel, there lingers a growing tinge of sadness for all I leave behind. I've lived in the same 70's decor church apartment for seven years now. I'll certainly miss all the little adjustments I made to the apartment.

- The black triangle where the hot iron slid off the back of the toilet and burned itself into the wallpaper.

- The off-kilter line of nails for hanging Ansel Adam's prints.

- The singed window shade just above where I placed a burning candle.

- The stovetop where I forgot I was boiling water and only succeeded in welding the pot to the stove's coils.

Ahh . . . so many memories of almost burning down the place.

No, seriously, I have so much sadness. So much yearning to stay. I'd write more about it now, but it'd only make me more sad.

Another memorable student quote . . .

2009-06-17T13:18:00.000-04:00

Molly W. : "I enjoy having inside jokes between my brain and me."

A Couple More Pictures

2009-06-15T23:56:00.000-04:00

Here are a few more from the wedding rehearsal picnic.

Matt and Rachel's Wedding

2009-06-13T13:03:00.000-04:00

I spent the last half of this week enjoying the southern hospitality of Greenville, South Carolina.

Why Greenville? No, it had absolutely nothing to do with Bob Jones.

Instead I traveled south to be Best Man in my friend, Matt Tuttle's, wedding.

Last night I tried to think about the first time I met Matt. I really can't remember. Sometime in my first few weeks attending Northland Baptist Bible College I met Matt and struck up a friendship that's lasted ten years.

We enjoyed almost every moment this week from setting up for the wedding, to going out for breakfast, to scaring him with the prospects of a wild bachelor party.

In the end Matt and Rachel (formerly Hindman, now Tuttle) had a beautiful wedding. They were wed in a gorgeous Baptist church near downtown Greenville. Matt's fellow music majors sang and played majestic music throughout the ceremony. I didn't lose the ring, for which I was grateful; and the happy couple drove away last night to rousing applause from friends and family.

Ps. I didn't take a lot of pictures at the wedding, but here are a few I grabbed of all the little nieces and nephews running around the rehearsal picnic.

The Greatest of these is Love

2009-06-08T09:21:00.000-04:00

During the summer of 2001 my sister helped out a couple of her campers by inviting them to my parent's home for the weekend. The two girls had come from the Allentown area and enjoyed camp so much they convinced their parents to let them stay for a second week. Rather than drive out to pick them up only to drive them back to Slippery Rock a day later, their parents asked if they could find a place to stay for the weekend. Keara offered our home.

The girls came home Saturday afternoon with Rob Gouge, Dan Adams, Sara Emorey (Flatt), Anne Gilmore, Keara, and I. We had a blast! Saturday we visited Pittsburgh's famous Three Rivers Regatta. Sunday they went to church. Sunday night we all went dumpster diving. The girls had so much fun that one of them, Shelena, decided to come back to Slippery Rock for several years, and even work there for two summers.

In the summer of 2007 she met a young man named James who was also counseling that summer. One thing led to another, and this weekend they got married. They asked Heidi Howell to shoot their wedding. Since it was Heidi's first wedding, she asked me to come as back-up. We had a blast!

These were just a few of the pictures of Shelena.

PS. Heidi did an excellent job on her very first wedding shoot! I know she'll be hired for many more to come.

Weeping at Dunkin Donuts

2009-06-05T08:12:00.000-04:00

No, I wasn't weeping for Dunkin Donuts . . .

This morning found me in the center of PA at the home of Pastor Jeff and Jenn Howell. I'm helping their daughter, Heidi, shoot her first wedding this evening. Poor girl is SO nervous.

A few minutes after 6 I slipped out of the house to have devotions at the local Dunkin Donuts (I may have also wanted to view ESPN.com's highlights of last nights Pens win over the Red Wings).

I've slowly been working through the book Acts of the Apostles (one commentator thinks it should be called Acts of the Holy Spirit). Today I read through Acts 9 where God, in one moment of revelation, forever changes Saul. I read about poor Annanias who must visit the most vehement threat to Christianity and tell him more of Christ. I read how Barnabas stakes his reputation on the conversion of Paul and leads him into the Jerusalem fold.

Finally, I read how God brought peace to the church of Jerusalem, Galilee, and Samaria. What's the big deal about that you ask? Well, at the beginning of the chapter the church had nothing near peace. Saul ravaged their homes! He dragged out men and women, throwing them in jail, and perhaps condemning them to death. Imagine what those new believers were thinking. At any moment their front doors could be kicked in. They might be dragged away. What would happen to them? Stoning? Crucifixion? What might happen to their children? Yet in only a manner of days the worst threat to Christianity becomes the greatest missionary in Christianity.

Isn't that just like God?

Here we sit fearing the worst, while God, ruling from his throne in heaven, prepares to turn our worst for his best.

What made me weep?

I turned to Psalms where I love to invest my summer months. Look at Psalm 2.

2:1 Why do the nations rage [1]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

God is threatened by no one. He fears not Saul, not Stalin, not anyone! HE REIGNS!

We have only to love his precious Son, Jesus.

Verse 12, Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

I love it! We have nothing to fear but God himself. We are blessed. Blessed! Blessed when we find our refuge, hope, and strength and him.

How great is our God!?!

Leaving Soon

2009-06-03T20:44:00.000-04:00

Life has become so busy in the last week and a half. One afternoon I was quietly planning a fun, relaxing summer; the next day I began planning to move across the country and take a position at a Christian school in California.

Now not only must I finish my school responsibilities, I must now pack, plan, and pray for the future. That said, I need to keep blogging. I need to have a written record of how God has worked, so that if I ever come to this place again I can see how he worked now.

Here's a little picture I took of the city I have loved so long.

Camping Trip

2009-06-02T10:24:00.000-04:00

Just a few hours after school ended on Friday Jeff Gwilt and a handful of other youth sponsors took a dozen guys up to Cook's Forest. We setup tents, cooked dinner, and played some rough and tumble games.

Then, part way through the evening Danny Herman tried tackling a small tree. It fought back and broke his nose. That tree cost me a three hour, round trip drive to the emergency room.

In the morning we enjoyed a beautiful canoe down the Clarion River. I wish I could have brought my camera, but I didn't trust myself with it in the kayak. Oh well. Maybe after I get some more practice.

Before heading home our guys climbed a massive Fire Lookout Tower. Green stretched in all directions.

Senior Pictures

2009-05-25T16:35:00.001-04:00

Got to go out Friday night and take some pictures of this year's only senior boy. I've known David since he was in sixth grade. How wonderful to see him grow into a young man who wants to serve God with his life.

From a Student's Essay

2009-05-20T13:27:00.000-04:00

Part of the essay questions was this:

Question: Give your reasoning for why so many modern authors are pessimistic in their outlook.

Answer: Probably because they're bitter at someone for punching them in the nose or something. They write it out on a piece of paper because pretty much all your authors were geeks in school and if they would have punched the guy back they would have gotten murdered and thrown in a garbage can. So that's why all your authors are pessimistic.

I gave him a couple of points just for creativity.

Latest Student Quote . . .

2009-05-18T07:38:00.000-04:00

"You mean Madagascar is a real place? I thought it was just a made up name for a movie!"

Questions and Answer Times

2009-05-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

John Lennox: We do Christianity no service at all when we do not claim the clear results of science. Science is a bit of evidence that points toward God. Science can't tell us everything, but it can tell us somethings. Don't position yourself as an obscurant.

John Piper: I would point out their hypocrisy. Do you use 911? Do have a refrigerator? Do you have heat in your home in the winter? We are glad enough to enjoy the benefits of science?

In what ways are Americans unprepared to suffer in the way the Bible describes?

John Piper: Suffering is something we are all wired to shy away from. Teaching is lacking. Suffering should be talked about regularly. If you want to live a godly life, suffering will happen. The lack of preparedness is real, due to a lack of teaching. Also, we live in America. We have pills for everything. We have 911. It's like American Christians have to work to get into hard situations.

Alistair Begg: Rather than a theology of suffering, we've had a theology of triumphalism. Come live in America, everything's great.

What are the common mis-steps of a pastor who thinks his church is spiritually and numerically stagnant?

John Piper: We beat up on our people. We criticize them. We get so discouraged, that we get mad. Anger becomes our default to disappointment.

Alistair Begg: We might capitulate. We bow under the pressure and give up. Call another pastor who's been through the same thing. Sometimes we assume that we as pastors are right, and everybody else is wrong. Perhaps you're actually making a hash of it.

Where ought we go to college? Christian college or secular university?

John Lennox: There are dangers in both places. When children are little you want to protect them, not because they are any better but because you don't want them infected. When children become adults they must decide to stand for what they believe. There is the danger of staying inside the Christian ghetto. We need salt and light in the secular universities of the world.

John Piper: In a Christian setting you have an 18 or 19 year old helped by a professor to form a Christian world view. I was so naive that if I'd been thrown into a secular environment, I'd be in trouble.

Alistair Begg: Where is the place of the family and the church? The necessity of standing for Christ in the university in England produces stronger Christians in those schools.

What do you believe the greatest challenge for Pastors will be in the next ten years?

John Piper: The same things they've always been. Staying red hot for God. Read your Bible and pray. That's all you can do. To stay relevant talk about the half a dozen things that eternally never change. Death. Marriage. Sickness. Family. If you can help people understand those things, you will always be relevant. If you prick Spurgeon he bled Scripture. If you bleed the young pastors these days they bleed movies. That doesn't help at a funeral, a wedding, or when your baby dies.

Alistair Begg: Uhhh . . .

John Lennox: To stand vertically and stable for God in a society that will try to marginalize you. The pressure will only increase. In Europe they face legislation that will affect the way Christians confront sexuality. Whether we are pastors or not, we'll face a tidal wave of opposition. To withstand that we must soak ourselves in God. We must faithfully teach the Bible not in trivialized sound bytes. Engage others, but revel in the freshness of the Word of God. We must be ready for people to criticize us.

What advice for the pastor who tries to maintain a stable relationship with his wife during an increasing avalanche of pastoral duty?

John Piper: Get a team of people around you who know your family and know your marriage who can help you with the dynamics of your relationship. You need advocates when you say, "I can't do that. I can't be at that event." Ask them to help you prioritize your life. Win the trust of the congregation so they don't have to constantly try to be on top of you.

Alistair Begg: Tell your congregation, "I will be your servant, but you cannot be my master." Sometimes a church is driven by the deacon who's been in office for 147 years or the church member gives 40% of the churches finances. Some pastors just are a poor mismanagement of time. They waste their time and their ministry and their lives. Not everyone functions in the same way. We must be skeptical with ourselves.

John Lennox: Your wife is your most important relationship. You've promised yourself to be faithful to your wife till death you do part. Speak to the church elders that you need to spend time together. Beware of getting more involved in the lives of others than you are in the life of your family. Be utterly honest. Ask your wife what she sees. What is happening? Where did it start? When did it start?

What advice would you give to men seeking to start in the pastoral ministry?

Alistair Begg: Read your Bible. Seek out the type of people you aspire to be. Ask them questions. Read voraciously and widely.

John Lennox on the Scriptures Addressing the Mind

2009-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:00

What better book than the book of Revelation for us to address the connection between the Scriptures, imagination, and the mind?

Revelation 4-

"The late CS Lewis opened the doors of my imagination."

The central theme of these chapters is the throne of God. It is like a vast work of music. In chapter 4 is a description of the throne, climaxing at the end of chapter 4 with the worship of God as creator. The music rises even higher in chapter 5 where we see the lamb as the redeemer of the world. At the end of chapter 6 the music climaxes with the wrath of the lamb. The music ends with all the nations of the world surrounding the throne of God and bowing before him as creator.

This reminds us of the ultimate goal of spending time before the word of God. To worship God in spirit and in truth.

True worship is an assault against the materialism of our age. It assaults post-modernism which denies the truth. Worship assumes that we realize what ultimate reality is. God.

Worship is a response to God.

Why do we study our Bible? Because we have a sermon to prepare? If you're not careful you'll study to prepare a message not to get to know God. Are we simply in a process of churning out sermons? What's the goal of it all? God!

Part of worship connotes bowing before God. Why would we want to bow to God? What portion of his nature calls us to bow? The throne of God. Materialism denies that there could be any other world, let alone a world with a throne. A throne that is sat upon by God himself, not some sort of force.

Let's look at the throne:

- Surrounded by a vertical green rainbow. Perhaps the symbol of the rainbow connects with the remembrance of God's grace in Genesis. God's throne is a throne of grace.

- Circle of 24 elders surrounding the throne. Are these divisions of priests? Representatives of worldly nations? Disciples? Apostles? At the least they represent God's giving other creatures real authority. He's given them both authority and capacities to run things.

God gives men great responsibility. He called Adam and Eve to tame the garden. He called Moses to work with the people of Israel. He called parents to handle the authority of training their children. He called us to work with our churches.

We're not finished with this business of authority. Some think heaven will be boring, but they haven't been through the door, have they?

Do I believe in delegating? Or do I feel that no one can do it as well as me? Did someone delegate authority to you? Did they allow you to make mistakes?

- Seven lamps of fire (the seven spirits of God). Light and government? What do they have to do with one another? God governs by light. They arrested Christ under the cover of darkness. Christ saved us from darkness. Paul says we were called out of darkness into the glorious light of Christ. Darkness is used by evil as a strength of control.

The light guides us. Christ no longer calls us servants. He calls us friends. He's told us everything we need to know. We tell our friends more than we tell other people. We don't keep them in the dark unless we're trying to hide something.

- Before the throne a sea of glass. The Israelites did not like the sea. Doubt is like a roaring sea in the heart of humans. It tosses us to and fro. We are lost and confused. But, cannot God calm the sea! Jesus cannot only stand on tumultuous seas himself, but he can help you to stand. Perhaps the sea is roaring in your heart or in your family. It's hard to believe there is any power able to calm the sea of your life. Christ can create a beautiful sea of glass.

- Four living creatures. God is pro-life. John finds life surrounding God at every turn. His throne is a living throne because God is a living God. "In him is life, and his life was the light of men." If you try to explain life apart from God you end up in the dark.

The living creatures cry out, "Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty!" This throne defines what it means to be holy. Only God himself is the source of morality. "Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Why am I? You and I exist because God wanted me to be. God wanted me. He wants me now. By God's will I was created! Where will you find that in any other philosophy in the world?

- The scroll with seven seals. If we know that these seals bring judgement, why would we want them opened? Atheism thinks it solved the problem by banishing God. However, with banishing God they banished ultimate judgement. Only God can bring that perfect, final, righteous judgement.

John turns expecting to see the mightiest of animals. Instead he finds the weakest. A tiny lamb. A tiny lamb that looks as those it was slain. This lamb had seven horns (for power) and seven eyes (for wisdom). Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God - I Corinthians 1:23-25.

Richard Dawkins said of Jesus, "Jesus, how unworthy of the universe?" No, how unworthy of Jesus Christ is the universe.

Why is this lamb worthy? He was slain. His blood ransomed us. Bought us. He's been doing some buying. He's bought me and given me as a present to God. This is incomprehensible. He bought me? He bought me! Why would anybody buy me? How could I possibly be ashamed of a God like that.

We are to love the God with all our mind, but if that truly happens it will affect our hearts and emotions.

- The seals are opened. From this results war, plague, family, and death. It causes many things that shatters confidence in Christ. The opening of the seals proves the reality of the wrath of Christ. It's the measured response of the God of the universe.

If there is a God and he's holy righteous and true then he knows I am not. He knows I sin against him and against others. Must there not be a response to that? Only Christianity offers both the justice and the offer of escape.

- An innumerable crowd from every nation. How did this crowd get before the throne of God?

As we stand before the throne we realize that we will hunger and thirst no more. No more tears. The Creator of the universe will wipe away our very last tear. He will personally eliminate the tears. He is a caring, sensitive God. Spend time with that God and wait till he himself appears. Only when Christ appears to you will you have something to say.

We will think at the moment we see heaven, "If I had known it was like this I would have invested more in it."

John Lennox @ the New Atheism

2009-05-12T13:13:00.001-04:00

The New Atheism is simply a more violent and radical alteration of the classical atheism.

They're not Post-modern. They believe in truth. Either Jesus was God, or he was not.

New Atheism is seeking to answer these questions:

Should science do away with religion?

What will science put in its place?

Can we be moral without God?

"The world should awaken from the long nightmare of religion" . . . New Atheists.

The New Atheism was said to have been founded because of 9/11. The events of that day are the result of religion. Even when confronted with the fact that those events were based on the fringes of religion, they state that fanatic religion thrives on the edges of moderate religion.

Richard Dawkins, "Atheists have no faith."

Christoper Hitchens, "Our beliefs are not a belief."

"These things are written in order that we might believe." Our belief is a response to evidence. A portion of our belief is based on the New Testament. We have trust in a person only if there is evidence for it. Our faith stems from the evidence provided in the New Testament and the Bible as a whole.

Faith is not strictly a component of Christianity. All scientists have faith in the existence of the universe.

Christian theism gives a basis for intelligible science.

New Atheism stakes much on the unacceptable face of religion, namely warring religion and violence. They speak of the Taliban and Northern Ireland. Our response should be that those who commit violence in the name of Christ act contrary to the words and actions of Christ. Even Pilate exonerated Jesus Christ from the charge of terrorism and fomenting rebellion against the government. In fact, the New Atheists should congratulate Christ for standing against violence.

If we are going to speak of violence and its causes what must we say of Lenin, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao Tsetung? All atheists! So on one hand they will attempt to exonerate religion. On the other hand they attempt to accuse theism.

The atheists throw all religions into the same pot. They compare the Taliban with the Amish. Do they want us to compare them with Stalin? All religions are not equal. There are huge differences between Christian, Bhuddist, and Muslim teaching.

Has science already destroyed God? Is he buried?

Beware the false logic of false alternatives.

"Thanks to the telescope and microscope science has destroyed the need for God." Christopher Hitchens. More false alternatives. It's as though we have to choose between the two. We don't. We should not confuse mechanism and agency.

The New Atheists claim the conflict is between science and religion. That's false. We don't have to reject one to claim the other. The conflict, rather, is between two world views. Theism and secular humanism. Science points towards God, not away from him.

Richard Dawkins argues with a scientific twist that God is not probable. The question is not, "Am I probable?" The question is, "Am I actual?" Do I exist?

Who created the creator? Richard Dawkins thinks this is the best argument in his book. We're automatically assuming that God was created. But we believe that God was not created. These arguments that seem so plausible, try applying them back to the people who comment on them.

Do we need God to be morally good people?

Dawkins and Hitchens seek to take a moral high ground over God. They want to maintain the liberties of western Europe while removing the basis for the liberties they enjoy, God and the Bible.

What will happen if we take atheism to its obvious moral conclusions? Violence

John Piper on The Doctrine of New Birth

2009-05-12T11:13:00.000-04:00

John 3:1-10

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘Youmust be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

The world doesn't need chatty, fun little messages. It gets that all the time. We stand on the brink of eternity. The folks in your audience may not survive to hear you again. Give them the truth of the Gospel.

About hyper-Calvinism . . . We can say to every person on the planet, "God loves you!" Come to the cross of Christ! Come to salvation. Jesus wants you to come to salvation.

"I have a burden for the people who come and go from the church. That they know themselves loved with a love greater than John 3:16."

John 3:16 describes a love that for a mass of people. It's for all people. But the Bible discusses a love that is greater than that.

Philippians 2:4-5

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved!

The love described here is different than the love described in John 3:16. This love makes us alive in Christ. It didn't happen because we raised ourselves from the dead. We were dead. We were vertical corpses. Jesus spoke to Lazarus and raised the dead. That's what preaching is. Speaking the words of Christ in the belief that those words have the power to raise the spiritual dead.

If we have been called from the dead it's because we are fully loved by Christ. Not some fractional love spread across all humanity.

I Peter 1:3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

The Biblical writers always reference their dead condition. They were lost, blind, dead to all things God. Then God breaks in on them and reveals to them the light of his glory.

So what happens in the New Birth?

It's significant that Nicodemus is a Pharisee. He's at the top of the religious pool. Yet Jesus strikes him with the fact that he needs new life. Nicodemus doesn't need more religion. He needs life. Nicodemus is essentially a living dead person. Essentially it's the same problem for every person in the world. We need a living spirit to become spiritually alive. Supernatural life, not just turning over a new leaf.

The Holy Spirit comes upon a person and creates in them a new life that wasn't present before.

Verse 8 simply means that God is sovereign in the new birth. The Holy Spirit comes along and overcomes your spiritual unresponsiveness. Something happens and your start to be made alive. You're not the one who was doing it! You won't say, "I got smart. I was better than my brother." No, it's God who does it! If it hangs on us to get ourselves born again or keep ourselves born again we will fail. But if God's in charge he won't let it happen.

God is our only assurance. He bought us, and he keeps us. John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life . . .

Why is this even important?

Ten descriptions of our condition:

- We are dead

- By nature children of wrath - Ephesians 2:3. It's not because we do bad things, but because we are bad. No one will be in hell unjustly.

- We love darkness and hate the light - John 3:19. We didn't have a problem with our wills before we were saved. We have a love problem. We love darkness. It's not as though we sin out of duty. No. We sin because it feels good.

- Our hearts are hard as stone.

- We are unable to submit to God - Romans 8:7. We cannot submit to God. We cannot please God. However, just because we cannot doesn't mean we aren't responsible. We're still held responsible. Just because we cannot does not excuse us.

- Unable to accept the Gospel - I Corinthians 2:14. We cannot understand God. We think of Christianity and God as foolish.

- Unable to embrace Christ as Lord - I Corinthians 12:3. No unsaved person can call Jesus Lord from the heart.

- Slaves to sin - Romans 6:17. This obedience comes from the heart. We thank God, because our obedience comes only from him.

- Slaves of Satan - Ephesians 2:1-2. We followed the Prince of the Power of the Air. We walk in tandem with the Devil.

- No good thing dwells in me. Nothing!

This is why we all need to be born again. We can't make this happen. I can't. That's why we must pray.

How does this happen?

- The Holy Spirit freely gives life- John 3:8, Ephesians 2:5

- Through the Good News. The Gospel. The Word of God - I Peter 1:23-25. We must preach though we can't save anybody. Yet Paul says we are to save people.

- Brings faith - I John 5:1.

- Belief in the Son - I John 5:11

Alistair Begg @ the Basics Conference

2009-05-12T09:39:00.000-04:00

II Corinthians 5:20

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We are called to preach in a way that persuades people's stubborn wills. Even the apostolic precepts and precedents make this clear.

Acts 18:4 Every Sabbath Paul reasoned in the Synagogue seeking to persuade the Jews and Greeks.

The passionate longing of Paul was to be used of God to persuade both Jews and Greeks to the bountiful blessings of Christ. He ministered from morning till evening trying to convince them about Jesus from the Old Testament and the Prophets. Paul urged others, especially in II Timothy, that the primary role of a pastor is teaching. "Timothy, continue in what you've been taught."

This preaching and teaching is set always in the context of suffering. Paul knows that will be the eventuality. The level of suffering was connected specifically with the level of teaching. Paul uses words like trouble, distress, and even despair of life itself. These are no conventions or contrivances, but events Paul suffered through daily.

"God kicks the legs out from the stools on which his servants sit comfortably." Why does God do this? To keep us from believing our own press reports. To keep us humble. To keep us from relying on ourselves.

There was nothing particularly safe about what Paul did. Even the believers to whom he ministered said they would have nothing to do with him.

II Corinthians 5 is set in the context of God's compulsion. Paul is commanded by God to preach the word. Spirit-filled, Bible-based, Christ-exalting delivery of the Scriptures is used to consecrate the Word of God to the hearers.

Preaching is unpopular right now. But none is more unpopular than actual Apostolic preaching which calls on the human heart to change its wicked ways.

"I'm always encouraged by the passage in Numbers where God opens the mouth of Balaam's donkey. Some weeks it's as though God says to me, "Shut up, Begg. If I need to I'll use a donkey."

Every Sunday we are forced to recognize our own incapacities: Our sin, our hurts, our failures. And on top of that Satan is working to blind the eyes of the unbelievers to the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ. On top of that we might fall prey to the familiarity of the very truth we preach. We must come to the Scriptures in reverence, awe, and wonder. If not, we risk falling into the contempt that comes with familiarity.

As well as the deeply personal issues we face, we face terrible cultural issues. People don't want prerequisites, perplexity, and exposition. The theme of most messages is simple entertainment. We want the congregations to sit back, relax, and enjoy themselves.

We need clarity on the Gospel. If we're confused in your own minds you'll never be clear in the pulpit. We must know the Gospel and understand it so we can make it clear to others.

We must preach, reason, convince, give ourselves, serve, tell them. That's why we were created! Sometimes we must beware of urging on our congregations things that we won't do ourselves.

Telling people the blessings of the Gospel or warning them of the curses of rejecting the Gospel is not the same as telling them the Gospel.

God requires the righteousness of Christ of us.

God achieved the righteousness of Christ for us.

God proclaim the righteousness of Christ to us.

God bestowed the righteousness of Christ on us.

Boldness is needed after the clarity. We need to be clear of what we ought to be bold about. The more clear we are, the more bold we ought to be. Our boldness and authority comes straight from our relationship with God.

The task of a minister is to be ambassadors for Christ. Being an ambassador doesn't draw attention of himself, but the attention is turned toward the one who sent the ambassador.

Urgency is needed. Implore the listeners! How is the service ended? Is there a seriousness? "We can't give the impression that we are clever and God is great, at the same time." Is there a gravity to our messages? To lend a sense of gravity, we must feel that sense of vital gravity. What we preach is indispensable.

"Christ commissions us to present Christ to the unsaved sinner urging, pleading that they commit themselves to the Savior."

John Piper on Justification

2009-05-11T19:14:00.001-04:00

"When you preach through the book of Romans you bump into the doctrine of Justification."

Justification is increasingly embattled in our day. It's confused, reduced and contradicted. In so doing the lines between Protestantism and Catholicism are being blurred. And those are significant lines. They have been and should have been and should be defended.

Unfortunately the new perspective on Paul and justification is redrawing the map of the New Testament. It's muddied the waters for men in seminary. Now the historic "By faith alone . . ." has changed. Faithfulness in life has replaced faith alone.

"I love this doctrine. I live on this doctrine. This doctrine feels to me not only principially saving, but daily saving."

So what does the Bible say about this truth?

John 7:17

17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

A will that is seeking God can see things that those who are opposed to the truth may be totally blind too.

Why is this an issue?

- Preaching through Romans

- Friends and men who are asking hard questions about Justification

- Writing and speaking presenting new arguments about the issue

- The personal need for the doctrine of Justification

Philippians 1:20

20 As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

The word "honor" means to magnify. Not magnify like a microscope, but like a telescope. We need to display the beautiful galaxy that is Jesus Christ.

"I tried to teach and preach and father and husband to make [Christ] look great."

The glory of Christ is being diminished by the new definitions and understandings of Biblical Justification.

Three ways in which the glory of Christ is diminished with the new definitions

- One of Christ's greatest achievements is being denied.

- Love is the great outcome of the Christian doctrine. What happens you make love the foundation rather than the outcome?

- The fulness of the glory of the Gospel is diminished.

Philippians 2:6-8

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The disobedient Adam causes us to be counted as sinners. The obedient Christ causes us to be counted righteous. All of this is the obedience of Christ demonstrated.

The righteousness of Christ Paul talks about in Philippians 3 is what type of righteousness?

Philippians 3:5-9

5 Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Paul is saying that his verdict of righteousness found in verse 6 is not good enough before God. Paul needs the righteousness of Christ in verse 9. It's from God in Christ, not in any way Paul's own.

II Corinthians 5:21 "In him we might become the righteousness of God."

Romans 4:6 "He imputes righteousness to us apart from works of the law."

Romans 5: 18-19

What do you say to a person who comes to you and says, "The forgiveness of God is all that I need. Everything else is superfluous. I don't need anything else since I have that"?

When the cross is diminished of one of its achievements pastorally the church begins to hurt. You take away one of the weapons of the arsenal.

Since the goal of all our ministry is love we flip the goals the wrong way when we make it the foundation. Love is not the foundation, it's the fruit. Look what has happened to the mainline denominations. They've compromised the gospel. They've given up the truth of the gospel. Sure, they have love, but that's it! And that isn't really, truly, eternally changing anything!

We want churches ready to lay down their lives for the world. Churches full of love toward others. The love must be driven by imputed justification, that will produce a radical life of love.

Networking at the Conference

2009-05-11T18:48:00.000-04:00

Being at a conference like this forces you outside of your regular box.

At dinner our group filed in close to last and thus had to split our group and spread out through the crowd.

In the providence of God I found myself sitting three feet away from a pastor based out of Franklin, PA. He lives and ministers less than an hour from me, yet I probably never would have found him but for this event.

Now we talked, we joked, we listened to the ministry blessings and burdens of each other.

Good to meet men we've never known who love God and want to glorify him with their life.

Dr. John Lennox @ the Basics Conference

2009-05-11T16:26:00.000-04:00

Augustine wrote: "Beware of mathematicians out of all those who utter empty prophecies."

Bring Scripture back to Christian music and go against the stream of mindless repetition.

"American football can best be described as a series of prayer meetings interrupted by war."

Mark 12:28-31

I Peter 3:13-17

13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Born in Northern Ireland to a home of vigorous discussion. "The Christian faith provided a cradle for the developing mind that God had given me."

"I was greatly blessed to have the opportunity to study at Cambridge where I was taught to think."

It's sad when an educational system doesn't teach the children to think, and the churches don't allow the children to think.

In college "I sensed in my heart and mind the need to settle the question. Was my faith in God due to my Irish mind?" Is the Christian faith true?

We must come to a settled conviction that what we're dealing with is the truth. Jesus claimed to be the truth. It's not simply a claim to say true things. He claims to be something deeper than that. He claims to BE the truth.

Jesus Christ stand behind every true scientific claim. He IS the truth.

Let us stop being ashamed of bringing our beliefs into the marketplace of truth.

Sharing faith. That is one of the most immense responsibilities. God is quite capable of changing the minds of people who do not have the same religious background as we do.

In the hot house of universities it's easy to go along with a Christian group. Many Christians have not thought through their faith sufficiently. It doesn't withstand the force of the secular world. The bedrock knowledge of Scripture is needful to stand in the public winds of secularism.

Some have only a technical belief in the inspiration of Scripture. We say we believe in the inspiration of Ezekiel, yet when we are asked what is in the book of Ezekiel we cannot say.

It's one thing to feed the lambs in our congregations. We are also called to feed the sheep. Lambs require only milk. Sheep need much more.

"My view of Scripture changed in one evening. I found a man who knew, knew Scripture."

We must first be utterly certain that the Scriptures are true. Then we must take it out and present it in the marketplace of the world.

"I'm grateful for the conviction of my wife that she has never stood in the way of the ministry. She has put up with more than a wife ought to bare."

The New Atheists have declared was on religion on the basis of science. "Religion poisons everything," says Christopher Hitchens.

Young people are discovering that parents and pastors can't cope with the questions presented at college. Pastors feel threatened and intimidated by scientists. Thus the Christian view is being squeezed out of the marketplace and pushed into silence.

How do we approach the situation?

Let's take comfort from the New Testament. This is not the first time Christianity has run afoul of the government and popular culture. Paul and his team had no internet, no concordances, no advanced teams. Without those things they confronted the pantheon of Greco-Roman gods. They confronted Epicureans and Stoics in the marketplaces of the ancient world.

It is either Materialistic-Humanism or Theistic Creationism.

We are being called to do what Peter said, Be ready to give a defense of anyone who asks of the hope that lies within us. We have no option but to get involved in the heat of the battle. To stand aside and say nothing gives the perception that we have nothing to say.

We shall never engage the minds of others if our own hearts and minds are not engaged. We cannot bring someone's mind to where we ahve not been ourselves.

Peter tells us we ought to be ready to give a "Dialogue" about Christ. "If I go a week without being involved in a dialogue I sense something is wrong." Are we among the world? Are we answering the questions the world is asking? If we aren't in the marketplace, we don't know what the world is asking!

Apology - This is not a special area of theology. In fact, all Christians are called to give this defense. What did Paul do? He relates his life story on the steps of the Antonia fortress. He speaks of the change in his life from a religious bigot to Christian. Paul gives a defense to various characters in the book of Acts. He relates the change and experience he had. He is told that he is to give a defense in Rome. What is that defense? It's evangelization. It's a answering of the questions. It's what we must do the moments we open our mouths in any city in the world.

What ought to be the context of this defense? A state of fear. Look at verse 14. Peter is speaking from a context of fear. And Peter knew that fear. He experienced it. He experienced it so much that he denied Christ three times because of it.

What do we fear? Mistakes? Misunderstanding? The changing laws?

There is not limit to what God can do with a man who fully trusts him!

We have no clue of the riches of Scripture. That is because we don't take God seriously. Has God really said what the Scriptures say?

This is after all a very big battle and God has given us one weapon. A sword. The sword of the Gospel. The best way to keep a sword sharp is to keep using it. Not on our fellow Christians! We ought not play religion like children, just throwing labels at one another, while the world out there laughs and says, "I told you so!" We are not to be dogmatic about things the Scripture is not dogmatic about.

How is it that our knowledge of the stock market, sports, and other things grow so quickly, but our knowledge of the Scripture seems to stay the same. Then the moment we go to speak in the marketplace of ideas, it becomes quickly apparent of our lack of knowledge.

But what if we can't answer every question? Just tell them, I don't know. We don't lose our authority by admitting something we don't know. However, if we tell people we know something that we don't know, we quickly lose authority.

How do we begin this dialogue? We are to be asked. If we aren't asked, perhaps we ought to ask others of their hope. Yes, they don't have any hope, but that will begin the conversation.

*Are we giving out copies of the Bible? It must speak that we believe in it if we are willing to give it away.

There is a confusion that leads people to say, "You can't reason people into the kingdom." It's obvious what they mean. Use your reason and persuasion to the hilt, but don't trust it. Don't trust reason and use God. Trust God, then use the reason he's given you.

CS Lewis said, "God has no more patience with theological slackers than he does with any other kind of slacker."

Christian faith is not blind. It's evidenced based. "These things are written that we might believe." We must fight against the idea that faith is a believing in things that have no evidence.

Sanctify in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord! Set him apart as your supreme value!

John Piper @ the Basics Question and Answer

2009-05-11T15:32:00.000-04:00

Question: If you are presenting Jesus Christ as supremely worthy, but your people continue to seek earthly, temporal pleasures how do you react to that?

Answer: I'd be discouraged. I try not to resign. I search my heart to see if I am living it and seeking it faithfully. Is it me? You want to own your own responsibility first.

Am I praying for it? This is a miracle when this happens. I pray "Do the impossible. Change our hearts of stone."

Get near your people in moments of crisis. Be in their face about what's going on. Why are they in pornography? What are they doing?

In the end, we need revival. I've never seen anything near a historic revival. We look at the buildings and convince ourselves of success, but how many are laying down their lives. Our kids look like everybody else's kids. Our marriages are a mess.

Corporate prayer. "Lord, just come! God do something unusual."

Don't give up. I asked Iain Murray once, "What do you do in between the revivals?" His response, "Don't despise the day of small things." If God is using you don't despise the small things.

Question: This is a big thing in churches today, the use of coarse language. I wanted to hear your opinion of those things.

Answer: I assume you are talking about John McArthur and Mark Driscoll. I would encourage nobody to become coarse, filthy, ugly in their language.

I don't think your mouth needs to be dirty in order to relate to twenty-somethings in Seattle.

I'm just not drawing the line that John is drawing on Mark's ministry. I'm going to Mark and getting in his face about his ministry. It's not just the language that I'm in his face about. I'm saying, "Come on. Let's clean this up."

He's accomplishing things in Seattle no one else is accomplishing. I'm cutting him a lot of slack. His doctrine is right on. I don't want to see either doctrine or holiness watered down.

Question: In the mid-nineties you referenced some hard times in your ministries. Can you explain that?

Answer: I found an individual in our staff to be in adultery. It cost the church over 200 members. I was accused of lying. Just prepare yourself to get shot. If you deal with difficulties in your church you're going to get shot.

The Lord was unbelievably merciful. We had elder meetings until 2 or 3 in the morning. God never forsook us. He kept us together. There was one Sunday morning I couldn't even preach. I asked a man from the Baptist General Conference to speak.

When one of the main staff members deceived the church for years people lost their faith. They asked "What's real?"

Sometimes in the life of the church their needs to be a long, lean season.

John Piper @ the Basics conference

2009-05-11T15:02:00.000-04:00

Title: We work with you for you joy.

Piper prays that our time together be maximumly useful for the Gospel.

II Corinthians 1:24

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. For you stand firm in your faith.

Paul works for the joy of his churches.

Do we? Is that the point of our pastoral ambition? Paul is after the awakening of the affection of joy in his people.

II Corinthians 11:23-

Joy is costing Paul his life. That's what we're supposed to do in the ministry: work for the joy of his people.

This is a thought-through, deeply rooted statement of his ministry.

II Corinthians 2:1-4

2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

One of the reason Paul works for joy is because the joy of his people brings him joy as well. Working for their joy brings him joy.

So what is the point of all this joy? Is this simply a sop for the spiritual needy?

No, when we see the universe-creating and miracle-working power, righteousness-performing and wrath-bearing death it brings joy. If you don't delight in that, you don't see it!

The devil blinds the eyes of unbelievers so they can't see the beauty and joy of Christ. Our job is to open their eyes! I have to present Jesus to my people every week!

Our task is to so labor, so live, so counsel, so preach so that our church rises in joy toward Jesus Christ.

What about duty? What about sacrifice? What about all the missing people on Sunday night?

The point of all the joy is not a pampering, but a preparing to suffer.

Duty driven sacrifice for Jesus will not impress the world. Many in the world can gut out their sacrifices. Few can rejoice in the day they suffer for the Lord.

Matthew 5:11-12

11“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We're not pampering our people. It's not some soft, tender psychological community. It's a radical Christ-focused joy that stands when everything else falls away.

"I'm a western, wimpy, non-suffering pastor. I know that. So I try to listen to those who live with pain. And they all seem to say what I see" in these verses.

How do you do this? Work with them for their joy.

Show Christ as extremely desirable. Let them know, help them see that jobs, wealth, prosperity, homes and all those things are not to be desired like Christ. Where there treasure is their heart and everything else will follow.

How? "Live it, brothers!"

"You have to get up every day and fight the fight. We must get up every day. There is nothing automatic about the victories."

George Mueller: "I wake up every morning and labor to be happy in Jesus."

Going to the Movies

2009-05-11T10:59:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I went to Pittsburgh to hang out with my dad. "You hung out with your dad on Mother's Day? What about your mom, you big creep?"

Well, both mom and sister are in LA to celebrate Dave's (my brother-in-law's) graduation from The Master's Seminary. That along with Keara's soon giving birth are keeping life very exciting for the Kistlers on the west coast. So, my dad and I decided to hang out. We stopped at the Apple Store in Shadyside, then I dragged him down to the Waterfront against his better judgement and treated him to see Star Trek.

Growing up we used to watch reruns of the show on Saturday night after dinner. Since we didn't have cable it was either that or flip to PBS for reruns of the Lawrence Welk show. I still have nightmares of thousands of rising bubbles.

I have some thoughts on the movie, but I'll save those for another time. It was the movie trailers that struck me yesterday. As usual it seemed like we sat through six dozen trailers before the actual movie began, but most of them caught my attention in one way or another.

Trailer Review: Terminator Salvation

2009-05-11T10:56:00.000-04:00

Terminator Salvation - Unlike most warm blooded, twenty-something American males I've never seen more than five minutes of any Terminator movie. Obviously my Baptist pastor father was not a big fan of the series while I was growing up, and since then I've never bothered catching up. That said, the trailer looked amazing. I mean that very specifically. The visuals in the trailer emotionally stirred me. It looked as though each frame from the movie could have been paused, turned into a still image, printed, framed, and hung from an art gallery wall. The Director of Photography (I believe that's the term) did a phenomenal job. The composition, lighting, and desaturated color looked perfect. Not a movie I really care to see, but I got to admit I was impressed.

Trailer Review: Year 1

2009-05-11T10:55:00.000-04:00

Year 1 - I dislike, greatly dislike, Jack Black. Perhaps dislike isn't a strong enough word. Disdain - no, needs to be even stronger. His movies are SO dirty. I'm sure that's a slight overstatement, but only slight. I have no desire to see any movie with him in it (King Kong excepted). Even the trailer for this movie left me feeling less pure than the moments before I saw it.

Trailer Review: Land of the Lost

2009-05-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

Land of the Lost - Will Ferrell can be just as bad as Jack Black. I avoid about 9 out of 10 of his movies. Then, every once in a great while Ferrell comes out with a movie like Elf, and I think he's suddenly about to reform and go pro-family in his choice of flicks. Land of the Lost isn't one of them. Most of the preview left me with a scowl on my face thinking, "This is dirty and not funny." It's the worst of both worlds.

Trailer Review: GI Joe

2009-05-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

GI Joe - Having spent most of my childhood years playing with these action figures, I thrilled at the idea of a movie based on the series. Then I saw the trailer. With more than a little sadness I must confess this movie looks STUPID!

I think the reason the recent comic to live-action movies (Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men) have generally done so well is based on their attempt to make the movies as realistic as possible. I realize men dressed as bats, spiderweb slinging teens, and clawed Aussies aren't at all realistic, but they try to be. The Batman series crumbled in the 90's as it slipped further and further from reality. The Fantastic Four movies bombed because they are so unrealistic. Spiderman and Batman soared at the box office because we can all empathize with a young man trying to win his red headed sweetheart or a hero-at-heart fighting regret and bitterness. That, and we love the action sequences associated with these blockbusters.

I could be totally wrong, but the GI Joe trailer looks like it’s all action sequences and very little real plot line, emotion, or character driven story.

Trailer Review- Transformers

2009-05-11T07:38:00.000-04:00

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Keara, Dave, and I sat down at the theater a few blocks from their apartment to watch the first Transformers. None of us really enjoyed it. In fact the only element of the movie I loved was the incredible soundtrack by Steve Jablonsky. As I watched this new trailer the theme music crescendos again. Ahh! Yes! Even now I have the sound of the brass coursing through my brain.

Good trailer, except for the part with Megan Fox. If you take time to find and watch the trailer you’ll know the part I’m mentioning. She’s wearing a long modest pair of culottes and sitting in a most un-provocative manner atop a motorcycle. She practically looks Amish. If you’re a woman it’s probably ok to see. If you’re a man, trust me - not good. Why does Hollywood always have to do that to us? Both my dad and I turned away and blushed red. At least I blushed red.

Can’t wait for the soundtrack though. The sequel’s soundtrack is always better than the original (Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman, Bourne).

Grace for a Picnic

2009-05-10T07:48:00.000-04:00

Yesterday our school celebrated its 27th school picnic. We drove up to the Slippery Rock Baptist Camp, and by 3:00 in the afternoon kids were playing softball, volleyball, basketball, and paintball. Other than the wind the weather was perfect. All were in good spirits. It was going to be a great afternoon.

Suddenly a worried teacher came rushing out from behind the gymnasium.

"Where's the nurse?" she asked.

I didn't know. I wasn't even sure we had a nurse present.

"What?" I responded.

"Where's the nurse? Where's Mrs. Webber?" she asked again.

Thankfully I'd just seen the lady strolling across the field. I pointed the direction, and we both began jogging.

"What happened?" I said.

"The top of a tree broke and fell down on Travis."

In my mind I pictured a five or six foot branch falling from a tree and knocking the poor tenth grade boy on the head. The nurse would check him over, bandage any scrapes, ice any bumps, and declare him fit for the rest of the day.

Moments later we found the nurse and were entering the paintball field. Though still a ways off I could see a crowd had gathered around the boy. Two women walked past me. Both were crying, and one was trying to comfort the other. I heard someone shout, "We called 9-1-1!"

What was going on? Suddenly I guessed my mental image was far from the truth.

I saw Luke Jones, another of the school teachers and the camp's caretaker, hurrying back to the scene.

"Luke, I'll direct the ambulance in while you check on the scene." Luke knew Travis well, and I thought he'd be the best person to stay with the kid. I ran to my car, threw it in gear, and took off down a back trail towards the front of the camp. The trail would take me close to where the top of the tree had fallen. When I pulled close to the accident I had to stop. "The top of the tree broke and fell on Travis," she had said. It was no five or six foot branch, but rather the top two-thirds of the tree. A huge thirty foot mass of leaves and branches lay stretched across a clearing in the woods. I could see staff, parents, and students trying to pull the tree off the boy.

A few minutes later the ambulance was following back down the same trail. I wanted to keep the ambulance from driving through the center of camp and only raising the level of panic. Dan Gwilt told me later that one of the fourth grade students had run through the camp shouting, "He's done for! He's going to be paralyzed for life!"

Only when I got the EMT's out to the scene did I realize there were two students struck by the tree. A second ambulance was on its way. I led the second ambulance back as well, and by that time the emergency personnel was loading Travis, who was more seriously injured, onto a stretcher.

Alex (the second student) was taken to the hospital only to be sent home a few hours later with a brace and bottle of pain killers. Travis' injury required more attention. Taken to the hospital in Butler he was diagnosed with trauma and internal bleeding. They then transported him to one of the hospitals in Pittsburgh. Jeff Gwilt, our youth pastor, and I were about to drive down to see him when his grandfather called. He's ok.

This morning I received even better news - He's coming home this morning. Home with his mom for Mother's Day.

Yesterday, after the ambulances drove off one of the workers came to me. "Ken, if that tree had fallen just a few feet to the left or if Travis was standing just a few feet to the right we'd have had a hearse here, not an ambulance."

All that said . . . I have to ask . . . is it well with your soul? God chose to spare the lives of these two boys, but what if he had allowed them to die. Where would they be at this moment? Heaven? Hell? It's given to all men once to die and then the judgement. What will be the result of your judgement? Heaven or hell? You can't cheat death. It can come at any moment. A tree, a car, a bullet, a fall, a sickness, heart attack, seizure . . . The moment after our heart stops where will you be?

Is it well with your soul? Are you right with Jesus Christ, Creator God?

More Student Quotes

2009-05-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

So the other day I had a student describe their ancestry. It went like this.

"I'm German from Germany. I'm Irish from Ireland; and I'm Jewish from . . . from . . . from Jewland."

Ah, kids! They never cease to entertain.

St. Peter's Back, and He's Gonna Get in Trouble

2009-04-28T07:21:00.000-04:00

Hey now, hey now- St. Peter's back.

Read this morning in Acts 4. There Peter and John stand before the same crowd that executed Jesus and boldly declare the Gospel of Christ. Listen to some of the facts Peter declares.

- Jesus healed the lame beggar

- You killed Jesus

- God raised Jesus from the dead

- Jesus is the only way of salvation

- You rejected Jesus

What boldness! Just a two months before Peter coward beside a courtyard fire and cursed to show he knew nothing of Jesus Christ. Now he speaks with such boldness that all in the room realize he had indeed been with the Savior.

Yes, Peter evidenced change when Jesus thrice said, "Feed my sheep."

Yes, Peter took the reins of the followers and lead with characteristic zeal.

Yes, Peter's sermon led 3,000 to Christ.

However, I think here is the crucial moment of change. He's not turning. He takes a bold stand for Christ.

He almost reminds me of a talented baseball player who steps into the majors only to be sent back to the minors. He corrects his faults and is called back up to the majors. Then, oops, sent back down to the minors again. With this stand before the Sadducees, Peter forever is called back into the majors.

As I read through the passage I felt like cheering for the poor, type-A personality fisherman who got it right just as much as he got it wrong, but finally stepped out from the crowd, stood up for Christ, and began a phenomenal ministry for the Lord.

The Little Children

2009-04-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

Last week when I judged the speech competition in the center of the state two contestants grabbed my attention.

The first boy's name said it all.

Bishop Elder.

What a name! I'm not even joking. Then my mind raced ahead. What if this kid becomes a pastor?

Pastor Bishop Elder.

In his name he's wrapped up authority at its highest levels in at least three denominations!

The first girl who performed also caught my attention. I noticed she was a seventh grade girl who was performing her own original work of poetry. Warning bells sounded in my head. Over the next two minutes she committed every faux pas I ask my own speech students to avoid.

She began by telling her name, hometown, grade, and poem title. Of course, she paused to inform the judges that she had written this poem herself. Then with a nervous smile she bowed her head.

Slowly her head lifted and across her young face passed a sense of transcendence.

"It was our God who made the sea and the sky."

She announced these words with huge, specific actions tied to each one.

For "our" she swept her hands outward before allowing them to swoop back in toward herself.

"God:" Her hands moved from her heart straight upward as her head bowed toward the ground. I couldn't help but think of a praying football referee signaling a touchdown.

"Who made the sea:" The last two are obvious. She represented sea by bringing both hands horizontal in front of her and rippling her fingers up and down.

"And sky:" Yes. It was the classic sweep of hands and arms up, around, and down to capture a brief moment the span of the sky.

As I watched the display I didn't know whether to laugh or shudder. In the end I just faked a huge smile.

All joking aside the poem wasn't half bad. For a seventh grader, the kid had talent. She just needed a little more direction. If a girl like that is willing to get up, memorize and quote a poem, and throw herself into it; then by the time she's 20 she may be doing some phenomenal work. Although I laugh as I think back on it, I get excited as I look forward to what she might do in the future.

The final boy made me laugh yesterday.

I sat down with him at a potluck lunch yesterday when I noticed the kid sitting by himself. His name was Noah. I'd love to write more about him, but most of the time he spoke his mouth was full of pasta.

He said, "I dowww knowww abooow nubbbbun."

The one thing he did say that I understood was when a young teenage girl walked past our table.

He made a mean face at her then turned to me.

"That's my sister. She's evil!"

Photos - Kurt and Rachel

2009-04-25T18:46:00.000-04:00

This morning I woke early to a unseasonably warm Western Pennsylvanian sunrise.

Ah! Spring is in the air.

After throwing on a polo and pair of shorts I dashed out the door to meet Kurt and Rachel, a young couple from our school who asked me to shoot their engagement pictures.

Kurt graduated in our school's first senior class, but before he left he just happened to join a college trip to Northland that Rachel was also attending. The two hit it off! They sat together at all the restaurants, flirted with one another in the van, and haven't been separated in the three years since.

Of course I'm happy to see them getting married, but even more I'm thrilled to watch them live their lives to honor God.

Ps. I've been told, "It's sad when your students start getting married before you do!"

Dazed and Confused

2009-04-22T09:45:00.000-04:00

This morning one of my seventh grade boys was singing a nursery rhyme. It's one we all know. Here's what he sang.

Eeni, meeni, myhni, moe,

Catch a tiger by the toe,

Hippie hollered,

"Let him go!"

Eeni, meeni, myhni, moe.

Did you catch that?

I thought the third and fourth line read:

If he hollers,

Let him go.

I like the new line better though. It kinda caught my funny bone. In my mind's eye I imagined some poor seventh grade student clutching a tiger by its toe while in the background a much-offended PETA person calls for his freedom.

The long haired, tye-died t-shirt wearing beatnik calls out, "Dude! Let the little kitty go!"

Friday Night Lights

2009-04-20T08:18:00.001-04:00

This weekend I traveled to the far side of the state to judge speech at Talents for Christ. Since I was hoping to avoid paying for a hotel, I asked the Howells if I could stay at their house for the evening. We had a blast!

Heidi, Ben, and I took off after dinner to snap some pictures of the setting sun. We didn’t quite get the pictures we were looking for, but here’s a few of the ones we grabbed.

Smattering of Thoughts

2009-04-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I took a few minutes to swing by my brother-in-law's blog. It is SO not fair. The guy's a genius. He takes opportunity to share a couple of the many thoughts floating around in his mind, and it strikes me that many of his flitting thoughts are deeper than any focused meditation I've ever done.

I did like the style of his blog. He didn't dash off 2,000 words on any one subject; rather he summarized the thought and moved on. Perhaps I can do the same.

Windows Commercials: Ok, so maybe I’m biased, but I can’t stand the new Windows commercials. First, they seem so contrived; which, of course, they are. Everybody knows Apples cost more. Duhh! That’s like being surprised that a Lexus costs more than a Chevy. No one’s shocked by that. Just like no one is surprised that a Lexus is a better car than a Chevy. Do they both get you from Point A to Point B? Certainly. I hate the assumption that just because a Windows PC costs less it’s a better choice. I’ve suffered through my share of Windows computers. NO MORE! Are Macs for everyone? No. Get a Windows computer. I don’t care, but don’t tell me it’s a better option simply because it’s cheap. There’s a reason it’s cheap.

Somali Pirates: Go America! Let me clear: I don’t rejoice at the death of any teen, whether Somali or American. I do rejoice at justice. I do rejoice at Captain Philips freedom. I do rejoice that the President allowed the use of force. It’s just nice to see some Americans still won’t be pushed around by evil-doers.

Krispy Kreme: I mentioned earlier this week that Dunkin Donuts has come to Butler, and all good people said, “Amen!” A word must be mentioned here about the competition, Krispy Kreme. “Yuck.” That’s the word. Or you could say, “Gross.” Or, “Bleh!” Though I’m not really sure if “Bleh” counts as a word. So, yes, if given no other option I could probably down about three dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts, but if I was given the option I’d choose D+D every time. Dunkin Donuts has taste, weight, and mass (as do most the people who eat there). Krispy Kreme is more like some fake light little French cake pretending to be a donut. Or you could say, Dunkin Donuts is like the steak. Krispy Kreme is like the metrosexual vegan burger.

One other thing for now . . . Lord willing . . . I’m traveling to Mexico this summer. It’s a Mission Trip. Please don’t write to remind me how dangerous it is. We’ll be in Mexico City far from the madly-drugged crowd. The missionaries there (ABWE) asked me to come for a week of photography. More about that later, but I’d appreciate your prayers!

The Comforts and Commands of Christ

2009-04-13T20:21:00.000-04:00

Calvary Baptist Church in Linesville, PA asked me to speak at their church for Easter. I looked forward to that. Then they asked me to speak in three services, each one with a different message. I sorta looked forward to that. Then they informed me that the first service began at 8:00 am. With the hour and half drive to get to the church, I had to leave Butler by 6:15 am. I did not look forward to that.

In my study for the messages I noticed a trend after Christ’s resurrection. Almost everything our Savior spoke falls into one of two categories. His words either came as comfort or command.

Jesus says things like, “Peace be unto you,” or “Everything’s going to be Ok.”

He calls Mary by name as if to say to her, “I know your hurt, your fear. What concerns you concerns me.”

Jesus goes on to tell Mary, “I’m go to ascend to my Father.” We know that means He goes to rule and reign over all affairs from the glories of heaven. We have nothing to fear as He controls all things.

Yet Jesus also shares some commands in his final days on earth.

He tells his disciples, “As the father sent me, so I send you.”

He calls Peter to “Feed his sheep.”

As many know Jesus finally tells his followers to take the message of the Scripture all throughout the world. What a command! Could there be a more difficult calling? Even in that though, Jesus cushions that final command with comfort. He says, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the world.”

Comforts and commands.

So many in Christianity want one or the other. The comfort sure sounds nice. We like the thought of a cushy, warm-hearted God who just loves us so much and wants to do for us everything He can. We perceive him as a congenial grandfather-type who always smiles, hugs us a lot, and looks the other way when we do something He disapproves of. On his worst day this God may toss our sin a stern look for a moment, then simply smile and ask us not to do that again.

Others in Christianity prefer the command side. We like the thought of a serious God who will only open the gates of heaven for a small select few. Of course we and our close friends are a part of those blessed few. And the rest of the world . . . well, to bad . . . they should have tried a little harder. We grin at the thought that all our wonderful, hard-fought obedience earned us the gratitude of a strict heavenly Father.

Both views are wrong. Both swing the pendulum to far. God is loving. God is also just. God is heavenly father. God is also a strong king. Jesus gives comfort. He also gives commands.

Let’s seek to walk the narrow center of the Scripture and not stray far to the right or the left.

Number 17

2009-04-13T05:52:00.000-04:00

This morning marked the most momentous event to hit Butler, PA since Super Walmart.

The Grand Opening of Dunkin Donuts -

Since New Years rumors have flown back and forth about the stores entering our new outdoor mall complex. Only Ross, Verizon, and McDonalds posted signage early in the year, while the other half dozen store names remained a mystery. At the beginning of March our greatest hopes rose with the confirmation that America’s best donut maker was coming.

I have a pretty strong emotional connection with Dunkin Donuts. When I was little my father and I stopped by the place at least once a week. He’d grab a coffee and some donuts. I’d drink a milk (chocolate, if I could get away with it) and eat my favorite donut: - The best donut of all time

The only reason to eat donuts
The purpose for which dough was created
The greatest tribute to Boston.

THE BOSTON CREME!

Yes, there are other donuts worth eating, but none shall ever surpass the glory of the Boston Creme. It’s a perfect combination of chocolate, custard, and dough. With a swig of cold milk or coffee, I doubt there’s a better breakfast taste in all America.

This morning I rolled off my couch at 4:30. Ouch. Why was I doing this? After all I woke not much later than this yesterday to travel and preach three Easter services. This was for the donuts, for the history, for the privilege of saying, “I was there!” when the doors of the store open.

And, yes, I was there. I wasn’t the first though. Nor did I think I would be. In front of me stood a group of high school guys. One had a video camera and filmed the young lady flipping on the “Open” sign at the front of the store. The first kid in line said he’d been sitting there since midnight. The two guys in front of me were late comers having shown up relatively late: 3:30 am.

I walked into the store and placed the 17th order in the history of the establishment. A ham, egg, and cheese croissant and iced carmel swirl latte topped off with a dozen donuts (not for me, for friends) inaugurated my new experience.

I’ve got to say I am disappointed they don’t have any comfy chairs. Perhaps I was hoping to much for a Starbucks-esque feng-shui. I’m still looking for a place in town I can hit early in the morning.

I, Strobist

2009-03-23T23:01:00.000-04:00

For the last few months I've been following a growing trend in digital photography: Off-Camera Lighting. Tonight I finally got the opportunity to try it.

My desire to start experimenting with the lighting was crushed a month and a half ago when one of my students accidentally broke my camera and flash. I put the dream on hold until I found the opportunity to pick up a second flash and get my first flash fixed. Tonight all the pieces came together.

I started by messing with the camera and flash in my living room, but after a bit grew bored and moved outside. Rather than driving to some place around town and being taken for a looney, I just walked across my lawn to the abandoned house next door. Our church bought it several months ago and plans to turn the place into a parking lot. For now it was nice to use it as a creepy background.

I'll put a picture or two here for now, then throw the rest on later.

For more information on this, head to STROBIST.blogspot.com

Theologically Accurate Kindergarten Teachers

2009-03-21T00:43:00.000-04:00

Several days ago I stood on the first floor of our school to help the elementary teachers dismiss their students. As always they flicked the light a few times to get the kid’s attention then ended the day with a word of prayer.

It was the words of the prayer that caught my attention.

The elementary teacher prayed, thanked the Lord for his safety and provision, and said these words, “Thank you, Lord, for our pastors and all they do to serve . . . “ As I listened to the prayer I mentally inserted the word, “Us.” All they do to serve us.

That makes sense, right. Our pastor’s serve us. They teach us the word, pray for us, and counsel us among dozens of other things.

But that’s not what the teacher prayed.

She said, “ . . . all they do to serve YOU.”

Her final word caught my attention. Rather than focusing on the pastor’s service to us, she directed their efforts to the one who’s most deserving of it, God.

Perhaps this is a small thing. It’s merely a difference in pronouns. Big deal, right?

Actually, I think the difference underlies a huge deal. What’s the focus of a Christian’s ministry? Is it helping others or serving God? Some might accurately point out that serving God does help others. True. In fact, that is an important foundational truth, but it does not always appear that way.

What are some instances where serving God primarily or serving others evidences a difference of approach? My first thought is church discipline. Apart from the desire to obey New Testament commands, church discipline makes little sense. Pop psychology would rarely encourage a group to oust a member from its loving, caring circle for their own good. In such situations it’s only a trust in the promises us God that allows us to step out in discipline rather than allow behavior to proceed unchecked.

Without question America evidences a difference in these two philosophies when it comes to missions. Thousands of Americans leave our coasts every year to help fellow members of the human race. Great! UNICEF, the Peace Corps, and a dozen other agencies invest millions of dollars and thousands of man hours to staunch the suffering of others.

I think these agencies do some wonderful things. Millions of people’s suffering would increase if these agencies ever closed their doors. However, that being said, the impetus behind these organizations remains worlds apart from the hundreds of missionaries who leave home, friends, and family to proclaim the glory of Christ. Does the glory of Christ help the suffering of people? Most certainly. Look at the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well. She came looking for a bucket of water to keep her alive for several days. It would keep her from suffering. Jesus then offered springs of water that would never fail. His purpose was to be glorified and in that he relieved a woman’s spiritual suffering.

Our purpose as Christians is to serve God. He’s the one we must obey, follow, and honor. If we’re able to fulfill those callings in doing so we will help others.

Total Embarrassment

2009-03-20T21:37:00.001-04:00

It happened today- that definite moment every teacher dreads. The moment, the instance, you make a complete and utter fool of yourself in front of a classroom full of young impressionable students. The moment you say something or do something that the whole school will talk about for years. It will be mentioned in graduation, class reunions, emails, phone calls, and even perhaps my funeral service.

Today we began our look at e. e. cummings (if you wonder why I refuse to capitalize his name, you've apparently never read his works). We breezed through a brief biography to wet the student's appetites then jumped right into Grasshopper (or r-p-o-p-h-e-s-s-a-g-r).

The second poem we read was called Somewhere I've Never Traveled. It's one of his better known love poems. I read it through once, then asked the students to read it a second time, picking out the line they felt best crystalized the work. One of my guys pointed out the first line in the second stanza. I read the line loudly for all the class to hear.

It reads like this:

your slightest look will easily unclose me though i have closed myself as fingers,

However, this is what I said:

your slightest look will easily unclothe me . . .

Yes. Really. That's what I said. The class sucked in an audible gasp, and my face shown crimson. Had I really just said what I thought I just said? The look of horror on the faces of twenty-five 9th and 10th graders said, "Yes, you just said that Mr. Kistler."

I've been mixing up my words all week, and I've blamed every mistake on the Nyquil I've been taking, but I didn't sip any sweet stuff today. So I'll just blame it on cummings strange choice of syntax.

The gaffe only began a more embarrassing series of unfortunate events. After the gasp came the unavoidable laughter. The class erupted. This was something they'd mention in the halls, on the bus, and certainly at tonight's dinner table.

"Mom, you won't believe what Mr. Kistler said in class today!"

Years of building a reputation forserious academic instruction would be forgotten in a moment.

"He said, 'With the slightest look you will easily unclothe me'."

Even as I thought about that I prayed they'd put the statement in context.

Yes, the class erupted, and after a moment I erupted with them. I couldn't hold back the laughter. I couldn't believe what I'd said. I bent over double, both arms crossed in front of me. Then, somehow adding to the moment, I lost control. I've seen this happen before, but I've never actually experienced it. I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING. I was physically unable to stop.

My best memory of this happening to some other poor slob was when my father led our little Pittsburgh church in singing, "My Jesus, I Love Thee." Through a mistake in timing he actually sang (and I quote here), "And say when the death doo-doo lies cold on my brow . . ." Please avoid that mental picture.

So, I lost it. I laughed and laughed more. This, as you can guess, caused my students to laugh harder. Soon tears flowed down my cheeks, and I had to excuse myself to the hallway. This only served to get the attention of the class next door which couldn't decide if I'd suffered a long awaited breakdown or was using some strange demonstration to teach my lesson.

When I finally walked back into the classroom there was almost complete silence. The students, who have never witnessed anything close to this weren't sure what to expect. I kept my composure, walked to the box of Kleenexes, and wiped the tears off my face. Then I turned to the class and said, "I'm so sorry."

Then I lost it again.

Then the class lost it again.

Then tears of laughter streamed down my face again.

After a few minutes I was able to pull myself together enough to ask a student to read our next poem. By the time she had finished class was over. I don't know that a single student actually heard a word she was reading.

As my class walked out here were a few of the comments I overheard.

"I'm never going to forget this day!"

"I should memorize that poem so I can tell everyone about it."

"Have you ever seen Mr. Kistler's face turn so red?"

"I wish I had a camera so we could put that on YouTube!"

"My parents are going to think that's hilarious!"

So ended the moment all teachers dread. I suppose that if I only do that once ever seven years I'll be doing alright. Now I wonder what Monday's class will bring.

The Truth Comes Out

2009-03-20T16:33:00.000-04:00

I’m going to spill a dirty little family secret.

The Kistlers cannot function in the morning without caffeine.

It’s true. Sad, but true. My father stumbles down the stairs, drags himself into the kitchen, and starts the coffee maker.

My mom stumbles down the steps and heads straight for the fridge. Yes, my mom is a secret morning Mountain Dew drinker.

Keara, well, I can’t really speak for Keara. She’s a coffee girl, but I’m not quite sure how dependent she is on it.

And me, well, I need coffee. I need lots of coffee! That fact proved itself this morning when I poured my cereal (Cocoa Pebbles) into a coffee mug instead of into a breakfast bowl.

I glanced down, saw what I had done, and began laughing. Then I went out for coffee.

What is Beauty?

2009-03-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

Just saw the movie Australia. Loved it!

The music, the cinematography, the script, the acting all combined to build a wonderfully entertaining picture. After I watched the movie I spent a few minutes watching the trailers. I’d like to blog just a little on movie trailers sometime. Making a movie trailer itself is an art form.

Point is the whole experience made me think about the word “Beauty.” What makes something beautiful? What decides beauty? What is it in a photo that captures our heart? Makes us smile? Brings a gasp? Holds our attention? Stays in our memory? Why do we buy paintings? Replay scenes? Reread books?

What is beauty?

Merry and Web say it’s “the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.”

Oh PLEASE! That’s a most pitiful definition for such a captivating substance. I don’t look at an Ansel Adams and think, “Woah, that photo gives pleasure to my visual senses!” “Man, did you hear that song? My mind felt so totally exalted!”

I’m not really trying to mock the dictionary definition. What they write is true, but it doesn’t nearly capture the scope of the word. I must admit though that I’m sitting down to write this because, frankly, I can’t do a better job.

How do you plumb the depths of such a word without reverting to mere sterile language?

As a fifth grader I listened to my teacher read a book called “The Search for Delicious.” At least I think that’s what it was called. The characters spent 100 pages of book on the quest to define the term “Delicious.”

In essence here is what I’m struggling with:

What is beauty?
What makes something beautiful (maybe that’s the same question)?
How is God connected with beauty (beside the obvious)?
How does the creation, observation, or exaltation of beauty relate to the realization, observation, and exaltation of God?

I don’t have any answers. Not tonight anyway. You can tell this is just a mixing bowl for two hours worth of ruminations. What do you think?

What is beauty?