Understanding Postmodernism

The iBible

Failing Forward

Each month I look forward to teaching at our "Men of the Word" breakfast. Tomorrow I'm teaching a lesson about Failing Forward (yes, I borrowed the idea from John Maxwell). I'm beginning with an intro about the cynical view that the world has about life. Some of these are pretty funny.

Have a great weekend everybody!

VBS Rocks!

It's the last night of Vacation Bible School. It has been a great week. Lots of fun. Lots of kids. And lots of tired workers.

Cubs Win!

What's up with my Cubs? They have been on fire lately. Woo-hoo!

Vacation Bible School

It's VBS week at the Creek. Last night we had over 100 kids learning about the Lord. It's really great to see these young ones excited about Jesus. It does my heart good as a preacher to see so many Cedar Creek folks involved with VBS. The whole crew is doing a terrific job. I don't have too many responsibilities other than meeting parents and eating cookies (hey, someone has to do it!).

Same Ol' Feminist Drivel

Recently the Christian Standard ran an interview with Eleanor Daniel. Ms. Daniel has been called the "Dean of Christian Education" in the Christian Churches. She also has been a long-time proponent of the Christian feminist agenda (or, to put it more kindly, the egalitarian view of church leadership). Every time I read the arguments, I agree with Dr. Cottrell who says that it is theology ex nihilo (out of nothing). Granted, the short interview was not an exhaustive study of the subject, but a few short quotes will have to suffice for now.

When asked, "How do you structure an argument for women in leadership from Scripture?", Dr. Daniel replied, "If you take all of the passages in Scripture, you see variety. The book of 1 Timothy would sound very opposed to women in leadership, and you have First Corinthians about women being silent in the church. Then you have Romans with all of the women in leadership there. There had to be some key women in leadership. I read Galatians, and it seems the differences between men and women are obliterated. I don’t think Paul was schizophrenic! One way or other there seems to be some key that was hidden to us and we haven’t been able to unlock that lock."

She can't be serious! We haven't been able to unlock that lock? No, the lock has been unlocked for centuries, she just doesn't like what's behind the door.

George Faull wrote a terrific Letter to the Editor about this interview (you have to scroll down a bit).

Where will it all end?

All Star Game

Arrrgh! The National League let me down again! My comments from last year's game sum it up once again.

But the game was fun to watch.

Hot Dog!

While visiting family over the July 4th holiday, we happened to catch the Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN. Joey Chestnut ate 66 hot dogs and buns in the twelve minute time frame. Holy bellyache Batman! The Kjergaard men were in awe.

Back Home

We enjoyed our vacation. But it's good to be back home.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Heading Home

Vacation time always passes too quickly. We enjoyed our stay in Mackinaw. there's just something about this place that makes me feel relaxed. Mrs. Soren and I awakened early today and strolled into town for coffee and donuts. Were heading back downstate today, but I still have another week to goof off!

At Days End

We had a great time on Mackinac Island. It was a picture perfect day. We rented mountain bikes and cruised around the island for a couple of hours. Got some lunch and enjoyed the goings on. Later, we returned to Mackinaw City and went to Thunder Falls Water Park. Yep, I went down both of the big slides (pictured here).

Later I went for a run along the shore of Lake Huron, then we enjoyed another nice evening checking out Mackinaw City.

Mackinac

We made it to Mackinac (sometimes spelled Mackinaw, which is how it's pronounced) yesterday afternoon. We walked around Mackinac City, hitting one of our favorite pizza joints for supper. Later, we watched the laser light show (the kids were bored -- what's with kids these days? More and more I find myself saying, "Why when I was your age....blah blah blah" like the Grumpy Old Man from SNL -- "We didn't have fancy schmancy laser shows, we lit matches and waved 'em around, burning our fingers. But we liked it, we liked it just fine.").

We're getting ready to ferry over to the Island. It's a perfect Northern Michigan day.

Vacation!

We're leaving for vacation today. Heading "up north" to Mackinac Island. Tracy and I have been there, but the kids have never been. Later, we'll spend some time with relatives. Next week, we're going to Clinton, Iowa to spend to 4th with family. Will blog if I have internet access.

Have a Great Weekend Everybody!

Cedar Creek Softball

Both of our church softball teams won last night. Inspired by Sammy's 600th homer, I went 4 for 4 (steroid free!), scoring twice. Cedar Creek 19, Hicksville 13.

Pirates 3

Luke and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End last night. Ugh. It was way too long with a confusing plotline and excessive violence. He got bored. But after springing nearly $25 for tickets and popcorn & drinks -- we stayed 'til the end.

Sammy Sosa Blasts #600

Despite the fact that he is no longer a Chicago Cubs player, and I know about the allegations about "juice" -- I can't help it, I still like Sammy. Last night he joined the 600 club.

iPod Woes

My iPod has been acting weird lately. I had to "restore" it a couple of times; it freezes up occasionally; and finally it stopped working altogether (it wouldn't complete the "restore" cycle). I called Tech Support and the guy walked me through several attempts to fix it. Finally he told me that I need to send it in to be repaired or replaced. I've only had it for six months, but I'm glad that I bought the Apple Care Plan.

Camp Update

Camp is going great. I'm spending some fun time with my son Luke, and I am getting to know some other kids. We have a good faculty, and the responsibilities are spread out so nobody is overwhelmed (for example, I only teach one class per day). We have some free time too. Weather is perfect.

Church Camp

I will leave Sunday to go to Lake James Christian Assembly. There will be several dozen 6th & 7th graders. I’m serving as a teacher and a “dorm dad.” One of the reasons why I love Christian Service Camp is that it had a tremendous influence upon me when I was young. Life-changing decisions are made at Church Camp. It was there that I became convinced of my need to accept Jesus as Savior. It was there that I decided to give my life to the preaching of the Gospel. It was there that I met other Christian young people, developing friendships that continue to this day.

Please pray for us this week.

LeBron!

Even though I was dead tired, I couldn't stop watching the Pistons-Cavs game last night. That game was awesome! A double-overtime nail biter. Even though I'm a Detroit fan (well, not really a fan, but if I follow any team, it's the Pistons). LeBron James played out of his mind -- draining three's and jamming over people. 48 points, including 29 out of the Cavs last 30!

One of the guys on ESPN radio said it was like the Michael J. Fox character in Teen Wolf (sadly, I knew exactly what he was talking about -- Fox turns into a werewolf and his teammates stand around watching him dominate on the court). Another guy said it was like the dream sequence in Fletch (one of my all-time faves) where Fletch played for the Lakers ("6'-5", 6'-9" with the afro") and dunked over everybody. Scary thing is that this guy is still developing. He would be a college senior.

Spiderman 3

Went to see Spiderman 3 with my son on Tuesday night. Very cool.

We Will, We Will MOCK YOU

This made me smile.

Memorial Weekend

I remember. Freedom is never free.

Reflections on the Ministry

Today marks 20 years since I was “set apart” or formally “ordained into the ministry” by my home church in Three Oaks, Michigan. I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing about the things that God has allowed me to do for Him over the past two decades. I don’t deserve to be saved, let alone serve as one of God’s messengers. Yet, because of His grace, the Lord grants me the wonderful privilege of proclaiming the Good News.

In 1987 I never could have imagined that I would have the privilege of serving a wonderful church in Virginia for 12 years, winning many to the Lord, developing deep friendships, and ordaining several young men into the ministry. Nor did I have any idea that I would come to Fort Wayne, Indiana to serve with another great church. God has blessed me with the privilege of preaching in many places, (Revivals, Campmeetings, etc.), meeting some great saints along the way. Thank you Jesus!

I’m just as “fired up” today as I was 20 years ago. Like the prophet Jeremiah, I can say, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot!” With the apostle Paul, I say, “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Idol Thoughts

I have liked Blake from the beginning. But I think Jordin is a lock to win it all. We'll all know tonight.

That's It?

THAT was the twist ending? THAT is how the writers are starting off the reinvented, re-imagined 24!?! You've got to be kidding me. People, they're grasping at straws! They were so ready for this lost season to end that they tried everything they could to get you to watch. Even the small promo for season seven promised it would be the best season ever... Uh huh. If they just replayed season one next year, I would agree with that claim.

Class of 2007

On Saturday I had the honor of being the Commencement Speaker at my alma mater, 20 years after my own graduation. Back then I never could have imagined it. In fact, my good friend Mark Christian (now the Academic Dean), whom I have known since the fourth grade, said to me right before the ceremony, "How scary is it that you and I are doing this?" Just another reminder of two truths:


1. There is a God.


2. He is full of grace.

reIGNITED

Last year I met a guy at the North American Christian Convention. His name is Jim Tune. Jim and I had already met in cyberspace via an online discussion group called Christian Church Today. Brother Tune serves as Executive Director of Impact Canada, an organization devoted to planting New Testament churches in Canada. Despite the fact that my knowledge of all things Canadian is pretty much limited to the old Bob & Doug McKenzie show and Red Green, Jim and I developed a friendship, and he invited me to write a column for a new quarterly magazine called reIGNITED. He wants me to emphasize Restoration Movement principles, Light from the Old Paths. Beauty, eh?

The inaugural issue was just published. You can get a sneak peek here or click here to subscribe.

Jerry Falwell

By now you've heard about Jerry Falwell's passing. I rarely watch the drive-by media (6:30pm networks news), but I happened to be watching on Tuesday night (mainly because I was trying to get the severe weather updates for our area). Each network led the broadcast with the news of Dr. Falwell's death. Predictably, they focused on the "controversies" and "ultra-conservatism" while all but ignoring the other things he did.

I didn't know Dr. Falwell, and anyone who knows me will recognize that we had some doctrinal differences, but I appreciated his stand for decency, morality, and the Lord. In the age of televangelist scandals, Jerry stayed squeaky clean. Ann Coulter has a nice tribute here and my friend David Willis weighs in here.

Old Dudes

I was watching ESPN this morning, and they were talking about the return of Roger Clemens. The guy is three years older than I am! Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer are also active pitchers heading toward their mid-40's. Wow. It seems like Jamie Moyer has been playing for as long as I can remember (a little trivia: Jamie is Digger Phelps' son-in-law).

I enjoyed this recent Letterman Top 10 List:

Top Ten Signs A Baseball Player Is Too Old
10. Gets winded putting on his socks

9. Hard slide into second triggers Life-Alert pendant

8. While playing outfield, yells at teamates to get off his lawn

7. When buying performance-enhancing drugs, gets the AARP discount

6. Claims he killed President McKinley with a line drive

5. Often begins sentences, "As Shoeless Joe Jackson once told me . . ."

4. He's almost as old as the hot dogs — seriously, have you ever eaten one of those things?

3. Lost part of his career fighting in World War I

2. During interviews, he thanks the Lord and the makers of super Poligrip

1. When he's in the on-deck circle, asks bat boy, "What did I come in here for?"

Shaking 'Em Out

Here's a preacher problem to ponder. Many of us like to greet people after the worship service (shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries, etc.). This is known as “shaking ‘em out.” One cynic said that the reason why we all rush to the door to do this is that we are all egomaniacs who can't wait for people to tell us how wonderful we are. Most folks are generous with their lies, er, um, I mean compliments (one of my friends told me that he always knows when the sermon tanked: the sweet elderly women say, "You look nice today."). Although I have had my share of uncharitable remarks (e.g. "you offended my mother", "where are the flags?", "my kid's name wasn't in the bulletin", "I think you are arrogant", "the music was too loud", etc.). Also, there is the occasional person who wants to tell his/her entire life story at the door (while others are waiting to get out).

As the church grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to know, touch, and minister to everyone. Several years ago, while at a conference, I heard a speaker discourage preachers from shaking people's hands at the door. The reason? There will come a point when the church will become too large for that practice to be practical. So if you stop doing it, some people will think, "He doesn't like us anymore."

But I think I’m going to keep it up.

Cubs Win!

The game yesterday was a lot of fun. Zambrano got rocked in the first inning, but the he settled down. Cubs won 6-4. A great father son memory.

Wrigley Bound

My son Luke and I are heading to Chicago tomorrow (for his class field trip). We're stopping at the Museum of Science and Industry and then going to see the Cubs play the Nationals. And Zambrano is pitching! Go Cubbies!

National Day of Prayer

Just returned from the National Day of Prayer service in downtown Fort Wayne. It was a great service. And I got to be on live TV. I know the reporter who was covering the event. When he saw me, he asked, "Hey, can you give a two-minute interview when we go live at Noon?" I said "sure." I don’t know if he liked it when I said, "I want to give a shout out to my peeps at Cedar Creek. Woo Hoo!!"

Just kidding.

A Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator by Any Other Name

This is a real product. A Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator is a Snot-Sucker. I'm not making this up.

I love what Mark Oestreicher said about it:

really, this product is listed as a “cool tool”. and, really, it’s a snot sucker. that’s right. really.
...this is copied straight outa the description:
You put the mouthpiece in your mouth, press the open end of the snot-collection chamber against your kid’s nostril (it doesn’t go very far inside the nose), and SUCK.
later in the description…
It sounds disgusting and bizarre…
ya think? those are the five most honest words in the whole thing.
yes, i have two kids. and, yes, they were snotty from time to time. and we had a little turkey-baster-like snot syringe. but a snot sucker? really?

Heller Highwater

A lot happened on 24 last night. SecDef Heller is back? Huh? I thought he pulled a Toonces the Driving Cat move and died last season? Next thing you know, Nina will come back to life. It's hard to keep up with The Bauer.

My Weekend

On Friday I will drive to my alma mater (Great Lakes Christian College) for a Trustees' Meeting. Then back to The Creek for a Teacher Appreciation Banquet. Saturday brings a birthday party for my son Luke (he will turn 12 next week).

Preaching from Ephesians 4 on Sunday. I'm tempted to go all Ray Bennett.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Praise Bands

I like Praise Bands, but this made me chuckle.

Wipe Out Global Warming

Cheryl Crow says that we should limit our toilet paper use (I am not making this up, check it out here). "We can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required"...

Um, yeah. And don't worry about the pesky stains either, they will be a badge of earth saving honor.

Shut up and sing.

Buh-Bye!

I'm sorry, what? What part didn't you understand? The buh or the bye?

Buh-bye!

Virginia Tech Tragedy

My heart is aching over the news of this morning's shootings at Virginia Tech.

I can't imagine the sheer terror that those students faced. My prayers go out to the families of the victims.

A Foxworthy Moment

A week or so ago, I decided that I should get my lawn tractor serviced before mowing season started. I thought I could probably borrow a trailer from a friend. Then I thought, "By the time I call him and get things hooked up, loaded, etc., I could drive the mower there myself" (the dealer is only a mile from my house). It seemed like a good idea, until I got about halfway through town and saw my reflection in the window of the pizza place --tooling down main street on my mower, wearing blue jeans and a faded, ragged out, cut-off Christ's Church of the Peninsula t-shirt (yes, Dave I still have it). I thought, "I must look like a total redneck", hoping that some church member didn't drive by and see me. I had called my youth minister to meet me there and give me a ride home. When he saw me, the look on his face said it all. "If you ride your lawn mower down main street, you might be a redneck."

Have a great weekend everybody!

Feeling Creative

Some of you read my rant about church names. I appreciated your comments (both on and offline). It got me thinking, what are some cool names that I could re-name the church I serve?

• Cedarville Bible Fellowship in Christian Union


• Mars Bar Christian Assembly of God


• Whatsthepointe Chapel


• Pragmatists R Us


• Leo 2/38 Community of Faith


• Church Up a Creeke

Sarcasm is just another free service we offer :-)

Resurrection Sunday

Easter rocked! The Cedar Creek folks gave themselves permission to really worship. The service was great and the spirit was vibrant. One of our ladies gave a testimony about her cancer treatments (the final one was on Good Friday) and how the church family has ministered to her and her husband. People didn't want the church service to end. Glory to God!

Church Planting

I recently perused the newsletter from a Restoration Movement church planting organization. The newest church plant is something called Grace Community Christian Fellowship. The nebulous name isn't a new thing. They seem to be planting EVERYTHING BUT Churches of Christ. No, I don't believe that the sign must say "Church of Christ" in order to be a true New Testament church. But are they ashamed of their heritage? It ticks me off. Little gray-haired old ladies thinking that they are sending support to churches that are just like the ones they have come to know and love. Ten bucks says that these guys are padded. It seems that these fellas want to have nothing to do with "us" except when it comes to providing the funds for their new venture. "Senior Pastor" this and "Associate Pastor" that. That's the language of Ashdod. They go out of their way to steer clear of anything that smacks of Restoration Movement. Fine. Let 'em get some Grace Community church to provide the funds.

Opening Day

Today my beloved Cubs begin the 99th year of their rebuilding program. Maybe this will be "The Year." Hey... it could happen.