Updates
May 31, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Relaxed | TV: “What Not To Wear” }
Alrighty, so I have made a few updates. On the left, I fixed the text essays and I added an audio essay section. Basically, I threw some messages and audio files I already had online into that section because I have had a few people ask for some. I may add more later if I have time…but you know how I am so it may take awhile…
The Great Belt Buckle Project
May 31, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Beltrific | NOISE: Kids eating breakfast }
Thanks to Holly Beavers for this submission of herself and Elvis (click on it for a larger version):
Remember, if you have an image for the Belt Buckle Project, just email it to me and if I like it, I will wear it and post it.
Friar Noel
May 29, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Bi-Polar | MUSIC: The Band Practicing }
So I am doing this wedding in the fall that should be fun. They are going with this whole medievel theme. In fact, the groom and groomsmen will have swords and they are doing the deal outdoors. They emailed me and asked if I would be willing to wear this:
Of course I said yes. This will be my second medievel wedding I have performed. Maybe I am finding a new nitch ministry.
Friends
May 28, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Hungry for Cheese | NOISE: Cole in monitor }
Alrighty. I finally updated my friend’s list again. If you are missing and you consider yourself a friend, please let me know, it’s possible I don’t know you have a site or I don’t consider you a friend… 
Also, please let me know if you are a Mac user so I can assign you the appropriate icon.
BTW, I can’t get my favicon to work. Can anyone tell me why?
Message
May 28, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Pensive | TV: “When a Man Loves a Woman” }
I have enjoyed writing the message for this weekend. One of the great reasons is the collaborative nature of it. Sean, Dan, Chuck, my mom and others have all given me stuff for it. I love that.
Anyhoo, back to message prep.
Alright Already
May 28, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: OK, I Guess | NOISE: Typing Sounds }
For the record, the Granroths did attend last night’s 24 shindig. Here’s the proof:
Let’s Play a Game
May 28, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Still Cold | NOISE: Sean Talking }
It’s called “find Dan”:
Quote of the Day
May 28, 2004 Quotes
{ MOOD: Laughing | NOISE: Sean being funny }
“Well, it’s nice that fall is finally here. The leaves will be changing soon.”
-Sean “Firehead” White
Wireless
May 28, 2004 Uncategorized
{ BODY TEMP: Freezing | ITUNES: “No One Loves Me Like You” - Jars of Clay }
Thanks to my friend Mark for this article on the changing face of technology. Just for fun, I’ll hit you with the last line:
Let’s see how long SBC or Verizon lasts against the Baptists. Now THAT’s disruptive.
Postmodernity
May 27, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Great | NOISE: Cole breathing in the monitor }
A while ago, I posted an article by Brian McClaren responding to an article by Chuck Colson about Postmodernity. Well, now the boys are at it again. Here is Chuck’s response to Brian’s response to Chuck’s article. And good times were had by all.
Blue Like Jazz
May 26, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Superheroific | ITUNES: “Underdog Theme Song” }
So I just got done reading this amazing book:
This guy has written what might be the “Postmodern Apologetic.” Many previous generations had their books that were used to “share the Gospel” with people. An example would be “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell. This book was a highly linear presentation of the facts surrounding anything someone may doubt about Christianity. The premise being (which worked at the time) “If you can prove the Bible’s authenticity, Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, etc., then people will believe.” Well, that approach just doesn’t cut it anymore. Yes, there are people who have this as their major issue, but not most.
Blue Like Jazz tells the author’s story. It shows a believer who still has his doubts, still smokes a pipe and drinks, is not a hard-core right wing conservative Bible Thumper, and even audits classes at one of the most liberal universities in the country and actually enjoys them! And through the book, you journey with him as he discovers the nuances of being a Christ-follower in this age we live in. This book is a total must read. Both for Christians (if nothing else to remind them what Christianity is all about) and for Non-Christians alike.
Now go read this book, dang it!
Words
May 25, 2004 Uncategorized
{ SMELL: Bratwurst Grilling | ITUNES: “I Remember You” - Skid Row }
So a lot of you have wanted a copy of my message on our words, and so here you go. Please let me know your thoughts and remember nothing is original. I stole a lot of this from a lot of sources, and so you can feel free to steal freely from me. Viva la file sharing!
Christian Depictions
May 25, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Good | ITUNES: “Running Away” - Hoobastank }
So, my friend Jimi has an interesting conversation going on his site. Here are some of his thoughts:
Will not the truth remain the truth apart from our false depictions of it?
Are not Christians often times portraying God in such a way that is not God honoring? Cannot social commentaries like the movies mentioned above serve to inform Christians on the ways that they are being perceived in the culture at large? Should Christians then not try to change the way they act, rather than trying to change the things that others say about them?
But still, shouldn’t that make us angry? i mean isn’t that a depiction of our Lord and Savior that we should take offense to?
On something like the Piss Christ. There are a huge number of interpretations of that piece, but let’s take it at its worst…Does that really reduce or damage the glory of God?
If we are here to glorify God with all that we are, what are the things that are worth fighting against, what are the things that are worth fighting for? What are the things that we think are worth fighting for that really aren’t? Even more, are there any things that we think are worth fighting for that we should be fighting against, or vice versa?
Rafting Part Two
May 24, 2004 Uncategorized
I don’t know how I forgot to mention this, but I also have one mother of a sunburn. “Where?” you ask. On my knees and lower thighs! AAAAAHAHHHHHHRRRHRGHRGRHGHRGH!!!!! Serious pain. Especially when wearing pants. So I have two options, since our culture frowns on public nudity.
Option One - Wear pants and be in pain.
Option Two - Wear daisy dukes and creep everyone out.
I’m still deciding which to do.
Rafting
May 24, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Sunburned | ITUNES: “Smoke” - Ben Folds Five }
So we just got back from White Water Rafting last night. It was an awesome time. Here are the highlights:
Hanging out a bit with my dad
My dad is a great guy and I liked it to have my two worlds (Riverview and family) collide. I liked watching him interact with people and he and I would get into these little sarcasm wars about what it was like dealing with each other and that was a blast.
Our Raft
The raft I was in was smaller than eneryone else’s and our Sr. River Guide was guiding our boat. We made the mistake of telling him we wanted an adverturous ride and so he gave it. While the other boats would go straight through a wave, he would turn us so it would hit us sideways to tip us over. He dumped everyone out at least once. I was also in the raft with Nate and my neighbor Blake along with a couple guys who went to the same high school I did (in fact, I was friends with their brother…small world). A guy named Mark was also in our boat with his friend from North Carolina. All in all, we had a psycho raft, which was good.
Getting to know people
Each night we hung out in this little bar with people from the place we were staying. It was cool, especially getting to know Pat and Everett (the guys from my high school). I think we’re gonna try to drag their brother out with us and go do something some time.
Anyhoo, I’ll get pictures up here as soon as I develop the waterproof camera I brought with me.
Well
May 21, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MEDICAL CONDITION: Sore Throat | NOISE: None }
Well, here’s a quick summary of the last day as I download new teachings into my iPod.
1) The Holt High School thing went OK. It was cool to see my neighbor Danielle was in that class. Everyone seemed laid back and a few of them got into asking a lot of questions. There was this girl Jenna who asked really good questions and a vocal dude (I think his name was Sean) who seemed really into it. Jenna may check out our church.
2) I visited my brother Hans in Grand Rapids for dinner last night, then we hung out in a very very cool little bar and played darts and talked for a long time. His friend EZE joined us and I always like hanging out with that dude. We actually talked about spiritual things.
3) Check out Ace Rafting to see what I am taking off in a few minutes to do.
4) I am wearing a new belt buckle today, but Grace has the digital camera, so I’ll have to show you guys later.
Peace out, homeys. Yeah, that’s right.
Politics
May 19, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: 8.5 |ITUNES: “Precious Lord” - The Blind Boys of Alabama }
So I am teaching a government class tomorrow at Holt High School. They have asked me to share my position regarding the Separation of Church and State. I get the impression that they often have pastors come in and teach against it. I will be taking quite a different slant. Now, obviously I am not going to get into a big doctrinal treatice, but during my research, I have kind of made one. I thought I would share it.
A lot of the stuff in this outline comes from three outstanding sources, so I want to make sure I give them credit. I don’t always agree with these guys, but they help me think:
Ray Stedman
Miles Stanford
Norman L. Geisler (In fact, he has the best paper on this topic I have ever read and I am trying to find a pdf version for you all…search for “Geisler Norman A Premillennial View of Law and Government” and see if you can find it. Let me know if you have any luck.)
Anyhoo, here are my talking points for tomorrow. You’ll have to interpret where I am going on your own:
Talking Points
• Christians have an often negative reputation on this issue
• Christians often push for a return to the beliefs of “our forefathers”
Postmillennial Relation to Government
• Why do so many of their writings refer to USAmerica as being a Christian nation?
o Because they were largely Postmillennial in their beliefs
o In early American history, there was discrimination against those who chose not to be religious at all
ß Puritans persecuted them
ß Many states required public officials to hold some religious belief until the 1940s
o Belief that Christians should practice OT law today
o This is why we have this big push of the 10 Commandments being the foundation of civil law
ß If we follow this through to its logical conclusion, we should conclude two things:
• We should enforce all the law in civil government (including the death penalty for homosexuals, drunkards, and rebellious children)
• There can be no freedom of religion because the first Commandments is “You shall have no other God before me”
o Which would mandate a Judeo /; Christian worldview
• Postmillenarians / Covenant Theologians believe the church is obligated to usher in the kingdom
o To do this, they must “Christianize” the world
Premillennial / Dispensational Relation to Government
• Premillenarians / Dispensationalists believe there is a separation between the present kingdom and the one Jesus will bring in the future
o There is no heavy burden to “Christianize” government
o We are to be salt and light and do good to all men
o We are not to set up a Christian government
o We can be content with any government that allows us freedom to share the gospel
ß We only promote a good and just government, not a Christian one
• Not Christian laws, but fair ones
• Not superiority for Christians, but religious equality (which fits with the First Amendment)
o Government should not alter any religion
o Nor should religion alter government
• Old Testament Law is done away with
o We still have a moral law on our hearts and we see this in most people groups
ß Honesty
ß Justice
ß Truth
ß Gratitude
ß Goodness
ß Honor
o The power of government is preservation of natural and civil welfare, rights and properties of individuals
Civil Disobedience
• Only necessary when government usurps authority of God, for instance
o When it does not allow worship of God
o When it commands us to kill innocent lives
o When it commands people to worship idols
o When it commands people to worship people
o When it forbids sharing the Gospel
• Governments can permit evil, they just cannot command it
• Disobedience is not allowed because the government limits freedom, just when it negates it (All laws limit freedom)
• We can be insubmissive, but not insubordinate
o Even when we do not submit to the law, we must be willing to accept the consequence of that law
ß Peter, Daniel, SMA, MLK, etc.
Woodpile
May 18, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Bright | NOISE: Dan and Mark talking }
I just want to say, my kids are amazing. I can’t believe they helped me move this entire woodpile yesterday without complaining:
Wow
May 17, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Thoughtful | NOISE: Rain and Skateboards }
If you are in ministry, read this. It’s an article on Relevant Magazine’s site and one of the remarkable thing is not just the article, but all the responses on the bottom. Here’s an exerpt from the article:
I’m trapped. And it’s nobody’s fault but my own.
I guarantee you’ve met me, or at least someone like me. Maybe you don’t know it, but 20 minutes after you see me at the church, I’m at my computer. And I’m in a world you probably thought couldn’t touch me.
Never before have I felt so much like Paul, while feeling so little like a disciple. I can relate to the apostle’s words: “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, and then act another, doing things I absolutely despise” (Romans 7:15, The Message).
Now, I don’t know whether or not Paul ever had DSL at his house. I do know, however, that when he referred to himself as the “foremost” of sinners, he didn’t see me coming. How your worship pastor could get caught up in all of this, you may never understand. But here I am, drowning in pornography, unable (unwilling?) to climb out.
If you are out there and can relate to what he is talking about or you want more of a warning of what this kind of stuff can do in your life, download this teaching from Steve Bush, the former pastor of our sister church in Amsterdam. His deal isn’t pornography, but other sexual stuff.
Will Ferrell
May 17, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Sweaty (is that a mood?) | NOISE: Family }
Thanks to Dave for this video of Will Ferrell’s speech at Harvard that I referred to a few days ago. Zoom to 1:30:30 unless you want to watch everyone else’s speeches, too.
