DoxA

Insulation: The Good, The Bad and The Itchy

Yesterday after completing the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk, we tracked down a used car for our daughter, Sara, then traveled over to Home Depot to pick up some R-30 insulation as the weather will soon turn colder. Last year we discovered why the living room and master bedroom were unbearably cold; there is no insulation in the attic! Our house was remodeled some years ago and contractors must have thought insulation was an unnecessary luxury. With heating costs on the rise I think otherwise.

So, now with my garage filled with insulation, I pull on a long sleeve teeshirt, tuck everything nice and tight, crawl up into the limited space and begin placing the insulation. I am having to straddle ceiling joists and maneuver in about 3 feet of space ducking and tucking under conduit and roof supports all the while using a battery powered light to see my way. I'm hot... coughing... bumping my head... knees aching... and getting a headache from breathing through a mask! I kept thinking, "I hope the owner of this house really appreciates what I'm doing right now!" I finally had to call it quits after a couple of hours. My older body unfolding from the confines of lumber and darkness, I emerged into the garage and basked in the coolness of twilight's gentle breeze... Ahhhhhh, relief! But then I started itching. My arms and stomach where my teeshirt pulled back were red and covered in small little welts. Apparently while placing the insulation I hadn't insulated myself well enough from the insulation.

This got me a thinkin'. About our everyday lives: Can we insulate ourselves in such a way that it hurts us? When do we need to get out of the small, confined space and emerge into the night? When is too much insulation too much? And what about that itch? Insulation is for our benefit but we shouldn't wear it like a garment. How do we, as people of faith, insulate ourselves from the evils of this world but maintain a safe distance from it to operate in this world? Apart from the obvious "salt and light" reference where Jesus refers that we are essential to this world He also prays for our protection from this world... “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:15-19 (NLT)

Yesterday as we took our church service literally to the streets and joined with a couple other churches to walk as Team Beautiful Day in the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk, I have to admit I wanted to insulate our folks from some of the things that would transpire. But I trusted God's truth would prevail and they would be protected as they were sent out. Team Beautiful Day marched as a team, 800 strong and raised $25,000. The organizers could not believe the response of the church; it's openness to help and impact of putting our money where our mouth is. Perhaps our voice, God's truth will be heard. Then again, it may not. The result likewise is in God's hand.

I have yet to finish the work in the attic. I'll be going back up there in a couple of days when I have the time. There's no rush... the weather's pretty nice right now. I know when I go back up there, however, it will be uncomfortable for a moment in time, but the result will provide a winter of warmth and a summer of cooler temps. So, here's what I learned from laying the insulation... the good, the bad and the itchy; whenever I find myself in uncomfortable situations, think about the good that can come from it; even if the benefit won't be realized for some time!

Amazed and Confused by Grace

Most people don't have a hard time believing that God is an all knowing, all doing and all capable God. We agree His will is supreme... He is sovereign! God will do what God will do. Furthermore, we've heard the definition of "Grace" as God's unmerited favor; right? I think the term was coined by Charles Spurgeon. It's amplified by a verse in Romans, one of the letters the Apostle Paul wrote now held within the Bible, that says...  It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel​have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. (Rom. 11:5) The subject here is God's "election." In other words, we did not chose Him rather He chose us. To understand God's grace is to understand His favor. Which is hard to understand when you deduce that if God chooses some he must not choose some others. Ergo... why would an all knowing, doing, capable God create "some" He will not choose? 

As I have stated in previous posts on this subject, I hesitate to tackle the subject of predestination and wrestle it to the ground. It's not that I'm afraid it's just that I'm realistic enough to think if centuries of theologians have not been able to get a handle on the subject than who am I to get my arms around it. But for the record... let me state we are chosen! God chose us in Christ! To believe otherwise is to deny the holy scriptures. But I also believe many people of faith, including pastors and Christian educators do not fully grasp this concept and blindly believe in the "once saved always saved" mantra like a blindfolded dart thrower at the carnival willing to take home whatever prize he or she gets. Likewise, those who are constantly walking down the aisle to the tune of "Just As I AM" to get saved all over again need question their understanding of sin and atonement and stop reading comic book, "Chick" tracts for their theology. 

Predestination is derived from a word translated form the Greek in only six occasions (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11). Here we see God as the subject not just making a choice but doing so before we could have our say; it was His choice before it ever became our choice. If you look through Biblical history you'll find this is not out of God's character. Abraham... who knew? Not only did God choose a man but a nation as well. Not only a son in Isaac but one over the other named Ishmael. From Saul to David to Jew to Gentile there was in God's eye a chosen and a not so chosen. So when it comes to you and me and our ability to "do right" and somehow getting God's attention like a castaway frantically waving down a passing plane we must acknowledge He already knows where we are and there's little we can do about it. This is why Paul states...  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 2:8-10). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

But back to the confusion... If we have nothing to do to determine the scope or effect of God's grace then why do we bother having to do anything at all? Shouldn't we just walk up to the Holy Meat Counter, pull our ticket and wait for our number to be called? Why then will pastors spend so much energy teaching their congregations to befriend their neighbors and send people on mission trips to foreign places if those who are unsaved are really unchosen? This is a mystery. It is a mystery that includes predestination and is part of the secret things or "hidden" things of God (1Cor.2:7). Yet the words of Jesus, "God loved the WHOLE world so he sent me... and now I send you... Go into all the world and..." Why didn't God just decide to line everyone up against the fence and choose teams? God gets everyone He wants and Satan gets the rest! I don't think we'll ever understand but I can assume that this is not part of the character of God... and how can we really know since His ways are higher than ours? His foolishness greater than our wisdom? His plans laid before the world was created?

Oh my mind is spinning... This is why I believe there will be centuries more to debate and study on this subject. I tried to wrestle it a little and got body slammed!

Barbie Doll Jesus

The other day I was looking at a picture of Jesus. It was a classic image, one that often appears in the mind when a thought is conjured of the Jewish carpenter. He is looking to the side, eyes looking upward, white robe, blue sash, long flowing hair neatly trimmed beard, blue eyes and striking anlgo features. This image could be anything but a carpenter or Jewish. While on one hand you can (and many have) make an argument about how unlikely Jesus would have looked in our modern portrayals the opposite can be just as troubling; if we make Christ so rigid in our imaginations we will never really consider Him for who He truly is for He is beyond our canvas and too good for our brushes.

When my daughters were young they had many... I mean lots of Barbie dolls. For hours on end, they would dress them up, create identities and act out their surrogate lives on the bedroom floor. There was a much larger size Barbie doll head where the girls could fix her hair differently and put make up on her giving Barbie many different looks. When the girls felt happy and fun, Barbie was whimsical and youthful, when one of them was angry or frustrated Barbie looked like she could be walking the "streets!" You know... in that part of town.

There is a part of us that will make Jesus a figment of our imagination. We can't help it. Before I go on trip to a place I've never been I imagine what it'll be like. When we try to think of things that are real of which we've never seen, we do that.  However, we need to be earnest in our search for information as to who Christ is so we do not fall prey of "making him in our own image." By doing so we make Jesus out to be just like us and the last thing I need is a Jesus to be like me (scary thought). Also, we must be careful to not accept any description as fact without investigation. We must come to know Jesus as real, divine and human; this is exactly what history and the Bible tell us about him! Many would like to argue only one is true or neither is but just because they say so doesn't make it so.  In the same way, just because some images of old or descriptions as of late, depict who he is, doesn't necessarily make it so either.

Most recently some have taken issue with the casual portrayal of Jesus in the fictional work of William P. Young's, The Shack. While I have a hard time imagining Jesus as a huggy, back slapping, flannel-shirt wearing part of the Trinity, I have to admit I don't know what he would be like if personified today. I am sure he would not be a clown-faced singer such as the one portrayed in the early 70's musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell but when I was new in my faith and a product of that hippy-happy generation, I can't tell you how much I wept when Victor Garber was convulsing on that chain link fence.

As specif as we wish Him to be, his descriptions are varied and elusive. He is the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:22, Mic.5:2... the agent of creation (Col 1:15-20)... the one who let his disciples pick and eat grain on the sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8)... who let prostitutes get close and come clean (Luke 7:36-50)... who told his friend who denied him, "feed my sheep" (Jn 21:17)... the one who the apostle John fell face down before "as if dead!" when looking upon him glorified (Rev. 1:12-18) and the Jesus who is coming soon as the groom to receive his bride (Rev. 22:12-16)!

What does Jesus look like to you? How would you describe him?

If we insist that Jesus be left alone and no one ought attempt to paint him then our pulpits would be empty and commentaries useless. However, if we are too sloppy with the makeup or happy with the scissors then we will present an image that is phony and scary to those who are looking for the real Jesus... the one in whom we were made; by Him and to be like him.

Now for Something Serious

Generally, I use Thursday as a day to talk about triathlon and training but I think you're all a bit tired of triathlon and my France adventures. This blog is usually a place to ponder deeper issues of faith and life and at the core these thoughts are always coursing through my head. However, let me transition with an observation while in France that has impacted me as a pastor and member of the Body of Christ.

After nearly two weeks of awkward and at times difficult interchanges with the people of France, simply due to the language barrier, we were walking along the beach one afternoon when we passed a couple of college girls who were speaking in a distinctively American dialect and what I would consider perfect English. Immediately we stopped and turned and blurted, "Hey you're from America!" They turned and smiled big obviously sensing what we were, "Yes we are!" The next 30 seconds of meaningless exchange is what impacted me... Had we crossed paths in America there would be no stopping, blurting or meaningless exchange... we would have just kept on walking.

By nature I am a very shy person. In my many times of taking the Myer's-Brigg's Temperament Analysis test each time I have scored as an extreme introvert. We often use the example of how you respond in a crowd of people to give credence to this notion. If you're energized interacting with a crowd of people you're most likely an extrovert if you are drained in this environment you're like me. However, even though I gravitate toward solitude, by nature I believe God wired us for connection -- community; if you will. Why was it so important to talk to these girls? Why did they jump at the chance? I believe this is what makes us human in the likeness of God. God is not single and alone. He is multiple and in constant fellowship. The result of Jesus death and resurrection was to bring us, His Bride back to a connection with God. Jesus' prayer, "Father make them one as you and I are one," resonates as I stand along a beach, in France, speaking English with someone from Michigan.

A lot of people struggle with the concept of love and how far does it or should it extend... Hear the words of the Apostle John,

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Jn 4:11-12). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

We were made for connection. God intended it. We don't don't pursue it... Until we're starved of it.

My eyes have been opened. I excuse the familiar as connection and don't realize deep down what that longing truly is because I hear the voices I choose. Until all are stripped away, I'll never know exactly what I'm longing for... How 'bout you?

What Sayeth You

I'm a preacher... a pastor... a father... husband... friend... counselor... and occasional idiot. In other words, I speak words. Words to correct, convince, comfort, commiserate and occasionally clobber.

Sometimes we do but often we don't realize the power of our words. If you are like me you've walked away from a conversation where a friend pulled the, "You hurt me," card. "Oh really?" you say. "When?" They lower their chin, get those puppy dog eyes and glance heavenward... "Three years ago."
    "What! Three years... What did I do?"
    "Not what you did... but what you said."

Oh the things that bury deep.

My daughter, Sara, recently returned from a short "life saving" mission to Honduras to help some people there finish off their houses making them more sanitary and clean. Clean from what? BUGS. But not just any bugs. These bugs, which live in the thatched roofs of the huts in these mountain villages, come out at night and burrow themselves into the skin of the sleeping villagers. As they leach the blood of their victims they excrete waist which is then felt by the person who unknowingly wipes the bug away... but as they wipe the bug away they press the waist into their bloodstream which finds it's way into their heart. So, after enough years of wiping away the bug, there is enough waist in the heart that it literally causes the heart to break! In other words, these people are dying from having too much crap in their hearts!

Question for us. Who are we: Are we the bug or are we wiping it away?

This morning as I was looking at my journal reading I came across the passage in Deuteronomy where Moses speaks of a prophet who will come and must be listened to. This prophet will speak God's very words. But, he warns, there will be others who will come to speak as well and they may not speak God's word. In fact...

"But you may wonder, 'How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?' If the prophet speaks in the Lord's name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority. and need not be feared." Duet. 18:21,22

I think some of the most painful things we can say are the words we justify as God's. There are too many times in my own life I have heard the words, "I believe the Lord wants..." and "The Lord said..." and then comes the twist of personal pride or motive attached.This is so manipulative and happens to be most prevalent in church leadership! (Use your best Evangelist voice here) "Listen son and listen t'me good... Ya' don't wanta disagree with the Lawd now, do you?"

We don't mean to and sometimes we actually think we're doing good when we speak in the name of Jesus. But are we? Really? 

When I was in high school we had a teacher who took a lot of lip from a couple of students. One, in particular, was relentless. Finally exhausted one day the teacher said, "Brett... please just think three seconds before you speak!" Thinking before we speak... It might change how we say things. In fact, it might change what we say.

Sometime ago I read in a collection of essays from various pastor's, one who asks himself each time before walking on the platform to speak, "Jesus, did you have to die for this message?"

I think about that every time now.

City of Refuge

A friend of mine said, "I've got a great name for a church." I looked at him with those, oh-boy-here-it-comes-eyes. "Refuge" he said raising the brows over his eyes. I smiled.

Today, finally getting out of the book of Numbers in the "Life" journal reading (sorry, you may think Numbers is dry reading for you but exciting for preacher-types... nope, it's just as bad), I came upon the passages that allows for a city of refuge where people who accidentally kill others can go and find safety; Numbers 35:9ff. It tells of specific rules which qualifies a person to be taken to the city of refuge. There the "community" has its obligations to protect the "slayer" and help mediate fairness on behalf of the "avenger" (nearest relative to the victim). Look at verse 25...

The community must escort the slayer back to live in the city of refuge to which he fled. There he must remain until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the sacred oil. (NLT)

Sometimes, as Christ followers we use the word picture that we are a "city on a hill." Actually, Jesus was using a word picture within a word picture to give an example, "You are the light of the world! Like a city on a hill." But if we want to be a city... that's fine. But we are a "city of refuge." The church, must be a city of refuge where people can come and stay until the high priest dies.

What?!

I believe this is a beautiful image of God's grace and healing. First, it is a place were we can go if we screwed up... secondly it is a place where, over time, things are made right... because when the high priest dies, the slayer can go back home (vs.28). I want Twin Oaks to be a place where people can come and find shelter from the wrongs they have done, where there is a community to protect them and a High Priest who can heal them.

Just to be clear, for those who are not sure of my analogy path here... I'm not the high priest. No that would be Jesus and He has already died to take away the guilt of the slayer (Hebrews 8,9,10) and protect anyone from the avenger (Zechariah 3). We are healed by his death (1 Peter 2:24) and allowed to eventually leave the city to go Home (John 14).

We are a City... come and find refuge.

Definitely Not in Kalifornias Anymore

Today we headed off for Croatia huddled in tight quarters in an old Soviet issue train on tracks that crossed through Serbia desperately needing repair and experiencing boarder crossings that truly had an ominous feel. We picked up burek in Laci's (pronounced; Lotsee's) home town in order to enjoy breakfast with his parent's in their five room house to hear news of an impending Kosovo independence from Serbia... the boarders will most likely be closed tomorrow. We kept our American voices low in the bakery  as we realized it was our country that was bombing theirs less than a decade ago.

At the second boarder crossing from Serbia over the Danube into Croatia Mario, snapped a picture inviting a boarder guard to our car asking Mario in Russ/slavic tones something that meant, "Come with me!" He disappeared behind the door of the boarder shack in front of the well armed, blue suited man holding Mario's passport. Laci offered to go to "translate." We thought it was a good idea. Tom and I looked at each other wondering what this could mean... a minute later Mario popped out with a smile on his face, as usual, and Laci declared, "He was gracious."

It was only a short ride now to Vukovar the setting for the movie Harrison's Flowers released in 2000; a place where the Serbian Army first invaded Croatia in 1991. Now here, we have toured the war-scared and beaten city. Ironically, there are restorations next to ruins leaving a sense that things are most likely getting better... but if you look deep into the cistern of their social isolationism you will see things are not better. Tonight we had dinner with Charles a psychiatrist who specializes in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is an American with Dutch citizenship who has lost his national identity trying to understand indigenousness struggles of the heart with a people who have lost their ability to trust anyone.

War sucks!

Tom asked me earlier today as we were leaving a mass grave site memorial where hundreds were slaughtered in a single afternoon; men, women and children -- "How are you doing with all this?" All I could say is, "I hate war." I know how it happens. I just don't know why it happens. These people are sad and still affected after nearly two decades from a war which took three days to destroy a city which can be rebuilt brick upon brick but lives that will never stand again.

Tomorrow is Sunday, we are going to Laci's church. Tom's speaking and Mario will sing a song after the message... it will be a day where we will share the fellowship of his suffering; a verse that now takes on new meaning.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him...We are in this struggle together. Philippians 1:29,30a

Many of us are war-torn and spiritually destroyed needing others to come alongside, encourage and lend a shoulder to cry on or hands to wipe away tears or speak peace to broken hearts. We can share... it is a privilege; it has been a privilege to be here.

Tomorrow is Sunday, we will be heading home. On our way we'll have one final stop; back in Budapest to call home (Skype home) and share with all the Twin Oaks Family what God is doing here... what He's doing through us here... We are going to the ends of the earth; making disciples... teaching them and baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ.

TRI High in Scottsdale

Sometimes people ask me what I do. I’m sure you get the same question... I usually tell them I’m a pastor. They look at me and say something like, “That’s nice.” I wonder what’s really going through their head, because “that’s nice” is the universal answer for I have an opinion about that but I’ll be polite right now. However, being a pastor isn’t all I do; I mean with my time and talent. I also like to tell people, “I’m a triathlete or an Ironman.” That brings on a whole different response!

This past weekend was the third annual ICTN (International Christian Triathlon Network) Camp. For the past three years now people from all over the United States and Canada have come to the Phoenix area to train both physically and spiritually.

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. 1 Ti 4:8

In previous years we held the camp at a local church and utilized home stays and hotels to keep people through the weekend but this year the camp was held at the Franciscan Retreat Center; a beautiful setting at the base of Camelback mountain in Scottsdale. The advantage of having the camp here was keeping the campers together throughout the entire camp. This allowed less time in cars and more time together allowing for greater interaction among the campers. Along with campers there are coaches, pro athletes and pastors. Notably, Jamie Whitmore and her husband Courtney Cardenas (Jamie has won more Xterra (off road triathlon) races than anyone in the sport, Chris Lieto an Ironman Champion who this past year led the world championship in Kona for 80% of the race and Steve Born who is the technical advisor for Hammer Nutrition and world champion all-around nice guy. Not to forget mentioning up and coming pros John Shelp and Kirk Nelson along with coaches Brian Grasky and Kevin Palidino made this camp a practical as well as inspirational event!

What I like about this event so much is you have the opportunity to focus intense, A-types with all kinds of energy and drive to be more Christ-like. As I’ve said in the past I know many Christian triathletes who are more triathlete than they are Christian.

I found it funny in one of our small group sessions one of the campers expressed the duality of being a representative for Christ comes easy until she gets on the bike as if being competitive isn’t a godly virtue. As pointed out being competitive not only can be part of a Christ followers life it actually can breed respect and provide opportunity to share about one’s faith. Now being competitive for one’s own glory is another story.

If you look to the banner of this blog page you’ll see the word doxa and the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31. This word is the Greek word for “glory” and the verse states that whatever you do, do it for God’s glory!

So you may not be a triathlete, you’re most likely not a pastor, in fact, you may not be anything... because you may be thinking, “Hmmph, I’m just a person who’s trying to do the best I can with what I got! Well, if that’s you may I suggest you look for a group of people just like you... wanting to learn and train to be the best you can be with what you got! It may not take a camp but it certainly takes a network. Any ideas where you can find such a place?

I can’t tell you how many times I heard from campers, this past weekend, that the camp was their church; a place to connect with other people who share similar interests and needs. All I could think of was how much we need each other and what we can accomplish if we could train and share in our real churches like we did in Scottsdale!

Boxing Day

Most of us here in the states generally have no intention of celebrating Boxing Day; in fact, most don’t even know what it is. It was explained to me that the Canadians would use the 26^th of December to put gifts and decorations away and thereby get the day off to box up their Christmas stuff... I later learned that has nothing to do with Boxing Day.

The origins of Boxing Day can be somewhat disputed but central to the theme of this holiday, which is traditionally recognized within the English Commonwealth, is the concept of appreciation; their attempt at Thanksgiving. But rather than thanking God for the abundance and protection at year end this holiday places the focus on the generosity and the care on those who have served and went without otherwise on Christmas day.

Yesterday, I was in the kitchen preparing our Christmas meal. I am used to having done this for years in a place where if you missed an ingredient for one of your dishes you were SOL... simply out of luck, because all the groceries stores would be closed. So now, days in advance, I prepare and shop to be certain I have everything. Well, as luck would have it; I didn’t have enough of one ingredient. Frustrated, I left the house hoping -- HOPING to find a grocery store open... Well, apparently here in San Jose, shutting down the city isn’t a priority because our neighborhood Safeway was open as usual! I walked in, the place looked normal, the produce, meat and bakery sections were operating at full tilt. It was as if it were any other day of the week with one exception: It didn’t feel right. People were walking briskly and nobody was talking. The line at the Starbucks kiosk was longer than normal. But what really got my attention was the manager on duty who was extremely curt and frustrated with the checkout clerk who was trying to help another employee figure out an override. When trying to explain what she was doing this manager, with determined tone of voice, said, “You just get back to where you belong!” The thought went through my head at that moment, “She belongs home... with her family.” Perhaps she was thinking the same thing.

It was then I realized, I appreciated these folks; the baker who was still putting out cookies at three in the afternoon, the barista pumping out lattes, the manager who couldn’t control her temper and the slender, five foot or so, twenty something girl who had a wonderful smile of surprise when I told her, “Thank you for serving us today!”

Boxing Day; it’s a day for them. A time to give them a day off and we serve.

Look at it this way; we get the best of life when we are cared and waited upon during moments that are designed to make life valuable and meaningful. Not only these folks who work on Christmas day or other holidays, there are the people who are hard at work in the wee hours preparing your food for the day and cleaning your trash from yesterday and then there are those who stand watch for our country’s defense and miss the joy of loved ones, sitting by a fire, listening to soft music or playing pool with their buddies... it is for these people we need a national Boxing Day.

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ga 5:13

I hope in this coming year we can have a keener sense of what we can do for others as we recognize what they do for us. May we begin to think in terms of gratuity rather than immunity and work toward equality and justice for those who are willing to recognize a need and do something about it... Just like a checkout clerk willing to face the scorn of her boss by lending a helping hand.

Merry New You!

Glory

It is a concept, movie, expression, attribute, feeling, hope, state of being and now the title of my blog. We may be more familiar with the term doxology as a stodgy title for a closing hymn or an excuse to roll our eyes but doxa, Greek word for glory, and logos Greek word for... well word, literally means to speak of glory, or to speak praise.

We use the Internet for many things. Some, good... some, not so good.

As I have endeavored, over the past year, to use this form to speak my mind; it is now time to speak of God's glory. I have been aware of the power of this method of communication after reading books like Hugh Hewitt's, BLOG and listening to guys like Randy Elrod passionately implore a group of creative church folks to blog, for goodness sake, at this past year's re:create Conference. Why? Because it connects us. It puts us into a discussion of similarities and differences. It provides real-time, single dissemination of real-life, multiple ideas. It's a chance for a quiet recluse like me to tell folks who I am. And not just the people who care to know but the entire world who couldn't care less. It is a way to stay involved with people who live in myspace and zone out with flickr and become famous on You Tube.

This medium is anything but medium. It's large... no... it's huge... no... it's nationwide... NO! its... it's... it's supercalafragelisticexpealidotious!

(I've always wanted to write that word but never had a reason... another great thing about the Internet)

Paul told the church in Corinth, Greece, a church that had "body issues" that was glutinous, perverted, cliquish, rich and arrogant... What ever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do ALL for the glory of God. (1Co.10:31)

Therefore, as I re-engage along this webhighway, the purpose will not be so much to just speak my mind (although that will happen I'm sure) It will be to give glory to God.

So, what will that be like? I dunno. I stood on a hill today looking at the glorious mountains covered in redwood trees and open meadows and I gave God glory (that's what we call it, speaking praise, but I couldn't help believe that it was really God giving me a glimpse of His glory). It will be reflecting on the beauty and dissonance of music and how it causes me to feel and reflect. It will be a work of someone's hands posted as art which reveals his or her view of God, whether it be realized or not. It will be stories of redemption and grace, love and the struggle to love. It will be your thoughts engaged in the discussion of who is God and how does He reveal himself to those who can not or will not acknowledge Glory. It will be as He is...

Doxa