Category: Uncategorized

This is about the time in the softball season where I begin asking myself, "Why am I doing this again?" Obviously, I stink at softball. I’m not going to but I really wish I would just quit. It makes me feel really stupid doing something I am so terrible at. (Yes, this brings back all sorts of 7th grade memories!)

Last night was a new low. We only had 7 players show up and the team we played was really good and prepared… again. Not only did we get thumped but the team we played determined that they were going to both take advantage of our short-handedness and attempt to humiliate us. Tempers flared a bit… but just a bit.

Is it August yet?

Bob and I went to the 10:30 showing of The DaVinci Code starring Tom Hanks today.

Some initial impressions:
It was a better movie than I figured it would be. The reviews were bad but I found it well done and following the book pretty well. They did change 1-2 things from the book, but that’s the case with every adaptation.

Will this destroy Christianity? Um, no. It could actually open some dialogue since it offers some pretty powerful accusations against the church but since it’s not based on much fact, it’s just a good discussion starter.

Should I let my kids go? Let me be blunt. This isn’t the type of movie that you can go drop your kids off at the movie theater and know that they’ll just get good entertainment. While it’s really not that graphic and there is only a little bit of cussing and no exposed nudity… thematically it is so powerful that parents need to talk to their kids about after seeing the movie.

I’m not saying students shouldn’t see this film. But I am saying that you shouldn’t just let them go without you. It would be a perfect movie to go to with your kids and then go out for ice cream or something and talk about the themes. There are a lot of great resources that address the movie from a biblical perspective, check them out and take one with you.

Christianity Today review
Josh McDowell Interview

I just got back from our first church softball game of the year. We got beaten up, mugged, slugged, banged around, and kicked in the teeth. But it was pretty fun too. The final tally was 30-6. (Yes, you read that correctly.) I am very disappointed in my level of play. I can honestly say that I didn’t make a single good play. So… I’m not feeling "bad" about myself but I know I certainly have plenty of room for improvement.

First time playing competitive softball overall. First time as a player on a diamond since 7th grade. So, 18 years later I still suck at baseball type sports, but I still think it’s a good time. Here’s to laughing at myself in a whole new way.

This isn’t one of those life-altering things, but the pews are now 100% sold and they have been removed. 25 pews went to a small church in Southern Florida while 11 pews are en route to Rochester, NY.

The best part is that I won’t have to move, lift, or think about them ever again.

I started painting our living room this afternoon. I’m not sure if this color is serenity like the teapot pictured here or like mint green like mint chocolate chip ice cream. Either way, I’m not 100% certain I like the color. I like that it’s soft and uplifting, but I just don’t know yet.

One thing I’ve learned from Romeo’s Phase 1 is don’t judge a project until it’s done.

The recent changes in the church building have led to a number of people asking very good and foundational questions. I love that.

I love it that, by switching from pews to chairs, we’ve got to think about distributing the elements. What is a good way to do this? What is most honoring? Why am I comfortable with this and not that?

I love that, by putting in a different stage, we’ve got to think about our worship times together? How can we stage it in a way that focuses attention on God? How can we exhibit freedom or flexibility? What roll does "comfort" play?

All of these are great things to talk about. No answers just yet… just asking questions.

This is the background image for church tommorow.

This is a test

This weekend is our "Leadership Summit" for the church. This is a great time to get away with both current and emerging leaders at Romeo and focus on our relationships with one another as well as working through some group and work goals. So, we’re off to Birch Run and will be back Saturday night.

Today will be a lot of fun and a long day. I’m headed down to Bryan, OH to see an old Moody chum, Jeremy Brown. He works for a little church there called New Hope Community Church. OK, so it’s not so small, but it sounds like a great church and I am looking forward to stealing his day.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on what will be a very busy week. Wednesday-Thursday I’m off to Grace College for some student visits and Friday-Saturday is Romeo’s annual Leadership Summit in Saginaw. All good stuff, but to quote Robert Frost, "I have miles to go before I sleep."