porchpondering.com

for the love of art

I now have a regular Thursday morning gig. I've had it for only two short weeks but it's something I look forward to. It's reading to Andy's third grade class at Chaparral Elementary School. This morning I read one of our family favorites: The Seven Silly Eaters. It’s beautifully written and illustrated. When I came home Joy and I talked about what we both like about the book and in the course of our conversation we realized how many artists we’ve come to appreciate through the years. I want to share a few of them with you so if you want to see a sample, just click the name. There are two illustrators of children’s books we love: Marla Frazee and Julie Vivas. Two local artist (Los Angeles and San Juan Capistrano, respectively) have caught my attention in recent years: John August Swanson and Hyatt Moore. And, of course, there are classics painters I always enjoy: Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Georges Seurat (my favorite is titled "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte").

Art is incredibly important. Even in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," there is a beautiful scene at the Art Institute of Chicago where the frenzied "day off" slows for a bit of "art appreciation." (Seurat's painting is featured here...maybe that's why I like it). The truth is we need art in the world and in the church today. Art can be a powerful means of communicating faith. I'm glad for the new opportunity I have to share a small bit of literature and art with Andy's class each week. I'd love to hear about the artists who are important to you and why you love what they do. You can add their names to my list by clicking the comment button below.

a good education

There are times when I am in awe at the good stuff that can be found on the internet (lots of bad stuff too, I know). Today I came across a series of lectures available on mp3 by Tom Wright, one of the foremost New Testament scholars in the world. I'll be adding these lectures to my iPod this afternoon and listening faithfully in the weeks ahead. I don't ever want to stop learning in life and that's why resources like these are a great bonus. If you didn't get the chance to take a good college level course in New Testament, let me recommend Tom to you. I'm confident you'll gain a good education.

____________(update at 2:07 p.m.)

Phew! I'm about 30 minutes into the first lecture...not easy listening but it's worth the effort. Tom is addressing a gathering of people under the banner of "the emerging church." Tom is committed to helping us to discover what it means to be the church today. Lots of big questions and big ideas that are sure to stretch you!

telling the story

Yesterday Dunay did a remarkable job leading off a new practice we’ll be incorporating on occasion into our Sunday morning gathering. We’re calling the time “The Story We Find Ourselves In” (a title taken from an excellent book by Brian McLaren...I highly recommend it). The task is to highlight what God is doing in our lives. I think it’s important from time to time to hear the story of what God is doing from someone other than the preacher (though that task is important). We all have a story to share and every story is important. Maybe in the coming weeks you’ll be asked to share your story. If you’re eager to share it, let me know. And if you’re worried that you’ll be called on next, relax. It’s your story. Take time to learn to detect the ways God is moving in your life and then practice putting that story into words. These are the guidelines I gave Dunay as she prepared: “relax, remember you’re with friends, enjoy yourself, tell us your story, be authentic, help others to see what God is doing in your life! Your story will give others a glimpse of what God is doing in the world today.” The “five” questions are as follows: “1. Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up and what are you doing now? 2. How did you come to believe in Jesus? 3. What brought you to Village Presbyterian Church and what does it mean to you to belong here? 4. Where do you see God at work in your life today? 5. What is the most important thing a Christian should do today?”

There are as many ways to answer these questions as there are people among us. If you were encouraged by Dunay's words yesterday, think of this: your story might also give courage to another. Perhaps, in time we might have the good fortune of hearing it.

speling

Not sure this is the school I want to send my kid to, even if they do offer free enrolment. Clearly, speling is not a priority for this preschool.

friends

Yesterday I heard from an old friend whom I haven't seen for several years. When I was younger I figured I'd always stay in touch with my good friends but through the years we've drifted. Different schools, different cities, different jobs, and all kinds of other demands have made getting together beyond our reach. Yesterday we decided to put something on the calendar for February 2005. I think that's what it takes to maintain our friendship. Here's a picture of the three of us during our college years (I'm the goofy looking guy on the left with the 'fro). Kevin and Ron were both in my wedding (and I was in each of theirs). I still think of them as my best friends. I'm looking forward to getting reconnected.

I'm also thinking about the start of another season of our Men's Group tomorrow morning (6:30 a.m. at the Johnson house...call me for details). I'm glad for the new friends I've made in recent years. It's good to have friends, old and new.

digging deeper

This week I've had the growing conviction that God wants us to press deeper in our relationships at Village Presbyterian Church. What does it mean to "live deep" in a shallow world? This phrase is from the benediction I used a few weeks ago: May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart. What does it mean to have a deep relationship with Jesus? How do we cultivate that kind of life? The quick answer is usually that we need to pray more or read the Bible more or do something else more. I don't know about you but in order for me to do more of anything means I'm going to have to do less of something else. What criteria should I use to evaluate my time?

Sometimes I look back longingly to a time when I was the one who determined my schedule. Now it seems much of my time is determined by the needs of family. And yet even that reality can become a big fat excuse to avoid a deep relationship with God, a relationship that is to be lived in the midst of a busy world. I don't have any answers right now. I just have the question: How do we dig deeper?

Charge It!

If you dislike those who manipulate others under the guise of doing "the work of the Lord" then you won't want to miss two articles that recently appeared in the Los Angeles Times. If you heed the words of Bishop Clarence McClendon, as quoted in today's article, then maybe you will "get Jesus on that credit card" by donating to TBN. But if you want an authentic relationship with Jesus, I would urge you to do otherwise. Here's a link for the articles: "Pastor's Empire Built on Acts of Faith and Cash" (September 19, 2004) and "TBN's Promise: Send Money and See Riches" (September 20, 2004) [you'll have to register with the Times in order to have access to these articles...sorry]. After reading these articles I can see why many people today aren't big on organized religion. It makes me wonder: "What Will Jesus Do?"

Ahoy!

Can you believe it, me hearties? The day is finally here. What will they think of next?

good food and conversation

My friend John invited me to join him this evening for dinner with Ray Bakke from Seattle. It was an evening of good food and great conversation. Ray has lived an incredible life in ministry and I enjoyed hearing his observations on the cultural landscape of Orange County. He had lots of good questions and several great insights on what the church needs to be about in this area. He did recommend a book that I'll be reading soon (as soon as I find it). It's called The Burned-Over District: The Social and Intellectual History of Enthusiastic Religion in Western New York, 1800-1850 by Whitney Cross. Now that's a long title! But Ray thought it might offer some insight into the work we're doing here.

This Sunday: Bob Bennett

I'm looking forward to worship on Sunday for a variety of reasons. First, it's always good to be together (and I love our new location). Second, we'll be celebrating the baptism of Ellis Shane, son of Patrick and ChrissAnn. Baptisms are always a good reminder for us that we are to receive the kingdom of God like a child (see Mark 10). And third, Bob Bennett will be with us in worship. He'll be singing a few songs and leading us in worship. If you don't know of his music let me encourage you to come listen on Sunday. It was many, many years ago that I first happened upon his music and I've been a big fan ever since. His lyrics are thoughtful and his musical talent is outstanding. His CDs will be available for purchase after the service. When he came last year he sang the song, "A Moveable Feast." He'll be singing it again on Sunday but we'll now hear it from a different perspective.