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What We Really Need

This week I’ve been taking a closer look at Philippians 3:1b-16 and thinking about how discipleship in Christ is a life-long commitment. Maybe I’m feeling a little nostalgic because this passage of scripture was the source for the first sermon I ever preached (in my enthusiasm I preached way too long).

This Sunday is also World Communion Sunday and so we’ll be celebrating the Lord's Supper with Christians around the world. Chris is preparing to sing a song from the recent album by Caedmon’s Call, “Share the Well.” You will find it “On My iPod” list if you want a copy for yourself. The song tells the story of a woman the group encountered in Ecuador. It is titled, "All I Need (I Did Not Catch Her Name)." This woman had so little and yet she had everything (2 Cor. 6:10). Here are the first two stanzas of lyrics written by Randall Goodgame:

I did not catch her name / I did not catch her tears
But they hit me like a train / When her story hit my ears
Mother of eight sons / Father off to war
Got no home address / Just bricks on a dirt floor
And she said, "Jesus is all I need"

Tiny plot of land / Corn stored up in piles
The years it doesn't rain / They just stay hungry for a while
With no fatted calf to kill / She made a feast of cuy and corn and said
Who else knew my name before / The day that I was born
Jesus is all I need / Jesus is all I need

(c) 2004 Mighty Molecule Music/ASCAP (adm. by Music Services).

People in other parts of the world have much to teach us about what really matters in life. So what is it or who is it that you really need?

Family Day, September 26

Here is the news story I mentioned in the sermon this morning about families eating together. You might also benefit from this resource that gives more detail about ways to make family dinners more enjoyable and a regular habit in your household (it takes a bit longer to download but you can get it by clicking here). Enjoy!

Increasing Biblical Literacy

This was an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times this morning. And in my own experience, it's not just students who need some extracurricular attention in this area. I'm curious to see how this textbook will be received in the public school system.

We had a wonderful time last night at the Lubushkins. Good pizza and good friends helped to make it a memorable evening. So also we were in the care gifted and loving hosts.

Urgent Care

Matthew was skateboarding with friends in the neighborhood last night. I was working upstairs and I could hear them through the window. They were having a good time. As I headed downstairs to get dinner started, I was surprised to run into Matthew. He was holding his left wrist and with a serious look on his face he said, "Dad, I think I just broke my arm." I hate it when that happens. Matthew broke his right arm a few years ago and I guess he knew from experience what it felt like. We headed over to the urgent care here in Ladera Ranch and his suspicion was confirmed. This afternoon he's heading to the orthopedist and we'll see what the treatment plan includes this time. He's a tough kid and he was very brave last night. What bummed him out most was the thought of having to spend the next six weeks out of the water. Please keep him in your prayers. Life is full of little surprises, isn't it?

I've been praying for the people along the Texas coast in recent days. This has been a tough season for many in our nation. "Calm down, Rita!"

Tonight we're heading over to the Lubushkin's for the pizza and pool party. It'll be good to be with friends.

Africa Journey

Chris Pritchett is an amazing guy...leader, student, husband and daring follower of Jesus Christ. Chris works with senior high students at Presbyterian Church of the Master and we run into each other often because my office just happens to be at PCOM as well. Last Friday, Chris boarded a plane bound for Africa where he'll be traveling for the next five weeks. It's not an easy trip. He's zigzagging across the continent to attend several meetings and conferences. Today I heard he's already blogging about his adventure. Check out his stuff at africajourney.blogspot.com. Please keep Chris in your prayers in the weeks ahead and pray for his wife as well. I know Chris will make the most of this learning experience and I'm confident he'll be a blessing to the people of Africa.

Tradition

What do you think would happen if they decided to eliminate the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th Inning Stretch? Would baseball be the same without it? It's really not essential to the game. It's there for the sake of the fans, but it's there and I don't think anyone is going to mess with it. Sure, some people would be just fine without the song but you can also be sure that many would rally for its return. They might even dare to sing it anyway, even if the game continued.

The reason I raise the issue is that this week I'm thinking about the traditions we're establishing at Village. How does what we do in worship shape our understanding of God and the world? How does worship make us ready (or not) to hear God's Word and live it out in the world? Specifically, I was thinking about the words spoken at the end of the reading each week, "The Word of the Lord!" and the corporate response, "Thanks Be to God." Are they for Sunday only? Do we dare limit our hearing of God's Word to one day each week? And does it make a difference if you open your own Bible on a Sunday morning to follow along and then, at the right time, you declare, "Thanks Be to God!" Together we give thanks for the gift of life as it comes to us through the words of Scripture. Thanks be to God for the sacred text that is touched, taught, held, read, cherished, lived and shared. Thanks be to God for the Word of the Lord, even on a Tuesday!

New Series: Starts September 11

I've just posted the sermon titles for the coming weeks. We'll be kicking off the new season on September 11th with a series focusing on our essential mission. Check out the top right column or click here for more information.