I’m dating again. Last Friday, Feb. 15th, a bunch of us dads took out our daughters for dinner. We had a great time with one another. At first Olivia couldn’t figure out what was going on. “Where was Mom and De-Drew (that’s what she calls Andrew)?” It took her a little while to realize that the night was about her. Once she realized it…well, that’s when the evening got interesting. She was chatty, engaged, funny, etc. After dinner (at the Olive Garden) we went to the mall where we looked at the “princess” dresses and accessories. She was in heaven…and so was I.
Do you listen to talk radio and/or podcasts? If so, let me know what you think makes for a good radio show and/or podcasts? What do you think are the key elements that make you want to listen? I’d really like to know what you think, so post your ideas below in the comments.
Yesterday our church took our annual ski trip to Perfect North Slopes. It was the first time that Bethany and Andrew had ever been snow skiing. We had a great time with one another on the bunny slopes. Bethany did really well and only fell twice. Andrew was fantastic at balancing himself and kept wanting to go “super-fast.” We can’t wait to get Olivia out on the slopes with us in a couple of years.
Church ought to be communities of theological participation and imagination.
- Doug Pagitt
Yesterday I attended a one day seminar where Doug Pagitt was the speaker. Doug is a pastor at a church called Solomon’s Porch. I won’t go into the details of who Doug is and what he’s written. You can find that out on your own.
In Doug’s talk he shared the quote stated above. I like the idea that theology is dynamic and developing…that we find out how to best express it when we dialogue about it in community. I believe that theology finds a contextual richness when we are able to join with one another in determining how we can best describe the truth of the Gospel and its “how I live this on Wednesday” implications. As I look back, most of my theological epiphanies took place in the context of conversing with close friends who were eagerly pursuing the truth.
Where does this leave me? Right now I’m thinking about how this impacts my sermon preparation. What would it look like to have friends sitting around sharing with one another ideas about how to best communicate God’s truths? Any ideas? Let me know by leaving a comment.
I’m not as creative as I’d like to be. So I have to intentionally do things that position me to get my creative “juices flowing.” I’ve got some friends that are in a band called “Giants of Silence.” This week they were getting ready for their tour to Kansas and then Mexico City. I shared with JJ (playing bass in the photo above) that I’d love the chance to hear them rehearse. I’ve found that getting around live music gets me seeing things a little bit differently. So yesterday I went to hear them play for about 1.5 hours. It was great and really helped in thinking a bit differently about things.
What do you do to keep yourself creative? I’d love to get your ideas on what keeps you thinking creatively.
We’ve started a new tradition in the Curtis family. Every night after dinner we dance. At least that’s what we call it. The ingredients are music pumping through our 5.1 Surround Sound (with the bass turned up), the four us holding hands, and rhythmically moving in a circle. Our “dance time” usually concludes with us crashing on the floor, me wrestling with the kids, while Bethany finishes picking up the dinner remnants.
This has become a new highlight in our home. The kids ask for it and as parents we look forward to it. A time to dance with one another. It costs us nothing and is a wonderful moment in our day. If you were to see us, you’d laugh…and you would be laughing with us.
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95% of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”
- A.W. Tozer
This quote bothers me. Not because I don’t think it’s true, but because the church isn’t a cold impersonal institution. It’s you, me, and the friends we have. So when I read this, I can’t help but wonder what this looks like in my typical week. Is 95% of my week spent without the Holy Spirit working through me. Am I living my life apart from the influence and power He wants to operate through me.
I’ve been wrestling with the 1 Cor. 4:20, “The Kingdom of Heaven is not a matter of talk, but of power.” I can talk (everyone knows that), but does my life demonstrate God’s power? Are people closer to God because I am used by Him so that they may know His love, grace, hope, joy, peace, etc.? Am I positioning myself for that to happen…do I want it to happen? It sounds messy, unpredictable, a really hard thing to measure and calendar…but it does sound good. Something about living that way seems, well, like living.
One of the things that I am a dufford in is music. I don’t discover great songs, or bands. I rely on friends like you to guide me in the right direction. So looking back on this year I’d love for you to tell me what you thought was the “best” in the following categories. They don’t have to have happened this last year, but you have to have discovered them this last year. Leave your thoughts in the comments. I’m looking forward to what you think
I need a really cool/hip song for a video montage that captures a theme we will be using at Pathway over the next several months. The theme revolves around the word, “Epicenter.”The idea is this, an Epicenter is that thing/concept/idea/hope/person/etc. that we center of our lives around. We do this because we think it will usher in “epic” events that shape, change, and transform our lives for the better. For the Christian, Christ is that Epicenter. He constantly challenges us to make faith choices that result in “epic” living. When Christ is our epicenter, we live an “epic” life.
What song could you see going with this? It can be “christian” or “secular.” It can be sung or instrumental. What do you think? Feel free to pass this along to anyone you think could contribute to the conversation and then leave your ideas below in the comments portion
We don’t live near family. My family lives in Oregon, and Bethany’s family is in Kentucky and Tennessee. So when family comes into visit it’s a very big deal.
For Thanksgiving this year, Bethany’s mom, step-dad, sister, and brother-in-law drove north. What was great about this year was watching my kids anticipate the arrival of Grandma, Pa-Bud, Aunt Jo, and Uncle Jay. They talked about their coming for days and were gleeful when our family arrived.
This got me thinking about anticipation and celebration. Do I anticipate the things in life that God desires me to anticipate? Or do I get caught up in the hub-bub of “Black Fridays?” Do I enjoy family, relationships, the people God has blessed my life with? Do I celebrate their arrival?
I admit that the “busy-ness” of life and the monetary stuff can cloud my vision of what is real and good. It’s something I’m confessing to God and seeking His guidance on. The joys of life are not found “on sale” or “under a tree.” They are sitting around us.
Posted by milocurtis 
Posted by milocurtis 
Posted by milocurtis 
