BLeach

10,000 Days

This is going to sound random, but stay with me.  Friday is my 10,000th day of being alive. 

Now, there is no way I would have known that without having a mathematically curious roommate.  Ryan got to thinking today about when his 10,000th day was going to be.  He calculated it and found out it was coming up.  Then he figured mine must be close, so he did some checking, and sure enough it's on Friday.

The first thing I did was thank him for checking today.  It would have been depressing to have discovered this information on Saturday.

Then I put my mind toward thinking about how to celebrate.  This is where I need your help.  I figure I've got one chance to make this day count.  It's going to be another 20 years before I get to 25,000. 

So here's my question.  What would you do on your 10,000th day of being alive?

The Insanity of Insignificance

I wrapped up the Engage series at our church this morning.  For the first few years of our church I've tried to use January as a time to instill a sense of vision and mission into the church.  This year the vision series took a personal turn as I shared a series of three cries I hear coming from my heart in the New Year.  Today I finished with The Insanity of Insignificance. 

What I call the insanity of insignificance is the feeling Isaiah wrote about in Isaiah 49.4.

I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. 

I don't think there's any more frustrating feeling in life then to feel aimless and spent without also feeling that I accomplished something significant in the process. 

It was interesting to feel this message come together.  Tuesday is a study day for me.  I find a place out of the office, usually in a coffee shop.  I like to study and write in an environment where I'm surrounded by different kinds of people.  It is a way of keeping me from thinking in a bubble.  Hopefully it helps keep my teaching relevant.  Usually I spend the first part of the day reading from whatever text I'm using, and jotting down thoughts that come to my mind.  Then I'll typically look at other books, websites, and resources to develop the big idea of that text.  On Tuesday I never got to any other resources.  After a few hours of reading and writing from Isaiah 49, I had the essence of what I felt God wanted me to say. 

Preparing messages is hard work.  I spend more time preparing to teach then any other single part of my job.  It's not always a supernatural experience.  Usually it is a process marked by hard work, perseverance and a couple droughts of writer's block.  But every now and then an amazinig thing happens.  I can only describe it by saying that it feels like God reaches down and borrows my keyboard.  When that happens, my fingers may be typing, but they can't move fast enough to keep up with the words God is putting in my mind.

Those are fun messages to deliver!

Glory Road

I finally saw Glory Road last night.  My expectations were high because I'd read and heard so many comparisons to Remember the Titans, which is one of my all-time favorite movies.  If anything, I thought Glory Road was a little more intense in its portrayal of racism.  I found my blood pressure rising and my body squirming several times over the way the black Texas Western basketball players were treated. 

Bill Hybels says that vision is born from "holy discontent."  I think he's right, at least in my case.  My vision of what the church should look like has been shaped in part by the kind of stories shared in Glory Road.  Even more impacting have been the stories shared by my African American friends who have personally experienced the sting of racism. 

Hate...Suspicion...Prejudice...these words irritate me enough to want to see the world change.  They are motivating words.  They are fighting words.  And they are words that never characterized Jesus' approach to people. 

In many ways America has come a long way in the past 50 years, and in many ways so has the church.  But as long as Ford Field continues to attract more racial diversity for a Lion's game then the church does for a worship service, we've got a long way still to go before we get to the ideal of Revelation 7 where colors, tribes and tongues unite to worship Jesus Christ. 

My thanks go out today to Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer for a little more motivation to get there. 

MLK Quotes

In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, here's a list of 17 of my favorite Dr. King quotes.  What are yours?

Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. 

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were  here.  Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, we were here.  If the inexpressible curelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail.

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.

I just want to do God's will.  And he's allowed me to go to the mountain.  And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land!  I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.

I want to be the white man's brother, not his brother-in-law.

If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing can be more redemptive.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.

Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.  We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. 

The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be...The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.

I have a dream.

A Day On

Well, today would have been Martin Luther King's 82nd birthday.  I often wonder how much Dr. King would have accomplished if his life hadn't been taken so early.  After Jesus, who changed the world with only 3.5 years of ministry, I can't think of many men who accomplished more with less time. 

I wanted to do something meaningful today to honor Dr. King's legacy.  We close our offices at the church on MLK day, but this year I didn't want it to be just a day off.  I can't see how that really honors Martin Luther King's legacy.  So I teamed up with about 15 friends from our church to join City Year in their annual Martin Luther King Volunteer day.  It was a day on.

We attended an opening rally this morning, where Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick spoke.  I've never heard a politician who is a better public speaker than Kwame Kilpatrick.  Then we spent the afternoon working with Habitat for Humanity.  We laughed, we froze, we lifted lumber and organized tools.  It was a great memory and a great way to honor one of America's most outstanding men. 

Here's the quote of the day:

Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.  You don't have to have a college degree to serve.  You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.

MLK Moments

One of my heroes is Martin Luther King Jr.  His autobiography had a significant influence on my life.  In honor of his birthday Monday, I'm going to post some of my favorite MLK moments through the weekend. 

After finishing seminary in 1954, Martin Luther King became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.  He was 25.  I believe God put him there for what would happen about a year later. 

The Montgomery Movement began when Rosa Parks was arrested for violating segretation laws in 1955.  In a matter of days, Martin Luther King found himself being looked to as the leader of a breakthrough civil rights movement. 

As the Montgomery Movement began, Martin Luther King found himself as a young man, with a young wife, and a baby, with threatening phone calls and letters coming in regularly.  The pressure and fear finally brought him to a point of decision.  These are his words describing what happened.

"One night toward the end of January I settled into bed late, after a strenuous day.  Coretta had fallen asleep and just as I was about to doze off the telephone rang.  An angry voice said, 'Listen, we've taken all we want from you; before next week you'll be sorry you ever came to Montgomery.'  I hung up, but I couldn't sleep.  It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once.  I had reached the saturation point. 

I got out of bed and began to walk the floor.  I had heard these things before, but for some reason that night it got to me.  I turned over and I tried to go to sleep, but I couldn't sleep.  I was frustrated, bewildered, and then I got up.  Finally I went to the kitchen and heated a pot of coffee.

I was ready to give up. 

With my cup of coffee sitting untouched before me I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward.  I sat there and thought about a beautiful little daughter who had just been born.  I'd come in night after night and see that little gentle smile.  I started thinking about a dedicated and loyal wife, who was over there asleep.  And she could be taken from me, or I could be taken from her.

And I got to the point that I couldn't take it any longer...With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud.  The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory. 

'Lord, I'm down here trying to do what's right.  I think I'm right...But Lord, I must confess that I'm weak now, I'm faltering.  I'm losing my courage...I am at the end of my powers.  I have nothing left.  I've come to the point where I can't face it alone.' 

It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying, 'Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness.  Stand up for justice.  Stand up for truth.  And lo, I will be with you.  Even unto the end of the world.

I tell you I've seen the lightning flash.  I've heard the thunder roar.  I've felt sin breakers dashing trying to conquer my soul.  But I heard the voice of Jesus saying still to fight on."

Victory

Yes!  I just defeated our church planter in residence, Chris Bradshaw, in ping pong.  Never mind that he beat ten times in a row.  I broke his streak.  After my first 3 losses I vowed to not give up until I won.  For awhile I was afraid that I might not be sleeping tonight.  But I stuck it out, and won the 11th game 22-20.  There was some serious pressure down the stretch, but I have ice in my veins. 

A lesser loser would have given up. 

And as a bonus, I'm going to bed watching the Pistons smoke the Spurs heading into the final minutes of their second game and last game of the season.  I think their proving that last year's NBA Finals were a fluke.  They're playing out of their minds this year. 

All in all, it's turning out to be quite an inspirational night.   

Conference on the Ministry

This week our team is in Traverse City for the Assembly of God's annual Conference on the Ministry.  It is my favorite event that our fellowship does.  The schedule is really laid back with a priority on spiritual growth and relationship. 

There are four services Monday and Tuesday, and the rest of the time is free.  The free time is a great opportunity for our team to connect.  Yesterday we drove up together, grabbed some Italian for lunch, prayed around the altars together, and wrapped up the night with a Karoake challenge in Chris and NIcki's room.  Tal shocked us all with a platinum effort on My Girl, and a near 100%.  Who knew?

I'm teaching our church a new series this month called Engage.  It's really a collection of three cries I hear coming from my heart in the New Year.  I mentioned the first this past weekend.  I want to make a difference. 

The desire to make a difference is not a new one for me.  I've longed to live a significant life since God called me into ministry in Lansing at a Junior High Youth Convention.  The cry that seems more fresh for me is the second one that I want to introduce this Sunday. 

I want to make a difference, with people who want to make a difference. 

Last night I started thinking about Jesus' relationships.  I've often wondered why it was so important to Him to include His disciples in His life and ministry.  Sometimes he invited all 12 into the experience.  Other times it was only 3 of them.  But Jesus went out of his way to include those guys.  Most of the time He could have probably done the job more effectively, quickly, and painlessly by Himself.  But He took time to teach them, correct them, and enjoy them.  I'm sure He was preparing them for His departure.  He was intentionally developing leaders.  But I think it was more than that for Jesus.  I think that when presented with the option of changing the world by Himself, or sharing the experience with people He loved, He would have chosen the relationship route every time. 

To be honest, I have to work at being relational.  I'm by nature task-driven.  So when I came out of College to start our church I usually saw myself working on a project.  I still do.  And I believe it is a God-breathed project that will impact eternity.  But I want more from life now.  I want more from ministry.  I find myself more concerned with sharing the trip with like-minded friends who share the same call and passion. 

Times like this week are HUGE for our team.  We will have countless opportunities this year to plan, sweat and work.  This week has a different taste.  But it's a taste that I'm learning is just as sweet. 

Takes the Cake

Now that my blog seems to be attracting more and more snowman lovers (I don't know if there is a name for this group), I just had to post the picture from the latest link I was sent.  This guy takes the cake.  He's over 113 feet tall.  And, according to the article, he's a snowperson.  You've got to love the PC. 

A Shark Tale

Since the forces of nature made my family's mission of building the biggest snowman in two states impossible, I decided to post a video recap of an adventure during our Thanksgiving vacation that was just as big. I was with my parents, my Uncle Jim and Renee Palmer, and my three cousins Nathan, Justin and Christian. We went fishing for the biggest shark in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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