Blogging Again?

OK, I need to say upfront this may be my only post of 2010. Let's be honest I am not a good blogger. But, there is a lot going on in my life and in my head these days. I would have to say that I am learning a lot.

Parenting - I guess I thought I was done with active parenting, but that is not the case. Don't get me wrong I like the fact that my 18 and 19 year old sons still want my advice, opinions, and help from time to time. I also find that I have a greater opportunity to disciple my nearly adult children now than I thought I would. Actually much greater. I will be making the most of this opportunity!

1 Thessalonians - I have been studying 1 Thessalonians this year and have been struck by how much Paul (writer of 1 Thessalonians) genuinely loves the church. He has deep compassion for their sufferings and a real affection for them. He takes great pleasure and encouragement from their faithfulness and growth in the Lord. He makes personal sacrifices for their spiritual well being. He calms there fears, commends their victories, and instructs their weaknesses. It is abundantly clear that his is not simply a job for Paul.

Knee Pain - So I am having problems with my right knee now. I had an MRI and I have several problems with my knee. The first is Arthritis, then a sheared medial meniscus, an asymmetrical grinding knee cap, and excessive fluid. All of these ailments are inoperable. My doctor has told me to do what I can and deal with the pain. I know this sounds a little strange, but I am kinda looking forward to enduring this pain. Pain is not always a bad thing. Pain can bring humility. I could certainly use some humility.

Family - We have had extra family around this winter and it has been great. I have found encouragement from extended family being with us. The insights, prayers, encouragements, companionship, and synergy has been uplifting for me. I love my family.

The Windy City

So, I am sitting in a meeting of Church Planting Strategist in Chicago. As we sit here, we all share a love for this city. The need here for the proclamation of the Gospel, the making of disciples, and the planting of churches is great. Chicago is one of the most under churched, under reached cities in America. Chicago is a wonderful city with a rich cultural diversity. it is truly a cultural center. I love the business of the city. Chicago is a diamond in the rough. I simply love Chicago!

DISC Profile

Today at staff meeting we spent the morning working on the DISC personal discernment inventory which is an instrument for understanding yourself and others. The instrument uses a descriptive word list to help the participant discover their personality/relational/work style. There is four categories; Dominant, Influential, Steady, Conscientious.

So I didn't really learn anything new about myself that i didn't already know. I am a high D which stands for dominant and I am also a high I which stands for Influential. But it was good to see how the other people on my team are wired and what their particular styles are.

So, have you ever taken the DISC profile?

Blogging

OK! So here is the deal. I would rather say my thoughts than write them. Not only is that true, I would rather say them to your face than record them. Otherwise I could be a video blogger or a pod-caster. The sad truth is, no matter how much I want to be, I am not wired for blogging. I am not giving up on the medium, just trying to be realistic. Maybe I will write something tomorrow....

Vision

We are at a meeting to do some planning for our organization's 2010 goals. We began the day with a discussion of our team vision which is;

"A New Testament Church in easy reach of every person in Illinois."

I really like this as a vision statement for a number of reasons.
1. It requires some thinking to unpack. We need to think more!
2. It communicates the Incarnational and transformational nature of the ministry of the Church.
3. It recognizes that what we need is a reformation not a revolution. In other words we are
talking about getting back to what is radically old not doing something that is radically new.
4. It identifies that either geographically or culturally the church in Illinois is not in easy reach
of many people in Illinois. We need all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.
5. It focuses on the Biblical foundation of the Church.
6. It is easy to remember.

Odds and Ends

Here are some things I have been thinking about lately.

• Authentic Christian community
• Journey (the band)
• Africa
• Christian involvement in justice issues
• Do we really need Christian curriculum?
• My children leaving the house
• My wife (she is awesome)
  
• Disciple making
• The Shining (Stephen King novel)
• The Revelation
  

Greetings from SI

Wow, I haven't posted here in a long time. I have been posting regularly on my other blog Transplant Your Life. So I am sitting at the McDonalds in West Frankfort, IL using the Wi-Fi (which I had to pay for.) I have a series of meetings this week down here in Southern Illinois and i thought it would be a good time to see my parents and spend some much needed time with them. Even thought I had to pay for the Wi-Fi, I do want to give the West Frankfort McDonalds props for having styro-foam cups for cold drinks. I am a big fan of the foam cup over the plastic cup.

Tonight I am speaking at Catalyst, which is a gathering of college age adults in Southern Illinois. It meets at Anna Heights Baptist Church at about 7:30pm. I am looking forward to this teaching opportunity tonight. I will be teaching from Romans 8, if you want to know more, then come to Catalyst Tonight at Anna Heights.